Agreed. And I'm finding that many people are posting both photos and videos of puppies online. While I know that doesn't make up for seeing them in person, I can certainly use those tools to weed out many puppies that aren't right for me.

An often over-looked resource for finding reputable breeders, are your local vets. While they probably won't slander their clients and tell you who NOT to buy from, most will readily recommend a client they know is producing puppies from quality stock.

And as I mentioned in my last post, once you find a quality breeder, they usually know other breeders, through showing and yorkie organizations, and can refer you to others who may have puppies or be expecting puppies in the near future.

It didn't take me a year to find a good breeder. I came here and mentioned that I would be getting another puppy (my second one) and someone referred me to them. I called them, talked to them on the phone several times, went to their home and made a decision. I had to drive about 2 hours, but that is nothing.

My first dog I found on the AKC website. Did the same process. Yes, I talked to many that I passed on...and even passed on one after I visited the home.

It really isn't that hard. You just have to be willing to do a little work.

If I were going to get a beagle, I would find a forum for beagles and learn all I could. I would probably read a book too as I love to read. Then, I would look into the breed clubs for respectable breeders. I guarantee you I would be able to find a reputable breeder on my own.

I would not be willing to take someone else's word for it that it was all on the up and up and not a puppy miller. Isn't that what pet stores say? They actually tell people that they buy the dogs from reputable breeders....when we all know that a reputable breeder would NEVER sell to a pet store.

I would only trust myself...when I have seen it with my own eyes. Like I said before...if it keeps a dog from being abused and suffering as a puppy mill breeder, than it is worth it.

great points!

No way. And if you've ever purchased a car, you know that there are many great tools online to narrow down your search to a few cars. Imagine if you had to travel to every dealership just to see what kind of cars they have in stock, what the dealership looks like, and to see the service department and imagine the kind of work you think they do there by the cleanliness of the floor. The truth is that you wouldn't do that. You would be doing yourself a disservice by overlooking the great tools available on the Internet.

Yes. When it comes to puppies though, nobody is telling you who is reputable. Most of the advice here is saying to go figure it out for yourself.

Again, spending a lot of time on something does not always yield good results. Did you ever hear the saying "Work smarter, not harder"? That's what I want to do with my puppy research.

Yes I agree, work smarter not longer. I wouldn't say that the current way is "smart" but for me, as you said, is necessary. The only thing one could argue is, if I would've found a dog in one month, it wouldn't have been the one I am getting who is the best dog in the world :)

So basically what we need is a linkedin for dog breeders, but a regulated one, I guess someone could go check things out periodically... Like an FDA for real breeders. You could start withn regional account execs to acquire and monitor breeders and as it grows you would need more reps. You could have website and hotline for folks that want to talk with someone.... I still say ur on to something there :)

You got it. And it's a hard problem to solve. I don't know why it's so hard for most here to imagine. I know there are many dedicated people here who would be able to contribute good feedback to such a project though.

Lol it may be ur dry sense of humor ;)

Now get on that idea yorkieman, the best ideas come from obstacles. And u know how to do websites so it is meant to be.

Any who, I hope u find your dream yorkie and breeder, and I hope u make billions off of DogBook lol

I would NeVer purchase a car or a pet online without seeing it in person 1st, just not a smart way to buy either. Unless you have lot's of excellent refs. And I have purchased cars.

But, I bet you would have no problem seeing pictures of a car/pet online before seeing either in person.

I would never purchase a car from a dealer just because someone with a financial interest in it says that I should. Which is why it is important to do your own leg work.

There are lots of puppy brokers already out there who make lots of money. I don't respect it. :thumbdown

Here is a big difference. A CAR does not breathe. It's "parents" are not locked in cages suffering while greedy people make money off of its pain.

Wow!
 

:eek: This has gotten WAY out of control!!

And why are they easy to find? Because there are many tools available on the Internet. The same tools do not exist for finding reputable breeders.

I agree. Yawn. I've said my two cents....hopefully it'll help someone in someway at some time!

Oh? I think there is some great conversation in here if you weed out some of the posts :)

Megansmomma.
 

...JMO but maybe this thread should be closed

I love how people barge into threads just to announce they should be closed. Perhaps you came to the wrong thread. Fortunately, there are many others to go browse through...

I completely agree. Enough already!!!!!!!! :thumbup:

And with that said, this will be my last post here. :)

How so???

Surely this is over-reacting a lil?

This does not surprise me. It's unfortunate that you do not understand the topic at hand. Perhaps a resource like this will be available some day and you'll finally come to understand its usefulness after using it. Then again, you might still be traveling by foot :)

This is why I said lots of refs. I absolutely believe in doing your own leg work but Not online , in person.

This is a Public forum. Did you want no one to respond or only those who totally agree with you ?

Everyone has the right to respond. That does not necessarily mean they understand the topic at hand. If you'd rather visit every breeder in person, then you don't seem to understand the problem either. Working harder, rather than smarter, eh?

My problem with referrals/references are as follows....
most people, will give a rave review immediately after receiving their dog. I'm guilty of that as well. I was just so happy to have my little bundle of fur, all I saw was through Ross colored glasses. If reviews can be updated at 6 months after picking up a dog, 1 year, and then 3 years, that person's word is a lot more credible. However, what I really want to know is what will a breeder do when something goes wrong. Does the breeder stop carin for the dog they watched grow after it is too old to be covered by the "guarantee"?

Hi,

Now, I know puppies aren't cars and that's not the point I'm trying to make. But....when you purchase a car, you look for problems with the engine, problems with the interior, transmission, etc. You're also looking at mileage and future resell possibility on that car. Then, you start fussing over paint color, and whether or not it has cruise control. Then...you're wondering if there's enough room for everyone who has to ride in that car. Then...you're wondering if the windows roll up automatically or if you have to roll them yourself. Then you go across town or possibly to another city to make sure they don't have the same car, only one that is in better condition. Then after all that, you may realize that the car salesman had a haughty attitude and decided you'd try elsewhere for someone who showed a little more respect to you as the car buyer. Then..of course you have to consider insurance rates, whether there were any recalls of that car in previous years, models, etc. Finally when all is said and done, you might have a car a month or two later that you REALLY wanted, and fits you well, and drives like a DREAM.:D

...pretty sad that people can take all this time looking for the perfect car from the perfect salesman, but they can't take the same time looking for a living, breathing being that depends upon them for their very survival.

Reviews like this would be most helpful.

It's not time that's the problem -- it's the tools. There are many tools available to help find the perfect car. There are mostly bad tools available for finding the perfect puppy.

Exactly !
You want that car to be in good shape so it doesn't give you headache after headache & die in a few month's or a year. You want to bring home a happy HEALTHY pup so you don't end up in heartache because your pup now has a liver shunt or Chiari or AAI or any other health condition. You can't tell anything from a picture of a pup online, only that it's cute. Oh, and you hopefully would not be looking for a pup for it's resale value.

I'm not the argumentative person, so this is the last time I'll be visiting this thread. However, I just wanted to say that I disagree, but recognize that you are allowed your opinion and I won't harp on that.

There are lots of places you can find information about reputable breeders, the standards of different breeds, the health issues certain breeds face, etc. The problem doesn't rest in not having the information available (because it is out there) the problem rests in the fact that we live in an instant-gratification society, where most people are "too busy to be bothered" with doing their homework.:rolleyes:

Anyway, I just wanted to add my two cents. I'll let y'all go about your discussion, now. :]