How did you get your Yorkie?

[Jacksmom052709]

We had a Sheltie, Max, who was 14 years old. Sadly, he became ill and we had to put him down. I had been raised with dogs and found the lack of a puppy bothersome. My office manager had purchased a Yorkie-poo from a store, that I am pretty sure purchases their pups from local mills. I didn't know it at the time though. About two weeks after Max had been put to sleep, I was going to "look" at a Sheltie that this store had. When my daughter and I got there, the Shelties has been sold - the store had two posted on their website and we were late. I looked at a little white Pomeranian, she was adorable, but then we saw Jack and his sister. We brought both of them into a little "bonding room" and Jack just sat there so quietly while his sister ran amuck. It was kind of love at first sight. I knew my hubby would be upset as he sent me a text stating the very thing. But Jack was so tiny (he weighed 1 pound 25 ounces) and so cute and he fit in my one hand... I just had to take him home. It said something along the lines of "you better not be bringing a dog home, I'll be mad... maybe." I figured my hubby wouldn't be able to deny that cute little face of Jack's and I was right. They are super tight now and Jack is his little buddy. Since finding this site, I have become much more educated about mills, etc. Fortunately the place I got him from does vet checks and give them their shots, etc. Two years later, Jack is a very healthy 5 pounds and the absolute apple of my eye - he can do no wrong and runs the roost and I think he knows it.

[yorkiedallas]

I got Dallas on a whim. I was doing my taxes and kinda bummed out about it. Something about seeing the "worth" of your life itemized line after line.

I found him on the shelter's web site, I went to go see him. He was so good looking and tiny in his cage. I asked to meet him and they took me to a little fenced off area with grass. The attendant handed Dallas to me, and he was this little frightened, shivering puff of hair. I sat on the ground with him and he just huddled against my leg, he was so scared. He came with a whole list of cautions from the shelter, I guess the owner that surrendered him really did not understand the breed at all.

I went home and thought about it overnight, came back the next day and committed to taking him. They kept him for a few more days so they could neuter him. I was so excited shopping for his supplies. I went to pick him up and the rest is history.

I hope to get him a brother this year. The new addition will come from a shelter or a rescue only.

This is my little man the day he came home from the shelter.

[BabyFidgette]

Pet Store. Whim buy. Never owned a dog and knew nothing about mills. I did my research backwards that's for sure. Now I know better for the next time. I'm just lucky that Baby is 6 and healthy.

[Kathy LaMar]

We got our first Yorkie, Lexi (8 years ago) by my accidentally stumbling across an old ad. I called the lady and she said she had a puppy but wasn't sure about selling it. We had to fill out an application and it took several weeks before she allowed us to purchase her after checking ALL of our references. Lexi is 3.5 pounds and is "Mommy's" furbaby.

Our second little girl , Cricket, was one year old when we got her (she is now 8). She is a tiny (2.5 lbs) little thing. Her brother was killed by an owl while outside and the person who owned them had small children and was worried about her getting snatched up, too. That is how we were able to purchase her. Cricket is "Daddy's" furbaby.

Our third Yorkie, Festus Dillon, came to us from a friend. We were asked to adopt him because they didn't feel that they had the time to devote to him. We really didn't want to take on another Yorkie, but he has now been with us for 2 years and he is the best furbaby ever! Festus is "Mommy and Daddy's" furbaby.

We live in the country and none of our 3 have ever been outside without one of us with them. I must say though, there is not an owl one that could take off with 10 lb Festus!!!!

[qtyorkies]

Originally Posted by yorkiedallas

I got Dallas on a whim. I was doing my taxes and kinda bummed out about it. Something about seeing the "worth" of your life itemized line after line.

I found him on the shelter's web site, I went to go see him. He was so good looking and tiny in his cage. I asked to meet him and they took me to a little fenced off area with grass. The attendant handed Dallas to me, and he was this little frightened, shivering puff of hair. I sat on the ground with him and he just huddled against my leg, he was so scared. He came with a whole list of cautions from the shelter, I guess the owner that surrendered him really did not understand the breed at all.

I went home and thought about it overnight, came back the next day and committed to taking him. They kept him for a few more days so they could neuter him. I was so excited shopping for his supplies. I went to pick him up and the rest is history.

I hope to get him a brother this year. The new addition will come from a shelter or a rescue only.

This is my little man the day he came home from the shelter.

I can't believe you were able to come back the next day to get him, and he was still there at the shelter. I was looking for a shelter or rescue Yorkie for a long time before I found Sparrow still available. The fact that she didn't like anybody and was afraid of them was the only thing that gave me a chance at getting to adopt her. I was the only one she didn't run away from and bark at.

[SWHouston]

Both Sneakers and Becca (they are Bro/Sis) came from a Friend of mine, which most call a "Back yard Breeder", though I'd like to refer to He and his Wife as "Hobby" Breeders.

They only let their PB/Registered pair have one Liter a year, and I had to put my name on a List, and wait for over six months for Becca (my most recent) His pair have a good reputation for very healthy pups, and.... well.... just maybe I'm going get a third Dog from him in a year or so. Haven't decided if it will be Female or Male yet, but you know how it goes. Once you get one then it's "Katy bar the Door" !

I've owned a LOT of Dogs in my life, but none even come close to having the intellect and intuitive ability of the Yorkshire. Most judge animals on how many tricks they can teach them, but as you should know, there's a lot more to that, than just sit, stay or lay down.

I could literally write an Essay on some of the things my two do which is just flabbergasting as to how they can think things through.
But, I'd be preaching to the Choir, wouldn't I

[CoCos_Mom]

I'm sorry, but what is up with this BYB stuff. What makes a breeder NOT a BYB??? So...if I decided to breed my registered baby, I would be a BYB? Why? Because I haven't been doing it for 5, 10, 25 years? Just asking because I see that there seems to be a little bit of an attitude towoards those "regular" folks who breed their dogs.

[SweetLifetime]

My husband and I were at the mall and went into the pet store just because. There in the shop was a little female Snorkie who was giving me some serious puppy dog eyes. We left the shop but I couldn't get her out of my head.

I started researching then and realized it was the Yorkie part of her I was drawn to. I read all about the breed and stalked around these boards. I knew better than to buy at a pet store but I was so smitten with that little girl. We went back to see her again and went into the bonding room with her. She was kind of a holy terror and wouldn't stop gnawing on my feet. My husband was sure we were coming home with her and was just waiting for disaster. But I really did know better, and handed her back. we left empty handed.

After that I found the YTCA website which led me to a reputable local breeder. They happened to have puppies at the time and had a male on the larger end of the breed standard which is what I wanted. When we went to meet him, we both fell in love. A week later, we went back and brought home Cody. And I wouldn't trade him for anything.

[meeshie]

I wish I could give you guys some super amazing "royal" adoption from a well known breeder, however, that's not the case.
I got my sweet little CaLi just by being patient and being consistent in my hunt. I knew I wanted a yorkie. I knew I couldn't afford to pay top dollar for a puppy. My fiancee wanted to be in on which breed of dog we'd get. He gave me the okay once I showed him a picture of a little yorkie.
I figured we could try shelters and rescues first...with no luck. Everytime we'd get locked in on one we liked, something would happen where it wasn't meant to be. Months went by of me searching and showing him pics and phonecalls and appointments...nothing worked out. UNTIL...

I tried Craigslist. YES, I tried Craigslist. Now..most at you will goff at the fact I would use that avenue. I was skeptical. Tons of poor dogs being sold and traded and given away to no good homes.
BUT...I found a simple ad that peaked my curiosity. It was very simple and to the point. "Help. Yorkie Puppies need homes, please call if interested"
I called the number and got to know the owner. His Yorkie and his Morkie had made an accident llitter of 6. There was no way he could have 9 dogs total in his tiny apartment.(he also owned Cali's fixed Uncle)
I agreed to make the 1 1/2 hr drive to meet him and meet the pups. He had managed to find homes for 5 of them, but it would be 2 weeks before any owners would come and get their pups for Christmas...sooooo he allowed me to pick which one I wanted. I picked the smallest and the quietest. The sweetest and the cutest. I didn't know alot about yorkies at that point, but I now am loving every second of the learning and growing process...CaLi is just the sweetest blessing and well worth the patience it took in order to let God find the perfect girl for me. She loves to go wherever I go, she knows who you're talking about when you say "Mommy" she goes nuts...and she loves to play dress up and go to the beach....
Finding this forum has been truly the one thing that has helped me be a successful mommy....thanks you guys

[brezofleur]

Zeus is a rescue baby.

My SO hated dogs. Feared them to the core. He tolerated my folks' two dogs but he was afraid of them. I half teased for 2 years that I wanted a dog but one day it really gutted me. I had to have one.

When I brought it up again, he got really upset. However, once he realized I was dead serious and explained to him why his thoughts were wrong about dogs (they smell, bite, are mean, jump, etc), he said OK.

I didn't want a puppy - too much maintenance. I work a day job, he works nights, so he would be home alone with a puppy. Because he has 0 experience, it would not be a good thing.

I knew I wanted a Yorkie. I grew up with a purebred, mellow Bichon and a mutt (chihuahua, jack russell, and dachshund mix) and I really liked the terrier that was in my Xillia. And Yorkies don't shed so it was a HUGE plus for me! I hate dog hair, lol.

I showed Chad a picture and his heart melted. He may fear dogs, but any cute face melts him. (I knew he didn't truly "hate" dogs because he freaks out whenever the ASPCA commercials come on)

So I told him, let's go to a shelter and just look at the small dogs. We're not going to get one, we're going to look. Doing homework lead me to a shelter that was having an event with a couple of Yorkies. Sly...

Of course, my intention WAS to just look. I was interested in the girl (there was a boy and girl) because, hey, girls are fun to dress up! But the boy was super sweet. Not a yapper, not a jumper, came when you called him, played with the other dogs, was interested in people... And then Chad surprised me and said "you can take him if you want to." Once I made absolutely 110% sure that he was ok with him (I made him take him for a "walk." It resulted in Chad laughing. Hooray!!) we took him home.

It turns out that he was found running the streets of Salinas, about 45 minutes south of me. He was picked up December 1. A week later, the rescue picked him up, neutered him, gave him his shots, microchipped him, and he was put into foster care. We picked him up New Year's eve.

Now, almost 2 weeks later, Zeus sleeps in between us in bed, cuddles with Daddy, and gets really excited when he sees him. Chad takes him for walks, runs, and kisses him. Happy ending for all of us!

[BLowry]

I got divorced in 1997 ...had to leave my house and couldn't take ANY of my pets with me. My former husband moved back into our house and kept all of them. I was in an apartment for 2 yrs...NO PETS was in the lease...broke my heart...I don't ever remember a time in my life I didn't have a pet. I remarried and we bought a house My new husband didn't want any pets...However I did take my Maine Coon boy back from my former husband...I HAD to have a dog...My girls (skin) were all grown up and I need something to hold cuddle..I finally convinced my hubby to get a dog...he said nothing too big and one that doesn't shed...I was all for the no shedding...as I have allergies...(don't care! still am an animal lover and will always have 1..or 2...or more! LOL)..So I started the search and research....I finally came up with Yorkies...I knew NOTHING about this breed before I started researching them...bought books, asked questions, read all I could on line...I worked with a woman that had had a yorkie pup...unfortunately she fell asleep with the puppy on her and she rolled over on him...very sad...She told me about the woman she got him from...she lives the next town over from me...I called and spoke with her and she told me that she just bred one of her yorkies...and if she was pregnant I would get pick of the litter!! ...that's how we got Sadie...Hubby said only one dog...well...I convinced him that Sadie needed a playmate...even thought she would spend the day with my parents while we were working...she was still alone....Finally convinced him and about 2 yrs later...we got Lillie!!...Our Maine Coon boy took his journey over rainbow bridge the monday before Thanksgiving...It was heart breaking for both of us...I was researching Rag doll Cats...they are GORGEOUS!! Hubby said where the furgirls are not cat friendly he didn't feel that was a good idea...He would rather another dog! Well...he didn't have to say that to me twice!! started searching for breeders in my area...I spoke with, emailed several breeders...took me a few weeks before I found the right one!! and she just happens to be a featured breeder here on YT...we spoke a few times on the phone and the week later we got Bentley!! he is ADORABLE!! a little stinker sometimes! but ADORABLE!!

[SWHouston]

YES, if you breed your Dogs in your back yard, then...

YOU ARE A BACK YARD BREEDER !

[concretegurl]

I got my Schnorkie (Yorkie schnauzer mix) from rescue.

I got my Yorkie from a Greeder making what I thought was an informed decision asking all the right questions but not making all the right choices.

People can easily give all the right answers but if you don't buy your breeder, or go see how they truly live with their dogs you are buying their bull...I consider my second Yorkie (well third actually) the hard way. I don't regret it but I will NEVER make those mistakes again.

Due to some personal revelations I will always foremost consider older rescues from now on foremost (this includes retired show dogs needing to be rehomed etc).
I'm not big on the puppy ideal because that's a short phase and you never know how they will turn out. I want a Yorke (a dog) so why not get an older one.

I often wonder why we don;t go back to the days when most people didn't get a dog from a breeder when it was about 6 months and it was fully trained-you were buying a dog because you were getting a healthy trained pet from an expert in breeding, showing and training-not a puppy.

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by CoCos_Mom

I'm sorry, but what is up with this BYB stuff. What makes a breeder NOT a BYB??? So...if I decided to breed my registered baby, I would be a BYB? Why? Because I haven't been doing it for 5, 10, 25 years? Just asking because I see that there seems to be a little bit of an attitude towoards those "regular" folks who breed their dogs.

Doing it 5, 10 or 15 years means nothing...people can do anythign for a long period of time it doesn;t by any means mean they do it right. A good breeder shows, trains, is an expert of the breed in health, training, behavior, breeding, often knowing more about the breed than most vets, they are not "regular folks" who never health test, consider matching, know the lines and responsibly treat their animals with the utmost care..."regular" folks should not be breeding it's the reason we have a so many rescues, pounds,etc.

BYB can in fact breeding in their home and have nice set ups from first glance however they don't know what they are doing and they often give themselves cute names like hobby breeder-this means they just throw any two dog they think might make decent pups together and see what happens and sell pups...yeah and what SW Houston said but in a longer more detailed version.

Regular folks don't have detail AKC registries, know their dog's lines have heath genetic testing done, offer health guarantees re-homing policies CHIC certifications OFA testing and certifications and concern themselves with responsible breeding practices.

[Foster Mom]

My first little boy Prince was bought from a friend of mine who did not breed but she had a male and female and about once every couple years she let them have a litter. I lost Prince and felt like I lost my heart. He was my special boy.

My girl Pixie was bought, unknowingly from a puppy mill. They told me she was 12 weeks old and when I got her registration papers I discovered they sold her to me when she was 4 1/2 weeks old!! She will be 10 in February. She has been thru alot and is still just such a good girl. Love her to death

My second little boy Theo, was Prince's son and the lady who adopted him decided I needed him more than she did after I lost Prince. I lost him almost a year ago. I still cry for him at times. He got me through some pretty dark times in my life. I would have moved heaven and earth to save him.

Romeo, I got from a very good friend of mine. She used to breed. I lost him when he was 2 1/2, we believe he got into some antifreeze while we were out on a walk. Completely rocked my world and devestated me. My husband was actually very concerned about my mental well being when we lost him. I am not certain why that one in particular hit me so hard. My other boys, it devestated me but I could still function, with Romeo it took me months just to function again.

Nya, I rescued and fostered and hubby decided we just could not let her go. We were told she was 8 when I rescued her and the longer she was here the more my husband and I suspected she was either a very old 8 or she was older than that. Talked to my vet and he estimates her at about 12-14. She really is a great dog. We have had her since May and she has never ever once had an accident in the house. She wont even use pee pads, if she is not outside I swear she would rather explode than pee in the house. She is very much a daddy's girl. She lives to love and be loved and to please you seems like all she wants is love and to please her family.

I got Jake from a lady here at YT. She had read how devestated I was when the little foster "Romeo" kept being promised to me only to have the other foster mom keep changing her mind. I had also wrote how my arms ached for another little boy and then I got the best email I have ever gotten in my life, the email in which she asked me if I was interested in a little yorkie boy. I told her definately I was and she checked my vet reference and told me I could start making arrangements for the trip to get him. I barely slept the rest of that week because of the excitement. I will always remember when we pulled up and all got out of our cars and I saw him for the first time. Love at first sight!!! Funny story, Jake and I bonded on the drive home, and this baby cries when I leave to go to work each morning or anytime he cannot see me. If I am bathing he has to be in the bathroom with me, If I am sitting at the computer or watching tv...you guessed it he is on my lap. Always wants to be in my arms, so much so that I recently had to go buy a front carrier for him because I have not gotten much done in the past couple months since I got him because he is always in my arms.....spoiled? Uhm yes!!!