New to group
 

Hi, my name is Gail and I'm new to the group. We've had yorkies for the past 39 years and we just lost our little Chelsea, at 13, to kidney disease. We were so lucky to have her that long. We r now yorkieless. The house is so quiet I can't stand it. I think even Maxwell our cat is sad. We r deciding to get another dog - my husband thinks a yorkie mix might be better because our yorkies have all passed by ten years having: collapsed tracchias, laryngeal paralysis, seizures,liver diseasbreeder.e (died within 5 days) and kidney disease. Anyone have any comments, advice? I live in RI and looking for a reputable breeder. Thanks for listening and I look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome to YT and so sorry for your loss, it is never easy. We just got our little Kyra after losing our Lolita to heart disease so I understand. Yorkies lifespan ranges like any other puppy according to their health and I know there are some who live to be 20 years old. I wish you the very best of luck with your choice.

Hi and Welcome to YT!

So sorry for your loss... good luck in your search to find a new friend...

Welcome. SOrry for the loss of your Chelsea. I have had Yorkies for over 40 years too and have had one die at 6 1/2 from collapsed trachea. one at 6 months from congenital kidney failure and the other lived to just about 13, my Pom lived to 13 as well. The rescue I have is estimated to be 17-19 years old and is totally blind and deaf bit doesn't have much else wrong. I think yorkies can be prone to certain diseases like trachea and LP but so are a lot of small dogs. I don't know if a mix is any different, never having had one. I know finding the best breeder gives you a much better chance of a healthy dog. Also, an older rescue or an older pup that a good breeder decided not to keep are other options. Good luck in your search. I hope someone else can give you some ideas on good breeders in your area.

hi and welcome. i am sorry for your loss! I cant relate in a way to the fear of yorkies (i got myself and my friend a yorkie each from the same breeder, her's died 3 months later from LS!!) i did contemplate getting a different breed when ready to get a baby sister for my Ziggy (my friend is going to get a Jack Russel) but I just really want to find a good breeder (and i believe I have).

I think ANY breeder can be good or bad, not just because of the actual breed. I think you should spend alot of time doing research and get advise on breeders on here too. And I'm sure you'll find a good breeder and a healthy new baby!

Good luck

Thank you all for being so kind and I am also sorry for the losses you have had. I will be on the lookout for a good and reliable breeder in the New England area. If anyone can recommend one please do. In the meantime I hope to get some good advice from YT. And I'll get the hang of these forums and replies I'm sure.

Are Yorkies long lived ?
 

Yes, Yorkies have a longer life expectancy when compared to many other breeds. My Noah lived to be 18 years old. He was never really sick until he was 16 or 17 when he got cancer.

Each pure breed dog comes with a limited gene pool and certain genetic markers carry a higher risk of some diseases or disorders. Some examples are, Bull dogs are pron breathing and skin problems, Labs bad hips, Dalmatians deafness, Cockers mood disorders,Boxers cancer, King Charles water on the brain, Yorkies bad knees etc.

As you know good breeders have their dogs tested for genetic diseases. But not all problems can be predetermined. Mixed dogs suffer from the same diseases and problems that pure bred dogs do. But who keeps records about mixed breed dogs ? Who does research for medium sized Watchmacallit that gets a bad heart valve ?

My suggestion is to choose the best breeder you can find, and get a dog from them. Every one and every thing dies at some point in time. All we can do is make an educated decision.

We can not let fear of what might happen keep us from loving and sharing our life with people or Yorkies.

God bless, and best wishes Teresa and the :aimeeyork Gang

I'm sorry for your loss and I hope that you can find a little one to help fill the void...

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Chelsea. I have only had Abi for six years now; but cannot imagine life without a Yorkie. I can well see that your hearts would be sore from all the loss in the past 39 years. I hope you find the new friend you are looking for.
........:thumbup: