I can/do understand both sides of this issue. When I first wanted a yorkie 25+ years ago, no good breeder OR rescue would let me have a pup because I had small children (2 under 8yrs). I was extremely frustrated because I really wanted a yorkie. I knew the pup would be well supervised & my children would be taught to be very gentle and to NEVER pick up the pup. Looking back, I now realize that the breeders & rescues who turned me down didn't know me, and had no way of knowing how well my children and pups would be supervised. I finally adopted a pair of "teapot" yorkies from a local shelter, and it worked out wonderfully well.

Since that time, I've fostered & transported pups for 3 different rescues. I know firsthand the time, effort, money, and love that goes into caring for and saving these pups. I've been astounded by people who have applied to adopt a rescue. It's amazing when someone says they plan on letting the 5# yorkie they want to adopt be an "outside" dog. Or when they tell you that their last dog couldn't be trained to stay in their unfenced yard & so got hit by a car.

These things make me wholeheartedly agree with rescues being so "picky" about who gets to adopt their babies. On the other hand, some of the rules can be a little too tight. For example, my home in florida is a townhouse, and does not have a fenced in yard. That disqualifies me as an adopter to many rescues. I think many rescues are unwilling/unable to look at adopters on a case by case basis. Most rescues are fully staffed by volunteers, and unfortunately there aren't enough volunteers to do all that needs to be done. One poster stated that potential adopters should be offered the ability of fostering etc.. That sounds wonderful, but all volunteers need to be screened/approved. It would be crazy to hand over a rescue pup to someone with no screening just because they said they wanted to volunteer.

I know that many people complain about the high cost of adopting some rescue pups compaired to what a shelter charges. What these people don't understand is that most rescues FULLY vet each dog including dentals before adopting them out. There is NO WAY a rescue will get the $1000.00 back that they spent on a 13 yr old yorkie. They may charge a $100 adoption fee for a 15 yr old, but charge $700 for the cute healthy 1 yr pup. If they didn't do this, they couldn't help the sicker, older dogs.

Sorry this post is sooo long. This is something near to my heart!

I have fostered many dogs through out the years. But I have never had a rescued dog as my own. I prefer to purchase my dogs, I get them young, train them myself, and keep them up until they go to the bridge. I provide the best in food, training, travel, socialization and all around care. I do not want to deal with someone's problems on a permanent basis. I will foster puppies of any breed, no large breed dogs anymore. My health will not allow me to deal with large breed dogs anymore. I applaud anyone who goes with a rescue dog, it takes a special person to do that.
A lot of people go into rescue to save money on the purchase of a yorkie, poodle, etc. Most times this will not prove to be the case, remember people surrendered those dogs for a reason. IE, health issues, that are expensive, social issues, house training issues and the list goes on. You save no money, you just takes on issues that you did not expect. That is my opinion.

In the 25 years I've been a yorkie owner, I have always had only rescue pups. That's not because I don't believe in purchasing from a good breeder though. It was just because reputable breeders wouldn't consider me while my children were small, and later I was involved in rescue & my pups sort of fell into my lap lol. I am currently on a slow hunt for a "teen" from a good breeder. Since I have never purchased a pup from a breeder I am taking my time to find just the right breeder & pup to add to my family.

I agree that most rescue pups DO have issues. I have found that many issues/problems are the result of owner neglect or inexperience. Many of these pups just need love, training, and consistant vet care to become "perfect" pets. My little 3 1/2 # 2 year old Phoebe was rescued from a home full of wild small childern! When I went to pick her up, I couldn't believe that she had survived 7 months in that enviroment without any broken bones.

After just a little bit of time and training, Phoebe is the light of my life. In my opionion, she is the "perfect" pup! Yes, rescues can have issues, but many are easily overcome.

In my opionion it doesn't matter if you choose to purchase your pup from a REPUTABLE breeder or if you decide to rescue. Both are great ways to add a pup to your family.

While people surrender for the reasons you listed.....the largest amount surrender for other reasons such as:

I got married and my husband does not like my yorkie.

I have children now and we don't have time for the yorkie.

I am moving and cannot take my yorkie with me.