There is a lot of misinformation in this thread....most mutts are healthy? not true
Most purebreds unhealthy? not true and so on. I wish I could close this thread but I can't....to anyone reading this be perfectly clear on what you want and don't want in a pup and then set out to purchase one from a good reputable breeder.

from what I can see there is no misinformation here, but there are lots of personal experiences. The fact is that regardless if you have a mutt or a purebred you can or cannot have health issues. Blanket statements that a purebred is healthier than a mutt can just not be made because anytime someone puts up their own personal experience someone else has the exact opposite experience. Are you going to tell me that of the hundreds of threads on here about sick purebred yorkies that everyone came from a bad backyard breeder. I do agree that if you want to better your chances on getting a healthy, standard looking purebred yorkie, then one should do their homework and seek out a reliable breeder, most likely it will need to be a show breeder and be prepared to spend a fair amount of money.

I'm guessing you were referring to your morkies when you typed mutts. Those are considered mixed by most people, not mutts.

Lynzy said it best, check out the breeder. That's the best way to get a healthy pup, IMO. As with any purchase you make, some purchases will be good (healthy), some will be bad (unhealthy). Ask the breeder health related questions about the dame and sire. Look over the living conditions of the puppies and mom. See the mom, and dad if possible. This won't guarantee that your pup will be healthy, but answers those questions can be a good indicator about it's future health and temperament.

Hey, I agree with ALL the posts above! There have been gereralizations & characterizations made about pure-breeds & mixed-breeds. They have also been based upon our own anecdotal experience, so the statements are true for what they report - but may not be accurate generally.

I think the upshot is that the ultimate decision to be made by the original poster is not one that should be made lightly or on a whim.

There's some very good information here that's based upon good experience. You should read everything very carefully and give due consideration to all options.

I also agree strongly with the posts that state that if your heart is set on a Yorkshire Terrier, then nothing else will really do. You should be in love with your puppy from the moment you adopt and completely without regret about your decision.

Good luck. Tracey

Thanks everyone for all the great input and advice.

I'm trying to move my fiance away from his poor choice (you know, the puppy mill website). Since he didn't really say if part of his decision is based off the price tag that goes with a puppy from a show breeder I went to search for dogs we could adopt so it would be cheaper than buying a puppy (and added bonus: some homeless dog gets a home where I'll spoil him/her rotten). I found this little guy and think maybe I'll start there. How adorable is he?! :aimeeyork (Maybe he'll stay that cute forever??)

I have no idea where this puppy came from so it could very well be a puppy mill rescue that will have tons of medical problems down the road but I'd rather rescue a puppy mill pup than buy one. ~10 months would be young enough to not have any permanent behavioral problems right? And I'm assuming the dog wouldn't grow too much more. Size doesn't really matter that much I just want a dog small enough that as an adult it can still comfortable sit on my lap for lots of cuddles, and I'm kinda small myself so my lap isn't that big. I would love the dog either way but that is my ideal.

My sister-in-law has a Maltipoo that is about 13 pounds and he is just the sweetest, most well-behaved dog ever and I love my little fur-nephew. I always feel so bad for him though when he wants to hop up in my lap because it sits there for a couple of minutes looking horribly uncomfortable and then jumps down with a look of resignation that he is just too big to be a lap dog. I always joke with my SIL that Tanker is a whole body dog instead of a lap dog. I love him to pieces and if she ever needed to rehome him I'd take him in a heartbeat so I feel confident I would be okay with a dog that got bigger than I expected and still love it and spoil it.

I'm also looking into breeders within traveling distance that are listed on the YTCA website to see if any of them have puppies.

I've never actually owned a dog before so this is all a little overwhelming. Even after all the work I've put into trying to educate myself, I still feel pretty clueless about a lot of stuff.

Hi! He's an adorable puppy! Actually, I was interested in him at one point too! Go figure. The rescue group is really a very good one. I'll pm you.

Tracey

Happy McHenry is cute as a button! He'll always be that cute, no matter what age he is! Getting him would be a win- win situation! I hope you get him!

Your doing great on getting informed, btw. Keep us updated!! My fingers are crossed for you!

There is a ton of info here regarding how to tell a BYB from a Show/reputable breeder, if their budget is only $500 they should save a little longer until they find a reputable breeder and a pup from said breeder, then they will have enough money.

It amazes me how people are so "I'm not paying that much for a dog" but swear that said dog is their baby later....you can't really put a price on a member of your family and if $1500< is too much to pay for a family member...then I just don't understand this.

There are breeders who breed just because they love the breed and want to better the breed. Buying a $500 dollar Yorkies can end up costing you a lot more when the breeder doesn't care about health and doing the things they should. Also having a puppy is very expensive anyway at least two puppy wellness visits and all the supply's needed ect. If you have a sick pup it's a whole lot more then that.that $500 puppy could end up costing you thousands of dollars.

He is adorable and price wise, his fee is less than you'd pay in vet costs to neuter and get all vaccinations. He is probably about full grown at this age, so won't get much bigger (I love that he has a full/undocked tail). I would ask if his knees were checked by a vet. Maybe it's just the way he's standing, but his back leg looks awkwardly positioned and I hope he doesn't have LP.

I think he is precious, and certainly will go fast. It is nice that you are open to getting a rescue.

I'm sorry but my opinion is your vet is wrong and did your friends pure breeds come from good breeders? If ill dogs are breed weather they are mi Ed or pure they will not be healthy.

Rescuing is great a rescue dog always seems to be so thankful. We are always here for any of your questions.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: you can say things so much better then me

Oh that little guy is adorable!!! Hope you can get him he looks so full of life and love.

i thnk currently the way breeding is going there is no difference you could get an unhealthy dog whether its pure or mixed. However i think if you go with a reputable breeder your chances of getting a healthy dog is greater