Are Morkies Really Better?

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by DBlain

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.

Your statements are contradictions of previous statements, I think your confused. I'm saying its not true that mutts are healthier, I'm saying its not true that most purebreds are "odd" looking and etc....etc....Yes there are hundreds of threads here, hell there are thousands of threads here and in comparison only a small fraction of them are seriously ill, emergent threads...but on the other hand of course there are so many since so many find YT when they are looking on line for answers to specific questions or concerns....hmmm, I digress...and withdraw on the basis that this is going round and round and then backwards and I'm too stressed to rewind...I need to unwind!

[Hrossen11]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

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.

Actually the purebreds I was talking about came from reputable breeders of their breeds club different breeds and different owners. The mixes I am talking about are 20+ mutts my family has fostered or owned over the years. I say mutts because only my two newest additions (morkies) are of known breeds. The rest were pound puppies or rescues. Including my two 12 year old large breeds I currently have.

[Leahndmp]

Is an over priced mutt really better? Now yes, some mutts are spared some genetic disorders that run in the purebreds, but that's no reason to pay more for a mutt. Well bred dogs don't have these issues, and at least you know what you're going to get.

[jadabug]

Originally Posted by lynzy420

Your statements are contradictions of previous statements, I think your confused. I'm saying its not true that mutts are healthier, I'm saying its not true that most purebreds are "odd" looking and etc....etc....Yes there are hundreds of threads here, hell there are thousands of threads here and in comparison only a small fraction of them are seriously ill, emergent threads...but on the other hand of course there are so many since so many find YT when they are looking on line for answers to specific questions or concerns....hmmm, I digress...and withdraw on the basis that this is going round and round and then backwards and I'm too stressed to rewind...I need to unwind!

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by DBlain

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.

IME you have a better chance buying from a breeder who does blood work on there dogs before they breed. Breed healthy animals. You can still get a bad pup but have that one alerted. Blah blah blah ect.. You can have a breed who breeds designer breeds and no they have clubs do blood work and try to grade them.. blah blah ect... But heres what I don't like they don't have a real standard to compare to whatever.. But I've seem ppl take a plain Poodle and a plain Lab and voila a Labradoodle. I like those mixes. But I'm not going to pay what I've looked at $2000 for a mix dog very little history. When I can get a dog from Champion stock with at least 3 health generations of testing on health for ~$1200 pet quality. Both can have health problems still. Designer breeders I've seen are greedy. Maybe not all JME.. If the mixed pup was tested for health at least the Parents and had some health guarantee I would pay some $$$ Maybe $800. But $2k you gotta be kidding..ppl who pay that are crazy.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by NamelessAria

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?! (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.

OMG he is gorgeous!!

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by Leahndmp

Is an over priced mutt really better? Now yes, some mutts are spared some genetic disorders that run in the purebreds, but that's no reason to pay more for a mutt. Well bred dogs don't have these issues, and at least you know what you're going to get.

[cindersellie]

Checking to see if you got Happy McHenry.

[NamelessAria]

I really doubt I'll end up with adorable little Happy. My fiance agreed to consider adopting him after I showed him pictures and made a great case for why a rescue puppy would be awesome. But I know something that cute won't stay homeless for long and my fiance is taking his sweet time just saying yes.

He went to see his family up north for the weekend so he is somewhat MIA for now so I can't start begging him into fostering or anything to start paperwork. I guess I could just go ahead and fill everything out and hope he comes around, but I don't have vet references. I've never had a dog (or cat or really anything you take to a vet) before, just chickens. He has had dogs before so I was just going to use his vet references on the adoption application since it will be our dog (that is fair right?) but I have no idea what vet he used.

But if he will start considering adopting a Yorkie that is a good start I guess even if we don't get Happy hopefully we'll still get a cute pup later on or something. Someone had suggested we try fostering which may be good so he could get used to having a cute little furball around the house without the lifetime commitment while he comes around to loving Yorkies like I do. I feel sure once we had a Yorkie in the house for a bit though he would fall in love.

[cindersellie]

Yes, alot of the DH's here and BF's have learned (grown?) to love yorkies. Mine didn't want a yorkie, it wasn't manly enough- LOL-. He even tried to not like her, but within a few days he came 'round. She has him wrapped around her paw now, and he loves it!

Keep talking to your guy. He needs to be part of the pups upbringing. The right dog will be there for both of you when the times right.

[NamelessAria]

Haha yeah the only dogs I've ever seen him see and go "oh that dog is awesome. I want one." are huskies and such. I got attacked by a dog when I was younger that left me with bite scars for years so ever since I've been terrified of large dogs. I'm okay with the tiny fluffball dogs but the big ones I just can't handle. I always have this irrational fear that a large dog wants to eat me. So needless to say I don't think we will be owning a husky anytime soon, somewhat to my fiance's dismay.

[DBlain]

sounds like you have your hands full with your finance and that you are on different wave lengths regarding a puppy. Lots of guys at first think yorkies are not manly dogs, but then are surprised by their feisty temperament. You have a long life ahead of you, so there is time, just get him out where he can meet and see some yorkies in person. Hopefully when he sees how energetic and playful they are that will sway him a bit. my husband likes the pint size package of the yorkie because it is easier to manage, but he likes the big personality that comes along with it, and even though my current dog is a yorkie mix (but not a morkie) she has a big personality. LOL she swims and dives off docks, not even all big dogs will do that, plus she fetches like no buddy's business, so to us, her personality is 10 times bigger than her body. Good luck and enjoy your weekend on your own

[chestermama]

chester is almost 11 and is very healthy, just meds for his dry eyes and he is very well behaved

[gracielove]

Sometimes getting a dog from a good rescue can take as much time as getting a puppy from a good breeder. Really taking your time and making an informed choice is best.

If you do decide to get a puppy someday consider going to the AKC website and doing a search for conformation clubs in your state or surrounding states. Those clubs have a breeder referral contact person. Getting to know these people in person or by phone will give you some great information to start out. Go to a show or two if you get a chance. They can be a lot of fun and very informative. Take your time. If you are a responsible, stable person you are looking into getting a new family member that could live with you for the next 15 or more years. Choose wisely.

A good reputable and ethical breeder will not sell you a puppy unless they trust you. Being on a waiting list for a puppy shows stability and character and most breeders would feel better selling to someone that has the patience to wait for one of their pups. If you have the right breeder it will be well worth waiting for.

People who breed "designer" dogs are not using quality breeding stock. Putting one pet quality dog of one breed with a pet quality dog of another breed does not create hybrid vigor. It usually brings forth some bad recessive genes that can create big problems. Buying a purebred is no guarantee but buying a "designer" is certainly not increasing your chances of a healthy pup.

As I said, take your time. Keep reading on YT. It does not take long to see many of the problems that arise from rushing into getting a puppy or even an adult dog.

Also, those fancy ads online are mostly puppy mills and brokers. They know how to make a pretty looking site to draw people in. Of course they are not going to show you what the place really looks like! Same with the classified ads. Be careful. Bad breeders usually have great sales pitches.