Which is why I said usually. A murmur in and of it's self is not a problem. It's the underlying cause of the murmur that can be. That cause can run the gamut from completely benign to life limiting. Until more is known about this particular pup, it doesn't make sense to jump to the most tragic conclusion.

I am very sorry your story didn't have a happy ending and I appreciate you letting others know that they need to further investigate things.

With a vast majority of this breed coming from supposedly reputable breeders, it seems that most have had their share of medical problems, which include astronomical costs to the owners.

I am using Charlies Momma's post as an example. She states she paid only $250 for him but paid dearly so far in medical costs. Does this mean that many of the Yorkie/Biewer owners here do not have pet insurance? I would think that with knowing that this breed does come with possible future health risks, pet insurance would be a good idea. Or do most of you have pet insurance and end up still paying alot of out-of-pocket expenses?

I have a Biewer I adopted from a rescue and is between 3-4 yrs old. Clean bill of health but considering pet insurance. Thats why I have the questions here within.

When I posted about the heart murmur I got lots of feedback and several people told me to RUN to a cardiologist...and I think that whenever it involves a heart, it should be taken seriously and investigated fully....that's all I'm trying to say...downplaying it can be very dangerous....

It absolutely should be taken seriously. And I'm sorry if it came across as downplaying it. But until the puppy is examined again and it's determined whether or not the murmur is still present there really isn't any reason for her to run from this breeder. From what she has posted, the breeder is being very transparent about what is going on so that she can make an educated decision on whether or not to bring this pup home. I'll give her kudos for that rather than trying to hide things.

I would highly recommend insurance for a rescue. He may have clean bill of health now, but you never know what will happen in the future. A life threatening congenital defect can remain hidden for some time. Personally, I think it's a good idea to have insurance on a pup from a reputable breeder as well. They could break a leg & need surgery. Insurance companies refund your payments. The amount you get reimbursed depends on your carrier & your plan. So you still need the money up front.

I think that sometimes, especially with the purchase of a first puppy, these breeders who we think are reputable, are in fact not. They use a lot of marketing hype to suck in customers who don't understand what to look for when purchasing a puppy. These customers include MOST people. Researching a breeder, knowing what to look for & asking the right questions is something most people learn after they got smacked with crazy medical bills from a dog who left the breeder "in perfect health".

:thumbup::thumbup:

The only problem with liking your breeder is that you are more likely to return for another pup sooner than later. That is how Teddy, our second, came into our lives. :D

You say that like it's a bad thing :cool:

That's so true!! We've already spoken about who will be the sire of my next pup!

:p:)

:thumbup::thumbup::)

By the way, Prima is adorable with her little red bow in your avatar.

Thank you for everyone's feedback...it's true that with the mumur it could be "benign" or point to a deeper issue, which is why the breeder has the appointment tomorrow especially for this; to see if the vet can find what the root cause is. I can't see myself going through what you went through lynzy(hugs). I trust my breeder but I can see your standpoint and I will do what's best for my family and the puppy. I'll definitely keep everyone posted with how the outcome of the doctor's appointment tomorrow(but in a different thread lol)

Good luck and good idea on new thread!! lol

btw...as I sit here sobbing, cuz its still so hard to talk about...I just want you to know that I'm so happy that I was Mia's mommy even if only for a little while...I can't imagine not having had her in my life....and not being there for her when she needed us so much...I didn't have to keep her....but she insisted....;)

Prayers for your little boy...

Yes, those were my exact feelings, too. Knowing that a lot of murmurs resolve on their own, the breeder could have kept that little bit of info to herself until the pup was examined again. If the murmur had resolved, she could have just kept all that to herself, and the buyer would have been none the wiser. That was certainly full disclosure on the breeder's part and I, too, give her kudos for that.

I'm here sniffling and holding back tears myself lynzy :o...I'm such a big baby. I know Mia was just as fortunate to have you in her life as you were to have her in yours. Every moment with these little buggers is precious and we should cherish it as if there's no tomorrow. thank you for the well l wishes I'm hoping and praying for the best. either way I know if I can't take her the breeder will spoil her rotten ;) as she deserves

I agree pet insurance is something that you should invest in when purchasing a yorkie, had I known the health issues that could/would come I would have done just that, its to late now as Charlie is considered having pre existing issues. that is why I feel so strongly about YT I wish everyone knew to come here before they add a yorkie to their family.

Tibbe was $300.00.

I'm confused with the part I underlined. I think that the majority of this breed come from DISreputable breeders. I would say probably 99% are in it for the money and the 1% are actually there to better the breed. That is why so many yorkies looks so different nowadays and most laypeople think yorkies should be with cobby short legs, short snout, long bodies and thick cotton hair. Of all the yorkies I know, I actually do no know one (in person) that came from a reputable breeder. The ones from bybs, brokers and mills are most common and all I have actually met, Uni included of course unfortunately.

I'm afraid I would have to agree that only a tiny percent of Yorkies in homes today come from highly reputable, respected breeders with a long history in the breed with a enough of an understanding of how to and a full-blown willingness to correctly pair any two fully health-tested Yorkies to better the breed in all spheres and not just looks. Far too much attention seems to have been paid to decreasing the size and increasing the juvenile appearance and eye-appeal of the breed. I personally know of a recent 3 lb. champion Yorkie with a line of LP going way back. And I am fairly certain that he stood at stud every chance he got, as his owner gave every indication that would be the case when we last spoke. When I asked about the LP history, I was told that LP is so rampant in the breed, it is too hard to find a dog that appeals to today's regional judges' eye-appeal without LP somewhere in the lineage! :(

And that is another thing that makes me sad. Some that happen to be show breeders just want to win those awards and don't really care about the well being of the dogs. All eyes on the prize and that's it. So just bc someone is a show breeder doesn't necessarily make them reputable either.

Milo was 14 weeks old when I got him. I paid $500.

First let me say again I am so happy for you that you were able to rescue you little Biewer. But I have a question also. I am a little confused at why you keep saying he is rare. There are quite a few briewer breeders, many members here on YT. They are very beautiful but I am not sure I would call them rare.

I bought Jasper when he was 11 weeks old for $700. When I called the week before to see if he was still available I was told yes, there was a $100 deposit and I could pick him up anytime. She didn't ask any questions about the suttoundings he would be in, other animals, fence, etc. I did provide some of it on my own though. I bought him from a family in Brinkley, AR. Their website says they have been breeding for 17 years. Jasper was AKC registered and came microchipped and up-to-date on his shots. I had 72 hours to take him in for a vet wellness check. Other than that, there was no health guarantee. Of course, I didn't know that I had the right to have one from a rebutable breeder until I came to YT. Which was after the fact and I was already in love with my little man.

The parents were on site along with the littermates. There was a chain linked area in the back with several closed kennels. We heard no barking or anything though. We weren't looking either. I had asked a while back to have her site looked at for opinions because I was afraid I had done business with a byb. I think the concensus was that she wasn't...but could turn down that road very easily.

Anyway, this was a lot more information than you asked for. But that's how we came to have the most awesome, loving, little furbutt I think I've ever owned. He came to me at a time in my life when I needed someone to take care of and mother all of the time. He has lifted my spirits and helped to start digging me out of this depression I've been in for a long time now. But, that is a topic for another day. Thanks everyone for reading me babbling. I love being here. I get more comfortable everyday and that's a big deal for me. :)

I got Billi at almost 9 weeks. She's AKC registered & was $1850- that included her shipping from Texas to Cali. I'd pay that over & over again for her, I just love her to pieces!

We got Oakley for $500 and picked him up at 9 weeks. (Didn't know he should've stayed until 12 weeks until I read it here on YT.) I found her through a friend of mine who breeds German Shepards.

He's the best! Came with full AKC and 48 hour health guarantee.

I got Couver as a re-home at 5 months old. He was unneutered, didn't have any vaccinations, was eating Pedigree, but had his limited AKC papers and was $300. I called his breeder to ask about what vaccinations her puppies were given and she had no interest in helping me. I never saw where he came from, but I know I got lucky with him. He has been healthy and has been a great pet.

I got Khloe from a YT member on here. Her two pups had an accidental litter (momma was spayed right afterwards). She does not have her papers and she was free. I am still in contact with her first mom and we visit with her siblings a couple times a year. She is a great woman and made sure that Khloe was going to the very best home possible. I know she would take her back in a heartbeat if we were to ever have to give her up.

I found my mom's yorkie at a kill shelter in our hometown. She was found as a stray and was picked up by Animal Control. She was never claimed, so my mom adopted her for $75 which included her spay, microchip, shots and a month of pet insurance.

I plan on supporting a reputable breeder next time if I don't rescue.

I only paid $675 but Colby is mixed with poodle :) He came from a breeder in NC... I got him from a pet store that only sells yorkies and other small breeds. However my dad bought us a a full blooded yorkie when we were kids and he paid $1200 for him.

I just want to say for almost every breed out there, pet insurance makes huge sense. ANd the kind that covers congenital and or hereditary defects.

At one point I didn't believe in pet insurance, but 4 years on this board has taught me, that most folks if not many, do not have enough funds to properly care for their dog, if and "when" they get sick.

Never mind the accidents which can happen.

So buy your peace of mind from a reputable pet insurance company. Even so, you will need to insure a kitty of funds to cover emergency care, until you get re-imbursed. You can apply for Care Credit in the States. You could purchase in Canada a pre-loaded credit card. Not too sure about a Care Credit option in Canada. You can apply for a line of credit, and then not use it, unless it is for your pet emergency.

I think we need a stickey of range of costs for the 10 most common health problems in Yorkies, and the financial burden.
I say range of costs because - specialists all over the country do charge different amounts, and some surgeries are more complicated for eg; an LP repair than others.

I think going in what you should have in hand prior to purchasing a puppy, and of course getting health insurance, is a kitty of at least $3000 preferably $5000. Just remember you can combine different options, savings account, CSBs, TBills, line of credit, Care Credit, pre-loaded credit cards, etc.

I am sorry that this sounds like a lot. But most of us don't know, or think about our puppy young dog getting ill. And most of us don't think of what senior costs are for our beloved dog of 7/8 10 yrs old. But if we are lucky enough to have a healthy dog, until they start to age, we will need additional funds to cover senior care.

Canine Medical Treatment and options for health of the dog has improved dramatically over the last 30 years. Do you really want to be in a position that you need to deny your dog, that you love, needed health care because of money????

I am thrilled with all the responses in this thread! Thank you all so much.

It has been very educational for me, and others, too, I'm sure.

Please keep 'em comin'! ;)

I bought Pixie in RI and she was 1500 and worth every penny and much more:)