Need help choosing first Yorkie!
 

I've put a deposit down with a great breeder but I need to let her know which of the last 2 little boys I want! I went to visit with them, unfortunately she lives really far so I am not sure if I will be able to go again and would like some help picking between the 2! They are only 5 weeks old as of right now and I won't be taking mine home till 10-11 weeks. I know the recommended time is 12 weeks, but this is the only time I will be able to pick him up. I did get to meet both the mom and the dad and see how they interact with both humans and the pups. The mom had a silky coat and the dad's was slightly coarser but that may be because he had a puppy cut. I'm so excited to finally get a yorkie but would love some advice!

The first one is slightly bigger than the second. At 5 weeks the first one is 15oz. he was born 3rd in the litter. He was much more playful the day I met him and he figured out how to jump over the side of the pen and continued to do that throughout my visit! He already had his teeth coming in and had a much thicker coat than the other. His face already had some lighter coloring around his face.

The second one was the smallest in the litter, he weighed 13oz and was born 2nd in the litter. He was not the smallest at birth but is the smallest now. He had a thinner softer coat than the other. His teeth had not come in as much as the larger boy. He was much more mellow than the other one and would play with me when I wanted to, and he would sit off to the side when I was looking at the other. He was very sweet and would look up at me and fall asleep in my hand when I held him. The breeder did say that he tends to be the one who gets bullied by the pack, but she said he is the one she would keep if she could.

I fell in love with the smaller one and really want to choose him. But I am wondering if the fact that he was more quiet and mellow is a bad sign? Do you all think he may have any personality issues? The breeder did send me a video a few days later where the small one is running and playing with the rest of the pack so I don't think he is antisocial in any way. Also does anyone have any advice about choosing the smallest in the litter? I'm concerned that he may have health problems because he is so small. Please help me decide!! I think I only have a few days to let her know before someone comes to see the last one! Thank you all!! I look forward to hearing your responses!

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. At 5 weeks, it is hard to say how they will mature in terms of personality, looks, coat and size. Smaller at birth doesn't always mean smaller as an adult. Smaller does not mean sickly either.

Sorry, I am of no help. Go with your heart, and make sure the breeder is offering a great health guarantee.

Best wishes!

I would say go with your gut. Is the breeder offering a health guarantee? Like Kristin said, smallest at birth does not always mean smaller as an adult. I have heard a lot of 'runts' turn into the bigger ones of the litter as they age.

He was not actually the smallest at birth, but at 5 weeks he is the smallest. Does that make a difference? The breeder isn't offering a long term health guarantee or anything, she is a first time breeder. But she is giving me a 48 hour window after pick up to take him to my own vet and get him checked out which I will be doing. Any advice is welcome! even about what to expect the first few days!

Pups from the same parents can grow at different rates. My Teddy was not even 6 pounds at 8 months, and he grew close to 9 pounds as an adult -- skinny boy, not chunky.

The best guess for adult size is to double the weight at 12 weeks, but that is no guarantee either. Both of my boys outgrew their parents and the guesstimate. Has a little to do with genetics that can go back generations.

A 48 hour guarantee for a vet visit isn't much, and I would make sure to get it in writing. Hate to be the dark cloud, but it is a substantial risk you are taking. I recommend signing up for health insurance right away. A breeder who does not offer a strong health guarantee has likely not done genetic testing on her breeding dogs and has not researched their lines. Common Yorkie ailments like liver shunt can be costly.

I should say health insurance is a good idea even under the best of circumstances, or a significant line of credit/Care Credit. Healthy Yorkies can have costly emergencies like broken legs, broken teeth, and more. This forum has seen a number of puppies who come home with giardia, coccidia, and other health problems that can run hundreds of dollars to treat. New puppy parents are often caught off guard by these unexpected expenses.

My Lilah was shy, quiet, laid back when we met her. Fast forward a few weeks in our house and she really came out of her shell. She's a feisty little girl at home, but still on the more cautious/quiet side in public (she's friendly to strangers but not the crazy girl she can be at home lol). She was the smallest in the litter and we originally were going to get the largest pup but left her for another family bc they had a young child.

how big was your lilah when you got her? and how big is she now? I love hearing about how these cuties turn out!

I had a nightmare experience with the breeder I bought my Yorkie from. I was clueless about what kind of health guarantees to look for and ask about. When I brought Sophie to the vet he told me she had ear mites and giardia. I was so upset. When I called her and told her about it and asked her to pay for the vet bill, she flatly refused and accused me AND my vet of making up false test results because "none of my dogs have EVER had either of those." It was insane. Breeders can be deceiving so it definitely pays to get things in writing. She was so nice the few times I met her and then turned absolutely psychotic. It was an awful experience, but I'm happy I saved Sophie from that woman.

NSquared, I hope things go well for you!!

I totally get you. I was choosing between a female and a male(that was the smallest at 1.1 lbs). He may be mellow because he needs to warm up to you. I haven't had any health issues so far with my boy, no retained teeth, etc and i hope it stays that way. Are you a more mellow person or a bit more outgoing? Pick the pup that fits your personality. It sounds like you've already made up your mind.;) congrats can't wait to see pics!

I'm definitely a more mellow person which is why the little one appeals to me more! I just think I've read so much online now that I may just be worried for nothing. A lot of stuff says that if they have a quiet temperament they will end up being so quiet and shy that they won't like anyone new.

I looked in their eyes and picked the one with the devil in them. I already had the sweet loving one, I wanted a bratty beasty to play and encourage the other one.

I got exactly what I wanted. Your heart will know!

I picked Lola because she has this beautiful spark in her eye that her sister didn't have. She was very reserved when I got her but she warmed up after a few days. Now she alternates between being mellow and a terror.
I looked at tons of yorkie puppy pictures and she was the only one who spoke to me.

I got my poodles from a horrible byber, they were infested with fleas and the house was over run with animals. When we were there one poodle was more outgoing and the other was very shy/mellow, they ended up switching personalities.

I'd get the puppy you're drawn to.

Like others say go with your gut. You can totally train a more mellow dog to be okay around people and other dogs with proper socialization. I also don't remember how long the health guarantee was for Gizmo but it was definitely longer then two days. Make sure you have the vet do a workup right away to screen for anything glaring that might be wrong. Post pictures once you decide. Always so exciting to get a new puppy!

Well Rasta fits that stereotype hehehe. He is very mellow at home with my family but if someone new comes by he goes all Cujo. Protecting his territory maybe? Even with our neighbors he sees regularly he just sees them as "the enemy". I think if you did get the mellow one once he's utd on his shots if you start socializing him him being around new people shouldn't be a problem. I'd also keep in mind that not all dogs are very social or like strangers touching them. Both of my dogs were socialized the same amount one loves everyone the other doesn't want anyone touching him outside of my family. It's just his personality and I won't make him uncomfortable with making him interact...that's just asking for trouble imo

Just am update to everyone who helped me! I finally chose a puppy! Meet Koda! I don't get to bring him home for a couple weeks but I can't resist posting a pic!! I am totally in love with him! He is the smaller one but after playing with him again today I just knew he was destined to be mine!!!

Koda is too cute, congrats.

A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E Congrats, cute name also

Oh he's super cute and he looks like a cheeky one. Congratulations and be prepared. You are goin to be looking for your second one I promise you

omg he's ADORABLE!!! LOVE the name too! congrats!

Congrats! I love him!

Congrat's
 

Congrat's Beautiful puppy, Love his name to. Wishing you the best of luck with him.
Anne/Luci.

Ears
 

Just a quick question regarding ears! I've seen a lot of pictures of 8-9 week old yorkies and their ears are standing. My Koda's ears aren't standing yet, and although I don't have him yet I was just wondering at what point I should worry. If they are still not up when I bring him home at 9-10 weeks do I need to tape them or should I wait till after 12 weeks to decide?

By 12 weeks they will probably be up it was 10 weeks for my jewels

Did you have to shave the hair off her ears or did they just stand on their own?

No i didnt do anything. One went up first then a week later the other one went up