We inspected the kennel on our first visit at 3 weeks and again when we picked up the puppies at 8 weeks. The kennels were very clean. The vet said that ear mites in a puppy are not uncommon. We saw the sire and dam and they were clean and appeared healthy. I don't fault the breeder in any way and the ear mites appear to have been cleared up.

Kennel? Hmm..... Who is your breeder?

Most breeders have the puppy checked as close to going to a new home as possible so her vet should have found the mites if that happened. Ear mites are not common in puppies unless they are coming from a bad environment. They are extremely common in puppy mill pups. I'm sure your visit was planned so of course they are going to make sure everything is clean. Unless a show breeder a reason to have a kennel would be to produce more to make more money which is also why breeders get rid of the pups at 8 weeks because it costs them more to keep them until 12 weeks. When reputable breeders breed they do it to better the breed and they want to do what is best for the puppies and the dogs and the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America outlines these things and 12 weeks is a huge thing. Most of us here at one point or another got out pups from a bad breed and or a puppy mill. The best thing we can do is say we know now and do better next time and also help to educate others. I really hope you continue to have good luck with them but nonreputable breeders don't do the testing and knowing of the lines as reputable breeders so you have a much higher chance of genetic illnesses popping up and most don't pop up until 2 years or old.