Question and Introduction (tail docking)

[Toy4Chey]

Hello everyone! My name is Chey and I've been researching and educating myself for several months in order to make an informed decision, purchase and commitment to my new puppy. In my process, I've spoken with several breeders and asked many questions and have received much insightful information about their breeding programs.

I know that some breeders administer puppy vaccinations, but my questions are, should the breeder or the vet dock the puppy's tail? What kind of examination should I expect the breeder's vet to do prior to receiving my puppy? Is an experienced breeder examining the puppy without a vet acceptable?

Thank you so much for all of the information already provided in this forum.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Toy4Chey

Hello everyone! My name is Chey and I've been researching and educating myself for several months in order to make an informed decision, purchase and commitment to my new puppy. In my process, I've spoken with several breeders and asked many questions and have received much insightful information about their breeding programs.

I know that some breeders administer puppy vaccinations, but my questions are, should the breeder or the vet dock the puppy's tail? What kind of examination should I expect the breeder's vet to do prior to receiving my puppy? Is an experienced breeder examining the puppy without a vet acceptable?

Thank you so much for all of the information already provided in this forum.

Welcome to the YT group!! Looks like you are really putting forth an educated effort at providing what is best for your baby!

I will answer your questions as they pertain to me and the way I conduct my breeding program....others do things differently. You have to decide what is best for you in any given situation with any given breeder. While you may feel totally at ease with one breeder, you may feel a twinge of uncertainty with another breeder and they way they do things. Further exploration and investigation may help put you at ease with the difference in methods......

Breeder administered vaccinations: You always want to be absolutely certain the breeder has attached the label from the vial of vaccine for each injection, to the puppy record you are given when you pick up your baby.

Breeder tail docking: I dock all my own tails....I learned the technique from my days working with a vet for 4 years...he was excellent and taught me sooooo much, and was instrumental getting me into vet school!

Vet check when purchased: My vet issues a complete systems check and how the pup scored in each area. My new owners must take the baby, along with the systems check MY vet has issued, within 36-42 hours of purchase in order to validate the health certificate and the health guarantee on the baby.

I am an experienced breeder, for many years. I am also a cardiovascular intensive care nurse for 40+ years....I have 4 years of vet tech experience in my past (in prep for going to vet school, which I did not complete!)....there is NO WAY you should ever accept an experienced breeder as the FINAL call on purchasing a baby....the breeder can certainly look and see more than you can, and may have many years experience working with these dogs, but you always get a vet to pass judgement on the health of that puppy!! Your experienced breeder can tell you if that pup is structurally good as a show dog or as a great pet, but you need to let the vet make the final call on the health check! (Just make sure you have a good vet because experienced breeders that have done this for many years, often are very knowledgable about the breed and can challenge a poor vet or one that is not experienced caring for Yorkies!)

You continue to gather information, and ask questions....attend Yorkie shows in your area and mill around with dogs and breeders between classes...some will be abrupt with you...but if you feel one is open to answering your questions, lucky you!! Jump on that!!! Remember these people are nervous about what may be goping on with judges, or other dogs or even their dogs, so they may not want to be social and answer a bunch of questions or chat! They have BIG bucks invested in what you are looking at, so understand that before you approach busy breeders! Just put on your Thick Skin Coat.....leave your feelings at home, and set your jaw and go forth!

[Toy4Chey]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Welcome to the YT group!! Looks like you are really putting forth an educated effort at providing what is best for your baby!

I will answer your questions as they pertain to me and the way I conduct my breeding program....others do things differently. You have to decide what is best for you in any given situation with any given breeder. While you may feel totally at ease with one breeder, you may feel a twinge of uncertainty with another breeder and they way they do things. Further exploration and investigation may help put you at ease with the difference in methods......

Breeder administered vaccinations: You always want to be absolutely certain the breeder has attached the label from the vial of vaccine for each injection, to the puppy record you are given when you pick up your baby.

Breeder tail docking: I dock all my own tails....I learned the technique from my days working with a vet for 4 years...he was excellent and taught me sooooo much, and was instrumental getting me into vet school!

Vet check when purchased: My vet issues a complete systems check and how the pup scored in each area. My new owners must take the baby, along with the systems check MY vet has issued, within 36-42 hours of purchase in order to validate the health certificate and the health guarantee on the baby.

I am an experienced breeder, for many years. I am also a cardiovascular intensive care nurse for 40+ years....I have 4 years of vet tech experience in my past (in prep for going to vet school, which I did not complete!)....there is NO WAY you should ever accept an experienced breeder as the FINAL call on purchasing a baby....the breeder can certainly look and see more than you can, and may have many years experience working with these dogs, but you always get a vet to pass judgement on the health of that puppy!! Your experienced breeder can tell you if that pup is structurally good as a show dog or as a great pet, but you need to let the vet make the final call on the health check! (Just make sure you have a good vet because experienced breeders that have done this for many years, often are very knowledgable about the breed and can challenge a poor vet or one that is not experienced caring for Yorkies!)

You continue to gather information, and ask questions....attend Yorkie shows in your area and mill around with dogs and breeders between classes...some will be abrupt with you...but if you feel one is open to answering your questions, lucky you!! Jump on that!!! Remember these people are nervous about what may be goping on with judges, or other dogs or even their dogs, so they may not want to be social and answer a bunch of questions or chat! They have BIG bucks invested in what you are looking at, so understand that before you approach busy breeders! Just put on your Thick Skin Coat.....leave your feelings at home, and set your jaw and go forth!

Thank you so much for your response, Yorkiemom1. I live in Virginia Beach and it looks like I will have to select a breeder out of state and would feel more comfortable with my puppy being seen by a vet for an examination prior to me bringing her home and being seen by my vet.

[gemy]

Some hints or guidelines with talking with breeders at shows. Some info; breeders tend to setup near to each other (if possible) meaning Yorkies will often be near to other Yorkie Breeders. Get to the show early - buy a catalogue this will give you a lot of detail on just exactly who is there. It will also contain the judging schedule which details out which ring and time the Yorkies show. About 7 days prior to the show a judging schedule is available on line usually at www.infodogs.com here you can see how many Yorkies are entered but not who is entered.


About 1hr prior to ring time the Yorkies will start to be up and on tables getting groomed for the show. Keep your eyes open and scan the grooming area for Yorkies. Sometimes the grooming area is off in a separate room to the rings - sometimes not.


Don't talk to breeders at ringside when they are waiting to go into the ring. Wait until after all the Yorkie judging is done. Then let them settle their dogs - some breeders will want to take them out for a bit of a walk about - some might immediately start to wrap the coat. Now is a good time to come up and chat.


Starting off with a personal ie compliment to their dogs is always a nice ice breaker. If the breeder seems like wanting to talk a bit - then take advantage of that time. If not merely ask for her business card and maybe when would be a good time to call them.


Never try to touch their dogs without asking for permission first. And then do it right. Offer a hand to smell - touch the shoulder or flank of the dog - do NOT go over the head of the dog with your hand. Many dogs like to be scratched/ touched behind their ears - many like their butt scratched. Or back massaged. It all depends upon the dog.


When the dogs are up on the grooming table which is about 4ft off the ground most breeders will be very alert to their dogs placement on the table. So especially with young dogs that love folks they can get quite excited when meeting new folks - and they dance around on the table. Watch their foot placement - I can guarantee you the breeder will be. You do not want them to dance off the table when you go to say hi.

[Toy4Chey]

Originally Posted by gemy

Some hints or guidelines with talking with breeders at shows. Some info; breeders tend to setup near to each other (if possible) meaning Yorkies will often be near to other Yorkie Breeders. Get to the show early - buy a catalogue this will give you a lot of detail on just exactly who is there. It will also contain the judging schedule which details out which ring and time the Yorkies show. About 7 days prior to the show a judging schedule is available on line usually at www.infodogs.com here you can see how many Yorkies are entered but not who is entered.


About 1hr prior to ring time the Yorkies will start to be up and on tables getting groomed for the show. Keep your eyes open and scan the grooming area for Yorkies. Sometimes the grooming area is off in a separate room to the rings - sometimes not.


Don't talk to breeders at ringside when they are waiting to go into the ring. Wait until after all the Yorkie judging is done. Then let them settle their dogs - some breeders will want to take them out for a bit of a walk about - some might immediately start to wrap the coat. Now is a good time to come up and chat.


Starting off with a personal ie compliment to their dogs is always a nice ice breaker. If the breeder seems like wanting to talk a bit - then take advantage of that time. If not merely ask for her business card and maybe when would be a good time to call them.


Never try to touch their dogs without asking for permission first. And then do it right. Offer a hand to smell - touch the shoulder or flank of the dog - do NOT go over the head of the dog with your hand. Many dogs like to be scratched/ touched behind their ears - many like their butt scratched. Or back massaged. It all depends upon the dog.


When the dogs are up on the grooming table which is about 4ft off the ground most breeders will be very alert to their dogs placement on the table. So especially with young dogs that love folks they can get quite excited when meeting new folks - and they dance around on the table. Watch their foot placement - I can guarantee you the breeder will be. You do not want them to dance off the table when you go to say hi.

Thank you, gemy.