Is my lifestyle compatible with the demands of a Yorkie?

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Pragmatist

Thank you everyone. I think I will proceed with Yorkies.

I am interested in adopting a 1-3 yr old dog. Puppy is not a "must."

Any recommendations for where to get one from?
-I looked at Petfinder, and I liked many, but I'm worried that their health backgrounds may not be good (i.e. they're from puppy mills). While I will have my dog on health insurance, I do not want it to go through several emotionally taxing medical episodes.
-Breeders generally retire their breeding dogs around age 6-7, and that's a little too old for me.

Sometimes breeders hold puppies as show potentials or for other reasons and release them to pet homes at around 1 - 2 years of age. That is how we ended up Teddy when he was 8 months old. Takes a lot research and a bit of luck contacting breeders, but that is one resource to consider.

[Yorkiemom1]

First rattle out of the box, I really am impressed with the actual amount of thought and concern you have put into this next step in your life! You have done a great job, in MY opinion, going over and thinking thru all the avenues of owning a new puppy, a new family member....I am impressed! Everyone responded above my post and I agree with each of them......I am a breeder but I have no babies available, and I have a waiting list for puppies that is almost a year long. This is what I would suggest you do to get you puppy/dog, find a breeder or SHOW/breeder.....you will get a high quality of dog and you will be much more apt to be dealing with reputable people....exceptions to every rule, just know what you SHOULD expect a breeder to provide to you, as far as a puppy goes. Buy your breeder FIRST....she will have a puppy for you that will be healthy and well managed, great personality, weaned appropriately from momma, etc....

Best of luck with your search for a baby....most breeders do not just have surplus babies for sale, laying around...get on a show/breeder's list for upcomming litters....then by the time your baby is born and ready to be sent home to you, you will be in or at least closer to the time frame you outlined for your future! Also, expect a thorough vetting by a decent breeder before she will let one of her "babies" go to you....there will be questions, forms, contracts, required references, and she will be VERY open to ANY questions, how ever many times you call or write or email her....she is just as concerned about YOU as you are about HER!!!

[Pragmatist]

I appreciate all of your feedback. I'll start contacting breeders and keep up my search on Petfinder.

What would be ideal would be if I found a 1yr, or older, Morkie.

Thanks everyone for the warm, warm welcome to YT, and for answering my questions so completely and thoughtfully.

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

I think that you would be a wonderful mom

Ha, well I don't think this would be true unless I got a sex-change operation. I'm a man!

[canana]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

First rattle out of the box, I really am impressed with the actual amount of thought and concern you have put into this next step in your life! You have done a great job, in MY opinion, going over and thinking thru all the avenues of owning a new puppy, a new family member....I am impressed! Everyone responded above my post and I agree with each of them......I am a breeder but I have no babies available, and I have a waiting list for puppies that is almost a year long. This is what I would suggest you do to get you puppy/dog, find a breeder or SHOW/breeder.....you will get a high quality of dog and you will be much more apt to be dealing with reputable people....exceptions to every rule, just know what you SHOULD expect a breeder to provide to you, as far as a puppy goes. Buy your breeder FIRST....she will have a puppy for you that will be healthy and well managed, great personality, weaned appropriately from momma, etc....

Best of luck with your search for a baby....most breeders do not just have surplus babies for sale, laying around...get on a show/breeder's list for upcomming litters....then by the time your baby is born and ready to be sent home to you, you will be in or at least closer to the time frame you outlined for your future! Also, expect a thorough vetting by a decent breeder before she will let one of her "babies" go to you....there will be questions, forms, contracts, required references, and she will be VERY open to ANY questions, how ever many times you call or write or email her....she is just as concerned about YOU as you are about HER!!!

I'm no expert, but I did a little research of my own before I got my pup, and I agree to buy from a show breeder. Stay away from backyard breeders (ie "breeders" that sell on craigslist, kijiji, and websites that give you the feeling they're just running a business and want your money).

Good luck!! Congrats on your graduation!! And hope you find your furbaby soon. Don't rush it though - it takes a bit of time and patience to finally find 'the one'.

[Pragmatist]

Thanks for all of your help and feedback everyone. I will keep looking on PetFinder and shall reach out to breeders. I already reached out to one in Florida (Micheline's Pups), but I don't think she has any older ones she'll be retiring soon.

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

I think that you would be a wonderful mom

Haha I'm a man, so this is impossible for me.

[Jkpal]

Pragmatist--Haha I'm a man, so this is impossible for me.


You'll still be a wonderful "mom!" And even better dad...! All the best to you and your very lucky new baby!