Puppy Questions...
 

I have been on YorkieTalk for about the last month of my year-long search for a tiny (less than four pounds) yorkie boy. YorkieTalk has been a great help, with all of the breeder references and advice. So far, I have had two main problems with my search:

(1) trying to find a breeder close enough to me so that I can actually visit the mother, father, and puppies and not have to have my puppy shipped

(2) trying to find a reputable breeder that doesn't unscrupulously breed for "teacups" by breeding parents that are too small

Recently, I have been in contact with a breeder that fits this criteria and is expecting puppies from parents that have a history of tiny (but healthy) puppies. My only concern is that the female is AKC registered, but the male is not. Is this okay if I am only looking for a pet-quality puppy? Also, she has said that the babies will be $800-$1200. Is that a good price range for these puppies that will probably be between 2 1/2 and 4 lbs?

I would really appreciate input, since I'm still unfamiliar with the whole puppy buying experience. :)

Thank you sooo much!
Anna

If you are looking for a AKC puupy and the mother and Father both are not AKC then the puppy wont be AKC.

PS I have seen your username some where before.

You may want to do a lot more research on yorkies and read up on them as much as you can. The smaller the dog the more cautious and protective you have to be. There are a lot of topics on here where you can search and read about tiny and small newborns who got hurt. Read yorkie books and magazines as far as their upkeep. I have a 3 1/2 lb male and I was so over protective so no one would step on him. I didn't let my nephews play with him when they came over. I had to watch my step and then you have to make sure they are eating properly. There are a bunch of quality puppies out there that are not registered. Ask for reputable breeders in your town and surrounding areas. They can be expensive, but I always say watch out for the scammers and don't send money until you check everything out.
Good luck

Thank you both for your input. :)

Kodak, after reading your reply, I realize that I should have been more clear about my experience with yorkies. As I said before, I have been searching for the perfect yorkie breeder for nearly a year. Before that, I researched yorkies for quite a while (including the risks of owning tiny dogs) to assure myself that I could provide a superb home (I have 13 yorkie books and magazines on my bookshelf right now- I just counted, lol). I am not an impulse buyer, in fact I've wanted a yorkie since I was a little girl. When I was in high school, I was a volunteer for a rescue organization, and one of my favorite fostering experiences was a little yorkie and her 4 puppies...so I know how challenging it is to protect these little ones from harm.

Thus, I am experienced with yorkies, but I am unexperienced with the process of getting a puppy from a breeder, and that is where I ask for help...

As far as expensive reputible breeders, the price is unimportant to me, as long as I get a healthy puppy that is worth what I pay for. I didn't mean that $800-$1200 was expensive...I actually considered that a relatively low price for a purebred yorkie, and I was just wondering others' opinions on that price.

The breeder that I am in communication with is not exactly local, but only about an hour away, so it will be nice to have her so close. She is one of 20 or so that I have talked to during my breeder search.

Basically, my questions were:

Is it a common and acceptable breeding practice to breed a registered yorkie with an unregistered yorkie?

and

Is $800-$1200 a good price range for the puppies I am considering?

No, if you breed a registered yorkie with an unregistered yorkie the litter will be unregistered.

The price is good especially in California.


I would ask the breeder why the other pup isn't registered. Her answer will be really informative.

Are you planning to breed?

Nancy