Fur changes?
 

I am new to yorkie/silky breed. We just got our puppy yesterday and she is 10 weeks old. If she were a german shepherd I would know any answer, but I am really lost when it comes to what is common for a yorkie/silky.

Dixies fur looks wet & like wire but it is very soft. I gave her a bath yesterday(yes I completly dried her off) since she looked horrible and smelled like petstore. She smells better but her fur appearence hasnt changed.

Do yorkies go through coat changes or is there some ugly stage she may be in? She does have an undercoat of shorter silver hairs Im hoping they are causing her raggy appearence. Hoping that it isnt something resulting from poor nutrition of her or her mom.

You bought her at a pet store? If so, that's probably why you can't get the smell out. Most pet store get their dogs from puppy mills. Once that dog gets the mill smell in them it's damn near impossible to get out. It seeps into their pores and no matter how many times you bathe the dog the smell lingers.

Puppy hair is a bit weird. Sometimes is super soft and silky and other times its stringy looking. That all changes as they age. Just like a newborn baby.

When a baby is born they have really fine hair, but as they age it may change colors and most times, changes in texture and thickness as well.

I never thought this was true until I rescue a puppymill dog. There was no amount of washing done that could get rid of that smell. But the smell eventually went away, it took months and months and months.

That's what I hear. THat it takes FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Those poor babies go through hell at puppy mill and people who dont know better, still buy from pet stores. This is why the word needs to get out about just how bad puppy mills are!

Sorry didn't mean to hijack the thread... :(

Stop the madness and stop supporting PET STORES!!!!! Iv'e been kicked out of malls be security for taping puppy mill pics to windows of pet stores.Miami Pet cops last night there was a dead Yorkie in the pet store. IN THE WINDOW!!!!!!!!!I wanted to rip his head off the owner!

GOOD FOR YOU!

this is a small town pet store, no mill puppies. She is the product from owners wifes 2 dogs. She has a grooming shop and breeds a few different small breeds.

I am founder of our local dog club and pretty knowledable that there are no mill puppies in this pet store.Club was to go train shelter dogs in hopes they were more adoptable knowing basic commands, and providing a support for owners who did adopt by teaching them how to understand their dogs, train the owners how to train their dogs, basically help any way we could to keep the dogs placed. I also had contact with 3 of the local veterinarians I know the ins and outs, the good and bad of everyone associated professionally with dogs here.

This pet store has unhealthy dogs at times passing about kennel cough yes but not mill puppies.

good for you...great efforts :p

I saw that episode and did you SEE how long it took to get that awful man shut down ?

I agree on not supporting pet stores.... but since you already have your puppy ....Congratulations on a new yorkie puppy....

I realize you are trying to do the right thing - but Please don't support Pet Stores in ANY form....if they cannot sell - they will not buy from mills - no matter how nice they seem -

I wish I could help you with shampoos for the odor - I wonder if there's some powder or something to use between baths to absorb this - kind of like us using baking soda in the fridge ? Poor little baby - I'd love to see a pic of your new puppy - I know you must be excited ...smelly baby or not !

I just had a thought - Tomato juice is used to remove skunk smell from dogs and cats if they get sprayed - has anyone else heard of this ? You need to bath them IN tomato juice when they get sprayed by a skunk to neutralize the odor...wonder if this would help ? I would ask your vet though before trying anything.

she does not smell anymore. Someone who posted assumed she did. She smelled of urine and newspapers when I got her.I gave her a bath and she didnt smell anymore-except from the shampoo. My dogs are very clean, none of them smell and their fur shines like you wouldnt believe. I cannot stand a smelly dog so a tiny urine/newspaper odor overpowers me. My big dogs hate me-bi weekly baths. If they roll in grass and get some smell it means a bath.

The post was about coat changes-her coat doesnt look shiny and smooth. Its kind of rough, wet & wirey looking. I was wondering if there was an ugly stage or a stage where their undercoat comes in making them look-ratty.

I spoke to vet at her appt this morning and vet said she probably needs a dietary change. She & her mom probably werent fed a high quality food which is showing in her dull coat. I feed high quality food to all my dogs, also supplement with vitamins to make sure they look & feel the best they can. Vet said I'm used to dogs in top shape whom have had the best from day1, Dixie hasnt recieved that care yet and it will take time to get her there.

lol...I SEE now - went back and looked at the posts ...I went with the flow there - ...on your question - Have you looked into the Chris Christensen Systems shampoo and conditioner ? They have a daily moisturizing shampoo that is really super nice and a leave in spray called Ice on Ice - It's worked wonders for my oldest Chanel who has not silky hair...

By the time you buy shampoos & conditioners at Petcos and Petsmarts - you spend 10-15 bucks for each - and for ALMOST the same price - you get quality at this site - http://www.chrissystems.com/

Also - this is a good site for quality hair products - www.plushpuppy.net

pup
 

Do you have a Yorkie or a Silky terrier..two different breeds.
Don't be offended but we do not refer to Yorkie hair as "fur"..it is called hair or coat.
At 10 weeks she should not be raggy or going through the uglies..Poms may do that, but Yorkies don't have an ugly stage..their coat may be short as a pup, but should be shiny, silky, try a good conditioner. Best wishes

My babies at that age and Mr. Big is now 4mo. seem to go thru an oily stage. Their coats look just like what you are describing. I don't know what to do about it except give it time. Lady, Pirogue and Autumn all went thru it and now when I give them baths they look like the pics you see of adult coats. Autumn is 9mos and I didn't notice when the change happened to her coat. Sylvia

I bet with better food and supplements (and lots of love) her coat will look better in no time!

Different cost textures
 

Hi and welcome to Yorkie Talk! Glad you found us. You sound like a well versed dog lover. I used to have shepherds as a kid. Love them!! What you do for your local dog club is commendable too! Way to go!!

First, to put in my 2 cents with respect to the "generalization" that "all pet stores" are inherently bad...that's like saying all men cheat on their wives. I hope I do not offend anyone with this analogy, but it is a good one in my opinion. Maybe "most, some, or a majority" of men cheat on their wives according to the statisitics, but we do not condemn marriage as a result and say, "Don't marry men!!" Not EVERY pet store in the world buys their puppies from puppymills and it is a generalization and not true to say so. It is fine to want to close down and put puppymills and disreputable breeders out of business, and I am in no way defending these establishments and individuals because I think they need to be stopped, but we lose our credibility when we generalize like this.

Okay, that said...on to coats and yorkie hair texture. There are definitely different coat textures in adult yorkies and puppy yorkies. There is what they call a "cotton" coat which is not as silky and sometimes wavy and mats more easily than a silky coat. The breed standard is a silky coat as an adult, much like human hair which doesn't tangle or mat easily. Maybe some breeders and more experienced owners can elaborate further.

Hope you become an active member here. I think we could learn a lot from you! Welcome again!

Welcome Debr !
I sent you a private message and yes it is on topic.

Wow - Comparing Pet Stores to Marriage ? Did I read this right ?

Pet Stores are NOTORIOUS for buying from puppy mills - I really don't think ANYONE should be defending them when someone new could come read that and think a pet store is ok to buy from - they are NOT.

Puppy Mills may be slowed down if Pet Stores didn't buy in quantity like they do. They would not BREED dogs over and over and discard them when they're through with them - they wouldn't HAVE A PLACE to ship all these puppies if Pet Stores were stopped.

This is no offense to anyone who purchased their puppy from a pet store - but in order to make a dent in mills - we need to cut off the demand... and pet stores supply that demand when people fall in love seeing a puppy in a store -

Many puppies are purchased in Pet Stores as an impulse buy - People window shop - they see - they fall in love or want to rescue that puppy - the Pet Store makes a sale - goes BACK to the mill and replaces that sold puppy with a new Mill Puppy - and it goes on and on -

If someone is going to say "It's ok - not all pet stores are bad" that's sending the wrong signal to people who may not know what happens in these places. I can't believe I read this.

A pet store which does not get it's puppies from a puppymill is okay. Why would you want to put this woman out of business because some pet stores buy from puppy mills when she doesn't?

That would be the same as saying we want to put ALL breeders out of business because they may be disreputable and may sell sick puppies. IMO this kind of thinking is "extreme".There will always be people who fall in love with puppies so the demand will always be there whether they are a breeder with a store or one who sells from their kennel, their ranch or their house.

I think we have a responsibility to warn people who come on here that you really have to check out where a pet store gets their puppies before they consider buying one because pet stores (in the malls especially) are notorious for buying from puppymills, just as we should try to educate people about unscrupulous breeders, brokers and about what puppymills are in general.

Again, I will reiterate my opinion that "broad generalizations" lose credibility because as soon as there is ONE exception to the rule, people realize the statement is not true and start questioning everything that has been said. It hurts our battle to eliminate puppymills in my opinion.

Here we go ...it's not extreme - it's true - and Kim - you can defend Pet Stores all you want - I said what I said ...and I disagree with you... but I know this will lead nowhere.

Too many people have no idea where pet store animals come from - you can defend them all you want ....but they DO BUY FROM MILLS - they are the biggest clients mills have. I see you're also defending Mills in your last sentence....Why would anyone defend animal abuse ?

My own FAMILY didn't even know what puppy mills were and how pet stores get their animals till I got yorkies 3 years ago - Most people who shop in a PET STORE WILL NOT RESEARCH THAT STORE - they want the puppy right away - it's hard to see past the suffering and the need to save that one puppy is very strong.

I'm not a fanatic - OF COURSE there's going to be that one or 2 stores that really care - but do you really think anyone is going to delve into their business practices in real life ?

the new member Debr who posted this thread is rare... and I commend her - but the reality is... pet stores exploit animals.

It's really very easy!

Do not buy from a pet store or a puppy broker unless they let you talk to and interview the breeder.

Your interview should be derived of questions to ascertain whether the breeder is a puppymill or a reputable breeder.

Are you kidding me? What is the matter with just encouraging people NOT to buy from a puppy broker or pet store???? To buy from a reputable breeder is just SO MUCH EASIER.
I am not trying to "stir the pot" here but it seems like it is a much safer alternative to direct people to a reputable breeder than having to grill a pet store or broker on where they get their pups and just hoping to get an honest answer. This idea is ludicrous IMO.

I would not want anything I said to negatively affect and possibly destroy the livlihood or business of good, hardworking, honest people. It is the same reason that I defend breeders who are wrongly attacked. It is not fair to damage the reputations of those who are hard working and honest, which most breeders that I know personally, are, just because some are not completely reputable. Not ALL breeders are bad! There seems to be a misconception and it usually comes from these broad over generalizations.

Adding a little baking soda to the water and letting your pup soak in it for a little bit will help over time. We have a Petland in our town which I am no longer allowed in but anyway, people buy puppies there and then bring them to us because of the smell. I tell them why the pups have this odor and the people just cant believe that that is true. I printed out a bunch of stuff that I found about puppymills and some things that I have found on here and taken them into work so these people that buy pups at this store can relize where the pups come from.
Sorry to babble but yes, fill the sink or tub up with some water, put some baking soda in there and let your pup soak for a little bit. Then do the normal bath. After a few baths with this it should take the odor away.

Just speaking for myself here, but I agree with suggesting that people adopt from a local breeder that they find through the YTCA. Its so simple.
It IS my GOAL to negatively affect the business of any pet store that sells puppy mill puppies. I don't just want to negatively affect it... I want it SHUT DOWN! If there is less of a demand, then the market will slow.

As far as reputable breeders being unjustly attacked... I must have missed that one! I have never seen anyone unjustly attack a responsible or reputable breeder on any forum. I have seen some questionable breeding practices exposed for the benefit of future potential buyers.

Most pet shops are not going to admit to where they get their stock from. Animal welfare organizations such as ASPCA, Local Humane Societies, PETA, Breed Specific Rescues, Breed Clubs, Veterinarians to name a few will strongly advise people against purchasing a puppy from a pet shop. The internet is full of information that cautions people against buying from pet shops. You will be hard pressed to find anyone or any organization that would encourage people to buy from a pet shop. I know there are sweet little puppies out there in pet shops that deserve a loving home. But you are risking the possibility that the puppy came from a questionable background. Pet shops & puppy mills will continue to exist as long as there is a market for the product. The only way to stop them is to stop buying their puppies.

I guess I'll repeat myself too - the vast MAJORITY of Pet Stores SELL MILL PUPPIES - where on EARTH do you think that kind of volume of puppies come from - the puppy fairy ???

and Brenda - you're right and I liked your post - I do agree you'll find mom and pop places out there who actually know where their puppies come from but I have THREE pet stores near me and I can almost positivily state they would NOT share their supplier - even if I asked them - they buy from mills ...period. Even if they DID share where they got their puppies from - how would anyone know if it were a mill or not ? Lots of MILLS have very nice names and no one would dream what they really do for a living.

ReconsMomma....You're banned from Petland :D ? Good for you - you must have really got to them for that to happen ! Petland is one of the biggest buyer of Mill puppies ever.

All my life I have wanted to open a small pet store, mainly fish; raise a few hamsters on the side and such as that. I don't know if I will ever be able to do that, but if I did, it would be a hobby and my pet store pets would be the best, just as my own pets are.

Debr - My little girl Zowie was 9 weeks when we got her. I started thinking her hair seemed not as soft as Bronx (not her brother - 8 weeks at purchase). I give them the best foods and shampoo and condition at least weekly. Then I started giving her hair cuts and left Bronx with a long coat. Now at 1 1/2, she has a pretty silver coloring, it is very soft and looks lovely, tangle free.

I thought she might have had a skin rash or something prior to my getting her, even bites or something like that. I don't know. Also, both puppies got kennel cough from our VET when they went in for their checkup, they are great, but I think anywhere a number of pets are is like a doctors office (no where I wanted my children-babies to have to go for shots)

i had never been to a petland until i picked Bunny up. When her flight was late, I ran around looking for a pet shop to pick up some nutrical and stumbled upon petland. i was HORRIBLE!!! they had dogs in glass crates like fish tanks in the wall. the poor puppies had no room to move around or play and some were too big for their area and could barely stand up. i was disgusted! I sat in my car and cried and cried! i was so lucky to have found a wonderful breeder that raises her puppies in her home and was going to pick her up and then the site of this just broke my heart into a million pieces!