Help, something doesn't seem right with puppy
 

Hello,
I had a co-worker recommend a breeder and when I called she said she had one chocolate male left that was 14 weeks old. I went to look at him and he is very cute but I don't think he's chocolate. He has dark eyes and a black nose and his hair is blonde on his head with blackish-gray hair on his back mixed with reddish blonde highlights on his back. He is very petite.

She said her price was $600 but dropped it down to $500 because she said she just wanted to find it a good home and my coworker said I was good with my previous dog. I wasn't sure so the breeder told me I could take the little guy home for a few days to decide. I thought that was extremely nice of her but now I'm concerned.

I didn't get to meet the parents. She showed me her dogs but only pics of this little guy's parents. I thought this was odd.

Yes, this is a BYB but the home and yard was clean and well kept. As were the other dogs. All of them were extremely healthy and friendly. I just want a pet, not a show dog or to breed.

Last, and this is what concerns me the most. When the little guy is resting his head will ever so slightly wobble. I never noticed Mouse's head doing this. It is not the Yorkie shivers that some Yorkies get when they are nervous, stressed or cold. This is a very slight wobble or tremor.

Friends and family say take the dog back and walk away. They understand that someone has to be last but they are very concerned about the age of this Yorkie, (he was born in April so he's more than 14 wks) the fact that the breeder says it's chocolate but it isn't, I didn't meet the parents and she not only dropped the price but let me take the dog without any deposit.

She seemed very nice so I don't want to bad mouth her at all. I just want to focus on the pup and what I'm seeing.

Thanks for any input!

Renee

Have you taken the dog to the vet, if there is no heath problems with him, I would keep him. I never saw either one of my dogs parents in person...

Thanks for the suggestion. My bf suggested I call her and tell her I'd like to keep him for a few more days and run him by my vet. He said if the breeder is on the up and up she will be okay with it.

I think a vet check is DEFINITELY in order. Tell the vet you just need a health opinion prior to purchase.

By the way, could you post a pic? I can't seem to get a picture in my head from your description and I have never seen or heard of a "chocolate" yorkie before. :confused:

yeah, when are you orginally suppose to take him back?

There are a lot of folks on here who have seen head wobbling/tremors - so they'll probably chime in. I'm wondering how old he is - do you know? He sounds so adorable.

It is a bit odd that she just dropped her price without any prompting, but who knows. A quick trip to the vet should be able to help with your decision. I wonder though, bc he's claimed to be a "chocolate", if you should have some add'l bloodwork done...? Isn't it the liver that can be vulnerable in chocolates or is it something else?

Keep us posted and post some pics too!

Thanks for all the tips. She said I could have a few days but me and my big mouth said I'd let her know today. The bf said I should call her back and say I needed more time to think about it and get him to the vet.

I did research last night on what they call a chocolate Yorkie and I am not convinced he is. He just has several different colors. I'll see if I can down load pics in a bit.

Other than the slight head wobble he has an outstanding personality! He is not afraid of anything. He has spurts of energy but right now he is calmly laying on my lap. He has greeted everyone he's met with a wagging tail and kisses. He is not afraid of my mother's dog at all. On the car ride home he cried for the first part of the trip and then realized I wasn't giving in (she gave me a carrier to take him home in) and laid down. Last night he wasn't crazy about the cage but after a few minutes he laid down went to sleep. I'm delighted with everything.

My head says go slowly and be cautious but my heart says he's won me over! I've seen cutier Yorkies but I adore the entire package with this little guy.

Frankly I have heard of liver shunt problems in the traditional color of yorkies, but not in the Chocolates, but I don't know everything. My pair of Chocolates and offspring have never had that issue.

Yapper. I am concerned about the wobbly head issue especially. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT IN ANY YORKIE, SO I think you need to listen to your BF in this case. Before you put money in this puppy, at the least look on the net and if there are people on here who have had that issue, find out who and what it is.
And from what you are describing, it doesn't seem like a true chocolate. Here is a picture of a true chocolate at about the age of your puppy.

Also, I thought she told you it was 7 weeks old before???????????

New Kid on the block...
 

Okay, here are some pictures. And I really dont think this is a chocolate at all.

To clarify she said she released them at 7-8 weeks but this puppy she said was 14 weeks. My bf said he understands someone has to be last but wonders why it's taken so long for this puppy to find a home. He wonders if someone bought it and then brought it back of if that is why she dropped her price already.

I still think he's a cutie but I am thinking he should go back or at least see my vet.

He's definetly not chocolate, but really cute. If she goes for you seeing you vet before brininging him back then I'd do that, and if the vet gives him a clean bill of health I'd keep him. Does he come with papers?

He is a cutie but he doesnt look like a chocolate. On chocolates the nose is brown not black

He's a doll! :D Don't tell her you're taking him to a vet!! Just ask for a couple more days and do it. She might back out if a vet check is involved.

Sounds like she (the breeder) has no clue what she was doing when she bred and still has no clue! Did you ask her if this pup has been checked by a vet? Has he had shots? If you can afford it, take him to YOUR vet and have him do a health check. A head wobble could indicate a neurological issue or it could just be nothing, but a vet check on your part would be the best thing before you decide to lay down $500 for a dog!

A person may be a nice person, but a bad breeder! You'd hate to get a puppy that is going to have nothing but health problems! I know he is cute, they are allll cute (as Im sure you know) :)

The "wobble" scares me and should be taken to the vet as everyone else said. I'd give some nutri-cal in the meantime. The pup is adorable, but neither chocolate nor golden. Were there any papers? Why couldn't you see the parents? (sorry if I missed it somewhere). I have a chocolate and a golden and will attach pictures. Your pup does look like a Yorkie, just odd in color.

I really do think this pup is adorable and like the size. It isn't a silky as it has a nice shorter length to the body. I would tell the breeder about the Wobble and ask if she'd pay the vet bill to have her checked. Did you get a health guarantee? If not, check and see if your state has a Puppy Lemon Law (mine does). You have automatic coverage there. I pray this is a healthy puppy; it would be such a shame if it isn't:(

Definatly take him to the vets for a check up, the wobble sounds worrying. He's not a chocolate but very cute. Its unfortunate that you did not see his parents, I personally would not buy a puppy unless I had at least seen the mother. He's a sweetie and deserves a good home so as you already have him, I think you should keep him.

He's a cutie and my guess is that he'll be a blondie.

Get the head wobble checked out by your vet. He seems pretty small...could be neurological and if it is, you could be talking thousands of dollars in vet bills. Maybe he was sold in the past and returned because of this. :confused: GET HIM CHECKED BY A VET YOU TRUST!!!

Julz, thanks for the reply. Fortunately I haven't paid anything or signed anything. I'm debating on how to approach her. I figure if she's a good person she won't be offended by my wanting a vet check. She said the pup was up to date except for rabies which she said was too early. Is that right?

On the other hand, I totally agree this is NOT a chocolate and that concerns me that she claims it is. I did not realize when I went over there that I would not get to see the parents. I kept asking to see the adults and when she took me out to see her dogs - she had them in an indoor/outdoor run leading out of the garage that was heated and AC - she said these weren't the parents. I didn't even think to ask why not! She said they were only outside at that time so I could sit and play with the pup. The others would try to get in on the action which they did seem to want. They were all friendly.

When we went back in she showed me pictures of the mom and dad. I had never seen a golden Yorkie until your's - VERY Pretty! - but the mom was all gold/yellow. The pup looks like his dad. Sorry, I can't scan and send those pics or I would.

You are welcome:) . It kinds of sounds to me like she may be selling someone else's dog for them. Foremost is the health. Get that straigtened out. If the pup is determined healthy, I'd ask this breeder if she actually bred this pup. If not, I'd ask for more of a discount and consider it a wonderful deal. How much does this pup weigh? He looks so cute and little. NEVER be afraid to ask a breeder a question!!!!!! Don't hesitate....it is part of the job and the breeder should be more than willing to help in regard to ANYTHING! Questions in regard to that pup should be answered without hesitation. I am a breeder and encourage questions and comments for the life of the pup. I just have a "feeling" this isn't her pup. If, by chance, it is not, ask to get contact info. from the actual breeder so you can get info. on the health and personalties of the line he came from. PLEASE update us when you have new info:)

Maybe the pup just has the chocolate gene... one of the parents is a chocolate... or somewhere in the lines there is a chocolate.. :confused:

The pup is adorable. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do. :)

12 weeks for Rabies.

My opinion is that, yes this is a cute dog. It really doesn't look like a 14 week old to me. Pictures are difficult to evaluate, but it looks like his hair is thinning and (it may be the picture) but is his hair matted and cottony underneath?

Here is a picture of a litter of chocolate gene carrier puppies of mine sired by my chocolate Male Yorkie.

I agree. The pup looks OLDER than 14 weeks to me and the coat quality is on the poor side. The little face is irresistable! However, the coat an be improved (probably). I think a lot of mis-information has been given and there is a hidden reason for it. IF this dog is deemed healthy, I'd ask for more of a discount (a lot) and keep this little bugger;)

I would take him to the vet ASAP to be checked. I have never heard of a head wobble either. Check and see if he has a open fontanel ( hole , soft spot) on the top of his head. Some dogs with a larger one can have neurological problems. If he does have medical issues the price of the pup will be nothing compared to the vet bill you might have.

He is a cutie. If it was me I would get a vet check and if he checked out healthy and you like his personality I would keep him. It seems like a good price.

JMO, but WAY too many inconsistencies with this Breeder.
I didn't trust her from the get go, but I suggest you follow your instincts on this one.
If she mislead you on a few questions, my guess is that she is not being honest and is just trying to get rid of the puppy as soon as possible.
I'm sorry if that sounds blunt, but that is the way it appears and I think that when she let you take it home ....she was hoping that you would fall in love with the puppy and forget all your initial questions and fears.

Please keep in mind that if this puppy is ill that there will be so many heartaches down the road and if you think that it is something you are willing to chance then keeping it is the right the decision, but
you must also consider the cost of vet bills can easily run into thousand of dollars.
I realize this is a tough decision and I think that you are a wonderful person to even consider this puppy, but please, please be careful.

...and please update us.....I keep checking this thread (as you can tell) because I am soooo hoping this little bugger is healthy.

I agree with everything said here, the puppy looks like a yorkie but not chocolate, he is cute though. I'm wondering if the breeder already took the pup to a vet which is why the price changed. Even as a BYB she should provide a health certificate for the last visit to the vet. Especially if she has a lot of other dogs around, she should've had shots updated and that may be why she sold him so fast. I will pray for his health and hopefully she will pay for any vet bills if you decide to keep him or refund if you don't. Good luck.

The newest vaccine protocal calls for Rabies to be administered at 16 weeks, but you'll have vets vary on when they give the vaccine (never earlier than 12 weeks).

It's a cute puppy but it doesn't really look all yorkie to me. It looks a lot like a few maltese/yorkie mixes that I've seen. But I have seen all-gold yorkies too so it's possible that he's all yorkie. He also looks older than 14 weeks to me too but the vet could probably tell you the age of the puppy.

Before I bought this puppy, I would definitely made sure it was taken to your vet to be evaluated. I would also ask the breeder for more information about this puppy and its history. I would ask about the parents and why they weren't at her house. It really sounds like she's selling the puppy for someone else or it's a mixed breed puppy. There are just a lot of details that were left out. Just make sure the puppy is healthy and that you are satisfied with the answers she gives you before you go ahead with it.

I agree with everyone else Yorkie Yes Chocolate No. I think he is ADORABLE!! Just take him to the vet see what he says and go from there. If the dog is healthy them $500.00 for a yorkie with a great personality is a GREAT PRICE!! My concern is he looks older than 14 weeks. If this dog is something you want just take the time to take him to the vet if he has heatj problems you need to decide if it's worht the money and possible heartache. The puppy really is cute and i would be proud to own him. BTW i waited till 6 months for both my yorkies on the rabies shot. I would also ask to see the parents in person as well before you pay for him,