Changed my mind about getting a yorkie (Long)
 

This is my first post on YT after lurking for the past month. I've read back about 100 pages on the general forum, along with reading the other forums too. I've found the members here to be extremely friendly and helpful, and the forum a great place to learn about Yorkies. But after spending a month reading the forums here, I've decided this breed is not for me.

I came here to learn, and hoped to find a responsible breeder where I could purchase a beautiful, healthy puppy. What I've learned is these dogs are too fragile and sickly for someone like me, who worries constantly about the health of my animals. I've learned they are prone to luxating patellas, they get collapsed tracheas, they are prone to liver shunt, they break their legs jumping off furniture, they choke easily on food that's not cut up in tiny pieces, they get seizures, many have to have C-sections if they're bred, it's a big risk putting them under anesthetic to be neutered or spayed, many are excessive barkers... The list goes on and on. With someone like me with an obsessive personality type, I fear I would be in constant worry of my dog getting sick and dying. The last thing I need in my life is to subject myself to the constant worry of a fragile little dog, constantly worrying about its health. I realize all Yorkies don't have all these health problems, but from the posts I've read on this forum, these appear to be fairly prevalent in the breed.

While lurking here, I found a breeder with the most beautiful puppies for sale. I emailed her several times, then called her. She asks $2000 for male puppies, with no breeding rights, and $3000 for her females. All puppies have limited registration. She occasionally has puppies a little cheaper, in the $1400 range. So, I ask her for pictures of the puppies for sale, and ask to see the pedigrees and pictures of the parents. I get back a one sentence email practically accusing me of being a "breeder", of me wanting to breed her precious LIMITED REGISTRATION puppies. I have absolutely no intention of breeding Yorkies, but there is no way I am paying $1500-$3000 for a puppy without seeing both the parents AND the pedigree. I emailed her back and assured her I did not want a breeding dog, just a companion and pet, but that I wanted a beautiful and healthy dog, which is why I went to her show kennel in the first place. I never heard another word back from her.

So, what I can't understand, is why some people act like Yorkies are for royalty only? Why would anyone pay $2000-$3000 for a puppy without seeing the parents and pedigree first? Why people will pay that kind of money without some type guarantee that the dogs won't develop luxating patellas and various other genetic problems? Don't get me wrong, I think Yorkies are beautiful little dogs, and I really wanted one for a companion, and I would have been an excellent home. But there is no way I am paying that ridiculous amount of money for a puppy with basically no health guarantees, and then driving myself crazy worrying about the health problems that are so prevalent in this breed. I am not trying to pi$$ anyone off with these comments, just telling you my experience of coming here as a new person, wanting to learn about the breed and find a responsible breeder. I am taking a stand saying I won't put up with breeders who act like their dogs are solid gold, who won't offer a decent health guarantee for a dog prone to health problems. I won't pay $3000 for a limited registration puppy and THEN have to pay $3000 more on vet bills when the kneecaps go out. That is ridiculous. I just can't understand why people will put up with this type treatment! You should DEMAND a decent health guarantee or not buy their pups.

I'm sorry it has worked out this way, but I've now chosen another breed of dog, which I've owned before and love, and I've now paid my deposit on a puppy due in October. For the $1500 it costs, I am getting a puppy from an imported European mother, an AKC champion sire with two imported parents, and with a full health guarantee on all genetic traits. Oh, and all breeding and showing rights on the dog, even though I will have her spayed and only show in obedience. This breed has few health problems, with the most common being hip dysplasia. But with the puppy having a seven generation pedigree with absolutely NO incidents of dysplasia, it's highly unlikely it will ever occur in the puppy I am buying. I would have liked to have bought a Yorkie also, but I'm just not willing to pay the prices breeders are asking with NO decent health guarantees and such limited paperwork. I wish all people would take a stand, and the breeders selling these puppies for the ridiculous prices would have to come down off their high horse. Please, I am not writing this to offend anyone, I'm just stating what my experience in trying to obtain a Yorkie has been like. I know all breeders don't act like the one I contacted. Some of you may offer a decent health guarantee and not act like every person wanting your puppies wants to breed if they ask to see parents and pedigrees. Please don't take this personally as I am not talking about YOU. Thanks to all who have posted on the forum. It has truly been a learning experience!

P.S. Although "Jokerman" is my forum name here, this is not a "Joke" posting. Jokerman is the name of my horse and is why I used this name.

Congratulations on your new puppy!! :) I am sure he or she will bring you a lot of joy. I'm glad you were able to find the perfect puppy for you and hope you have many wonderful years together.

I think you have done everything you can to make a decision that is right for you and your life at this moment. You also seem to have done your homework in terms of knowing exactly what you are looking for. I would be cautious to generalize all yorkie breeders based on the one experience you had.

Also, not everyone pays that price for their yorkies. Mine were both rescues as were many of the others you have read about here. So I don't know anything about the parents and had no guarantee but that's the chance I took when I decided to give them a loving home.

I wish you luck with your new puppy~

Congrats on a new puppy!

When I first got my yorkies I was worried too, I read a lot on here and saw a lot of other problems, so I was always paranoid Rocky was injured or gonna get sick. My two yorkies are actually very durable now :) They've fallen, jumped off things, and so far (knock on wood) no injuries! But I totally agree, I wouldn't buy ANY dog with out a health gaurantee! Especially if your paying a lot of money. The health of my puppies when I got them was my number one concern..I didn't care about papers, or that Bella will probably never have enough hair for a topknot.

When you get your German Shepherd (I'm assuming) please post up pics!

(I show SV German Shepherds)

Congrats on your new puppy! You ARE absolutely correct.... not everyone is meant to have a yorkie and they are sometimes more worry and work than some other breeds (although some of us have been more fortunate than others). BUT, as a Yorkie owner I can truly say every worry has been worthwhile and I wouldn't trade my little furballs for anything. I am so glad that you found a breed that you feel is best for you AND I really respect your honesty. I wish more dog owners were as responsible as you to do some homework and really make a decision based on their own needs. It would really help with all the dogs ( and other animals) out there that are abandoned and need a loving home.
Good Luck with your new Puppy....... and if you get the chance, come on back and show us some pics!!!

congrats on your new pup! I commend you for doing your research and making an informed decision about what breed to bring into your family.

Congratulations on your new puppy. I remember when I was new to YT, and I started a thread called "Do you ever stop worrying?" My little guy was really small then. He looked more like a giunie pig than a dog, but he grew into a very sturdy 10 pounder!!! He is not fragile at all. He always wants to play with german shepherds and all other dogs. I still worry about him, as I suppose you would with any breed that you have taken into your home as a part of your family. But the worry eases as they get older.

I found a wonderful breeder, but my little guy had to fly from Dallas, TX to CT. He was never shy with us or afraid - even on the first day we got him. Today, he is our little terror.

I congratulate you on doing your homework regarding the breed, because they are not for everyone. Mine is very needy. He always has to know where I am, and if I am not playing with him, he takes his toy and hits me in the leg with it. I thought that as he got older, he would be more independent, but he likes to be with mama or daddy all the time. He has a winning personality and loves everyone he meets.

Please let us see the new addition to your family when he/she arrives.

Good luck with your puppy! Many people don't do their research before getting a particular breed dog. We did not research yorkies too much before getting Gracie and Hallee. My sisters mother n law has two yorkies we just loved so we decided to get Gracie. Then after almost a year later we got Hallee. They are both high maintenance as I call it. I constantly worry about them. I come home every day from work at lunch just to check on them. We constantly check the floor out ect to be sure we have not dropped something that they could possibly choke on. We test toys out before we buy them by tugging ect on them at the pet store to be sure they are durable and they are not going to tear it apart and choke on something. We always cut the tags off of toys and many times the ears and eyes if needed. I know we are overly cautious. We have had our share of scares and it is not fun. Hallee recently had surgery that cost us $1000.00. She had torn ACL. For me it was just horrible going through the surgery and seeing her the way she was. She is recovering just fine now and almost back to normal. Don't get me wrong, me and my hubby love them to pieces. I don't know what we would do without them. They are both so spoiled with love, attention , toys ect. We wish you the best of luck with your new puppy!

Congratulations on your new puppy. You were very smart to do your research and not get a yorkie if it isn't right for you. No breed is for everyone which is why there are so many to choose from.

So far as the breeder you contacted. Without knowing who it is, I just wanted to say that most yorkie show breeders do all the necessary health testing and selectively breed for health, comformation, and temperment so I'm sure if you had carried on your conversation with the breeder that you would have found out there there was a health guarantee and found out the health history in the pedigree. I'm sorry the breeder accused you of wanting the breed its puppies, but you have to realize that a lot of people want to do just that - get their hands on a quality show dog and breed it just to make money - even if it has been sold with limited registration. So the breeder was just trying to be really careful. There must have been something in your e-mail that worried them...probably asking why they were so much with limited registration. All reputable breeders sell their non-show quality pups to homes with limited registration because they aren't meant to be shown or bred. $3000 is a lot for a non-show quality dog but some show breeders charge that much and some are much lower. Anyway, just wanted to say that almost all show breeder's puppies do come with a healthy background and a health guarantee.

I know you'll enjoy your new puppy :)

Anyone that would be offended by your post is nuts! You have done everthing right, and if more people would, there wouldn't be so many dogs in rescue today!

We have a 10 year old Shi Tzu who was the PERFECT breed when our kids were small - laid back, no problems, asks for little, adjusts perfectly to YOUR lifestyle instead of the other way around. I always wanted a Yorkie but knew we had to wait until we were at a point in our life where a Yorkie would fit.

Congratulations on your new PERFECT-for-you puppy!! :animal36

Just wanted to tell you good luck with your new puppy, how exciting!!! I have a big Rough Collie (like Lassie) and when I was looking for one in my area I contacted a show breeder. She told me the price of her puppies and I wrote back and asked her what all did that include and for some reason she got offended and sent me an indignant email. I was little taken a back but after talking to numerous breeders (all very nice) I found a awesome one that drove all the way from Southern California (I live in Northern Ca and it took him 5 HOURS one way) just to meet me and bring me my dog. He was honest and Chewy turned out just the way he said he would. So it worked out really great. I was looking for a Yorkie as a playmate for Chewy and also I wanted a girl because I have 3 sons so I wanted a daughter. Well I met the breeder I got Emma from and now we are actually very good friends. So I got my daughter as well as a really important person in my life. Looks like it may have been a miscommunication between you and her. I know when you are communicating through email things can be take taken a wrong way. Maybe she thought you were going to breed or something or maybe she just wasnt very nice, who knows.

Anyway post pictures of your knew puppy!!!! What kind are you getting?
HAve a great weekend
angela

I thought i was the only weird person in here that thought paying over 1000 bucks with only limited rights on the puppy was a ridiculous thing. So don't feel bad for speaking your heart because there are a few people that feel the same way. The law of supply and demand dictates that people will charge outrageous prices as long as someone out here is willing to pay.

Good luck with your new pup

Kisses!

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PUPPY!!! I'm glad you realized Yorkies are not for you, they're not for everyone and most ppl want them cause they are cute but can be making a mistake if they don't research them.

I congratulate you on your informed decision. I know you have made the right one for you.

I'll have to say though, that even though the Yorkie breed is a lot of work, I have never ever been so "taken" by any pet, ever. I am NOT a dog person, we have had various dogs as I was growing up and even after I married. They were always my hubby's dogs, I didn't pay much attention to them at all.

All that changed when we got our first Yorkie. OMG! :eek: I am completely in love with these guys (we had to get another one!). So, while I agree, they are lots of trouble and worry, they are expensive (but I didn't pay nearly as much as you were quoted), my guys have been healthy (knock on wood) and I can't see myself ever having any other breed of dog.

Good luck with your new puppy! I know you will have lots of fun!!!

Jokerman, you have posted a thread that every one thinking about buying a yorkie or any other breed should seriously put that much thought and energy into.

I hope you will come back and show pictures of your new puppy.

You're right to move on to another breed thats more suited to you. Yorkies are not for everyone. Good luck with your new baby, and we'd love it if you shared pictures of the little one when you get him or her! :D

Congrats on your new pup! I'm curious, what kind of pup did you get? :p I'm also sorry that this breeder treated you this way and didn't offer a decent guarantee. If you are still interested in a Yorkie in the future, I'm sure you can find a decent breeder that offers what you are looking for. Yorkies are worth the worrying. hehehehe Good luck!

I commend you for researching and determining that Yorkies weren't for you. I have had 5 yorkies and most of the have had numerous illnesses and have worried me to death but after switching to a pom I realized I had to also have my yorkies. I do feel that Yorkies aren't for everyone and if everyone did their homework like you did there would be a lot less dogs in shelters. Congrats on your puppy!!!

I think you made a good informed decision. Yorkies certainly are not for everyone that is for sure and there are lots of health problems that COULD go along with a yorkie or any other breed for that matter. I guess I am lucky to have had no problems YET...I am also sorry about your experience with that breeder although like you posted that is only one breeder..you could have had that problem with any breeder of any breed..good luck with your new puppy!!

Dawn

Congratulations on your new pup.
 

:thumbup: I hope that you will return to share photos with us.

I have to agree that Yorkies are high maintenance and support your decision to get a less demanding breed. I wish more people would make that decision before they purchase a pup that ends up in a shelter or worse because the owner isn't willing to invest the time & money needed for a Yorkie.

If everyone who wanted a dog took the time to research the breed as you have, we wouldn't have the problem we have today at our shelters. Thank you for taking the time to know exactly what you were getting into.

I agree with you 100 percent on the need for breeders who charge in the thousands of dollars to offer good health guarantees.

I went the other direction. I paid $800 total for two Yorkies and didn't get health guarantees. One is now 11 and one is 3 with no genetic defects.

But they are definitely fragile. I'm always worried about them.

Congratulations on your new baby. Please come back and let us see pictures of him/her. I didn't think your post was offensive at all.

You have done a great job researching the new member of your family. Congratulations on your new puppy. No one should be offended by your post, you were being honest. I too have spent lots of time worrying about my little girl. Though she has had only one issue come up, I am constantly thinking that every little thing could turn into an issue. Of course that could be because Madeleine is my first dog and I am always learning something new.

Good luck and I hope you stick around and show us pics once you bring your puppy home!

Good for you for doing your research. Yorkies are one of the more fragile breeds and they are not for everybody.

Awww, you are the sweetest bunch of people. I was really nervous posting my comments, thinking I'd probably be receiving some "hate mail". But you're all such friendly and helpful people. I am really going to miss reading your posts. You've really got it together here and are so supportive to each other. I applaud you!

I reread my post and I hope it doesn't come across that money was the deciding factor in my decision not to get a Yorkie. It wasn't about money, it was about the health issues apparent to the breed, and the lack of heath guarantees from the breeders I contacted. As I mentioned, I am a worry wart and I know I would drive myself insane worrying that my Yorkie was sick all the time, and I don't need that stress. I so much wanted a sweet little Yorkie to love, to hold and cuddle with, to kiss on and sleep with, and to be my best buddy. I don't work so I would be home with the dog all day. Both my husband and I were so looking forward to having a Yorkie companion to enjoy. We STILL want one, as you can very well imagine. I just didn't know they had so many health issues until I discovered YT. This forum has been far more educational to me than any ten yorkie books I could read. Your honesty concerning your personal experiences has been so helpful in my decision that I shouldn't get a yorkie. I know I shouldn't get one, but that sure doesn't stop me from wanting one.

I actually contacted several breeders about puppies, but my original post was so long I didn't go in to all the details. Two breeders never responded to my emails. One breeder offered no health guarantee whatsoever. Another breeder breeds ACA registered Yorkies, yet has AKC pedigrees of her pups's grandparents and great grandparents posted on her website. That was an obvious indication to me that she's one of the people who bought her dogs on a limited registration, and then bred them anyway. I would never buy a puppy from a dishonest person like that. Another breeder I contacted had cute puppies, but only offers a guarantee against liver shunt. She admitted that she has had liver shunt in a couple of her puppies, but told me that LP was a very common problem in yorkies and she would not guarantee her pups against it. The real kicker was the show breeder who acted insulted when I asked to see pictures of the parents and their pedigrees. Sure, she can tell me that her puppies are out of champion parents, but I want to see it for myself. I didn't think it was too much to ask, especially with the prices she was charging for her puppies. I'm just not the type person to buy ANY dog without seeing the parents and their pedigrees first. I want to know ALL about any dog I buy, and NOT because I wanted to breed it. And how in the heck do you convince someone you don't want their champion stock so you can breed it??? I even considered telling her I would buy an older puppy and SHE could have it neutered first, but due to the research I've done on horses and large breed dogs, I've learned that by neutering a young puppy before the growth plates are fused, the dog/horse is going to grow larger than either parent. So I didn't want to do an early neuter on a puppy just to prove I didn't want to breed it, which it turn would cause it to grow to be a larger dog...

The new puppy I'm buying is a Rottweiler. Yes, I know.... A huge difference between a Rottie and a Yorkie. But I've owned Rottweilers in the past and they are incredibly wonderful dogs too, and if you've never been owned by one, you've missed out. :) They're brilliant dogs, very easily trained, and normally house broken in less than two weeks. They are loyal and affectionate and protective of their owners, and a very robust breed. It's just not as easy to hold a 125# dog in your lap as it is to hold a 5# dog, and I certainly don't want to sleep with a dog that big, either. I truly wanted both breeds, but I wanted the Yorkie first so it would be older, and could be dominate over the Rottweiler.

One difference I've found in Rottweiler and Yorkie breeders is that a good Rottweiler breeder will test their breeding stock and have them OFA'ed before they breed them, to prevent the continuation of hip dysplasia in the breed. Isn't there a way that yorkie breeders can breed out the luxating patellas from their breed? Can't they be checked prior to being bred so this genetic problem can be eliminated from the breed? Being new to Yorkies, maybe it's just not possible to eliminate it. I haven't researched that answer yet. I just know I would never buy a Rottweiler or large breed of dog whose parents weren't OFA certified. I realize that due to the popularity of the breed, yorkies are being mass produced to supply the demand for the breed, which is so very sad since that can lead to the downfall of a breed. I guess there is nothing to be done to make breeders stand up and be responsible when there are just so many people wanting to buy Yorkies right now. I know I will be missing out on not being owned by one of these precious little dogs, but until the time comes when something is done to prevent many of their health problems, I will just have to miss out.

Thanks again for all your help in my quest to learn about these wonderful little dogs. You've all been wonderful.

I'm so glad you returned for an update!! Again I applaud your wisdom and honesty. And wow, some really good points.

You are soooooo responsible, that I think that you would make a GREAT YORKIE BABYSITTER!!! Does anyone want to start a list of clients for Jokerman????

You've been so honest and made so many good points in your decision making.

I wish you well with your rottie puppy and hope you come back sometime to "visit":)