Changed my mind about getting a yorkie (Long)

[Jokerman]

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.

[Sookie]

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.

[simonandhallie]

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~

[Rae Rae]

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.

[yorkieK9trainer]

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

(I show SV German Shepherds)

[browniesmom622]

good lUck with your new puppy !
you sure will be missing out on alot with not getting a yorkie

[Shelby&Seymour]

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!!!

[paulapoo]

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.

[pea496]

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.

[ladybugg74]

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!

[cheyenne2000]

Congrats on your new puppy. I wish you the best of luck with it. I agree that Yorkies aren't for everyone. I have to wrestle with my Shooter everyday just to brush his hair, you would think I am killing him. So far (knock on wood) I haven't had any health problems out of either of my babies, Shooter is 3lbs and Emma is 4 lbs. They are both happy and healthy. I wouldn't trade either of them for anything on this earth.

[MyFairLacy]

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

[For My Coby]

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!!

[angaa]

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

[La Princesa]

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!