I have been on YTCA site attempting to find a breeder and I have had no success. I emailed and called a few breeders but none of them have responded to the emails and I can't get anyone on the phone. I was trying to find a pups in one of the following states MS, AL, or GA for the sake of not having to have the pup shipped too far.

At this rate I really wonder when/if I'll ever find my pup.

This appears to be an issue for many pet-seekers who use the YTCA to try and find a yorkie. There are some great breeders there, to be sure, but I've rarely heard of them replying to a pet seeker :(.

This is part of why people start looking all over the place, and can end up with a poorly bred/sickly yorkie.

One thing to try is PMing w/ a few of the members here at YorkieTalk. If you like the look of someone's pup - maybe try private messaging them and asking if the pup is healthy, and if the breeder is good. Also see if the breeder has a website, where you can evaluate how they represent their yorkies, and the breed in general.

Lastly, if you find a breeder you may like, post here and ask other's opinions. :)

Weekends are a poor time to expect an immediate answer. Most ytca people are at dog shows, busy with family events. Don't expect an answer right away.
Also when you contact them, give a little background info, the kind of home you can offer, what you are looking for, ie pet etc, your experience or lack of that sort of info.

I also forgot that you can find maybe dog shows in your area through the AKC site at American Kennel Club - akc.org You can attend a show and find breeders there who are showing their dogs and make an initial contact that way.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. Most of the YTCA breeders that I know of will respond to pet breeders but like Lorraine said, weekends are not a good time. Most do prefer a phone call to an email as they like to talk to and evaluate the type of home one has to offer. It may take some time, but it's worth the effort to find a good reputable breeder. Web sites can be deceiving so you must be very careful. Good luck in your search.

No worries. It's just that so many kennels have similar names, we want to make sure that we are all talking about the same person.

As far as the laws go, only a handful of states have puppy lemon laws. It's important to know if yours is one that does, or if you are getting are dog from one. The laws are woefully inadequate, but they are the absolute minimum you should see in a guarantee from a potential breeder. A great breeder stands behind the health of their dogs.

I have heard that some people have not heard back from YTCA breeders, but I did not find that to be true in my case. One thing I will suggest is (in addition to being patient, these are busy people) that your initial contact be more than a quick "do you have any dogs available and how much are they" kind of email. Take a few minutes to introduce yourself, explain your interest in Yorkies and tell a little bit about your lifestyle ( do you have kids, are you a work at home mom ...) Explain that you are looking for a pet and not a breeding dog. Let them know you are looking for a breeder that is breeding for the betterment of the breed, one that tests their dams and sires.

Ask them if they can refer you to someone who's breeding program they have confidence in if they do not have any pups available. Not all good breeders are necessarily YTCA members, and part of the code of ethics of YTCA members is
to refer you to other good breeders.

Let them know you are aware that you are willing to be put on a waiting list ( if you are). Good breeders want to know that this isn't a spur of the moment decision for you. They put a lot of time, love and effort in to these pups. Yorkies have a 15+ year lifespan and the breeders want to know you are in this for the long haul.

Go to the YT library and you will see lots of questions to help you identify a good breeder. Ask lots of questions. Take your time when choosing a breeder- you are building what should be a lifetime relationship with them.

Good luck in your search.

Finding a pup generally takes quite awhile if you are going about your research/homework correctly and finding a reputable breeder. :) The shortest search I've personally witnessed was a few months.

Good luck in your search and remember to be patient and stick with it! You'll save a lot of time, money, and heartache getting a pup from a reputable breeder. :thumbup:

You are right there and I do get many enquiries that I do follow up but now the enquirer doesn't respond. Many times I will get an email enquiring about a pup wtih no information even of where they might be located.
I reply asking a few questions and invite them to phone me/email me back at least for a start, and I will send my phone number or if they don't want to pay the Long distance, I ask for their phone number and a good time to call them. Most of the time, I never hear from the again.

I agree. when I 1st started my search, as most I was directed to YTCA. And to be honest only 3 of maybe 5/6 breeders actually got back to me. I was told the same thing about shows on the weekends and how they don't have much time...so i tried over on weekdays & even at specific times... but the others still didn't respond.:confused:

The ones that did respond either didnt have puppies...had one pup who was WAYYY outta my price range....or just seemed plain rude. ( I think its because I sound young on the phone. LOL)
So I've been lurking around here following some YT breeders...or PM'ing some YTers about their breeders.

Its about to be a YEAR I've been on my Yorkie search :D and I'm cool with it, because I've learned alot (and still learning soooo much).

And plus my Momma always told me "Good things come to those who wait." ;)

I do want to re-iterate that weekends are often not a good time to expect a response; show breeders are usually travelling often times to out of state shows; or competing at different events.

Telling them a bit about yourself, what you are looking for in a pup, is excellent advise.

I think it is great to go out to the shows and try to meet the breeders; here is what you can do; go to www.akc.org, click on Events, and pick the states you want to search for shows in. Then when you find a show that is one you wish to attend; note the Show superintendent. Then you can go to that website (ie show superintendents) and usually 7-10 days after the show entries close, they will post how many entries of each breed have entered this show. Here this will tell you how many Yorkshire Terriers are entered. Then you have advance notice of if and how many plan to be at the show.

There is a good article in the YT library on how to find a reputable breeder.

Good luck with your search.

Good for you, Islandloverr, take your time
 

A lot of good advice has been offerred here. YTCA is a good starting point, but don't totally dismiss other sources. Around my area there are very few YTCA members, and of those listed many haven't been active in breeding in years. I know several good New England breeders who are still serving out their "apprenticeships," or whatever you call the 2 year wait to earn sponsorship in order to become eligible, or, as in my case, gave up the quest as hopelessly political or non-helpful. I started breeding Yorkies as a 50 year old professional woman who was very willing to learn, but not to grovel, which is what would have been required.

[QUOTE=magicgenie;3596725]A lot of good advice has been offerred here. YTCA is a good starting point, but don't totally dismiss other sources. Around my area there are very few YTCA members, and of those listed many haven't been active in breeding in years. I know several good New England breeders who are still serving out their "apprenticeships," or whatever you call the 2 year wait to earn sponsorship in order to become eligible, or, as in my case, gave up the quest as hopelessly political or non-helpful. I started breeding Yorkies as a 50 year old professional woman who was very willing to learn, but not to grovel, which is what would have been required.[/QUOTE]


I'm just wondering what exact grovelling is required in your point of view?

And just for info; I am not a breeder of Yorkies, just an exhibitor/owner, and have met at a couple of NY specialites and other shows, more than a few breeder/exhibitors, and have been impressed with their welcome and their willingness to share information.

For me I've always expected in any professional and dedicated milieu to earn my dues. To go the distance, to learn to accept that some folks do talk "down" to you, I understand that respect is earned in a number of ways, and to take the time to earn that respect. You may be 50 yrs old, but were a novice ( I presume) in the breeding of Yorkies. And novices need to learn.

I think for "some" groveling means agreeing to only breed to standard.

Have you tried some of the Yorkie rescues? I've been seeing quite a few pure breed Yorkie pups in rescue lately. Here is just a for instance, It's a male Yorkie 7 months old. I'll include the link. The rescue is Rescue me and it's located in NJ / PA. Also if you are open to a young adult, you'll save on the spay and neuter because it will already be done for you in the price of the adoption fee. Elaine

Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie | Whiting, NJ | Cookie