Need Some Help Selecting Your Yorkie?

Information to help you select your perfect pup!

From the desk of Sharda Baker

Thanks for joining me.

The price of your Yorkie puppy is just the down payment.

You're buying not just the puppy but must also provide food, housing, training, veterinary care, grooming and much more no matter the purchase cost.

You're also paying for the quality of health and care behind your puppy, and the breeder's time and reputation producing healthy, quality puppies.

Because it is not possible to speak directly to the breeder at the pet store, most people avoid that outlet.

You simply don't know the breeder behind it - and if the older siblings to your dog have died from genetic diseases there is no way for you to know that.

This is a critical point for getting a healthy puppy! A reliable Yorkie Breeder must charge a fair price for his or her time, costs and care of the puppy as well as his ancestors.

There seldom is much if any profit in it.

Keep in mind there are many problems that can show up in Yorkies and not all are evident as puppies.

Not all can be tested for, but a reliable breeder who has the problem show up will not breed the parents again.

For example, a liver shunt can occur - part of the blood supply passes around the liver rather than through it and thus that blood is carrying toxic substances.

Generally it shows up before they're a year old but can happen at any time - dogs with this problem lose weight and appetite, are lethargic, sometimes dizzy and unstable and it can progress to vomiting, and seizures.

It can also show itself through a prolonged recovery after being anesthetized.

Not breeding dogs that have this problem eliminates the chances of it being passed to the puppy.

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A good Yorkie breeder will discuss the issue as well as other health issues such as MVD - Microvascular Hepatic Dysplasia - or LCP disease (Legg-Calve-Perthes disease).

Eye problems and other issues can also occur and unfortunately not all problems can be tested for. However a lot can be done to remove those carriers from the breeding population.

If you aren't sure that your dog breeder takes this step and another does - it may be worth spending an extra $100-200 to get the one that does.

A year is plenty of time to get closely attached to your new puppy and to lose it at that time is heartbreaking.

If the parents threw health problems in previous litters, then you have a higher chance of your new pup getting sick also.

A reliable Breeder can help you with a lot of sound advice.

If you're showing, then having your show dog conditioned and presented well is also in the Breeder's best interest. Their hard work is on display also!

Your puppy Breeder can also be a great resource for tips on Yorkie grooming, feeding, health management and training issues.

There is a great deal to learn and with any animal no one really knows it all, but it is an incredible help to have someone you can call.

There may also be a training issue and if you ask your breeder you might just hear "Oh his grandsire was like that,try (this!)" - and it's easier on both you and your new puppy! Find a dog breeder that produces what you like.

If you're looking to show, it makes sense to find a breeder that produces show dogs.

If temperament is important to you then find a breeder that considers that a factor when breeding.

Soundness and health are two of the biggest factors in your Yorkie puppy and a good breeder can get the best one for your situation.

Remember to ask questions, and ask if your Breeder objects to contact and advice after the sale.

If it's your first dog or you're looking to show, this can be worth quite a bit of money - time costs, so those who are willing to be available often charge a little more for their pups, but in the long run this can be a much better value.

A $150 pup that you get attached to and lose has veterinary bills, sometimes excessive ones.

By contrast, a $450 pup from a reliable breeder that provides a puppy that you have for 13 years is a remarkable bargain.

Quality, not just cost, is a very important consideration.

I will be back with some more tips soon.

All the best.

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