I am on the verge of purchasing a Yorkshire Terrier for my fiance. A regular Yorkshire Terrier and not the teacup variety. Is there any good sites that you can recommend. Also what is the price range that I can expect to pay, I am in Oregon. Thank you for your help.
I would NOT buy a dog online.
Many puppymillers use the web to trick people into thinking they are getting cute, healthy puppies.
Why not Adopt? And are you totally sure your fiance wants a dog? Is this the rigth breed for them?
The worst thing is to give someone a dog as a gift, what if they don't want the dog anymore? Are you just going to throw it in the pound?
If you purchase from the reputable and responsible breeder, you're going to be looking in the price ranges of the thousands. You can email me to find out more about responsible breeders. Beware of local paper ads, websites, or little post-its on stores. Those are all backyard breeders who are only looking for a profit..
And NEVER go to a pet store.
Your best bet is to adopt a dog and save a life. Check your local shelters or rescue groups for Yorkies.
You can even try http://petfinder.com/ and find Yorkies online (from rescue groups not Breeders) in your area.
You would be paying considerably less, and be saving a life.
Finding a reputable and responsible breeder is going to take A LOT of work, and you will probably have to do some traveling.
Try to adopt
you should really look into the breed!! IF you had then you should know that there is no such thing as a teacup Yorkie! Are you sure your fiance really wants a puppy? Don't you think he/she would rather pick it out? Only buy from a good breeder. Don't buy from pet stores or backyard breeders. They breeder should ask you more questions and really care about the puppies they are selling. You are looking to spend $1500 on a healthy well bred pet quality puppy. And most people have waiting lists that can be as long a couple of years
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I would NOT buy a dog online.
Many puppymillers use the web to trick people into thinking they are getting cute, healthy puppies.
Why not Adopt? And are you totally sure your fiance wants a dog? Is this the rigth breed for them?
The worst thing is to give someone a dog as a gift, what if they don't want the dog anymore? Are you just going to throw it in the pound?
If you purchase from the reputable and responsible breeder, you're going to be looking in the price ranges of the thousands. You can email me to find out more about responsible breeders. Beware of local paper ads, websites, or little post-its on stores. Those are all backyard breeders who are only looking for a profit..
And NEVER go to a pet store.
Your best bet is to adopt a dog and save a life. Check your local shelters or rescue groups for Yorkies.
You can even try http://petfinder.com/ and find Yorkies online (from rescue groups not Breeders) in your area.
You would be paying considerably less, and be saving a life.
Finding a reputable and responsible breeder is going to take A LOT of work, and you will probably have to do some traveling.
Try to adopt
References :
Animal Care and Control 5 years
http://petfinder.com/
Before you go buy one from a "reputable breeder" check your local shelters. I know in my area there are A LOT of purebred dogs in shelters that need good homes. If you can't find one you want then go to a reputable breeder. Please don't buy one from a puppy mill or byb. Good Luck.
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I'm not sure about prices and stuff, but I can answer your main question.
You should make sure the puppy has a nice glossy coat, good feet, clear eyes (no gunk), and nice teeth and gums. You should also, if possible, have a look at the parents to see if there could be any characteristics inherited that could be a problem (eg aggresivness/anger but this can be avoided by training). Also ask about any illnesses the parents have suffered, that could be passed on in later life and cause complications. Make sure the puppy has no sores and hasn't been brushed to hide any cuts or anything.
Good luck, i'd love a dog like that!
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A lot of good advice has been given. But I don't think any of them mention anything about "teacups". Do not buy any puppy from any breeder that advertises "teacups". There are not such things as "teacups". They are runt of the litters that are usually unhealthy that people try to sell at a higher price. Any reputable breeder would not try to breed or advertise teacup sizes.
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I would definately recommend making sure you purchase from an individual rather than a kennel! you can look on puppyfind.com and find some listings in your state or surrounding states. MAke sure that they are ligitimate. If you look at all of the individual's listings and they have all kinds of breeds and all of the puppies are 12 weeks old, then red flag that breeder! They are really not even breeders, they are people trying to get money from innocent people. Anyway, look at the puppies coat first! It needs to be thick, not stringy. Ask what kind of bite the puppy has. This breed should not have an underbite! Ask if the parents are on primises and if they have photos of the parents that they could e-mail you. Remember that you get what you pay for, but don't over pay. These smaller breeds tend to have hip problems sometimes. The puppies lips, nose, rims of it's eyes and paw pads should be dark pigmented. It's back should be straight across meaning that the legs are the same length. Yorkie breed standard is no more than 7 lbs and is 8-10 inches tall! Yorkie's have teeth trouble so make sure that you keep them brushed and clean daily! That is one of the biggest problems that they have. good luck and I hope you find just the right puppy for you.
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Poodle and Rottweiler breeder (Have been yorkie owner in the past)
I agree do not buy over the internet and have the pup shipped. It is fine to look at breeders web site and then visit the breeders house though. You need a breeder who does full checks hip and eye clearences on the parents. They should also come with a contract and health guarantee. the breeder should breed no more than two breeds, any more than this and it screams puppy mill. The breeder should show enthusiasm for the breed, want to stay in contact after the purchase and stipulate that should anything happen and you can no longer keep your pup, they will take it back. Aslo look at how many litters the breeder has a year. A female should be bred once every two years, once a year at most. And shold only breed between the ages of 2 to around six I found this breeder in your area, at a quick glance she looks very good and has an informative site but I didnt get a chance to check eveything
http://www.yorkiepassion.com/index.html
Good breeders always have waiting lists
Yorkshire Terriers can live as long as 15 years. Because of their small size though they can be troubled by a number of health problems including hip and joint issues, poor digestion, tooth decay and bone fractures. Yorkshire Terriers are fragile dogs. Be careful when holding them or transporting them and be sure to regularly feed them solid foods (this will help with tooth care and digestion)
They are also not the best with rough playing children, and if she lives 15 years you may want to take that into concideration.
Breed rescues are great to, this way you can pick the personality of your dog where as with a pup it is guess work.
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Here's a website with info on Yorkie's. They have a breeder referral section.
http://www.ytca.org/frame_index2.html
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Thank you for not supporting a "teacup" Yorkie, as those don't exist, only BYB's think so.
Here's are all of the AKC professional legit breeders from AKC.org, for Yorkshire Terriers in the Oregen state!
http://www.akc.org/breederinfo/breeder_search.cfm?requestTimeout=90
The prices can vary, some as low as $500, and some as expensive as $3,000!
Good luck to you, and I hope that your finance will be happy!
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