Where can I get a Yorkie?

[lleeder]

I live on Long Island and want to get my wife a Yorkie. I've never bought a dog before and am scared too pay too much or not pay enough and get an unhealthy dog. If anyone has helpful info I'd appreciate the help. If you have unhelpful jokes I will just wish for your death immediately.

[Sinestro]

In New York.

[angrymissy]

We got Pronto at shakeapaw in Hicksville. They offered health guarantees and free vet checks. I took him to our regular vet anyway to make sure they weren't doing something shady w/ their vet.

[lleeder]

I was gonna get one there but read some scary complaints about them. I was also thinking of getting one at Worldwide Puppies and Kittens in Bellmore but they are like 25% more expensive there.

[angrymissy]

Yeah, I read up on them too and found that most of the places called shake a paw w/ complaints were in NJ. Anyway, you take craploads of risk buying from a petstore regardless. The worst that happened w/ Pronto was he had ear mites.

The only other option is to find a reputable breeder and buy directly from them, all the petstores are going to have issues...

[Jughead]

# Legg-Perthes disease, which causes the top of the femur (thigh bone) to degenerate, occurs in Yorkies more than in any other breed.[29] The condition appears to result from insufficient circulation to the area around the hip joint.[6] As the blood supply is reduced, the bone in the head of the femur collapses and dies and the cartilage coating around it becomes cracked and deformed.[29] Usually the disease appears when the Yorkie is young (between five and eight months of age); signs are pain, limping or lameness.[30] The standard treatment is surgery to remove the affected part of the bone.[30] Following surgery, muscles hold the femur in place and fibrous tissue forms in the area of removal to prevent bone rubbing on bone.[31] Although the affected leg will be slightly shorter than prior to surgery, the Yorkie may regain almost normal use.[30]..I found all this out to late... Its a terrible thing to go through for you and your pet...Not to mention the 1700 surgery...I found out my Minn Pinn Murphy's mother had this disease...The breeder went ahead and let her have pups anyway...Murphy still carries the leg even after the surgery from arthritis ...Just something to watch out for....Jug

[lleeder]

This is awful. I just want a dog. :down:

[angrymissy]

Yes, also research any type of genetic issues w/ the breed and be prepared. I know shake a paw had some kind of guarantee against hip dysplasia which is one of the most common issues. American Eskimo dogs don't have as many genetic issues as other dogs, but I don't know about yorkies... If you buy through a legitimate AKC breeder, they usually will have health checks for these issues already done on the parents of the dog

[mdr55]

This is awful. I just want a dog. :down:

http://www.mobilewhack.com/images/sony_aibo_ers_7m3_robot_dog_1.jpg

[angrymissy]

I'd say check North Shore Animal League, but Jeff and I went there looking for a pronto-sized dog, and it was mostly larger dogs that said "not good w/ children" "not good w/ other dogs".

I'd say go check out shakeapaw and some of the local pet shops (I know jeff and I have to been to a few over on merrick rd) and check their health guarantees. At shakeapaw, the dogs at least seemed well fed and the cages were kept very clean, I've seen other petstores that I've had to walk out of from the smell because the cages were so bad.

Anytime you are involved with buying a dog from any petstore, there is going to be a lot of negativity out there, because people are very passionate about the puppymill issue.

[Bossanova]

I bought my chick a yorkie from Shake a paw. We havent had any problems with her at all. We did use our own vet though. I worked with the owners girlfriends so he cut me a break on the price. I would recommend them, but we still did our research.

[Bulldogcakes]

Leeder, you'll do better in price and in less chances for health/behavioral problems if you go to a reputable breeder. The reality is most dogs in pet stores are from puppy mills, where conditions are poor and they get seperated from the mother and litter too soon, and they could have behavior problems and/or illnesses as a result.


Yorkshire Terrier club of America website (http://www.ytca.org/)

Breeder referrals (http://www.ytca.org/breeder1.html)

If you go with a breeder

-Insist on seeing the parents
-Place a deposit and ask to have pick of the litter. Look for the most active and friendly pup. Shy or unsociable ones could be sickly.

It can be alot of fun meeting the whole family. Most breeders are also nice peope as well who have a wealth of knowledge about the breed. Take advantage of it. Good luck!

[sr71blackbird]

I hear Selmer's Pet Land on Jericho Tpk in Huntington is very good. They are just east of Rte 110 and kind of across from where the Huntington Townhouse was.

[landarch]

Every breed has a rescue group associated with them. I would suggest that route. Also, we got our dog at around 9months old, and he was already housebroken and knew how to behave around people. All he needed was someone to love him and as such, has been a wonderful low maintenance puppy alternative.

[TheGameHHH]

I thought Yorkie's, especially when obtained via breeder, were extremely expensive.

[Bossanova]

I thought Yorkie's, especially when obtained via breeder, were extremely expensive.

yeah, I paid $2,200 for my chicks. She was a teacup so she ran a little bit more

[LordJezo]

Here is where we got ours:

http://tinyterriers.com/photo.html

It was a hike, you are pretty much on Lake Erie when you get there, but it was well worth the 7 hour trip. She is fully registered with the AKC, lets you see the parents, and can provide full breeding papers if needed.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/690/sqlqi8.jpg

Her prices have gone up a bit but you can still get a male for under $1,000.

Never go to a pet store, only deal with breeders.