Yorkshire Terrier Breeders: Are There Too Many?

There are many disadvantages to getting a Yorkshire Terrier puppy from a pet store. You do not get to see what the parents of the puppy were like. Getting to see the parents is a great indicator of what kind of dog the Yorkie puppy will grow up into. Puppies in pet stores that spend weeks or months sitting in a cage think that that is all there is to life. They miss out on the best window of learning nature has given to a puppy. But the most important reason you should never get a Yorkshire Terrier puppy from a pet store is that pet stores get all of their puppies from inhumane puppy mills. Not only are these puppy mills inhumane, but also they are unsanitary. Dogs condemned to live in puppy mills never get treated by a vet, because vets are too expensive. There is also no assurance that your Yorkie is a purebred. This can all be avoided by going to a Yorkshire Terrier breeder. Buying a puppy from a pet store only perpetuates this entirely preventable misery. If there weren't anyone buying puppies from pet stores, then there wouldn't be a need for these horrible puppy mills. No reputable Yorkshire Terrier breeder will ever sell their puppies to a pet store for many reasons, but mostly because they do not want to collaborate with the bankrollers of puppy mills. Pet stores are also the worst place for a young puppy to live. Puppyhood is the most crucial learning time in a dog's life. What they learn as puppies will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Studies have shown that a puppy can best learn from the ages of seven to fourteen weeks. This is the time they should meet with as many different experiences as possible in order to be well-adjusted dogs. Living in a pet store denies them this crucial learning experience. You also are free to ask a lot of questions to a good Yorkshire Terrier breeder that you just can't ask a pet store clerk. You get access to years of experience living and training all kinds of Yorkies. A good Yorkshire Terrier breeder will be a bit possessive about their puppies. The money is not that important to them (although they will expect you to pay when promised). They want to be sure their "babies" will not end up abandoned or abused. And, unlike pet store puppies, you usually get to see the parents and the parent's health certificates. Take your time finding the right Yorkshire Terrier breeder that you can get along with and has the dogs you can get along with. You can find them from the American Kennel Club, from the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, any proud Yorkie owners where you live, your vet or your local animal shelter. You can also look on the Internet for Yorkshire Terrier rescue groups which will have older puppies as well as adults. Finding honest Yorkshire Terrier breeders is a bit like finding honest used car sellers. Finding Yorkshire Terrier information is as easy as going to your neighborhood library.