Teacup Yorkie - How To Avoid Buying A Sick Dog

Are you looking to bring a Teacup Yorkie home?

These cute little Yorkies are more popular than ever and can make an absolutely fantastic pet. But there are some serious issues that you must take into account to avoid buying a sick Teacup Yorkie dog.

Take this reader question and answer that recently appeared in the Miami Herald as words to the wise:

“Q: My mother bought a teacup Yorkie about six months ago. The pup flew all the way from Nebraska and when we picked her up at the airport she was so sick we ended up spending $2,000 to save her life. The breeder made it clear that he would take her back but that he could not reimburse us for the medical expenses. Is there anything I can do to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else?

A: You're doing all you can by telling as many people about it as possible. Out-of-sight breeders (whose prices are often similarly stellar) are almost never a smart idea. Unless you have an excellent referral to an out-of-state breeder from someone you trust, just say no!

Unscrupulous breeders are all over the Internet, hawking their puppy-mill wares as if they were show-quality purebreds. Just because they're expensive and imported doesn't mean you're getting what they advertise online. These pups are often sickly, defective and many times aren't even representative of their breeds, regardless of their papers.

Puppy stores are not the ideal place to find the love of your family's life. The vast majority of these pups come from out-of state puppy farms or backyard breeders. Similarly, buying a pup at a roadside stand is a terrible proposition (for both you and the pup sitting in the heat).

Unfortunately, I deal with a many sad cases like yours. Teacup pups are especially overrepresented among the disasters I see. In part, that's because many teeny-tiny dogs are inherently more fragile and genetically inbred than others.”

For the full newspaper article, see the Dr. Dolittler column here.

Tips To Avoid Buying A Sick Teacup Yorkie

Here are five tips to help you avoid buying a sick Teacup Yorkie:

1. If possible, only deal with a reputable breeder that you can meet in person. This will help you avoid unscrupulous "puppy mills".
2. Call the breeder first to ask them about their dogs, what the conditions are like at the breeder's premises, if they could provide references to previous customers, etc. This will show the breeder that you're an educated, serious buyer.

3. Visit the breeder's premises to see how the dogs are raised, the condition of the parents and to get to meet the available dogs. Resist the temptation to go home with a dog at any cost.

4. Ask the breeder to see their breeder license and the veterinary records for the dog you are considering.
5. Once you've purchased a dog, make an appointment with your vet to give your new dog a thorough exam and to get to know him in case of future issues.

Follow these 5 steps to protect yourself and your family from heartbreak and a sick Teacup Yorkie.