Picking a reputable breeder
It’s not hard to find a dog breeder, but you want to find a reputable one when picking out your Yorkshire terrier. Look for a breeder who does the following:
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Breeds only animals who are healthy and have good, stable dispositions
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Waits to breed until they have a waiting list of buyers for the puppies or is breeding for a new puppy they can show
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Begins socializing the puppies shortly after they’re born
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Has the puppies undergo health checks by a vet and gets their initial shots
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Waits until the puppies are a minimum of 12 weeks old before separating them from their mother
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Sells puppies out of their own home
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Investigates the people they sell puppies to
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Makes health records and medical checks of the dam, sire, and puppy available to you
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Gives you the registered names and numbers of the puppies’ dam and sire
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Insists on spay/neuter agreement for non-show-quality puppies or specifies limited registration in the American Kennel Club (AKC) for the puppy
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Offers a written guarantee for the health and temperament of the puppy
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Does other things (shows their dogs, participates in breed clubs, and so on) with the dogs besides breed them
Standard physical characteristics of a Yorkshire terrier
These traits describe the general appearance of the ideal (or breed standard) Yorkshire terrier recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Look for these characteristics when choosing your Yorkshire terrier:
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Coat: Long, straight, and silky
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Color: Blue on back; tan on face, chest, and legs
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Size: No more than 7 pounds
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Temperament: Self-assured and intelligent
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Head: Small and slightly flat on top
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Nose: Black
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Ears: Small, pointed, and erect
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Body: Compact with short, level back
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Tail: Docked and slightly higher than back
Puppy proofing your home
Your new Yorkshire terrier puppy will be curious. He will chew, pull and jump around your home. Make sure you safe guard around your house by eliminating hazardous chemicals and securing items. Pay close attention to these things:
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Cleaning supplies
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Paints, varnishes, and paint thinners
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Motor oil and antifreeze
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Laundry detergents and bleach
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Fertilizers and insecticides
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Poisonous house and garden plants (for a list, go to www.hsus.org/ace/11777)
Other danger spots include:
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Power cords
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Unsteady or wobbly furniture
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Low-hanging table runners or cloths
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Holes or gaps in fences
Pet emergency phone numbers
If your Yorkshire terrier, or any pet, needs emergency care, keep these numbers near your phone so you’re not fumbling around for the telephone book. Don’t forget to program the numbers into your cell phone.
Vet’s Office:____________________________
Emergency Care:_______________________
Breeder:_______________________________
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (a $75 consultation fee may apply)
