Windcrest Puppies

The Puppy Commitment (Download Article)

Committing Yourself to Being a Good Owner
Acquiring a puppy takes a lifetime commitment on your part. Dogs can live upwards of 15 years if they are healthy, so it is not a decision to be made lightly. It is essential that you choose to share your life with a dog for the right reasons, otherwise you can make both yourself and the dog miserable.

The Wrong Reasons
I want to be able to make money off the puppies
Having a litter of puppies is a terrific way to put yourself in debt. The costs of breeding are astronimical, and accidents can happen that could cost you both mom and pups. Breeding is best done by people who make the breed their life, and breed for ideal temperament. Breeding a dog for money is a real myth.

My children want the dog
Children are not going to be the primary caretaker, you are. Most children are not ready for that kind of responsibility, and children also get bored quickly once the novelty wears off.
If buying a dog for your children is just a handy excuse to get one for yourself, then by all means, please continue shopping, but be aware that possibly every minor and major chore that the dog involves will fall on your shoulders.

I want a dog to protect me
Any dog that barks will make a good watch dog, but rather than reason for getting one, this is just a fringe benefit. Getting a dog for protection purposes can bee a very dangerous mistake, as a poorly trained dog can be the cause of serious injury, and various lawsuits. A dog is NOT a tool, and should never be used as one.
A dog is a lifetime, not a few hours of work when it is dark outside, or you are not home

I want something to love me
A dog does not exist to fulfill your emotional needs, no matter how you may want it to. Dogs are separate entities and must be cared for as such, with training, grooming and health care.


So what IS the right reason?
The only reason you should commit yourself to a dog is because you want to share your life with a furry companion. You should be prepared to spend a lot of time at the veterinarian's office during the first few weeks, pay a lot of money on high quality food, and train your dog right, which takes a lot of time and effort.

It's a huge commitment, and a big strain on the bank account, but nobody can deny the rewards.

Choosing a Puppy (Download Article)

What colour will my dog be?
All Yorkshire Terriers are born with smooth coats and are black with small tan points. It is only with maturity that the beautiful long, dark steel blue and shaded tan coat develops. This feature can vary in age depending on the individual, but when buying a puppy you can expect it to still be black on its body, and for its head markings to still be very "sooty" looking. In puppyhood this is not a fault. Some Yorkies do stay black, whilst others become very light and silver. Although these are considered faults for showing, it is impossible to determine in a young puppy what colour it will become as a young adult. In any case, the colour will not of course, affect the dog's quality as a companion.

Do Yorkies come in Miniature and Standard varieties?
Many beginning Yorkie fanciers believe that there are two types of Yorkie, Miniature and Standard--this is not so. However, many pet Yorkies are somewhat larger than the show Yorkies; again this does not affect their suitability as pets or make them any less desirable as companions.
How soon can a puppy be sold to a new home?
If a Yorkie is wanted only as a pet, a reputable breeder may be prepared to let a puppy go to a new home between 8-10 weeks of age (although 12 weeks is more desirable). A pet quality Yorkie will be far cheaper than a show quality specimen (which most breeders will not sell until much older). It is quite impossible to have any indication of show quality in this breed until the dog is at least 6 months of age.

What Sex is best as a pet?
This is a matter of personal preference. Most breeders believe both dogs and bitches are equally loving, loyal and intelligent, and make good companions. A bitch may come into season from 6 months onwards, when extra care must be taken to prevent unwanted matings. Pet Yorkies are better neutered. This will prevent unwanted puppies and the possibility of disease in later life. Many breeders may not wish to issue registration papers for pet puppies, or may only do so on proof of neutering.

What should I feed my Yorkie?
When collecting your puppy be sure to get a diet sheet from the breeder and try to stick to its recommendations, especially in the first few weeks. The breeder should also provide you with documentation of worming preparations given, any vaccinations the puppy may have had, and a pedigree form.

How should I keep my Yorkie confined when travelling?
ALWAYS make sure that your dog is safe and secure when travelling in a vehicle. The best way to do this is to train it to travel in a special travelling box or crate (such as a Vari-Kennel). Should you need to brake suddenly, your little dog will then be less likely to be thrown forward and injured. Keeping your dog in a crate while travelling will also prevent it from distracting the driver and causing an accident.

One further word of warning, In some countries it is common to own a swimming pool. If you do, please ensure that your Yorkie cannot jump or fall into the pool in your absence. I have had reports from the USA of Yorkie's getting into pools and then being unable to get out again, with drastic consequences as the poor little dog becomes exhausted and drowns. If you do have a pool, please ensure that it is fenced off or covered when not in use.

The Price of a Purebred Puppy (Download Article)

From Krista Mifflin

You Should Get What You Pay For

The price of a purebred puppy depends on if you are buying a "show or working quality" puppy, or a "companion only" puppy. Puppies sold on a spay/neuter contract usually average around $500.00 in price. Puppies sold for working or competing can be as high priced as $1500.00.
Have you ever seen two people in a room, one a definite "Cat Person", the other a "Dog Person", and then then hear them compare the prices of their chosen species? The conversation went something like this:

"You paid $900.00 ... for a DOG?!?! You must be kidding me! It's only a dog! That's how much my Persian, Fluffy cost!"

And the rebuttal: "For a CAT?!? You paid how much for that cat? It's just a cat! Nothing like a dog at all!"

Well, well. Quality, in every species, comes with a hefty price.

What You Should be Getting for That Price:
• At least a three generation pedigree (preferably more)
• Titled Champions (sporting, working, or Conformation titles) in the pedigree, within the first two generations listed (directly descended from)
• Hips and elbows on large breeds have been certified "Good" or "Excellent" by OFA on both parents
• Eyes have been CERFed free of genetic abnormalities
• A Guarrantee that your dog is free for life from inheritable diseases and conditions
• A promise of a place to bring you dog back if you can not keep him or her any longer (more than a promise, usually a requirement)
• Any help you need to help you become a better dog owner. Every breed has it's idiosyncrasies, and everybody needs help sometimes.
• Care and grooming information
• Sample of the currently fed food
• A good, even temperament
• A healthy, well-socialized dog who will adjust easily
• A mentor if you are planning to show, work, or breed your new dog

The price of a purebred puppy should include all of these things. If it does not, you should be looking elsewhere. If you really want a healthy, happy, purebred dog, the price is worth it.