Yorky PuppyI've been breeding Yorkies for ten years. My puppies are home raised. I don't usually have more than three litters per year, and most years I only have one or two. I do not do genetic testing. A lot of thought and careful selection go into my decision to breed any two dogs. Looking at pedigrees, inquiring about the reputation and background of a stud dog,using only the healthiest parents are the best way to ensure that the resulting puppies will live a long and healthy life. For this reason, in my ten years of breeding Yorkies, I have never experienced a single genetic or congenital defect.

Cleanliness of the kennel and care of the puppy during the first few months of its life are the second most important safeguards a breeder can offer to prospective owners. You will probably be able to judge the latter best by visiting the kennel to see the litter and meet the breeder.

Yorkshire Terrier PuppyAll my puppies are AKC-registered, with at least one champion parent. Since I breed for show,  my dogs usually turn out pretty close to the standard, which is 4-7 pounds. Occasionally I will have one smaller or larger, but that is unusual. They are ready for their forever home at 12 weeks and will have limited registration (which means the puppy may not be used for breeding). I also offer a health guarantee. I don't usually let my puppies go to homes where there are big dogs or small children, and I prefer a home with an adequately fenced yard (even the smallest gaps must be plugged or screened to keep the puppy from escaping).

My pet puppies leave here with a microchip and two puppy shots, and they are also dewormed. I usually ask for references (ideally from your vet) and at least one visit in person from a prospective buyer before deciding who will take one of my puppies home, because these are my babies and I want them to be happy, well-protected and cared for, and loved very much by one family for the rest of their lives.

From the age of 6 weeks on, my puppies are allowed free rein of my house for periods of about 45 minutes to an hour three times a day. I also get down on the floor and play with them, and I invite my family and friends to come over and do the same. The puppies have contact with other Yorkies of varying ages, and also with my cat. I do not take any of my dogs on excursions away from the safety of my house unless it is to a vet or a dog show. All my puppies are handled affectionately and talked to delightedly several times a day.

In addition to daily handling, my puppies also have early neurological stimulation, a technique I learned about from Dr. Carmen Battaglia of AKC when I attended his two-day Breeding Better Dogs seminar. Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:

  1. Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
  2. Stronger heart beats
  3. Stronger adrenal glands
  4. More tolerance to stress
  5. Greater resistance to disease.
You can read more about the beneficial effects of early neurological stimulation at breedingbetterdogs.com

If you have any other questions, please contact me.

Terry Van Kirk
terry@yorkienation.com
Oceanside CA



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