|
|
 |
|
Grooming/General
Care
Because they have
a long coat, Yorkies are not suitable for anyone who does not have the time or inclination to spend on the grooming and bathing
this breed requires. Most pet Yorkies do in fact have their coats trimmed short or shaved for convenience and hygiene. Therefore,
anyone obtaining a pet Yorkie must remember that there will be additional grooming expenses to take into consideration. The
Yorkie coat does not shed, and does not have an undercoat, making Yorkies desirable for some people with allergies, and those
who do not want a breed that has a messy moult. The correct texture of the coat is described as long, straight and silky.
It will continue to grow unless trimmed. In fact, the Yorkie coat is very similar to human hair. Special care must be taken to ensure that the
hair around the anus of these dogs is kept clean. Because of their long hair, it is common for these dogs to become matted
in this area, and this can lead to compacted faeces. Apart from making the dog very sore and uncomfortable, this may, if left
unattended, cause more serious problems, such as fly strike, that would
require veterinary assistance. Yorkie puppies may have "tipped" or "tilted" ears until they are around
6 months old. We are frequently asked about this when owners purchase a 10 week old puppy with nice erect ears,
only to find that the ears drop again around 4 months of age. This is often because at this time the Yorkie is shedding it's
milk teeth and cutting it's adult teeth, which can cause the ears to go up and down daily, and owner's should not
be unduly concerned during this natural stage. However, it is important to keep the hair on the top third of the ear flap
trimmed very short. This will stop the ears from being weighed down by excessive hair until they are firmly "set".
Also the hair should be plucked from inside the ears, and ears checked regularly
for excessive wax and for mites. Yorkies should also have special attention paid to their eyes, and teeth. The long hair
should be prevented from falling into their eyes, thus causing irritation and infection, either by tying it back or trimming
it. As with most Toy breeds, Yorkies may have a tendency to tartar build-up on the teeth, but if regular attention is given
to the teeth this should not be a serious problem. Yorkies do not have an undercoat, and even with a long coat, they feel the cold very easily, and like most
Toy breeds prefer the comfort of cosiness and warmth. They enjoy being pampered. Yorkies are difinitely not a breed to keep
outside in a kennel. When going out in cold or wet weather they will appreciate a warm dog coat to wear.
Although regular grooming may be an added expense for
the Yorkie owner, Yorkies eat very little, and are not expensive to feed.
|
|
|
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.
Breeding: You too may want to breed a Yorkie litter.
This is a huge responsibility, to say the least! Breeding quality Yorkies is not recommended for the novice without
the assistance of a good mentor. Breeding is not just simply putting 2 dogs together and "letting nature take its
course"!! Much thought and research must be done first before even thinking about breeding. It is best if you attend
dog shows and meet seasoned breeder/exhibitors and ask lots of questions, listen and learn first. Look at the dogs being shown
and decide which type you are wanting to breed.(cobby or more leg, etc) Research the Yorkie breed. Read everything
you can about this breed. Breeding is not just a"walk in the park". You need to know pedigrees, health issues
and the breed standard first. Then find a mentor and eventually a nice quality bitch to show. After you have finished
her and done all her health tests then you may consider breeding her. Have your mentor find a nice compatable stud that will
compliment her or improve any faults she may have. Even after you breed your bitch, many things can go wrong. You will need
to get prepared for the up-coming litter.
Buying your puppy:
Once you have made that important decision
to have a puppy would you know where to go to find a responsible breeder and where you can find a puppy who will be credit
to both you and to the breeder? As a prospective new owner
it is understandable to want some kind of reassurance that you are purchasing a pedigree puppy from someone whose priority
is the health and welfare of the puppies that they breed. Someone who will provide you with a quality, supportive and informative
service both before and after you take your puppy home. One way to do this is to contact a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.
The scheme, which is voluntary and was launched in 2004, promotes good breeding practices, giving prospective owners the best
opportunity to bring home a healthy well adjusted puppy. As a puppy buyer there is now some kind of benchmark to help you
in your search to find a responsible breeder. While the
Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme is a good starting point for people wanting to find their way in the sometimes tricky
process of choosing a puppy, it is not the only route to finding a suitable breeder as the Breed Clubs and Societies are also
an excellent resource.
Tips to follow:
Make sure the breeder hands over the dog's registration certificate at
time of sale if available, or forwards it on to you as soon as possible, chase any delays up if they do not send
it to you, ask why you have not recieved it?
(Explains any endorsements that might pertain and obtain written and signed
confirmation from the new owner, at or before the date on which the dog is physically transferred, that the new owner is aware
of the endorsement(s), regardless of whether or not the endorsed registration certificate is available.) Provide written advice, in a Puppy Sales Wallet, on feeding and worming
programmes. Provide a written record, in a
Puppy Sales Wallet, on the immunisation measures taken. Provide
reasonable post-sales telephone advice. Gives
you a contract of sale for your puppy, signed by both parties.
Gives you a full health screen from their own vet,
if necessary. It is always adviseable to have your new puppy registered with your own chosen vet, as soon as you get
your new family member home, a quick health check over of your puppy by your own vet as always adviseable, and appointments
can be made in advance for any immunisations your puppy will require in the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 A BREEDER'S TALE.
I love my little puppy, he makes my house a home,
He always
is my best friend, I never feel alone.
He makes me smile, he makes me laugh, he fills my heart with love,
Did some
breeder breed him? Was he sent from heaven above?
I've never been a breeder, or seen life through their eyes
I hold my little puppy, just
sit and criticise.
I've never know their anguish, I've never felt their pain,
The caring of their charges,
through snow or wind or rain.
I've never waited all night long for puppies to be born,
The stress and trepidation when they're
still not there by dawn....
I've never felt the heartache of a little life in my hands,
A darling little puppy
who weighs just 60 grams !!
Should
you do this instead of that? Or just pray to God?
Alone you fight, and hope one day he'll grow up big and strong.
Bring joy to their new family and make their house a home.
You know it's all just up to you, you
fight this fight alone.
Formula,
bottle, heating pads you've got to get this right,
Two hourly feeds for this little mite throughout the day and night.
In your heart you know it, you'll surely lose the fight
To save this little baby, but God willing, you just might....
Day one he's
in there fighting, you say a silent prayer,
Day two and three he's doing well, with lots of loving care
Day
four and five - he's still alive your hopes soar to the heavens!
Day six he slips away again, dies in your hands
day seven.
You
take this little angel and bury him alone,
With aching heart and burning tears, (and an exhausted groan),
You ask
yourself, Why do this? Why suffer all the pain?
But see the joy that puppies bring - it really self explains!
So, when you think of breeders and label
them with "greed"
Think what they sometimes endure to fill anothers need
And when you buy a puppy, with
pounds and pence you part.
You only pay with money........ they pay with their hearts.
These Tiny little treasures a gift from
god they send,
so wrap your hearts around them and let your love never end.
*********************************
|
|
|
|