Wanting a Shorkie

[Pinky]

Hello, everyone. I have been "lurking" around this site as I have decided I want a Shorkie. The breeder I am considering buying mine from just posted pictures of her litters and I wanted to get your input. Here is the link:

http://www.sharonsyorkiepuppies.com/Shorkies.html

I REALLY want Honee. I know this is kind of a personal question, but how much did you guys pay for your Shorkies? $1,200 seems like a bit much to me. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind paying it as long as she's healthy - but while reading threads I believe someone said their Shorkie was only $400. I don't know if I should be concerned about the pricing..to make a long story short, I UNKNOWINGLY bought a puppy from a puppy mill in July. She was a toy poodle and I loved her and she arrived sick and died 3 days after I got her and after I spent thousands on vet bills trying to save her life. It was absolutely the most heartbreaking experience of my life. I didn't do my research...I just jumped into it. So this time around I am reading EVERYTHING. I have seriously spent HOURS reading about Shorkies and choosing the right breeder and reading tons of threads on this website. After my puppy died I also educated myself on puppy mills and I've read a huge red flag is if it's a hefty price tag. Now, this situation is completely different in that she's local and I will be visiting her and asking her TONS of questions as opposed to my previous puppy that I just bought online..so I'm not concerned about her being a puppy mill bc I will be meeting her at her home and seeing the puppies myself. But I just wanted to see if this is the "norm" and so forth.

Another concern of mine is that she doesn't mention much about testing on her website. What kind of testing should the parent dogs have and do I simply ask if it's been completed or do I ask for proof? As you can imagine, I am SUPER paranoid about getting a puppy now. Mind you my last puppy was my first pet ever so definitely not a good way to become a  dog mom. I seriously felt like my baby died. Not that I have kids, but you know what I mean...

I really want this puppy, but I'm not getting my heart set on her in case the breeder isn't up to par bc I definitely can't go through the heartbreak of another sick puppy. I will greatly appreciate any input/advice! I'm in AZ, by the way, in case anyone knows of any other Shorkie breeders here. She's the only one I found. 

[Mai Tai]

Hi Pinky, so sorry about your sad experience.  I had a similar experience rescueing a pup from a mill.  We tried to keep it for about two weeks, but it was neurologically damaged and kept attacking me and my children.  We had to return it to the rescue, but it broke our hearts.  I can see why you are so concerned about puppy mills.  They are all over the place online.  I did not pay for my dogs as they were the result of accidental matings by my friend's Shih-tzu and Yorkie, so I can't help you much there.  I have seen many ads for shorkies for 3 to 400 dollars online and in our paper.  I have also seen them for 1,000 and over on websites, where they claim to do all kinds of genetic testing to ensure optimal health.  If these tests are really being done, then the dog should be more expensive, as the tests are very expensive.  I think it is more the backyard breeder who sells for 300 or so, without testing.  Of course, there are those mills who say they test, but don't.  Hard to tell which is which online, but it is great that you can go and visit your puppy and meet the parents.  The kind of testing they do is for inherited characteristics such as open fontanelle, kidney disorders, liver shunt, etc.  Not even sure if you can test for them genetically or just tell whether they are likely given the lineage.  Shorkie jem would probably be much more knowledgeable on this as I think she used to breed dogs.  Maybe she will weigh in here.  I wish you the best of luick with your decision and look forward to reading about your new puppy.  You are smart to research as much a possible.  BTW, Honey is adorable.

[minnie mee]

It does seem a lot, but if you love the dog, and it's NOT from a puppy mill, then...

I paid 600.00 for minnie mee.  Every cent was worth it.

It's wise to ask if the dog has been genetically tested and has been socialized with NEW dogs and NEW people everyday.  MM was genetically tested, and socialized but only with the same kids and dogs everyday.  Took me a while to get her used to people she didn't already know.

One more thing... the dog's colour is likely to get a LOT lighter, so don't expect honee to stay honey coloured!  That is the colour they looks first.  For instance, all of the honey you see on my adorable mm is now more beige, and he honey and white paws are now basically white.  I actually like her better this way, but it IS a warning.

[KIKIMYLOVEBUG]

OMG she is adorable. She does llok like Kiki just a bit lighter. As far as the price, it is expensive but I do not know how bad you want one. Ask to take the pup to the vet before taking her home. I paid $350.00 for Kiki and got written warranty on her health for a year. This breeder was very nice and knowledgeable. They still check in on her progress and growth through email. Good luck with your purchase. Love & hugs from both of us. Let us know how things go and post more pics.

[Ann]

Hi Pinky,
Yes I paid $500 for Toby and he was worth it. I would make absolutly sure that your baby is health vet checks etc. It does seem alot but I guess as long as you are getting a healthy dog and that there are no abnormallities possible from the parent dogs. Good luck I'm sure you will make the right decsion. Good Luck!

[minnie mee]

Agree with all of the above, and she/he SHOULD have had at least one set of shots... get the vet's certificate from the owner.  A year's health guarantee is also essential, especially at that price...

[Mai Tai]

I know there are a couple of online places that give a five year health certificate or guarantee, but I don't know if they are puppy mills.

[shorkiejem]

Hi and welcome to the board.  I was searching her website but can't find a contract on health.  For 1,200 is she giving you one and for how long.  Also what does she cover in her health warranty?  And what does she do if your pup has a problem..medical? At what age is she letting the puppy go?  Pups should be with Mom and litter mates until 12 weeks of age, 10 weeks min.  Especially for toy breeds.  If she is letting them go at 8 weeks, walk away....fast.

Testing is not on one parent but both.  And ALL testing needs to show proof AND you should receive all copies of those proof records.  If she states that she really doesn't give copies....walk.

Shots are very much in the research at present.  Research is studying that pups are still showing immunity at 8 weeks due to Mom's milk.  I, myself believe that the pups should have at least one shot, possibly 2 depending on when the pup goes home.  And worming.  And more than one worming.
In a year you can have a titer run on her, blood test, to see if her immunity is still high.  If it is than it is unnecessary to get that pup another shot.

Learn about both the Yorkie and the Shih Tzu. Individually.  As your Shorkie is a combination of both.  So know the medical problems and inherited problems that each have.  You will find that both have some of the same genetic problems so you have genes doubling up.  And recessive genes which are not visible to the eye.

I think there is one most important thing that breeders forget to tell their perspective buyers.  And that is that all the testing in the world does NOT mean you will get a genetic free dog.  That is where those hidden recessive genes crop up.  The testing does improve your odds though.  There is NO perfect dog out there.  Every dog has a fault, even your Champions.

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!  Trust me there are many Honee's out there

Hope this helps

[Mai Tai]

See, I told you shorkiejem would probably know more.  All great advice.  I have no experience with all of that as I did not get my dog from a breeder.  Let us know what you wind up doing.  Wishing you the best of luck.

[shorkiejem]

See, I told you shorkiejem would probably know more.  All great advice.  I have no experience with all of that as I did not get my dog from a breeder.  Let us know what you wind up doing.  Wishing you the best of luck.

Thanks sweetie but you have too much faith in me. )

[Mai Tai]

No, I just think you usually give good, rational, seasoned advice.  I know you are not a doctor and don't play one on TV....LOL.

[Pinky]

Thanks for all of the help! I sent her an e-mail asking her all of the questions you guys brought to my attention. I hope she responds soon bc I also asked when I can visit the puppy and I'm getting anxious to see her I'm still cautiously hopeful in case it doesn't work out.

I've been to the website of the woman that "invented" Shorkies or however you would word that, lol, and she runs The Shorkie Club of America and she says any legit Shorkie breeder should be a part of this club..I don't see anything on my breeder's website stating she's part of this club..were your breeders in this club or is this something I shouldn't be concerned about?

[Pinky]

These are her e-mails:

Just taking a break from grooming a few puppies and thought I'd check my emails. Glad I did and saw that you are still interested in honee. She is a doll! I think you will fall in love with her. If you'd like to see her this weekend let me know? If you like her, then you can put a non refundable deposit on her. As far as her health warranty, all I have ever given people in the last 17 years, is 3 days to get your dog into the vet, once the vet says he/she is healthy, it's up to you to keep him or her healthy. I always say that non of our health is guaranteed. My daughter just had her son, and no one is guaranteed a bill of health. So you'd have to be comfortable with that idea. You take the puppy, get it to the vet within 3 days, if the vet says something is wrong with the pup, I will credit you for another pup, no refunds given. In all the years of doing this, I have never had a problem. It's nice to be able to actually come into my home, meet me and my family, the parents of our puppies, and see how our puppies are raised.

Please do not meet people in parking lots to see their puppies, when you get here, I will explain to you why. Long stories to tell you.

And:

Yes, I've seen all those websites that vow they do genetic testing. I find it funny that we don't do that to our human conterparts. All the hype out there on all these websites are funny. Way back in the day, none of this existed, you have to believe what you choose to believe.  You may be more comfortable then going with someone who claims to do all the genetic testing, I'm not sure. The people who are doing all these so called tests are also charging $1500 to $2500 for their shorkies. I do wish you the best of luck in finding your little puppy.

What do you guys think? I like the idea of being able to visit the home and I like that she grooms them there too so I can take my puppy back there to be groomed. She says she's been doing it for a long time and I asked her for references just now so we'll see if she's at least able to provide me with that.

[KIKIMYLOVEBUG]

Good thinking, references are just as important! Ask a lot of questions, consult with a vet. Even if you do have warranty for health, what they usually do is :
They do not pay your vet bills, but instead tell you you can bring pup back and they would exchange it for different one.
My view is that once you get your puppy no matter what happens from then on, you get that special bond, it is not a broken box to take back and exchange, you would still take care of the pup. Whatever you do, make sure you get it in writting, even with 3 day vet check! I do not understand why this person is asking you not to speak to people on the street. That is a little wird, but who knows. It seems you have your heart set on this pup, thengo check her out! Don,t toss and turn in bed driving yourself crazy. When I was searching for Kiki I saw few pups, but I was specific in what I was looking, so it was not hard for me to cuddle them and say, no that is not the pup I wanted, even tough they were all soooooo cute. Your gut instict will tell you, considering what you have gone through already. Anyways, good luck to you!

[minnie mee]

I don't know what to think... has SHE actually taken this puppy to a vet herself and gotten shots for the puppy?  My breeder had a vet certificate to show the puppy was healthy and had had its first set of shots.  For the price she is asking, she should at least have done that.

Don't worry, imho, about the famous shorkie site.  My breeder wasn't on the site either, and she was an EXCELLENT breeder.

I do like that she will introduce you to mama and papa and show you the family.  But if the dog hasn't been to a vet yet, I just wouldn't feel safe...