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Quotations used on this site are simply some of our favorite quotations.  Their use does not imply the author's endorsement of our site.
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A Yorkie puppy can lift your spirits!
If you can look at a dog and not feel vicarious excitement and affection, you must be a cat.
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Copyright 2007 Kosoma Kennel

"Teacup" Yorkies


What is a "Teacup" or "Tiny Teacup" Yorkie? Although you will notice a number of advertisements for "Teacup" Yorkies, there actually is no such official designation.  The name of the breed is "Yorkshire Terrier", regardless of size.  Thus, any Yorkie can be advertised as "Teacup" or even "tiny Teacup".  Any adult Yorkie under 4 lbs. is smaller than average.  These are generally referred to as "Teacup" Yorkies.  Any breeder using the word "teacup" as part of the breed name is, at the very least, misinformed.  However, it has become quite common for the word to be used as an adjective, to describe the size of a Yorkie.  Any use of the word "teacup" on our site is descriptive of size only and not part of the breed name.  Back to Top

Should I choose a "teacup" Yorkie?  If you plan to carry your dog a good deal of the time, and have the time and patience to provide careful supervision, then you will appreciate a Yorkie under 4 lbs.  However, if you prefer a less delicate pet, able to walk beside you for greater distances, you will find greater enjoyment in an average size Yorkie.

Also, you will need to consider your environment.  For example, do you have small children who might be prone to pick up and drop your puppy?  While this is obviously not good for any size dog, you will need to be more cautious with the smaller Yorkies.  This doesn't necessarily mean that small Yorkies cannot live with children, but you will need to be very cautious in these situations.  In addition, exceptionally small dogs can be prone to health problems.  If you have any intention of breeding your pet, you should be especially cautious.  Any of our females that will be under 5 lbs. as an adult will be sold to pet homes only--not for breeding.

By considering these factors, you will be able to choose the pet that will bring the most enjoyment for you and your family.   We usually have a variety of different puppies to choose from, including larger puppies suitable for families with small children.  Back to Top



Registration


Will my puppy be registered automatically?  In most cases, no.  You have the option to register your puppy.  After the guarantee has been activated, the registration papers are mailed to you.  You may then register your puppy if you choose to do so.  There may be occasions, especially with adult dogs, where the dog is already registered.  You will need to complete paperwork to transfer the registration to your name.  Back to Top

How much does it cost to register my puppy?  Cost for AKC registration is $20.  Cost for ACA registration is $15.  We will indicate in the litter and/or puppy description which registration your puppy is eligible for. Back to Top

Should I register my puppy? This is entirely up to you.  If you are not interested in having the benefits of registration, if you do not plan to show or breed your dog, and are not concerned with whether or not they are registered, you need not do so. Back to Top

What is the difference between AKC and ACA registrations?  The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the American Canine Association (ACA) are two different canine registries.

The AKC, established in 1884, maintains a purebred dog registry and promotes responsible dog ownership.  They also sponsor numerous shows and competitions each year.  When you register with AKC, you receive your puppy's official AKC Registration Certificate, access to events such as dog shows (with full registration, see below), and you may activate a 60-day trial pet healthcare plan.  They offer other benefits at additional cost. You may visit their website, www.akc.org, for more information.

The ACA is "America's largest veterinary health tracking canine registry."  Registering your dog with ACA gives you access to a number of free benefits, such as their Lost & Found service, Ask a Vet, Ask a Trainer, and Genetic Health Tracking.  You receive your puppy's official ACA Registration Certificate, which is suitable for framing.  For more information about the ACA, you can visit their website, www.ACAinfo.com.
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What about the AKC's Full and Limited Registrations? Limited regisration means that any puppies produced by the dog are not eligible for registration.  It also limits the eligibilty of the dog for participating in AKC competitions and shows.  Full registration carries none of these restrictions. Back to Top

I have read that a breeder should offer puppies with limited registration and a spay/neuter contract.  Why do you sometimes offer full registration?  The policy of offering only limited registration is sometimes based on the assumption that only show-quality dogs should ever be bred.  We feel that appearance alone should not be the determining factor, especially since this evaluation is based simply on one organization's determination of what a Yorkie should look like.  One of the many problems with this narrow view is that opinions vary as to what really constitutes a "perfect" Yorkie.  In fact, the present description of show quality dogs varies from that a few years ago.  Being painfully aware of our own imperfections, we do not think it reasonable to limit full registration to only "perfect" Yorkies.   Many pet owners actually prefer variations on the Yorkie "standard".

At any rate, no one can definitively predict what an 12 week old puppy will look like as an adult, so deciding at that point whether or not a dog is "perfect" for breeding is not really feasible. Moreover, limited registration only means that the offspring cannot be registered--it does not prevent breeding, as the many ads for dogs "without papers" prove. 

A spay/neuter contract is used by some breeders in an effort to prevent owners from breeding their dogs.  Again, we find this to be of limited value, as owners can just as easily breed dogs without papers.  In addition, we do not choose to dictate to owners what optional medical procedures they should have performed on their dogs.  Some people choose to leave their pets intact for reasons other than breeding.

All this being said, there are times when we choose to offer only limited registration or spay/neuter the dog before leaving our care.  We exercise these options if a dog should not be bred for health reasons, or displays extreme deviation from the Yorkie "standard".  Instead of applying a blanket rule to registrations, we prefer to evaluate each of our Yorkies separately.   Back to Top

When do I receive my registration papers?  We mail your registration papers to you once we have received a copy of the report from your initial vet visit to activate the Guarantee.  If you are adopting your puppy locally, registration papers will be received at the time you pick up your puppy. Back to Top



Microchipping

What is microchipping? Microchipping is a method of identification.  A small microchip is implanted in the puppy, which can then be scanned to reveal a unique identification number.  The simple procedure is safe and not painful to your puppy.  We use AVID brand microchips.  Back to Top

What is the advantage of having my puppy microchipped? With registration of an AVID microchip, your puppy is given an "I Am Lost" collar tag (this is mailed to you with your registration papers) which provides a number that can be called if your puppy is found.  In this way, the microchip can help reunite you with your lost pet.  Back to Top

The primary advantage is that microchipping provides a fool-proof identification.  Puppies often look alike.  If your puppy were lost or stolen, and then recovered, it might be impossible to prove ownership without a microchip.  A microchip leaves no question of rightful ownership.  Back to Top

Do you offer microchipping? We do not always have microchips on hand, but if we do we will be happy to microchip at your request.  There is an additional $25 fee for this service.    Back to Top

Is there paperwork involved to register the chip in my name?  Yes, along with your registration papers mentioned above, you will also receive a form to complete and mail in.  You will list your name and contact information, so that if your puppy needs to be identified,  your information will show in the registration system.    Back to Top



Shipping

How do you ship puppies?  We ship by air, usually Continental, but sometimes the specific airline varies.  Back to Top

Is shipping by air comfortable for the puppies?  Yes, it is.  The puppies are shipped "cargo" in a temperature controlled environment. They are provided food and water, and sometimes they simply sleep through the trip.  We make every effort to choose non-stop flights, and if one is not available we choose the shortest layover we can.  Back to Top

Would there ever be a case in which you would not ship a puppy?  Yes, there might be.  We do not ship very tiny puppies, or any puppy we feel would not tolerate the trip well.  We reserve the right to make this decision.   Also the puppy must be at least 8 weeks old to travel by air.  We find that many puppies are simply not yet ready at this time.  Although this varies by puppy, a more reasonable expectation is usually 10-12 weeks.  Back to Top

Can I choose the day and time of my puppy's arrival?  We make every effort to accomodate your schedule.  However, sometimes we have little choice regarding the time your puppy arrives.  It is common to see very late arrivals on either coast.  And service varies by airport.  Usually we are able to give you a couple of arrival day and time choices, other times we may be more limited.  Also, since it is a minimum of 6 hours round trip, we often combine shipments by scheduling shipping dates in advance. This allows us to continue to offer you a great price. We appreciate your flexibility in this regard.  Back to Top

Is there an additional charge to ship my puppy?  Shipping is included in the price listed on our "Puppies" page, unless otherwise noted.  Back to Top



Guarantee

How does your guarantee work?  All puppies come with a 1 year guarantee that covers any life-threatening congenital defects.  This means a problem that will not allow the puppy to grow or age to a normal life expectancy.  A copy of our guarantee is included on every sales agreement, and you can find it on the "Puppies" page of our website.  To activate your guarantee you must have the puppy checked by a Vet within 48 hours of the beginning of the first business day after you receive the puppy.  If a life-threatening congenital defect is found and verified, we will replace your puppy.  (This paragraph does not constitute the Guarantee.  Please read the complete Guarantee on our "Puppies" page for more information.)

Please note that the guarantee for local sales varies slightly.  You may view it here.

Who pays for the initial vet visit to activate the Guarantee?  All vet and other puppy care fees are the responsibility of the Buyer.  Back to Top

What if my puppy later weighs more or less than the estimate?  Estimates of a puppy's adult weight are just that--estimates.  We do our best to estimate based on factors such as the size of the parents, birth weight, average weight gain, etc.  However, there is no way to guarantee the adult size of a puppy, so we offer no guarantee in this regard.  Back to Top



Health Issues

PLEASE NOTE:  Any health information given here is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any condition.  This general information cannot replace your veterinarian's advice.

I have heard that hypoglycemia is an issue with some dogs.  What is this?  Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar.  It occurs mainly in small-breed puppies between 6 and 12 weeks of age.  You should be aware of some of the signs of hypoglycemia.  The first signs are those of depression, weakness, and/or loss of appetite.  Puppies can collapse and/or go into a seizure or may be noticeably confused, disoriented, become drowsy at unusual times, shiver and/or stagger about.  Hypoglycemia can occur without warning.  It might appear if the puppy misses a meal, becomes chilled, becomes exhausted from too much playing, has an upset digestive system, or is particularly stressed.  This condition is most common in dogs under 2 lbs. and most dogs outgrow it.  Back to Top

What should I do for my puppy?  If you suspect hypoglycemia, give the puppy corn syrup, honey, or Nutrical (available at pet stores).  Only a drop or two is sufficient.  If he has these symptoms and does not improve, take him to the vet.  The best way to prevent hypoglycemia is to make sure the puppy has plenty of food and water available.  Don’t let this information scare you; you simply need to be aware of the possibilities so that you can watch for symptoms and act accordingly. 

As a precaution, we attach a syringe filled with corn syrup to the crate your puppy is shipped in.  When your puppy arrives, you can put a couple of drops on your finger and massage into his gums.  This will counteract any tendency toward hypoglycemia after the trip.  Although this is usually an issue only with very tiny puppies, and we have never had a puppy arrive with blood sugar low enough to display any symptoms, we feel this is a reasonable safeguard.  Back to Top

Are there any other health issues that affect Yorkies?  Every breed is affected by specific health issues, and Yorkies are no exception.  Of course, this does not mean that every Yorkie, or even most Yorkies, will be affected.  It simply means these disorders can have a higher than normal occurrance in Yorkies, just as some human health problems are more common in certain ethnic groups.  Some health issues affecting Yorkies are: 

Patellar Luxation Patellar luxation means that the knee cap has slipped out of its groove. The knee cap may pop back into the groove on its own, or a veterinarian may need to push it back into place.  Patellar luxation is classified in four grades, with grade I being the most mild.  In mild cases it may be virtually unnoticeable, causing your dog to "hop" for a few steps before the knee cap slides back in on its own.  In severe cases, the knee cap slips out of place more often or is never in a normal position.  Moderate to severe cases are treatable surgically.  Several other toy and small breeds are also affected by this condition.

Portosystemic Shunt This condition causes abnormal blood flow in the liver, resulting in increased toxins circulating in the body.  Portosystemic shunts may be acquired secondary to another disease, or they may be congenital. Most clinical signs of this disorder are manifested before 6 months of age.  These signs can be vague and include loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, weakness, poor balance, disorientation, seizures, and coma.  While medical treatment can help relieve the signs and symptoms, surgery to tie off the shunt is required to correct the condition. Other toy and large breeds are also affected.

Retinal Dysplasia  This is an abnormal development of the retina, present at birth. The disorder can be inherited, or it can be acquired as a result of a viral infection or some other event before the pups were born. The effect on vision is not known in the mildest form (abnormal folding of the retina, which may disappear with age), while in other forms there is some loss of vision or blindness, and this is present for the dog's whole life. With their acute senses of smell and hearing, dogs can compensate very well for visual difficulties, particularly in familiar surroundings. In fact, owners may be unaware of the extent of vision loss.  Retinal dysplasia has been seen in many breeds.

Tracheal Collapse  This is a narrowing of the inner diameter of the trachea, causing it to collapse when the dog breathes.  This produces a harsh cough, and is most often seen in middle-aged dogs.  Other toy and miniature breeds are affected.  Chronic respiratory infection, obesity, and heart disease can contribute to this condition.  Some also suggest a congenital deficiency in the makeup of the trachea itself.  It has also been recommended that breeds prone to this condition be restrained with a halter-type collar, instead of a traditional collar which places stress on the dog's throat (and in turn the trachea).  Back to Top

What about shots and de-wormings?  Your puppy will be current on all shots and de-wormings.  The number of each he has received will depend upon the age of the puppy.  A list of all shots and de-wormings administered will be attached to the shipping crate, along with the health certificate.  We will provide this list to you prior to shipping upon your request.  We follow a program recommended by our vet.  Since this will vary by area, you will need to consult with your vet regarding any shots and wormings necessary after you receive your puppy.  Back to Top

My vet insists on giving my new puppy a rabies and/or booster vaccination, but your list shows that my puppy has already had one. We suggest you follow the advice of your vet.  If your puppy is old enough, he has been given these vaccinations by us.  However, since we are not a licensed veterinarian, we cannot provide documentation like vets provide.  Since they do not have this proof, many vets prefer to vaccinate themselves.  Our vet has informed us that re-vaccination should not be detrimental to the puppy.  Simply show your vet the list of shots and wormings that we have provided to you and they should take all this into account when recommending treatment.  Back to Top

What is the Health Certificate? Our puppies are checked by a vet prior to shipping to ensure they are healthy.  The certificate, issued by the vet, is provided by us to the airline.  Back to Top




Adoption & Payment

I have read that good breeders do not charge less than $800-$1000 for puppies.  Why are your puppies so inexpensive?  Amazingly, it is true that breeders are viewed with suspicion if puppies are priced less.  Who would have suspected that a good reputation arises from high prices? 

Seriously, though, there are a couple of logical reasons for our lower prices.  For one thing, we live in an area of the country where veterinary care is relatively inexpensive.  This lowers our cost of providing quality health care for our dogs.  In addition, we are able to administer our own immunizations and de-wormings (on a schedule approved by our vet).  This further lowers our health care cost.  We also do grooming ourselves (admittedly with less than perfect results, but since this is cosmetic only we persevere!).  When you compare this with a breeder who takes the puppies/dogs to the vet for each shot, possibly in a more expensive area, and pays for grooming and other services, it can add up to several hundred dollars difference for a litter.  Not to say these breeders are over-charging, it is simply that their expenses are higher and they must charge more to cover them.

We are also influenced by factors beyond our control.  For example, the average price of some purebred dogs has dropped within the last few months.  We believe that purebred dogs should be available to families at the most reasonable price possible, and so adjust our price according to the current market.  We could easily add a few hundred dollars to our prices, but choose instead to offer puppies at a price that makes them attainable for most families.  Back to Top

I notice that you occasionally have puppies or dogs available with a problem, such as low grade patellar luxation, or that are larger or several years old.  Why do you charge a regular price for these dogs instead of a reduced price or giving them away? We do sometimes offer those with a slight problem for adoption, mentioning a problem in their description and then providing more details when contacted.   Actually, we can and do sometimes place these dogs at a greatly reduced price in a local home.  We cannot ship a dog for such a reduced price (because of the expenses involved in shipping), and we do not advertise free or extremely cheap dogs because of the numerous responses we get from unethical people.  It is quite common for people to use free or cheap dogs for such purposes as dog-baiting.  Therefore, we find it works best to advertise with a price that wards off such inquiries.  At the same time, we work to find loving homes within driving distance.  Back to Top

What is included in the price of the puppy?  Our price includes the puppy, shipping crate, a care package with food, treats, and other goodies, and shipping.  This varies for local adoptions.  Back to Top

How does the adoption work?  Here is a general timeline:  We require a non-refundable deposit to hold a puppy.  The deposit amount will vary depending on the puppy's price.  This deposit must be returned along with the completed sales agreement, which will be emailed, faxed, or mailed to you.  You will then have until the puppy is ready to be shipped (approximately 8-12 weeks old) to make the remaining payment.   We are unable to ship your puppy until we have received the total purchase price.  If payment has not been received in full within 14 calendar days from the date we notify you the puppy is ready, the agreement is voided.  The deposit is non-refundable. 

Payment may be made by personal check, money order, or PayPal.  If made by personal check, we must allow 10 business days from the date we receive it for processing.  After receiving full payment, we will send you a "Puppy Care Package".  This free package includes an information sheet, a few day's supply of food, toys, and other surprises for you and your puppy.  We will also discuss specific shipping arrangements.

All puppies will have current immunizations and be checked by a vet prior to shipping.  Your puppy will arrive in his/her own crate (yours to keep) and will have food for the trip.  You will be responsible for arranging pick-up of your puppy at the airport.  Once you have received your puppy and activated your Guarantee, you will need to notify us that your vet has checked the puppy and he/she is in good health.  We also require a copy of the vet report from this initial visit.  At this time, we will mail you your puppy's registration papers, if applicable.  You may then register your puppy if you choose to do so. 

This information applies to long-distance adoptions.  For local adoptions, click here for information.  Back to Top

Can I make payments after receiving the puppy?  No, we must receive full payment before shipping the puppy.  Back to Top

Can I make installment payments instead of paying the remainder due all at once?  Yes, as long as we have received the full purchase price within 14 calendar days of the date we notify you your puppy is ready.  Back to Top

What happens if I place a deposit on a puppy and then change my mind?   We can sometimes accomodate requests to transfer a deposit to another puppy.  However, we cannot guarantee our ability to do this.  When you place a deposit on a puppy, that puppy is reserved for you--meaning that we are turning away other buyers for that puppy.   For this reason, the deposit is non-refundable.  Back to Top



About Our Kennel

Are you licensed?  Yes, we are a USDA licensed facility.  This means that we must meet certain guidelines for kennels, we are vet-supervised, and receive regular inspections.  Back to Top

I read an internet article on puppy mills that provided a list of USDA licensed facilities.  It said that these facilities are more likely to be puppy mills and that because of USDA guidelines the puppies would lack socialization.  We have read that as well.  In the past, it seemed like the trend was to label unlicensed facilities as "puppy mills."  However, with recent criticisms of the USDA's policies it now seems the trend is to consider licensed facilities to be "puppy mills."

There are certainly many breeders who keep their dogs and puppies segregated in kennels all the time, without allowing time for play and socialization.  This is not how we raise our puppies, but because of the prevalence of this practice, those following the guidelines have gotton a bad reputation.

In view of of the constant changing public opinion on what indicates a "puppy mill", we are at a loss in trying to decide whether to be licensed or not.  Per the law, we are not required to have a license.  On the other hand, it seems to us better to have some regulations imposed than none at all.  At the present time, we have decided to continue being licensed.  Back to Top

I notice that some breeders' sites I have visited state that their puppies are raised in the home, while others are in a kennel.  How is your facility set up?  Since we have several dogs, it would be impossible to keep our  puppies and parents safely (and in a sanitary manner)  in our home.  For that reason, we keep our dogs and puppies in a well-designed kennel, where we can easily clean and disinfect to provide a safe environment.  In addition, we prefer that our puppies not be exposed to the people and pets that routinely visit homes.  They are well-socialized by us and our personal pets, but we like to limit their exposure to unknowns.

This is not, of course, saying that all breeders who raise puppies in their home are unsanitary--this is no more true than saying that all breeders who use a kennel are "puppy mills."  We are merely making the point that raising puppies in the home is not automatically a better option than a kennel.  Back to Top

But aren't kennels associated with those "puppy mills" I've read about?  You may have read horror stories about "puppy mills" designed to mass-produce puppies with little regard for their welfare.  This is NOT our business. 

Our kennel is cleaned thoroughly, twice per day (or more often as needed).  We pay careful attention to each dog's health--all shots, wormings, and other treatments are kept careful record of and provided according to a schedule approved by our vet.  We know each dog by name, and pay attention to their personalities as well.  Puppies are checked on and cared for constantly.  We are a family "business" and work together to provide the best care possible for all our dogs and puppies.

Our Yorkies are kenneled either in pairs or separately.  (Litters of small puppies are kept together with their mother, and then together as a group when weaned.)  They have room to play, and can choose to be inside or outside.  In addition, we have secure fenced areas outside where the Yorkies play in small groups.  Food and water are available at all times.

Our business IS.....waking up every 2 hours to bottle feed an ailing new puppy......spending hours closely monitoring an expecting mother......rushing to the vet for a C-section......carefully layering heating pads and blankets to make sure new puppies are warm.......bathing.....worming.....vaccinating.......new construction and repair.....record-keeping....and lots of playing!  We hardly think this describes a "puppy mill"!   Back to Top

I have read that any kennel with more than 10 or so dogs is a puppy mill. Some people feel that having a number of dogs automatically makes you a "puppy mill".  However, we feel that the important question is not 'how many dogs does the breeder have' but 'how does the breeder provide and care for those dogs'.  Obviously one person cannot handle a number of dogs and still provide top-quality care.  However, we have several people working together to care for our dogs and kennel.  This makes it possible for us to have several dogs and still give them the care and attention they need.  Back to Top

One report I read said it is inhumane to kennel a dog, and described many dogs jumping up and down inside their kennels when you walk in the door. We would certainly hope the dogs were jumping up and down--we have yet to see a healthy Yorkie who doesn't! It would be more worrisome if the dogs were just lying there. 

It is understandable that some people have issues with kenneling dogs--we naturally tend to feel that anything that would be a hardship to us is also a hardship to dogs.  However, it is interesting to note that most authorities on dogs recommend crate training your dog.  This involves keeping your dog in a crate for some time, sometimes several hours, each day. 

Now, obviously this does not mean that dogs should be kenneled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!  But it does show that the mere fact that a breeder uses kennels does not indicate the dogs are abused.  We feel a better measure of an ethical breeder is, again, how the breeder provides and cares for the dogs.  Are the dogs healthy and well-adjusted? Are the kennels  in good repair?  Is food and water readily available?  Is the area regularly cleaned and disinfected?  Do the dogs have opportunity to be outside?  And do they have play periods to run free?   Back to Top


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