Buying a Yorkshire Terrier Puppy

What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.

Avoid extremely small dogs, or those with very domed heads or protruding eyes, as these exaggerated features are frequently associated with serious health problems

Essential Documents

  1. Heath Certificates (both parents)
  2. Signed AWF Puppy Contract
  3. KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
  4. Microchip Registration Certificate
  5. Temporary Pet Health Insurance
  6. Vaccination Certificate

A good breeder will:

  1. have socialised and habituated the puppy
  2. provide a supply of food
  3. provide a blanket smellng of Mum
  4. follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding

Official Health Schemes

  • BVA/KC eye scheme – DBRG recommends that all dogs should be visually examined for inherited eye disease before breeding
  • BVA/KC testing scheme for CM/SM – Chiari-like malformation/syringomyelia

DNA Tests Relevant to Breed

  • Genetic laboratories offer several tests for rare inherited diseases in this breed

 Other Tests

  •  Putnam scoring for patella luxation

Brief explanations and other diseases that may be more common in the breed – if in doubt then consult your vet for guidance

Official Health Schemes

The BVA/KC eye testing scheme is available for all breeds, and checks for many inherited abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain

CM/SM – Chiari-like malformation/syringomyelia – mismatch in size between brain (too big) and skull (too short) causing pain and neurological signs/pockets of fluid in the spinal cord

Other Diseases

No current health scheme or DNA test available for these diseases:

  • Atlantoaxial subluxation
    neurological signs caused by abnormal neck bones
  • Bladder stones
  • Dental problems
    possible issues include retention of milk teeth, overcrowding of teeth due to the small jaw, and tooth infections
  • Eye problems
    such as cataracts, ulcers and ‘dry eye’ –lack of normal tear production
  • Fragile bones
    due to extremely small size
  • Hip joint abnormality
    (Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease; avascular femoral head)
  • MVD – mitral valve disease
    leaking heart valve in older dogs
  • Patella luxation
    abnormal kneecap causing pain & lameness
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