Pet stores used to make their money by hoping that you are an impulse shopper. That was why there were puppies in the shop window ? to break your heart and open your wallet before you realized what you were doing. Thankfully, this trend is changing, but not fast enough. There are still pet stores unscrupulous enough to sell puppies to impulse buyers, especially Yorkshire Terrier puppies. No reputable Yorkshire Terrier breeder will send their puppies to a pet store!

But the most important reason you should never get a Yorkshire Terrier puppy from a pet store is that pet stores get all of their puppies from inhumane puppy mills. Not only are these puppy mills inhumane, but also they are unsanitary. Dogs condemned to live in puppy mills never get treated by a vet, because vets are too expensive.

They never see a veterinarian ? their owners do all the "vet" care, even if they know nothing about veterinary care. A vet costs too much money for the puppy mill owners. As one puppy mill worker put it to The Philadelphia Inquirer, "Puppies are biodegradable."

You get many advantages by getting your Yorkie puppy from a Yorkshire Terrier breeder. You get a contract, usually with a limited health guarantee for the puppy. You get to see what conditions the puppy will grow up in. You get to see the puppy's mother, which will have a lasting impact on the puppy's temperament. You also get reassurance that your puppy is a purebred Yorkshire Terrier, so you know you are getting your money's worth.

Puppyhood is the most crucial learning time in a dog's life. What they learn as puppies will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Studies have shown that a puppy can best learn from the ages of seven to fourteen weeks. This is the time they should meet with as many different experiences as possible in order to be well-adjusted dogs. Living in a pet store denies them this crucial learning experience.

Reputable Yorkshire Terrier breeders will advertise on the Internet, but so will a lot of scam artists. However, it is easy to tell them apart. A reputable Yorkshire Terrier breeder will often not ship a puppy anywhere, or will only ship up to an hour away from where they live. You also have to fill out a lot of forms to prove that you are good enough for one of their Yorkshire Terrier puppies. You will be allowed to do visit the Yorkshire Terrier breeder's home or kennel before you put any money down.

If you are considering showing your Yorkshire Terrier, then going to a Yorkshire Terrier breeder is best for you. Your puppy will get the attention it deserves as well as early training. You should be able to meet both the parent dogs to see what they are like. You may often get a limited health guarantee with your puppy, as well as a source of reliable Yorkshire Terrier information throughout the life of the dog.

You can also look on the Internet for Yorkshire Terrier rescue groups which will have older puppies as well as adults.