Yorkie Breeder: How to Find a Reputable Yorkshire Terrier Breeder
Finding a responsible Yorkie breeder is the most important step in bringing home a healthy, happy Yorkshire Terrier puppy. With “yorkie puppies for sale” searched over 18,000 times a month, there are plenty of breeders out there — but not all are reputable. This guide helps you find one you can trust.
Red Flags: Avoid These Breeders
A bad breeder can mean a puppy with health problems, behavioural issues, or heartbreaking outcomes. Walk away if you see any of these signs:
- Won’t let you visit — Any reputable breeder welcomes visitors to see the puppies and their environment
- Multiple breeds available — A breeder with multiple litters of different breeds is likely a puppy mill
- Puppies available immediately — Good breeders have waiting lists. “Ready now” often means a commercial operation
- Sells through pet stores — Pet store puppies almost always come from puppy mills
- Can’t provide health clearances — Breeders should test for common Yorkie issues like luxating patella, liver shunt, and eye problems
- Puppies before 8 weeks — Reputable breeders never let puppies go before 8 weeks (12 weeks is even better for Yorkies)
- Pressure to buy — “Someone else is coming tomorrow” is a sales tactic
- Cash only, no contract — Reputable breeders provide a written contract and health guarantee
Green Flags: What a Good Yorkie Breeder Looks Like
- Health testing — Screens for luxating patella, liver shunt (portosystemic shunt), eye disorders, and tracheal collapse
- Knowledgeable — Can answer detailed questions about the breed, bloodlines, and health history
- Asks you questions — A good breeder interviews you as much as you interview them
- Raises puppies in their home — Home-raised puppies with Early Neurological Stimulation are better socialised
- Provides references — Happy previous buyers are happy to share their experience
- Takes puppies back — A responsible breeder will always take a dog back if circumstances change
- Registered with kennel clubs — AKC, UKC, or CKC registration shows commitment to breed standards
Questions to Ask a Yorkie Breeder
- Can I see the parents? (Both mother and, if possible, father)
- What health tests have been done on the parents?
- What is the health history of the bloodline?
- How many litters do you breed per year? (Should be 1-2 max)
- Can you provide references from previous buyers?
- What is included in the purchase price?
- What health guarantee do you offer?
- How have the puppies been socialised?
- At what age do puppies go to their new homes?
- Will you take the dog back if I can no longer keep it?
How to Find a Reputable Yorkie Breeder
- Yorkshire Terrier Club of America — Breeder referral program (ytca.org)
- AKC Marketplace — AKC-registered breeders (marketplace.akc.org)
- Local Yorkie clubs — Regional breed clubs often have breeder directories
- Dog shows — Meet breeders in person at shows and see their dogs
- Vet recommendations — Your veterinarian may know local responsible breeders
Consider Adoption
Before searching for “yorkie puppies for sale,” consider adopting. Yorkie rescue organisations across the country have wonderful dogs looking for homes. Check:
- Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue (YTNR) — ytnr.com
- Small Dog Rescue organisations — Many have Yorkies and Yorkie mixes
- Local shelters — Purebred Yorkies sometimes end up in shelters
What to Expect to Pay
A responsibly bred Yorkie puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs $1,500 to $4,000. Pet-quality puppies (pet homes, no breeding rights) are at the lower end. Show-quality puppies command higher prices. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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