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If you adopt a Yorkie, are you getting a dog that has something wrong?
Does it have problems that made it a bad pet, so its owner gave it away? Is it inferior to a dog that’s bought from a breeder or pet store? The answer to these questions is a resounding NO!
Most dogs don’t come into rescue because they were “bad” or had behavioral or medical problems. Most of the Yorkies that come to Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Network were surrendered because their owners didn’t have time for them or just didn‘t want a dog any more, had changes occur in their lives that meant they couldn’t or no longer wanted to keep their Yorkie or they found they couldn’t afford the expense of having a dog. Some Yorkies come to us because they’re lost or we found them in a shelter, while others come to us from puppy mills.
As for being genetically or behaviorally inferior, in general, rescue Yorkies were originally acquired from the same sources you’ll visit to buy a Yorkie if you decide not to adopt one.
So why adopt instead of buying a puppy? Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Network members often hear this question. Many prospective dog owners are just not convinced that owning a "pre-owned" dog is better than buying a puppy. But there are a number of reasons why adopting a pet from a rescue group that carefully screens and evaluates its dogs can provide an even better alternative.
Consider the following reasons to rescue:
1. The dog may already be housebroken.
When you buy a puppy, you’re basically bringing home a baby who cries at 3 AM, has to eat several times a day and be taken outside every couple of hours, chews on everything in sight, has no training or social skills and often mistakes your carpet and floors for grass when nature calls. Since rescue dogs are usually past the puppy stage and spend some time in a foster home, they come to you with social skills and are often already housebroken, plus the difference between training a puppy and an older dog is like the difference between training a 1-year-old child and one who’s 8-years-old. Be aware, for the most part, there's no such thing as a dog that doesn't have accidents from time to time. But your chances of having a potty trained dog are usually "light years" ahead of those puppies.
2. Personality matches are easier to accomplish.
Since a Yorkie's personality isn’t really formed until around age two, that cute little 2 pound puppy may grow into a dog that doesn’t fit in very well with your family. When you rescue a dog, you know what his personality is like and whether he fits with what you want in a dog companion. You’ll know how big he’s going to get and what his temperament is like. You’ll also know in advance if there are any problem areas you’ll have to address.
Puppy love is often no more than an attachment to a cute face or a color. It is not much of a basis on which to make a decision that will hopefully last 15+ years. While that puppy may have been the cutest of the litter, he may grow up to be super-active (when what you wanted was a couch buddy); she may be a couch princess (when what you wanted was a tireless hiking companion); he may want to spend every waking moment chasing balls (while your idea of excercise is pushing the remote control); or she may want to be an only child (while you are intending to have kids or more animals). Pet mis-matches are one of the top reasons that rescue groups get "surrender" phone calls. Good rescuers do extensive evaluating of both their dogs and their applicants to be sure that both dog and family will be happy with each other until death do them part.
3. And then there's the vet bill!
When you purchase a puppy, that's only the beginning of your expenses. Those puppies need their series of puppy shots and fecals, then their rabies shot, then a trip to be spayed or neutered, maybe an emergency trip or two if they've chewed something dangerous. Typically, unlike your children, most people will not have health insurance to cover these "baby" expenses. Your donation to Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Network, Inc. when adopting an adult will get you a dog with all shots current, spay or neuter completed, heartworm negative, and a mouthful of clean teeth...an important issue to be followed closely with Yorkies.
4. What you see is what you get.
One of the reasons we often see Yorkies wind up in rescue situations is that the cute little 2 pound puppy that the owners thought was going to be a little "bag puppy" forever has grown into a 10 or 12 pound energetic "toddler". When you select a rescue Yorkie in most cases the dogs are not young puppies so you will know how large the dog is going to be, what his personality traits are, and whether he is truly a match for you.
5. When you adopt an older dog you have an instant companion.
With an older dog, you automatically have a buddy that can go everywhere and do everything with you NOW. There's no waiting for a puppy to grow up (and then hope that he will like to do what you enjoy.) You will have been able to select the most compatible dog: one that travels well; one that loves to play with your friends' dogs; one with excellent house manners that you can take to your parents' new home with the new carpet and the new couch. You can come home after a long day's work and spend your time on a relaxing walk, ride or swim with your new best friend (rather than cleaning up after a small puppy.)
6. Experience the "Rescue Dog Bond"
Dogs who have been uprooted from their happy homes or who have not had the best start in life are more likely to bond very completely and deeply with their new people. Those who have lost their families through death, divorce or lifestyle change go through a terrible mourning process. But, once attached to a new loving family, they seem to want to please as much as possible to make sure they are never homeless again. Those dogs that are just learning about the good life and good people seem to bond even deeper. They know what life on the streets, life on the end of a chain, or in a puppymill, is all about, and they revel and blossom in a nurturing, loving environment. Most rescues make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions. Somehow they just know that now things will be ok...it can be seen in their eyes!
7. In the event there is an incompatability problem or a reason you have to surrender your Yorkie, YTRN will take the dog back, no questions asked and place the dog in another loving home.
It is not uncommon for Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Network, Inc. to get $500+ dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their novelty with impulsive owners who considered their dog a possession rather than a friend or member of the family; or simply did not really consider the time, effort and expense needed to be a dog owner. Not all breeders will accept "returns", so choices for giving up dogs can be limited to animal welfare organizations, such as Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Network, Inc., or the owners trying to place the dog themselves, often in less than desireable situations again. Our volunteers will evaluate the dog before accepting him/her (medically, behaviorally, and for breed confirmation), rehabilitate if necessary, and adopt the animal only when he/she is ready and to a home that matches and is realistic about the commitment necessary to provide the dog with the best home possible.
8. The rescue option addresses the issue of overpopulation due to poor breeding practices or lack of responsibility by uncaring owners.
While choosing a rescue dog over a purchased pup will not solve the pet overpopulation problem (only responsible pet owners and breeders can do that), it does give many animals living in less than desireable situations a chance they otherwise would not have. But, beyond doing a "good deed", adopting a rescue dog can be the best decision and addition to the family you ever made. Rescue a dog and get a devoted friend for life!
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