Well, by the time I REALLY get this started, looks like I will already have a lot on it.  Went to the vet yesterday w/Nala (our oldest, a Yorkie) for her checkup among other issues I wanted to have checked out and came back SOOOO frustrated.  Her check up was fine and by all appearances so is her blood panel.  Will find out for sure this week .Nala's issue is and always has been allergies.  Her hair has NEVER grown like a Yorkie's should.  I thought ALL AKC registered dogs were good dogs--WRONG!!!I was so new and green when we got Nala I thought getting an AKC registered dog meant a good quality dog no matter where I get her from.  Now, let me back up,  I wouldn't not trade her issues and all BUT and that is why I started this blog, Nala has lost a good bit of her her since 12/12 and by all appearances it is heriditary.  In other words, the breeder either didn't know or didn't care about the health of the puppies.  Though I didn't realize it at the time, Nala most likely looking back, came from one of those wonderful backyard breeders you hear about.  Again, I am not saying not to get one, these puppies need homes too.  I AM telling you to be aware that many of these puppies will end up with problems (medical). The medical file we have at home for Nala, well I'll put it this way, we have 5 additional dogs all small with the exception of the Lab and you can stack all those files against Nala's and it they won't match the thickness of Nala's just to give you an idea.  I can't stress ENOUGH about how bad backyard breeders are--now there is a difference between a backyard breeders and hobby breeders.  Most hobby breeders do the checks necessary on their dogs for issues that particular breed may be prone to.  More on that info on that later but there IS a difference though I have heard and read people have said there isn't.  I happen to know first hand there is.  We also have a Pom that came from a flea market (you'll soon figure this stuff out for yourself).  She is a wonderful dog but she has Alopecia and has had since birth, from what I understand due to breeding. A lot of these back yard breeders don't know how to breed correctly hence the problems many of thees dogs have. She was diagnosed with an enlarged heart 2 years ago in the summer.  This is Puff, now while her issues may seem worse than Nala's, her's is manageable with Enalapril and she is doing great. And no her file is no where close to Nala's.  We also have 3 Shelties that came from a hobby breeder who has been breeding 20 plus years and she does all the checks necessary for the breed before she lets the puppies go.  They pretty much have their shots as well. All the puppies my trainer has gotten over the years (and its been a lot) came from her up until recently because she has quit breeding regularly.  The Shelties have less problems than the other 2.  This breeder STILL takes dogs back if for whatever reason.  She hasn't had to do this much.  I will go into the importance of picking the right dog, keeping the dog and responsibility of dog ownership.  I was really trying to get into this when I returned from visiting my family in a couple of weeks.  I have a lot of people to draw info from  so I definitely have the ability to get the needed answers.  Today is just venting frustration so much for now.