Question for breeders on price??

[PeanutnTobysmom]

I saw a little male that I may want to put a deposit on in a day or two, but I would really appreciate some advice from breeders before I commit. This male is local, I saw him Saturday. He will be 4 months old tomorrow and weighed in at 1 pound 2 oz last Saturday. He was about a third of the size of his littermate brother. I was actually at the breeders looking at a younger female when I saw this little guy. He is not skinny, very tiny features and feet, short bodied and very low to the ground. The breeder originally told me he was not available at this time due to episodes of low blood sugar and seizures. He appparently has been episode free for one month and is on dextrose. He was seen by her vet Monday and was given a clean bill of health, although I have no idea what testing if any was done. He is now available and she is asking alot of money for him. Can you please advise me on what you, as breeders, feel would be a fair price for this little boy considering the health problems he has had? By the way, he has limited registration which I am assuming effects the price as well. I am just looking for a pet and really was taken by this little guy, just don't want to get taken by the breeder. Any and all advice very much appreciated!! Thanks!

[JeanieK]

If the breeder raises the price because he is small, you are being ripped off. Although not all tinies have more health issues, they are more fragile and can be very costly to keep healthy.

I realize that these tiny guys do just happen and they need homes too, but I personally would not pay more for less.

[Susan123]

I'd definitely get a bile acid test done first. They may have done this already.

I wouldn't get one with health problems so young. It's so heartbreaking.

[PeanutnTobysmom]

Originally Posted by Susan123

I'd definitely get a bile acid test done first. They may have done this already.

I wouldn't get one with health problems so young. It's so heartbreaking.

Is the bile acid test whay determines liver shunt? Is it a blood test or more involved? Sorry just a dumb mom. LOL!!
Yes I am very afraid of getting attached then losing him.

[Susan123]

Yes, it's a blood test that is done after fasting. It does test level significant shunts, MVD. It is more expensive though. Here is Florida it is $200, if I remember correctly. The breeder may have already had it done with her having seizures, that would be the first thing to test for is LS.

[YorkieRose]

I see nothing wrong is charging more for a tiny...a 3 pounder should not cost the same as a 10 pounder...IMO Price is based on many things...

BUT it best be a tiny one or the extra monies should be returned to the buyer..this guy is quite small, too small for me as a pet...he will be lucky to mature to more then 2 pounds. He would have to triple his weight at 4 months to be 3 1/2 pounds, so at 12 weeks when the weight is doubled, he was no doubt under a pound...
..and since he has a history of problems related to his size, you are at least going in with full knowledge he most likely will need lots of hands on his entire life.... He can not get sick without the vet, ASAP..if he had a bout of tummy trouble and got diarrhea, you can not merely give him Pepto, bland food for a day and see how it goes..he will need the vet.

If you get a bile acid, do not have a fasting test done..you can do a blood test...4 months is not all that accurate, 6 is best...I would be afraid to fast a tiny like this more then 6 hrs...ideally he should eat something every 4 hrs...I would not allow him to go all night without food either..give him Nutra-Cal at bedtime and leave a few peices of chicken etc and dry/wet food...
Best wishes

[TLC]

When I got TJ he was 14 weeks and weighed 1.8 lbs (he cost $700)

He is now just over 2 years old and weighs 6.7 lbs.

This little guy may stay small or he may not?

[TLC]

Roxy was 2.1 lbs at 6 months when I got her (she cost $800). She has very short legs, low to the ground. The breeder said she had hypoglcemia when she was younger too. Roxy is 5.3 lbs and she is just about 2.5 years old. The problems I have with Roxy and TJ are luxating patellas. No other problems as a result of the low blood sugar levels.

Best of luck!

[YorkieRose]

I can not recall a small puppy at 12 to 16 weeks turning into a big one...but it can happen somewhere at sometime...LOL If this pup grows to 6 pounds I would be shocked...even 5

[lisatodd]

if you do consider him, take your other dogs with you and see how they are around him. you don't want your other dogs to hurt him.

[PeanutnTobysmom]

I thought about that. When I brought Peanut home at 1 1/2 yrs, she was barely 2 pounds (She is a plump 3 pounder now) so I was very afraid of Toby's reaction to her. He was VERY aggressive at first (yes he is neutered) , he would walk along the outside of her ex-pen and growl trying to intimidate her. I only allowed them supervised visites during the first week or two. Now they are buddies and she is actually the alpha dog. I have already planned on keeping my new baby, whether it is this boy or another, separate from my two for a while. I will set up the ex-pen in a different part of the house with supervised visitation only. Thanks soo much for you input!!

Originally Posted by lisatodd

if you do consider him, take your other dogs with you and see how they are around him. you don't want your other dogs to hurt him.

[PeanutnTobysmom]

Originally Posted by Susan123

Yes, it's a blood test that is done after fasting. It does test level significant shunts, MVD. It is more expensive though. Here is Florida it is $200, if I remember correctly. The breeder may have already had it done with her having seizures, that would be the first thing to test for is LS.

Now assuming the breeder has not had this test done, am I responsible to pay to have it done, or is she??

[Sugar's Mom]

that is between the two of you. I don't know any breeders that routinely have this test done but in this case, she might. if she does then she pays. i see a lot of people on here always saying to have your little tiny puppy liver shunt tested or don't buy one until it is tested. My thoughts on this. I got ceeby at nine ounces and eight weeks old. After reading about liver shunt on here, I took him straight to my vet for a well puppy check up and a liver shunt test. My vet refused to do the liver shunt because as another poster already stated, they have to fast over night. these little ones just cannot do that. i waited until I was getting ready to use him as a stud dog to have him tested and still was anxious about the fasting. the urine tests are not accurate and if it comes back positive, you still have to fast them and do the blood work. As a breeder, I have a one year health guarantee against any genetic or life threatening defects. that gives the buyer plenty of time to let the little one grow before it is liver shunt tested. JMO

[PeanutnTobysmom]

Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom

that is between the two of you. I don't know any breeders that routinely have this test done but in this case, she might. if she does then she pays. i see a lot of people on here always saying to have your little tiny puppy liver shunt tested or don't buy one until it is tested. My thoughts on this. I got ceeby at nine ounces and eight weeks old. After reading about liver shunt on here, I took him straight to my vet for a well puppy check up and a liver shunt test. My vet refused to do the liver shunt because as another poster already stated, they have to fast over night. these little ones just cannot do that. i waited until I was getting ready to use him as a stud dog to have him tested and still was anxious about the fasting. the urine tests are not accurate and if it comes back positive, you still have to fast them and do the blood work. As a breeder, I have a one year health guarantee against any genetic or life threatening defects. that gives the buyer plenty of time to let the little one grow before it is liver shunt tested. JMO

Thanks!! That was very helpful! This breeder has a 1 year health guarantee as well, so maybe I wont push for the test. You did make me feel more at ease after hearing how tiny Ceeby was, and still healthy.