Not so excited anymore

[Oscar's Mummy]

Just last night I posted about having contacted a breeder about a little girl - a playmate for Oscar. Today, she got back to me and she wants $2300 for her! I cant believe it. She went on to say that she will be under 4lbs full grown and that her puppies that will be over 4lbs are $1800 (which I already knew, and THOUGHT that was the price of ALL OF HER FEMALES). What really baffles me is that I could have swore I read on her site about the falasies of teacups, miniatures, etc and that they DONT EXIST and how some breeders will try to market the RUNTS of the litter as a fancy little teacup and charge MORE for it. So I thought - OK, she's obviously not one of those breeders and I'll be able to get this little girl for the same price as the others. Apparently not. I wrote her back this email...

I am just curious why she is $500 dollars more than the standard size yorkies? Is there anything in your contract that gaurantees that she will be less than 4lbs? What if she happened to get a little bigger than expected - is there anything in the contract that will compensate me if that were to happen? Part of the reason why I contacted you was because I swore I had read on your site about the falasies of teacups/miniatures, etc. and that they do not exist and that breeders will often try to sell them for more money, etc. etc. etc. Because I had read this, I assumed that you were not one of those breeders and that she would be the same price as your other females and not more just because she happened to be the runt. I am fully aware that the smaller they are, often the more health complications they have and are prone to things like hypoglycemic episodes - because I AM looking for a smaller pup, I was really hoping not to pay much more than 1800 as I was preparing myself for having to spend that little bit extra on vet visits (not to say that the puppy will be unhealthy or is unhealthy - I'm sure she is in great health - but it never hurts to be prepared).

I did see her picture on your website and she is the one that I had in mind - I was prepared for the disappointment of having you say that she was spoken for, but it didn't occur to me that she would cost so much more. I really have my heart set on her - would you be willing to budge at all on this price?

Please don't take this as an attack on you personally - I think your puppies are fantastic and I understand that you are running a business.

Thank you for your reply and please let me know if you think you can help me out.

Now, many of you are probably wondering why I don't just get one of her other standard sized puppies. I'll be honest - I like them small. Oscar is 3lbs and I really wanted another one that would be close to his size and not get bigger than him. I take Oscar everywhere with me and want to continue to do so when I get another puppy. Please don't judge me because I want another little one - it's just my preference for my lifestyle.

[vainchick5]

Don't worry hun, you will find your baby soon. Don't be ashamed or feel like you have to explain about wanting a small yorkie. I was and still am the same. Coco is 4 lbs and my next one will also be small. As long a you are well prepared and you get a runt from standard size parents, you should be good.

[cutiepatutie627]

I don't judge you and noone else should I mean you are your own person and nomatter how much someone doesn't like that they just have to deal with it! I hope that you get her and I agree with you about the pricing and I hope that she'll bargain with you so you can get her!! BEST WISHES!

[JeanieK]

Just keep looking. There are plenty of yorkies out there.

However you can see why she is asking more. Because right now there does seem to be an increasing demand for the smaller ones and they are in short supply.

[Yorkie3]

I don't judge you at all. We all have our preference. I have four yorkies, my smallest weighing 2 lbs 9 ozs and my largest weighing 6 lbs 2 ozs. They are all "small", but I too prefer the 3 1/2 -4 lbs size. I would definitely make sure it's the runt and not bred small by an inexperienced breeder out for big bucks. Good luck in your search, there's a litle one out there just waiting for you.

[Mya's_Mom]

After a week of hell looking for a Yorkie pup, I was so depressed then what crossed my path a woman with two tiny yorkies. I asked her if she breeds them and she said the female is pregnant. Daddy is 3 pounds, Mommy is 4 pounds. She said to phone her in a month when the pups are due and she will let me know if there is a male in the litter. *happy sigh* Your puppy could be in your own neighbourhood, you never know. The best part of all of this is that she only wants $1000.00 Don't give up, don't worry. You will find your baby.

[Jaxon's mom]

Sorry to hear. I'm sure you'll find Oscar's playmate very soon. I'm still trying to convince my hubby to let me get another furbaby.

[BabyFidgette]

You have a point...when breeders sell their "teacups" for more money, how do they know 100% that they will be small? Really, they don't. Just cuz they are small now really doesn't mean anything. Baby was 3lbs when I got her, and she's now 10. Now only that...let's say you get a guarentee...here's one for ya (that I made up) If your pup grows over 4lbs by the time he's one, you can return him. Like who's gonna do that?

[baby03]

Originally Posted by Oscar's Mummy

Just last night I posted about having contacted a breeder about a little girl - a playmate for Oscar. Today, she got back to me and she wants $2300 for her! I cant believe it. She went on to say that she will be under 4lbs full grown and that her puppies that will be over 4lbs are $1800 (which I already knew, and THOUGHT that was the price of ALL OF HER FEMALES). What really baffles me is that I could have swore I read on her site about the falasies of teacups, miniatures, etc and that they DONT EXIST and how some breeders will try to market the RUNTS of the litter as a fancy little teacup and charge MORE for it. So I thought - OK, she's obviously not one of those breeders and I'll be able to get this little girl for the same price as the others. Apparently not. I wrote her back this email...

I am just curious why she is $500 dollars more than the standard size yorkies? Is there anything in your contract that gaurantees that she will be less than 4lbs? What if she happened to get a little bigger than expected - is there anything in the contract that will compensate me if that were to happen? Part of the reason why I contacted you was because I swore I had read on your site about the falasies of teacups/miniatures, etc. and that they do not exist and that breeders will often try to sell them for more money, etc. etc. etc. Because I had read this, I assumed that you were not one of those breeders and that she would be the same price as your other females and not more just because she happened to be the runt. I am fully aware that the smaller they are, often the more health complications they have and are prone to things like hypoglycemic episodes - because I AM looking for a smaller pup, I was really hoping not to pay much more than 1800 as I was preparing myself for having to spend that little bit extra on vet visits (not to say that the puppy will be unhealthy or is unhealthy - I'm sure she is in great health - but it never hurts to be prepared).

I did see her picture on your website and she is the one that I had in mind - I was prepared for the disappointment of having you say that she was spoken for, but it didn't occur to me that she would cost so much more. I really have my heart set on her - would you be willing to budge at all on this price?

Please don't take this as an attack on you personally - I think your puppies are fantastic and I understand that you are running a business.

Thank you for your reply and please let me know if you think you can help me out.

Now, many of you are probably wondering why I don't just get one of her other standard sized puppies. I'll be honest - I like them small. Oscar is 3lbs and I really wanted another one that would be close to his size and not get bigger than him. I take Oscar everywhere with me and want to continue to do so when I get another puppy. Please don't judge me because I want another little one - it's just my preference for my lifestyle.

I could never JUDGE you Because I am exactly like you. I have an adorable 3.5 pound female that goes with me everywhere. She is the light of my life. Even though she was considered tiny when I got her she never gave me any health scares. Thank God!! I decided December 05 to get her a sister. I also wanted one in that size range. I wanted them to be pretty much in the same range to play, and for me as well, to get along with them. I ran into the exact same thing as you. The prices for them were up to 3500.00. I tried to get one breeder to budge since we were friends. Not best friends but friends. She would not. She also admitted there were no tea cups but she charged more for her tinies because they had better blood lines, her expenses were high in running her business, she felt if someone paid alot for thier pet they would take better care of it , and finally she basically said she charged more because she could. Plain and simple!!! The demand for them is great and she didn't need to cut any one any breaks. She would rather keep the dog and later breed it if it never sold. It took me 6 months to find what I wanted. I found one for 1500.00. I have had her 3 weeks now. She weighed 1.10 oz at 13 weeks. When I went to get her I took my own scale. The breeder put in our contract that if she gets over 4 pounds he will give me 250.00 back. I couldn't believe it. He said he guaranteed the size. It is not unheard of to have them put in writing a partial refund to gurantee size. You will find your little one. There are alot of ups and downs. Good luck to you!! I wish you the best!

[Oscar's Mummy]

Originally Posted by BabyFidgette

You have a point...when breeders sell their "teacups" for more money, how do they know 100% that they will be small? Really, they don't. Just cuz they are small now really doesn't mean anything. Baby was 3lbs when I got her, and she's now 10. Now only that...let's say you get a guarentee...here's one for ya (that I made up) If your pup grows over 4lbs by the time he's one, you can return him. Like who's gonna do that?

Exactly. Breeders put all kinds of stipulations in their contracts to protect themselves, but what kind of gaurantee am I getting. In her email she said she was "guesstimating" that she would not be bigger than 4lbs - so say I pay the 2300 (which I wont - I'd rather pay 1800 and use the rest of what I would have paid to have her spayed/teeth pulled/vaccinations etc.) Anyways, so say I pay the 2300 and she ends up being 5lbs or even 4.5lbs? I can pretty much bet that there's nowhere in her contract that says I'll get my $500 back if she exceeds her predicted weight and is no longer considered a "teacup". What can ya do... it's a risk you take I guess for paying the extra money.

Thanks everyone - I'm sure I'll find my little girl - was just really hoping to not have to pay an arm and a leg to get her just because she's little. You know how it is when you get set on something... it's disappointing...

[Oscar's Mummy]

Originally Posted by baby03

I could never JUDGE you Because I am exactly like you. I have an adorable 3.5 pound female that goes with me everywhere. She is the light of my life. Even though she was considered tiny when I got her she never gave me any health scares. Thank God!! I decided December 05 to get her a sister. I also wanted one in that size range. I wanted them to be pretty much in the same range to play, and for me as well, to get along with them. I ran into the exact same thing as you. The prices for them were up to 3500.00. I tried to get one breeder to budge since we were friends. Not best friends but friends. She would not. She also admitted there were no tea cups but she charged more for her tinies because they had better blood lines, her expenses were high in running her business, she felt if someone paid alot for thier pet they would take better care of it , and finally she basically said she charged more because she could. Plain and simple!!! The demand for them is great and she didn't need to cut any one any breaks. She would rather keep the dog and later breed it if it never sold. It took me 6 months to find what I wanted. I found one for 1500.00. I have had her 3 weeks now. She weighed 1.10 oz at 13 weeks. When I went to get her I took my own scale. The breeder put in our contract that if she gets over 4 pounds he will give me 250.00 back. I couldn't believe it. He said he guaranteed the size. It is not unheard of to have them put in writing a partial refund to gurantee size. You will find your little one. There are alot of ups and downs. Good luck to you!! I wish you the best!

Oh wow! Congratulations! I just sent my last post, then read yours - so I guess some breeders DO put a size stipulation in their contract - good for you for finding your puppy and a great breeder!

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Oscar's Mummy

Exactly. Breeders put all kinds of stipulations in their contracts to protect themselves, but what kind of gaurantee am I getting. In her email she said she was "guesstimating" that she would not be bigger than 4lbs - so say I pay the 2300 (which I wont - I'd rather pay 1800 and use the rest of what I would have paid to have her spayed/teeth pulled/vaccinations etc.) Anyways, so say I pay the 2300 and she ends up being 5lbs or even 4.5lbs? I can pretty much bet that there's nowhere in her contract that says I'll get my $500 back if she exceeds her predicted weight and is no longer considered a "teacup". What can ya do... it's a risk you take I guess for paying the extra money.

Thanks everyone - I'm sure I'll find my little girl - was just really hoping to not have to pay an arm and a leg to get her just because she's little. You know how it is when you get set on something... it's disappointing...

Yes it is the risk you take I know I paid $300 more for my female because she was suppoosed to be a tiny. She was 12 ounces at 8 weeks. She grew to be 6 lbs.

[Oscar's Mummy]

Originally Posted by chachi

Yes it is the risk you take I know I paid $300 more for my female because she was suppoosed to be a tiny. She was 12 ounces at 8 weeks. She grew to be 6 lbs.

That's exactly the size of this little girl - 12oz. and 8 weeks. You just never know how they'll end up!

Regardless though.. I wouldn't be totally devastated if a dog ended up being bigger than was promised - I'd still love them to death either way. It's just the extra cost that gets me.. and it's true, they charge more because they can.

[ilovelouie]

Originally Posted by baby03

I could never JUDGE you Because I am exactly like you. I have an adorable 3.5 pound female that goes with me everywhere. She is the light of my life. Even though she was considered tiny when I got her she never gave me any health scares. Thank God!! I decided December 05 to get her a sister. I also wanted one in that size range. I wanted them to be pretty much in the same range to play, and for me as well, to get along with them. I ran into the exact same thing as you. The prices for them were up to 3500.00. I tried to get one breeder to budge since we were friends. Not best friends but friends. She would not. She also admitted there were no tea cups but she charged more for her tinies because they had better blood lines, her expenses were high in running her business, she felt if someone paid alot for thier pet they would take better care of it , and finally she basically said she charged more because she could. Plain and simple!!! The demand for them is great and she didn't need to cut any one any breaks. She would rather keep the dog and later breed it if it never sold. It took me 6 months to find what I wanted. I found one for 1500.00. I have had her 3 weeks now. She weighed 1.10 oz at 13 weeks. When I went to get her I took my own scale. The breeder put in our contract that if she gets over 4 pounds he will give me 250.00 back. I couldn't believe it. He said he guaranteed the size. It is not unheard of to have them put in writing a partial refund to gurantee size. You will find your little one. There are alot of ups and downs. Good luck to you!! I wish you the best!

Wow, I guess you really do never know what size they are going to be....your baby is only 3.5 lbs. and my Bella is 5 lbs and weighed less than yours at 13 wks. Bella was only 1.6 lbs when I got her at 13 wks, she is now 1 yr. old and weighs 4.5-5lbs.

[chachi]

Just make sure you know the parents weight and grandparents if you can get that. Jewels parents were in that 6 lb range. The weight charts had her at 3 lbs at adulthood.