As Bama said, less than $500 for a Yorkie is so below what you would expect to pay it is against YT rules to even ask.
You probably don't want to hear this, but if money is that tight, now is not the time to get a puppy. The initial cost and the cost of the spay/neuter that first year is minimal compared to what a financial responsibility owning a Yorkie is. Toy breed dogs seem to need more vet care as a simple tummy upset can turn into a hospital stay because of dehyrdration, jumping off a couch can result in injury, etc.
In addition, Yorkies are prone to certain genetic conditions that are very expensive to treat. Both luxating patellas and liver shunts are common in the breed. In fact, Yorkies are 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined. Surgery to repair shunts and bad knees runs into the thousands. Just read our Sick and Health sections to get an idea how common these conditions are in Yorkies.
Because of the hereditary conditions in Yorkies, please do not be tempted to buy a "bargain" puppy from a backyard breeder. The chances of getting a puppy with "genetic timebombs" is high since these breeders know nothing about genetics and don't health test the parents. An inexpensive puppy now can cost you a fortune in vet bills over its lifetime, not to mention heartbreak. |