[FlDebra]

I worry when someone says they do not have the money some are asking for a yorkie. What will happen if your yorkie injures itself or contracts a serious illness that requires a few thousand in vet care? A well-bred Yorkie usually costs in the neighborhood of $1000 - $2000 for pet quality. Occasionally, you can find them a little cheaper, but if much cheaper, I would start wondering why.

Yorkies are NOT an inexpensive breed. Some of the price is because they do require more than average vet costs, both in raising them and breeding them. More precautions must be taken, more testing and monitoring. They usually have small litters and often require expensive C-sections. They require more care/grooming. They don't eat a lot but they do better on premium food which is not inexpensive either. Well-bred yorkies are going to cost more. The ones that show their dogs invest even more money and time into their lines. Most exhibitor/breeders do not make any profit on selling the pups they do not keep.

A "reduced-price-pup" may cost you far more in the long run with high vet costs for a poorly bred Yorkie. The advice you got in the post before this -- CHOOSE A BREEDER FIRST! -- is extremely good advice. You want to find a breeder that is ethical, properly cares for her dogs, stands behind her pups, has a really good health guarantee (allowing for payment of vet fees and not just pup replacement in cases of death or genetic problems). A good breeder breeds to standard and makes sure not to pass along genetic problems in their lines. A good breeder will help you every step of the way as you learn about your new puppy and his/her care. You are really buying the breeder's knowledge and experience along with the puppy.

The breeder recommended in the second post appears to have some gorgeous yorkies and she shows them -- which does not by itself make them perfect, but it is a GREAT way to get unbiased approval of her breeding program from experienced judges.

If you cannot justify the expense of a well-bred yorkie at this time, I encourage you to consider rescue. You might not get the quality of a well-bred Yorkie but you could feel great about providing a good home to a needy dog. Many of the poorly-bred puppies wind up needing rescued later when people realize they need extensive health care or don't turn out looking like the yorkie people had in mind. But the rescues often have pure bred yorkies that wind up looking beautiful once they have some proper nutrition and loving care. Wish you good luck on finding the right pup for you and your family. Pls don't make price your first priority. Maybe save up a little longer and then get a good pet insurance policy to help with vet expenses or go ahead and get a nice little rescue pup that is needing care now.