[gemy]

I thought it was pertinent to post this on this thread, as I've read here about Yorkies being sold for $300 or $400.

All and I do mean all breeding stock needs to be tested for certain diseases prior to being bred, and some tests need to be repeated annually or biannually.

Full blood panel
Brucellosis**prior breeding
LP - OFA
Hip and Knee OFA
CERF ** repeated annually
Heart and Thryoid
Hyperurocosuria

Now how much do you think this costs per dog? Anywhere from $700 to $1000 depending on where you live, and if you can acquire these tests more reasonably at Health Clinics run at either shows, or some specially breed sponsored health days.

These tests are well beyond the "normal" wellness checks a vet regularly does, and often require the use of specialists to do.

So let's do some number crunching shall we? If the average size of a Yorkie litter is 4, and remember many will have 3 or 2 or 1, then for your first litter the costs for prebreeding is anywhere from $1400 to $2000 for the breeding pair. Divided by 4 is $500 per dog at the higher end or $350 at the lower end. The costs only go up if the litter is smaller, and there is a good chance it will be.

Now your bitch is pregnant, what are the costs to insure her health over the whelping time? The supplies you need? Oh lets call it $500 or so.

She has her puppies, what are the costs for the 2-3 vet visits, the prelim shots, and the LS testing on each pup? What is the cost of food for 3+ months? Perhaps $100-$150 per pup

So your first litter baring emergencies for pups or dam is on a four litter is anywhere from $700 to $1000 per pup.

So you are going to get a pup for $300 or $400 or even $500. This would not even come close to cover the cost of those pups, never mind if you as a good breeder warrant and give a meaningfull health guarantee on each pup you sell.

Of course the costs go down dramatically if you as a breeder skip all that expensive and pesky health testing, and offer no health guarantee.

Not included in these costs are the costs to purchase your show dogs, to show and champion them.

A bargain at $300??? for a Yorkie. Not a bargain, merely a time bomb