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hunniebunnie · 12-27-2005, 09:32 AM

if you wanna go really cheap, try a yorkie rescue or a shelter.
if you wanna go kinda cheap and don't care about papers, try the local newspaper.
otherwise, save your money and buy from a reputable breeder. going to a dog show also helps you to get to know breeders and the quality of dogs they raise.

but in general, you will get what you pay for. if your major concern is that the pup you get is cheap now, you can try the cheaper options, but be ready to pay more out of pocket for medical expenses IF the pup you got has health conditions that would have been tested and caught had you gone to a reputable breeder with a quality breeding program.

the future health of the puppy is part environment and part genetics. it's up to you and your girlfriend to manage the environment, so it just depends on how much you want to gamble on the genetics in the effort to save money on the cost of a pup.

but remember, the initial purchase price of a pup (even in the thousands of dollars range) is NOTHING compared to the cost of ongoing maintenance. i'm strongly against getting someone else a puppy as a surprise gift no matter what they say they want. it's a big responsibility that requires a lot of time, patience, and MONEY. both the puppy and the owner will benefit from an informed decision.

i took some time off work when i first got the puppy and i got to visit breeders and check out the temperaments of the puppies available. i think that process was invaluable. people i've visited this holiday season are always impressed with how well mannered and trained my bunjee at 14 weeks and we always leave other homes leaving them wanting a yorkie of their own. but what they don't see is the month i spent training, managing, and socializing bunjee. so it's not all fun and games and dress up. it's a lotta work but totally worth it!

so please do involve your girlfriend in the process. it'll be fun and helpful! as well as prepare both of you for the financial and emotional responsibility of pet ownership. maybe "surprise" her with a "gift certificate" for a yorkie, and the both of you can be on a search for thhe perfect one together.

if you still insist on making this a surprise, please do allocate not only money for the puppy, but also all the initial products you'll need like a crate, food, grooming products, etc. as well as vet costs. do line up a vet to check out the puppy as soon as you bring it home.

12-27-2005, 09:32 AM	#8
hunniebunnie Follower of Yorkietology Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cali-fo-nee-ya Posts: 1,325	if you wanna go really cheap, try a yorkie rescue or a shelter. if you wanna go kinda cheap and don't care about papers, try the local newspaper. otherwise, save your money and buy from a reputable breeder. going to a dog show also helps you to get to know breeders and the quality of dogs they raise. but in general, you will get what you pay for. if your major concern is that the pup you get is cheap now, you can try the cheaper options, but be ready to pay more out of pocket for medical expenses IF the pup you got has health conditions that would have been tested and caught had you gone to a reputable breeder with a quality breeding program. the future health of the puppy is part environment and part genetics. it's up to you and your girlfriend to manage the environment, so it just depends on how much you want to gamble on the genetics in the effort to save money on the cost of a pup. but remember, the initial purchase price of a pup (even in the thousands of dollars range) is NOTHING compared to the cost of ongoing maintenance. i'm strongly against getting someone else a puppy as a surprise gift no matter what they say they want. it's a big responsibility that requires a lot of time, patience, and MONEY. both the puppy and the owner will benefit from an informed decision. i took some time off work when i first got the puppy and i got to visit breeders and check out the temperaments of the puppies available. i think that process was invaluable. people i've visited this holiday season are always impressed with how well mannered and trained my bunjee at 14 weeks and we always leave other homes leaving them wanting a yorkie of their own. but what they don't see is the month i spent training, managing, and socializing bunjee. so it's not all fun and games and dress up. it's a lotta work but totally worth it! so please do involve your girlfriend in the process. it'll be fun and helpful! as well as prepare both of you for the financial and emotional responsibility of pet ownership. maybe "surprise" her with a "gift certificate" for a yorkie, and the both of you can be on a search for thhe perfect one together. if you still insist on making this a surprise, please do allocate not only money for the puppy, but also all the initial products you'll need like a crate, food, grooming products, etc. as well as vet costs. do line up a vet to check out the puppy as soon as you bring it home.