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Lorraine · 01-02-2006, 12:53 PM

I also vary my prices for pups based on certain criteria. I have a couple of small ones, one about 3 lbs at mature size the other less. I am not charging anything for them. One is already placed with a friend that has the great grandmother to this one, the other will be placed with another friend that has a couple of mine. I am taking care of the spaying which they should be able to handle next month. The people that have them, are well versed on the risks of these little guys and know that they must Vet them if they become ill, you can't wait with these little guys. I had them blood tested and bile acid tested for shunt. They are both normal for things that can be tested but we still don't know if they are small just because they are small or if they are small due to a hormonal, glandular, enzymic or? problem. They may or may not have a normal life span.
I never purposely breed for small like this and I have no idea why this happened. But it is my responsibility to take on their care and I will not sell them as I am aware of the extra care and expense they may require because of their small size. These new owners spoke up for them, I placed one and will place the other but with the understanding that I will work with them for their care. They are also local to me so easy enough to help them when needed.
Most of my puppies will range from about 5 to 7 lbs with the occasional one going a bit oversized. My utmost interest for my puppies that I look for in pet homes, however, is whether or not the prospective buyer will be a good caring home for my pup. Buyers looking for a 'deal' I am not too interested in as the purchase price of a puppy is only a drop in the bucket in the continuing quality care of a puppy.
Such as, Veterinary care, good quality food, how much the owner is home or taking time to spend with that dog or puppy for the next 12 to 15 years. Do they realize the commitment goes beyond the cute puppy stage, beyond the time they are home for holidays. Are they willing to compromise their lives for the care of their dog such as getting up an hour earlier than necessary to spend time with their dog feeding, exercising, before they go to work, come straight home after work, spend as much time as they can with their dog.
If the dog or pup has an accident and breaks a leg, is the owner willing to pay $2000 and up for fixing it or whatever else can happen in the life of the dog. Is the new owner willing to forgo Christmas to Vet their dog that got sick when it got into Christmas chocolates? If the owner is required to go somewhere for a few days and can't take the dog, are they willing to pay for good care while they are gone or have someone that can safely look after their YOrkie. Do they have the patience for the sometime arduous task of housebreaking a Yorkie or is their home way more important? You would be amazed at the enquiries that think the Yorkie pup can live in the basement until it is housebroken once I advise them of the problems in housebreaking Toy Breeds.
I must interview and meet each prospective buyer and all members of the family still at home, before I will let them have a puppy and for that reason I never ship. I would rather refer them to a reputable breeder in their area for a puppy for them to meet, see their dogs, learn about the Yorkie, the breeder and decide if this is the right everything for them.
Lorraine
Loriben Yorkies

01-02-2006, 12:53 PM	#17
Lorraine Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Abbotsford, BC Posts: 2,060	Lorraine I also vary my prices for pups based on certain criteria. I have a couple of small ones, one about 3 lbs at mature size the other less. I am not charging anything for them. One is already placed with a friend that has the great grandmother to this one, the other will be placed with another friend that has a couple of mine. I am taking care of the spaying which they should be able to handle next month. The people that have them, are well versed on the risks of these little guys and know that they must Vet them if they become ill, you can't wait with these little guys. I had them blood tested and bile acid tested for shunt. They are both normal for things that can be tested but we still don't know if they are small just because they are small or if they are small due to a hormonal, glandular, enzymic or? problem. They may or may not have a normal life span. I never purposely breed for small like this and I have no idea why this happened. But it is my responsibility to take on their care and I will not sell them as I am aware of the extra care and expense they may require because of their small size. These new owners spoke up for them, I placed one and will place the other but with the understanding that I will work with them for their care. They are also local to me so easy enough to help them when needed. Most of my puppies will range from about 5 to 7 lbs with the occasional one going a bit oversized. My utmost interest for my puppies that I look for in pet homes, however, is whether or not the prospective buyer will be a good caring home for my pup. Buyers looking for a 'deal' I am not too interested in as the purchase price of a puppy is only a drop in the bucket in the continuing quality care of a puppy. Such as, Veterinary care, good quality food, how much the owner is home or taking time to spend with that dog or puppy for the next 12 to 15 years. Do they realize the commitment goes beyond the cute puppy stage, beyond the time they are home for holidays. Are they willing to compromise their lives for the care of their dog such as getting up an hour earlier than necessary to spend time with their dog feeding, exercising, before they go to work, come straight home after work, spend as much time as they can with their dog. If the dog or pup has an accident and breaks a leg, is the owner willing to pay $2000 and up for fixing it or whatever else can happen in the life of the dog. Is the new owner willing to forgo Christmas to Vet their dog that got sick when it got into Christmas chocolates? If the owner is required to go somewhere for a few days and can't take the dog, are they willing to pay for good care while they are gone or have someone that can safely look after their YOrkie. Do they have the patience for the sometime arduous task of housebreaking a Yorkie or is their home way more important? You would be amazed at the enquiries that think the Yorkie pup can live in the basement until it is housebroken once I advise them of the problems in housebreaking Toy Breeds. I must interview and meet each prospective buyer and all members of the family still at home, before I will let them have a puppy and for that reason I never ship. I would rather refer them to a reputable breeder in their area for a puppy for them to meet, see their dogs, learn about the Yorkie, the breeder and decide if this is the right everything for them. Lorraine Loriben Yorkies