[Carlea]

JMO I think there is room for both. Those that want a pure bred and one that wants a mix. Both are fine choices as long as everyone says you go to a breeder who is breeding for the right reasons. A pure bred can cost anywhere from $1000 up depending if you want a show quality, and sex of dog. Although I have had pure bred dogs they have always come to me from friends who couldn't take care of the dog any more. I have also rescued dogs from out local shelter lovingly called "mutts". My DH and I have the money to purchase a dog from a good breeder but I think this is where the problem comes in. Most folks love the look of a pure bred but have no idea what it takes in time and money to get them to look like the dogs on the dog shows. So they start looking for a "cheaper" breeder one that fits their income. There will always be "backyard" breeders. Supply and demand Economics 101.

Here is where this forum comes in. If we can educate one person that it would be better to get a Yorkie Mix from their local shelter than to buy a "pure bred" from a inferior breeder than we have help our favorite breed.

We got Gizmo from our local humane society. He was listed as a Yorkie mix puppy. I have always wanted a Yorkie but I knew I wasn't getting a pure bred but what I did know is I was saving a dog who had part of a wonderful breed in him. A week later and he is wonderful. True he came home from the shelter with Kennel cough but they gave us the medicine to treat it. He still had worms even though they wormed him. They would have given us the medicine to reworm him but since we were on our free vet visit provided by the shelter we got the medicine from them. Bottom line I paid $75.00 for a dog who had been given all his shots, was neutered, micro chipped, a coupon for one free grooming and one free vet visit. Hey you can't beat that in these tough economic times.