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Originally Posted by rjwalt  Anywhere between $500 to $5000, but mostly in the $800-$1500 range. It's pretty much a racket in those upper prices though. A little research usually reveals the "champions" in the bloodlines are distant relatives and who cares if you are not going to show the dog anyways. I know people who spent major money from "reputable breeders" who have all the check-boxes filled as to what folks say qualify a breeder as "reputable" and the dogs still got sick. Busted knees/joint issues, random genetic issues, cancer, etc.
Dogs are living creatures and life happens. So be prepared for that. And in reality, these guarantees end up being useless because even if the dog gets sick, you love the dog and most of these breeders only offer will be to take the dog back, put it down, and offer a new dog and most people who deserve to own a dog would never abandon their friend in sickness.
I say look everywhere, find an honest breeder with clean facilities, good relationships with their dogs, who are knowledgeable with a reasonable health guarantee that gives you enough time to get the dog checked by a vet for the basics. If you are not planning to show or breed it is not worth it to spend much more than $1000 for a pup. For $2000+ it better have parents/grandparents with ribbons, full registration/breeding rights and be show quality/breeding quality. |
You must be joking here. Full breeding rights on a show quality pup for $2K well I have not heard of that. Show quality pups do not get placed until 6mths old show promise yes earlier.
And with Yorkies a 3mth old or even older pup don't kid yourself is at best a show promise. The teeth have not matured. The coat is guesswork as well as coloration.
In my breed I have paid out about $4K for a show promise gal. And at 8 wks old for all the forementioned that is what they are. You research your breeder, you weigh, you judge together, the pups development from birth onwards. Then both you n breeder make a very informed as you can be choice at the time. You do what genetic tests there might be for your breed. You sign a very detailed contract that stipulates many things, vet checks, health tests, on going pictures n vids once pup is in your home. You determine before signing contract well what happens if for some reason your dog is not breed worthy. You have shelled out the bucks, what then? Delicate negotiations go on.
Oh and that $4K is at the low end of the spectrum........