What do you think of this breeder?
 

She breeds both Yorkies and Maltese, for show. She also breeds "others to achieve the tiny-babydoll look not found in standard representations of the breeds." However, that's not my problem here. My problem is that when I called her the other day (inquiring about her litters of Yorkies I'd e-mailed about), and she starts explaining exactly what she has, she has one Yorkie/Maltese CROSS that she's selling for $1,200! She said she had had some work done a few months ago on her house, and her CH. Maltese female was in the kitchen, and that one of the workers let in one her male Yorkies and he got her pregnant. She is a member of the American Maltese Association, but not the YTCA. Isn't this against a breed club's rules, to engage in SELLING a crossbred dog, even if it WAS an accident? Do you think I should look elsewhere for my Yorkie? I'm a first-time owner, and I've been searching for over two years. Her prices are pretty high (she has a tiny male for $2500, and tiny female for $3500), but this litter is Champion sired by one of her males that's a grandson of an International CH. I saw pics and he's beautiful! Most of the people I've been able to find with Yorkies that look the way I want live in other states or other countries, and they want even MORE money--as much as $4500 with shipping, and they have jerky policies in their contract. She's only an hour to 2 hour drive from me (I live in Toluca Lake, CA; she's in Lake Forest by Mission Viejo), but I don't know. This kind of seems like a serious breech of ethics for a show breeder.

As far as the Yorkie/Maltese cross puppies, accidents do happen and many people love the Morkies; many people would probably pay $1200 for a quality Morkie. Breed clubs set guidelines for ethics and breeding but they do not dictate what members ask for their pups.

Are the prices you list for a pet Yorkie with limited registration? If that is the case then I would say the prices are high but if the Yorkies are show quality being sold on show contract then the price is reasonable. Prices for Yorkies vary greatly, depending on your geographic area. If you do your research you can find quality Yorkies at a more reasonable price.

Yes, that's for a pet on limited registration. And my point is, is that I would think that if she's a breed club member and and a show breeder, she should NOT be selling a "Morkie". In my opinion there is NO such thing as a "quality" crossbred dog. A crossbred dog is, to put it frankly, a mutt, and dogs like that are simply not worth that much money, no matter who you or your dogs are.

I'm a show breeder of yorkies and I wouldn't be selling a crossbred dog. Accidents do happen and if that were to happen to me which it will not because I only own yorkies I would be placing free of charge. No reputable show breeder would intentionally cross breed. If she belongs to the AMA she is not abiding by their code of ethics. Prices do vary from breeder to breeder but in my opinion I would be searching else where. JMHO

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

breeder
 

Accidents do happen, but not often. IMO, mixes should be placed with friends or family, given away or for a very small fee, but I am a from the old breeders club.

While I only have Yorkies and I do not and would not crossbred I do realize that most all breeds that exist in the world today were started by doing exactly that. The Yorkie would not exist unless some BYB, as they would be called today, did not decide to cross a Waterside Terrier with a English or Manchester Terrier and then later with the Paisley Terrier and the Clydesdale Terrier. New breeds are still being developed and recognized by AKC even today. Now, while this breeding was accidental and was not done with the intention of creating a Morkie, if the breeder is an ethical breeder, she will still spend the same amount of money caring for the bitch through her pregnancy, and caring for the puppies. I agree that $1200 is high for a crossbred pup but I don't think people should necessarily give their dogs away because some people that are just given a dog don't seem to give them as much care as they do if they paid for the dog. Also, as you expained, she was not advertising them as Morkies, she just told you about the accidental breeding and that she had the puppies available.

Now, to me the most unethical thing, if I am reading you correctly, you said she told you she "also breeds others to achieve the 'tiny baby doll look not found in the standard representations of the breed". It sound like she might be purposely breeding tiny Yorkies without consideration of the Yorkshire Terrier Standard. She is most likely not a member of the YTCA and could very well be in it just for the money but it is still possible that she has beautiful, healthy dogs. I, myself, would never pay that kind of money for a pet Yorkie.

JMO....Keep looking! There are many reputable breeder/exhibitors in your area. Try calling the local YT Club and ask for their help in locating one, or go to the YTCA web site for a list of breeders. You can find a good quality, healthy puppy from a respected breeder for far less than she is asking. I too don't believe in selling mixes for such outrageous prices, but again, that's just my opinion.

I don't understand why you brought this to the forum, it sounds as if you have already made your decision :confused: :confused: :confused:
I think you already know to keep looking.


Deana
Prestigeous Yorkies

I personally would not buy from this person. I think looking at breeders that are members of the YTCA or AMA is just a starting place...from there it is up to you to ask the right questions and determine if they are ethical or not. I'd be wary of buying from anyone that breeds more than one breed because of "accidents" like this. I'm one of those people that is most likely going to be "over the top" picky when I buy my next dog..it is so important for me to buy from the right breeder. I just wouldn't buy from anyone selling a mixed breed dog for a high price or purposely not breeding for what the standard calls for.

I don't think anything was meant by bringing the question to this forum. She was simply responding to an answer to her orginal question...she just wanted input as to what ethical show breeders would do....JMHO...also doesn't hurt to re-affirm a decision :)

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Excuse me Brooklyn, just seems as if she was answering her own question

So it appears as if she knew to keep looking, thats all
JMHO

Deana
Prestigeous Yorkies

No need to be snappy, my response wasn't to be taken that way or a smile wouldn't have been put in my quote :)

Donna

Sorry I have been sick for a week
prehaps I am just on edge from feeling yuckie

Deana
Prestigeous Yorkies

I can understand that :) Hope you get to feeling better! :)

Donna

While there are accidents, and I don't think one should be faulted for that neccesarily, if I were a show breeder that's certainly not something I would advertise. It wouldn't be an ABSOLUTE red flag, but it COULD be one. Does that make sense? Talk to some others who have bought a pup from her? If you can't find any, that should be a bad sign in itself.

Thanks
I think once I can get off the meds I will feel even better.
Some meds make me crankie LOL

Deana
Prestigeous Yorkies

Shoot I can understand that...right now I'm battling the flu, a sinus infection, laryngitis, and double ear infections...:rolleyes: I hate using this word but it's the only one that comes to mind: this sucks! :p

I would never pay that much for an "accidental breeding" mix. I don't understand why she is charging that much!

I agree and I would never buy a mix, I would rescue one :)

Deana
Prestigeous Yorkies

:thumbup: Same here, we have a mix at home, but she was a rescue. As cute as some of them are, there's still just mutts...:p

There are a lot of people that charge, what I consider, outrageous prices for 'designer' dogs and purebred dogs. If someone has loads of money and nothing better to spend it on then I guess that is their business if they want to spend it on a overpriced dog but I think it is wrong for breeders to mislead people into thinking they are getting something great or 'unique' when in reality they are just getting an overpriced dog. But, there are many, many people out there that think $500 to $1000 is an outrageous price for a Yorkie. Did ya'll hear what some of those Super Bowl tickets were going for......thousands of dollars to see a silly game.....some people just have money to blow.

Well, I certainly don't...:rolleyes: lol

Same here...if I wanted a mix, I'd only go through a rescue, shelter, or get one being rehomed. I certainly wouldn't buy one for any price from a breeder.

bjh
 

Your posts are well put. I like my yorkie, boston and min. schnauzer (all pure breeds) but I loved my mutt I had my whole life just as much. BUT people who are involved in trying to come up w/ new breeds (labradoodle is probably the biggest right now) are charging large prices, but I know of one in my neighborhood that everyone seems to have bought from and they are sooo very passionate about creating a breed standard (just as so many have in the past). I think the intent of the breeder has to be looked at. Accidents happen but if the litters cost as much as everyone seems to thing (where they are making no money at 1500-3000 per puppy) then it only makes since that she wouldn't give them away. She shouldn't have to pay for her workers mistakes out of her own pocket when their are a lot of people in search of morkies. (again... just following some people line of logic...not necc. what I believe). If the person is just into designer dogs to make a profit it is another story. I think a lot of people are doing it ...not to come up w/ another breed...not because of an accident... just because people will spend a fortune on the "designer" dog label. Which is freaking crazy!

I am with you there are enough mixed breeds being put down every day why take the possibility of rescue away from one of those dogs by mixing breeds on purpose just to try to make a buck.:mad:

I dont think that is an outrageous price for a healthy quality dog but I do think Its outrageous that some breeders charge astronomical prices for their dogs that are just as good a quality and as healthy as someone who charges $500-$800.

well in my eye's they should just be placed if you are a show breeder you need to stick to the akc reg

i would not openly want to tell everyone i had an oops can make other's wonder!!


they are just that an oops and should be placed as oops not charge a big price for them maybe 200 or 300 to cover shot's etc but that would be it

i know another show breeder that has an oops every now and than makes me wonder

but i only have yorkies so i dont know about oops happening

I think this was a very good post. If people stuck to only breeding purebred dogs hundreds of years ago, we wouldnt even have yorkies, or that many breeds at all for that matter.

People always say that if anyone wants a mixed breed (mutt), then they should go and get 1 form a shelter. But in reality people who want a Morkie, and other designer dog, want these dogs specifically for the way they look. So I guess if there is a market for the designer dog, well some people are gonna breed them. Over here In Ireland the disigner dog market hasnt hit us yet. I guess it will soon. But I prefer to stick to my Yorkies.