Pricing question for all breeders?
 

Okay everybody, I've been patiently [COLOR=green! important][COLOR=green! important]puppy[/COLOR][/COLOR] hunting for breeders for a few months now in the Atlanta area and I haven't had any luck. I admitt I am a bit picky but I'm a firm believer in knowing my pup once I see it. I did have luck once but the [COLOR=green! important][COLOR=green! important]breeder[/COLOR][/COLOR] ended up saying she wanted to keep her for herself :mad: (go figure) Any how, the usual price range I get from multiple breeders have been $1,500 up to about $2,000. So I figured that is the going rate because I have called so many and seen on the internet.

Here's where the question comes in....my boyfriend talked to a coworker that gave him the number to a breeder that said she charges $650. Of course my boyfriend is like "oh we're buying from her" but I just wanted to get some opioions. Is it wrong to price a pup for $650 or is it wrong to price a pup in the $1,000's????

Help:confused:

I don't think either way is wrong. Some people ask 2,000 because they can get it, some people ask 2,000 because their dogs are really worth it. Pet quality Yorkies can be sold for a bit higher than that where I live (850+), and many people will love those 650 dollar ones just the same. I would pick a mutt if it were the "right one". Go see her dogs and I am sure you will know if one of them will be "the one". If not keep looking, you might find someone in with Yorkies in your area and get further than just looking in the paper etc.

so very true!

Well you'll probably get lots of different opinions on this, but I believe you should find the best breeder you can, and buy a pup from him or her. I always recommend the YTCA as a starting place; the YTCA is the mother club for Yorkies for the AKC. YTCA breeders have the highest standards, and really are trying to improve the breed. I think the chances of finding a healthy beautiful dog are much higher, if you find a great breeder. Prices are variable around the country, but $1500-2000 sounds average. I would not pay this to just any breeder. The dog should be a direct descendant of champions, not one whose grandfather on one side was a champ, or who has "champions in the blood" as this means nothing. A show breeder is more likely to do genetic testing, and since profit is not the motive for breeding, you are getting a great deal. Showing dogs is expensive, as well as all the testing that is required, yet many breeders will charge as much as a show breeder even though they don't have these expenses. You can buy a bargain pup, and luck out, but so many need costly surgeries, and one surgery can cost a minimum of $1,500 so it makes financial sense to buy from a quality breeder. Not only is the financial cost high with a sickly dog, the emotional cost are much higher. Remember, you don't have to plan to breed or show to buy a dog from a show breeder, most of the dogs they place are pet only, meaning they sell with limited registration. I had to learn this the hard way, and after owning a dog bred by a back yard breeder, I learned that that is something I would never wish on my worst enemy.

Paying more for a dog does not necessarily guarentee a healthy dog. Buying from a show breeder does not necessarily guarentee a healthy dog. buying from a hobby breeder does not mean the dog will be unhealthy.

Some show breeders, ( I hope not many) but some, will do anything to get a champion. Unfortunately the judges cannot see inside the dog they can only see that there are no faults on the outside.

the best advice, is to research the breeder. if you get a good honest breeder with a good reputation, they will guarentee that you get a puppy with NO GENETIC flaws.

No one can guarentee the life of a dog, there are so many things that enter into the picture.

Amen.

I second this!!! But I also believe that all pups deserve good homes. I know quite a few breeders around here who breed their babies for fun. They do not show and do not advertise show quality. I say if you are looking for a pet, and you can find perfectly fine healthy happy babies out there for less. Although this is not true in ALL cases, but a breeder who is confident in her babies will almost ALWAYS take back the puppy, if need be (no matter HOW OLD he/she gets). Good luck, and don't let YT scare you. Follow your heart.

i agree with you. Some excellant breeders are just not interested in showing. And I think people put to much store in supposeddely "show breeders". For instance, I know of one in Texas that is held in very high regard by two or three people on here. The woman has almost 100 dogs in her "show kennel", will let anyone with a thousand dollars use any stud she has and will sell to anyone that comes along with money almost. You will never make me believe that this hot shot "show breeder" is doing genetic testing or anything else on all those dogs. yet, when she is mentioned on here you would think she is right up there next to God simply because shee is a "show breeder".

I agree with Nancy.

My advice would be to buy from a reputable AKC or Canadian Kennel Club exhibitor/breeder, you're much more likely to get the healthy yorkie you are looking for.

Wow, such bitterness towards exhibitor/breeders from some here :confused: I guess the competition to sell those byb/hobby breeder pups is fierce, hmm?!?

I guess you directed this at me (since you usually do). I am also a breeder/exhibtor and as far as competetion, I haven't even had a litter for a year so have had no puppies to compete with:) But I do have a waiting list for my babies when I do have theem. Don't have to compete. I do have one baby girl two weeks old that is going no where except the show ring.. I just personally think that show breeders are held in too high regard when people are saying they all do this or do that. believe me, I have seen what a lot of people do since I have been showing. I mean no bitterness toward anyone just stating facts.

go sugar mom
 

I too am a show breeder that does not make me some wonderful breeder nor does it make me not one. I believe that you need to go see the puppy and talk to the breeder. Ask for ref. talk to their vet. If their vet wont talk to you about them that is a red flag for me. Dont buy a puppy with out a guarantee. I test my puppie to make sure they are healthy and I sell pet puppies any where from 800 to 1500. depending on the puppy. You need to do your homework do not buy the first puppy you see. I agree that if you buy from a show breeder you are more likely to get a good quality dog with out health issues. To many people dont care what they breed to what.

I agree with most of what you said and I know you show also. I have seen dogs limping around the show ring too many times to say they don't have health issues. Fortunately, the ones I saw like this were another breed. I also have learned that a great pedigree means nothing. As someone said, " When you look at a pedigree, you see what "ought" to be. When you see the dog in the show ring, you see what "seems" to be but when you look at progeny, you see what "is". BTW, I wish you would come down to Lexington in late August for thee AKC Bluegrass Classic. It is a five day show and I will be showing some of those days.

I have to agree with Dee on this 1. Just because a person shows doesnt nessceserly mean that they can breed without any questions asked!!!.
A lot of show dogs are infested with genetic and health problems.

Anyway to move on to the pricing. I think you guys in the states pay and absoulote fortune for a yorkie pup.. The average price here is around £500, I think that is maybe around $800.
My advice to the OP is to shop around, go visit the breeders home, have a look at whatever anaimals she has at her home, see what conditions they are kept in.
I wish you the best of luck and please let us no if you ever get that new puppy.

What the heck is that for ? I do not think anyone has gotten bitter they all have their one opnions as usual on this forum.

Some think show breeders are better or exhibitiors and some do not , so who cares what ones opnion is.

I am sorry OP I did not answer yoru question.
Just because someone wants 1500 and one wants 650 does not mean the 1500 dog is better.
Check out the people you want to buy from go and look at their dogs call their refrences if they have any or speak to their vet and make your own choice about what you want.

I should clarify my post; I said that I recommend a YTCA breeder, as a starting point. Many people are under the assumption that all show breeders are members of the YTCA; nothing could be further from the truth. Most show breeders are not members, so being a show breeder in itself means little. As others have pointed out, there could be many motivations for showing, and while most do it to make sure their breeding stock conforms to standard, some might do it just for the prize, or increase the value of the offspring. If you read more about the YTCA, you will understand, these breeders aren't in it for the money; they clearly have the best interests of Yorkshire Terrier at heart. Not just anyone can become a member of the YTCA, you and your breeding program has to be approved, and the process takes several years. You have to promise to abide by certain ethics and standards, and there is little reason for someone to become a member if there is really no interest in the betterment of the breed, because YTCA members don't charge more for their pups. It is probably harder to pass their adoption standards, and that's where many people have a problem, as YTCA members are extremely picky on where they place their pups.

So many people think because they aren't planning to breed or show, they don't "need" a quality dog. I just wanted to let you understand that supporting a quality breeder is important, if you can afford it, because the future of the Yorkshire Terrier depends on quality breeders. During these tough financial times, breeders will probably cut back, which breeders do we want to cut back, the good ones or the byb's? This doesn't mean that there aren't quality breeders who aren't members of the YTCA, but talking to a few YTCA members can really add to your education on what to look for in a breeder. For more information on the YTCA see: Yorkshire Terrier Club of America

:bravo:

i didn't answer the question either. Sorry. I sell mine from 700 to 1200 right now. used to be more but with the economy I have gone down. probably will go lower this year because I haven't had any puppies for over a year and they are selling lower now than they were then.

i say look at dogs and but the one you absolutly head over heals fall in love with:)

:: golf clap:: well put/said. I wish I could see you in action in the show ring. I would love to get into showing dogs. But neither of my boys are registered. Plus I just started a new job. Maybe I'll start doing some "show" research starting tomorrow.

Pricing
 

My experiance in MO is stay away from people with too low of a price . The reason I say this is I bought my first to yorkies 18 years age from a nasty dog breeder. Dogs stacked in a barn like they were nothing. Yes I turned them in but in the mean time I felt so sorry for them I bought THE WHOLE LITTER. Lots of health issues lots of money. I only kept one made sure the rest got good homes. When I place a ad I see lots of those nasty dog breeders selling at 350-500. I will not sell my pups that low because they are home raised, and well taken care of. But because of them I can usually only get $700-$800 females and $500-650 males. And mine are healthy and small. 3.5-5lbs. Some times its best to spend a bit more. Getting a healthy, Happy pup. That was well taken care of by the owners. Please check out their enviroment!!!!!!!!! Blondschillin:aimeeyork