question of dog cost
 

I have searched high and land prices are from really low to really high. My question is to buy a yorkie with multiple ch and into change in their pedigree what realistically should I expect to pay? Thank you

Darn spelling changes on my phone! Its suppose to say high and low and ch and int ch sorry

It's not so much a question of having to pay a certain amount... As far as breeding in concerned? Or for a pet? If for purposes of breeding the dog, quality dogs from strong lines are not acquired (generally) by just being willing to fork out big buck$. It's more a question of your qualifications that is a bigger focal point. Reputable breeders who have worked for years to develop strong CH lines aren't going to just hand their dogs off to the first person willing to pay for them. It's less about price and more about developing a good relationship with the breeder and taking all the steps to becoming a reputable breeder first. Breeders like to get a feel that they can trust you with their lines.

In short, reputable breeders are not going to sell dogs with stacked CH titles to someone with no experience to just breed them willy nilly to sell.

In addition, if the relationship of trust develops, the dog will come with a strong contract, within the contract the dog would be expected to be shown and Championed. The contract would in fact be on a coownership and the breeder would retain all say on who the dog could be bred too.

Do yourself a favor before going to a breeder unless your willing to take out a second mortgage to purchase a puppy...theyll tell you that it takes thousands of dollars to make a champion and testing and so on and so on...limited registration and coownership...STUDY THE BREED!!!...get as many books that illustrate what a yorkie should look like...called the breed standard...also find some books about dog genetics and breeding...GO TO AS MANY SHOWS THAT YOU CAN...you will develope an eye for a good quality yorkshire terrier...and its a fun time...go to the AKC web site under events in your area...get a judging schedule to see what ring and time yorkie are going to be judged...I found a good quality bitch from the newspaper, but I looked at A LOT OF LITTERS...you can do this but it takes patience and some time and effort...Learn about hereditary diseases that are common in yorkies and the testing that is done to identify them...Several tests can be done at clinics that are held throughout the year for a reasonable price...The prices that these breeders want for a puppy because his pedigree is filled with champions are RIDICULOUS...Theyll tell you there not making a profit, or I only breed a bitch once every two years, but what they won't tell you is that they have a half dozen of bitches they cycle and are having litters a couple of times a year...I'd like one to show me...give me the monetary break down...that's why there are so many puppy mills out there...the working family can't afford a $1000...$2000...$3000...puppy...so the puppy mills fill the need...you can do this...you just need to get educated

Reputable breeder/exhibitors do not sell their pups for exhorbant prices. Most of us only have one or two females that we do not breed every cycle.

The monetary break down has been given over and over on YT. All you need do is search.

You found a quality bitch from the newspaper? Was she from quality lines and line bred? Have you studied genetics and how to correct her faults, how to breed them out?

Your reply only reinforces what I said in my response...nowhere do you comment that what advice I gave was helpful...only defending breeders...I'll say this...The median household income in the USA is $46,326...whom do you know can afford a puppy for $1000 and up?...that's why theres puppy mills...IMHO this is a major contributor of puppy mills...

Your question whom do I know that can afford $1,000 and up. Quite a few people.

Puppy Mills as you say sell to Pet Stores who in turn sell pups on the average of $1,800.00 and up. Pups that for the most part have not been quality bred. Read the countless theads on this forum alone of sick dogs owned by people that have gone this route.

The major contributor to puppy mills is due to our instant gratification, uneducated buyers. Those that haven't done their homework, fall in love with that cute puppy and aren't all puppies cute.

This same topic of conversation was discussed this last weekend at the National. Newbies entering the world of dogs that want instant gratification and aren't willing to do the time. Only want to breed and really haven't done their homework, found a mentor that is knowledgable in everything yorkie with the passion for the breed.

Quality bitches from the newspaper, I don't think so. Unless you've followed her offspring through the years, her offsprings, offspring, you can't know if she's a quality bitch. Nothing can replace those breeders that have been doing this for years, have put in countless hours of time, blood, sweat and tears in producing healthy dogs......know their lines and have proven their lines in the dog world. To them it's not about money, it's about improving the breed. And until one does what the do, have every dog they breed registered through the CHIC Foundation, then you aren't doing it correctly.

Well said, Mary!

I'm not and never would be a breeder. I'm just a pet owner and I'd like to think of myself as good pet owner for various reasons.

My little puppy mill dog Daisy has cost me over $30,000 over her lifetime of medical bills so you get what you pay for. Going the pet store / puppy mill route is never a good route nor is a BYB.

As for people who can't afford a $1,000 and up puppy - are you serious? My puppy mill dog cost me $1,100 in the year 2000 from a pet store. The sick one was free, or $30,000, depending on how you look at it.

I think it is more helpful to educate people on the costs of yorkie care and health and the breed than to send them to a breeder who will charge them less but over the lifetime of the dog they will pay. I sure did (and keep paying!!).

I make way less than that per year and somehow put out more than 1k for a puppy...I wouldn't have paid less to get one from a mill because I would have spent more than his purchase price on vet bills over the first year alone. You should always go with a reputable breeder, even if they don't have a puppy waiting for you ready to go that very second. It's best to wait 8 months for a healthy puppy that is around $1000 and is quality from quality lines, rather than get instant gratification for $500 from a byb who doesn't study lines and forked you over with a sickly pup. And because Millers sell to pet stores you get that sick pup for 1800 and then turn around and spend another 3600 trying to get that little cutie healthy.
Not worth it imo, just save up and do it right it'll save you heartache and money. I think for a pet quality pup from a reputable breeder anything around 1500 or less is totally fair, some charge more some charge less it's up to the breeder, and usually has to do with vet fees associated with bringing the pups into the world and running tests, etc. I don't know what they charge for show quality pups, but attending dog shows and speaking with breeders in your area that do show could give you a rough estimate on how much a show quality pup will cost you.

Yorkies are my passion and have no problem with those that choose to enter the breeding arena, as long as they are doing it correctly.

The journey in the world of yorkies is not an easy one. Unless, one has made that journey, with no short cuts, (and as Lorraine has said, if you want a short cut go to a barber) with a proven line, studing genetics, working with a mentor, understanding that you don't breed yorkies pheno type to pheno, understanding pedigrees, how to breed for health, structure and temperament, totally imersing oneself in the breed, then they shouldn't be doing it. Our responsibility is to educate and make sure than the newbies have every possibility in success. But, we don't just hand over the reigns willy nilly to just anyone that wants to breed.

We've all seen it, people in a hurry going to a petstore or a breeder that has no restrictions, will sell a dog on open registration, and takes none of the responsibility of mentoring. Sad, but in most of these cases, the outcome is not wonderful.

Why you are exactly correct in all you say. Book learning and reading the web. Why when I was a young 17 at Marine Boot in Parris Island, they told all of the instructors and DI's to take the 2+ months off, and we were all issued books written in comic book fashion, and that was to be our main instruction. We read books on Weapons, shooting, grenades, Tactics, first-aid, hand to hand combat, maneuvers, offense and defense, fire team and squad tactics, Physical training, and the best, we never had to run or do forced marches because it was all in the book. I agree, why learn from the experts, those that have done it, when you can read a book and go cheap! Now I will say, it all went to hell when we opened the plane doors and walked of into a mortal attack.

What a great analogy. Just how I'd want our men in uniform to be trained in protecting the US, not to mention a quick way to sending our young man to their death.

Respectfully...No one still has said anything about my first reply...My sister showed three Salukis to championship and not ONE cost more than $500...the bitch I purchased is of quality, temperament, very sound bitch...I paid no where near $1000...and by the way one probably couldn't purchase a pup for $1000 from a show breeder...I was at a show in October and just happened to ask a show breeder what she charges for a PET quality pup...starting at $1600!!!!!...I know of a boxer breeder who has championed a lot of boxers asking tens of thousands of dollars for a show dog...if I'm spending $10000 for a pup she(he) better take out the garbage,do the dishes and laundry,drive me to work:0)...you all said that $1000 is a drop in the bucket...bless you all...because in this economy and where I'm from $1000 is a lot of money...by the way I know I'm 53 but I'm up for adoption from any of you ladies...There are tons of puppy mills in Pennsylvania not to far from where I live...one can pick up a pup for around $600...I've bred and showed boxers...I know the show game also...stacking the deck...show people know what I mean...and this notion that because one tests and show there dogs that the puppy purchaser has to absorb these costs...it's a personal choice to show a dog, and test there dogs...no one pays my vet bills...and last is that there is now way you can tell me that by line breeding, your dogs are free from congenital/hereditary diseases...if you can then you belong working in research...there would be no cancers, diabetes, etc...What you can do is spay or neuter a dog or bitch if there shown to have a hereditary disease that can be passes on...and breed for standard so that the physical mechanics are sound...

What a wonderful reply! That's one of the things I love about you, you have such a different perspective on things, but it often is right on the button!

Agreed! Most don't like and even get offended with a car analogy, or when yorkies get compared to any other purchase. Well, this one involves humans and hits the nail on the head. Great reply marine!

We actually were not issued any books to read, and the Drill Instructors were there 24/7 to make life miserable, and they did their best to train and prepare us on what we would soon be facing. But as hard as they tried, and as hard as we tried, it did not make any sense until you first heard what you thought were bee's buzzing around your ears, and then the realization that that they were not bee's, but the sound of bullets whizzing by. First time I heard a B-52 strike I was not prepared for the noise or the consussion. Same as with how Napalm sucks the air right out of your lungs. Ahh, the memories.

I'm new... I need help
 

Hello everyone My name is Jessica and I am owned by three crazy YT! Louis, Sophie and Muffie. I would love for some one to help and mentor me if you will. I would love be owned by another YT but one CH bloodlines. I know that most YT owners who have CH bloodline would not just let anyone take one home. So how do you get to know someone who would be willing to show me the "ropes"? Thanks!

Finding a mentor is not easy. You must begin by attending dog shows, joining a breed club, or an all breed club. A mentor/prodigy relationship is built on mutual trust, integrity and honesty. A mentor will look in your heart before they will mentor you.

Well get ready to sell a kidney to purchase a puppy...I was at a dog show recently in Pennsylvania and ask a show breeder what a PET quality pup would go for...remind you PET quality...$1600...but for people that responded to this post thats a drop in the bucket...where I live people are just getting by and struggling to put food on the table...unless you sell show pups that is...and I wonder if all that income is claimed on their 1040's...I know a boxer breeder who has produced many champions and asks tens of thousands of dollars for a show quality pup...if I'm spending that much the pup better do the laundry, drive me to work, cut the grass,etc.,etc,...do yourself a favor...see, put a label on a pup...(CHAMPION BLOOD LINES) and people will sell there 1st born...read my first response and you can produce your own Champion...showing is a LOT of POLITICS...breeders get together and stack the deck...any breeder knows what I mean...I've bred and shown boxers...theres no guarantee a pup from a show breeder will be healthy it's entire life...see if you can get a lifetime guarantee from a breeder...

$1600 could be an outstanding price for a pup, if it has been breed to the standard, vetted, comes from good lines, tested, healthy, support, and references.

I do not believe I would sell you a pup, at any price. So far, each one of your 5 posts has just gotten worse. Did the Boxer Forum run you off?

I will type slow so you understand,,,,,the purchase of the dog is the cheap part. Buy the breeder first, and then the dog. You are about to koin 2 others I have on ignore.

See if you can get a lifetime guarantee on a kid, or a car, plane, train, snowblower, or ant farm.

What you write only informs me that you are one that is not willing to do the footwork.

As for producing your own Champion, can't be done, not without a good foundation. Sorry, been around too long and have witnessed those with that same idea have to scrap their entire breeding program and start from scratch.

If you don't have the money to start with a good foundation, then you don't have the money or have any business breeding.

No, there's no guarantee a dog will be healthy it's entire life, but what makes a breeder reputable is how they stand behind their lines. And yes, I do know several breeder exhibitors that to provide a lifetime guarantee against life threatening genetic defects. Another difference is that their lines have been tried and true. And if you're starting with a dog from nowhere, you have no earthly idea what is in it's genetic background. There is no guarantee said dog will not produce genetic defects. There is no genetic marker to tell you if a dog is a carrier. That is where obtaining a dog from a breeder that has established lines comes in handy. But, then keep in mind we don't readily let our dogs go to just anyone. After all we're breeding for ourselves first, so in that aspect you're right. It's tough to get a dog from us and will only place a dog in the most deserving of hands. One that will protect lines and aren't into just to breed dogs and sell puppies. And by the way, there are plenty of us that have looked into a prodigy's heart and "placed" show dogs, at the right age with newbies that have the right qualifications.

:sidesplt: You are hilarious! I was unemployed for 8 months, have a job in a non-profit. (underpaid, and unappreciated) But if I would have been smart and gotten a yorkie from a reputable breeder, $1600 would have been worth it. Guess what I have instead? A "cheap" pup who is the love of my life, has behavior issues, grade 3/4 LP's (which means constant worry and maybe a few $k's in surgery in my near future). You might not be able to see past initial costs so you are missing the big picture. If you want to bitch and complain about the costs of a dog, don't get one.

Initial cost $300
Neuter $350
Yearly checkups $220 a year
Food $50 a month ($600 a year)
Toys $50 a month (it would be less but he goes through squeakers like crazy!)
($600 a year)

So, if Kaji lives to be 15 years old. That's over $18,000!!!! Who could afford that? That figure doesn't even include emergency vet visits, or medication.

It's very frustrating that newbies come on here and issue such cavalier advice. The sad thing is that other newbies come on here to get an education and get the wrong information.

You are on target, as always. I had best stop posting on this tread as I fear a ban being iminent! :D

It is tough to control oneself...but, you know what to do.

Besides totally missing what everyone is trying to explain to you, I feel you were extremely disrespectful. You reference to "soldier boy"...It's fortunate you're not in reaching distance...I can not tolorate anyone being disrespectful to anyone who has served our country! They say, ignorance is bliss.. I wonder....

I don't breed, never have, never will. But even around here- a pet quality puppy mill dog easily runs nearly $1000.00 . So it doesn't surprise me at all that a breeder would sell a pet-quality dog for more. But I'll bet you dollars to donuts that their version of pet quality comes a lot closer to breed standard than anything I can buy off the internet or my local pet shop.

I hear a lot of show breeders get trashed by newbies and am always surprised by it. Yes, someone can champion a dog they bought on the cheap IF that dog won the genetic lottery. Breed standards are breed standards for a reason. I'm sure there is some politicing involved, too- it's called life. Though it always seems to me that when someone starts complaining about crownieism or favoritism it's because they perceive themselves to be on the outside. And rather than admitting that perhaps they (and their breeding program) isn't up to snuff, it's just much easier to blame it on others. Showing isn't a cheap proposition by any means. Lots of time and money go in to it. One of the common misperceptions about showing that I had was that the whole purpose of showing was vanity. I didn't know that the real reason was to get approval for breeding stock.

Are Ch line dogs any healthier than others? Depends on the line. But then again, a really good breeder is working on their lines to breed not only the best physical representation of the breed, but the healthiest as well. They invest a lot of money in to pre-breeding health testing and certifications. A great breeder will stop breeding lines if health problems show up, because they know that the whole point of breeding is to IMPROVE the line- not just multiply it.

Bottom line, if the upfront cost of the dog is your main concern- then Yorkies probably aren't the dog you should be interested in. The breed is prone to a myriad of health problems because of BYB's who decided to try and bypass the system and do things on the cheap.