Fair warning this is a RANT!

[magicgenie]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

Wow!!!...what a charged topic. To me, the most important thing is health. A sick dog is never a bargain, no matter the price or pedigree. The thing about yorkies is that they change so much from puppy to adult. It's very hard to know what that cute puppy will turn out like so it's very easy to be misled about what you're actually getting. Looking at the parents only gets you so far and can be misleading. Health testing of the parents is no sure fire way to guarantee a healthy puppy. Liver shunt can skip many generations before being expressed in a pup. And just because a pup comes from show lines doesn't necessarily mean a better, healthier or cuter pup. Not all show line pups are show quality, some are far from it. The breed is less than 200 years old and many throwback traits are still being expressed. Line breeding to weed out undesirable traits can create set in health issues due to lack of genetic diversity. I think the best thing for the average buyer is to not buy a Yorkie pup less than 3 months old. By that time, you can get a fair idea of what the pup will look like as an adult. Of course, you must still find an honest breeder that is truthful about their dogs and doesn't just tell you what they think you want to hear. People without much experience with Yorkies are at such a disadvantage if they happen across a dishonest breeder. My experience has been that, with Yorkies, you get what you pay for, if you're lucky.

It seems to me this whole thread started over somebody complaining they were having a hard time finding a good Yorkies for under $700. They were offended when the suggestion was made that if they couldn't afford one they shouldn't buy one, or something to that effect. It's all gone downhill from there. You're right, "you get what you pay for, if you're lucky."

[AmeliaBadelia]

Originally Posted by aquinn

Personally I see it this way: It's not always about how much you can spend, but how much you are willing to spend. Just as I could with my current financial situation easily spend $10,000 on a pair of shoes I could spend $10,000 on a yorkie, but that doesn't mean I will. I think people misinterpret people's declaired price range. Just cause someone says they want to try and find a yorkie for $800 doesn't mean that $800 is all they have to spend on one. They may very well have looked at their expenses, income, etc and decided this is the best number so that they CAN afford all the other expenses that come along with owning a yorkie. They may have thousands in the bank in an account specifically for their yorkies care.

The bottom line is, we all just need to be careful about what conclusions we jump to. Thus, the money a person wants to spend on the purchase of a puppy does not always equal the amount of money the person has.

I don't do drama - but I want to say that this was very well put.

[magicgenie]

Originally Posted by red98vett

If I were RICH ...I doubt you'd take that tone and speak those words.

am I right ?

Wrong, dead wrong. I've had to turn away rich people who didn't seem right for my puppies. I'm not a snob, but I get very nervous when people try to haggle price or talk like they'll eat peanut butter for the next six months to afford the puppy--I fear they'll skimp on care. My puppies stay with me until the right people come along. One fellow recently carried on about how he "just can't justify paying $2000 for a DOG..." He had just placed a one year old puppy mill bred Westie in rescue because it was biting his kids. He wanted to pay $1000, has to mature between 5-6 lbs, dark blue, ears up, all kinds of requirements, describing my best show prospect but can't justify paying for it...By the way, anybody who admits they ever had to place a pet in rescue is not a candidate for my puppies, no matter how much money they wave around.

[Bizzymammabee]

Originally Posted by red98vett

If I were RICH ...I doubt you'd take that tone and speak those words.

am I right ?

You hit it right on the head V....

[LoveMyJake]

Originally Posted by magicgenie

I basically only sell my puppies to rich grownups who have houses and have had dogs before. That eases my mind a lot about how they will be treated after they leave my home.

So, is that the criteria you look for when selling your puppies....rich grownups?

I am not rich, but I have two yorkies. They are loved and pampered and have everything they need, their vet pills are paid, they have tons of toys, etc. You don't have to be rich to be a good dog owner.

I knew what I was getting into when I bought my boys. Yes, they are expensive and yes, they are high maintenance. But, I did the research and knew all this going into it. I did the research so that I would be a good dog owner.

When someone says they are going to have a baby unexpectedly, you don't tell them "this baby is going to be expensive, maybe you shouldn't have it". It's the same thing, in my opinion. When you love something, you will always find a way to take care of it.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by magicgenie

Wrong, dead wrong. I've had to turn away rich people who didn't seem right for my puppies. I'm not a snob, but I get very nervous when people try to haggle price or talk like they'll eat peanut butter for the next six months to afford the puppy--I fear they'll skimp on care. My puppies stay with me until the right people come along. One fellow recently carried on about how he "just can't justify paying $2000 for a DOG..." He had just placed a one year old puppy mill bred Westie in rescue because it was biting his kids. He wanted to pay $1000, has to mature between 5-6 lbs, dark blue, ears up, all kinds of requirements, describing my best show prospect but can't justify paying for it...By the way, anybody who admits they ever had to place a pet in rescue is not a candidate for my puppies, no matter how much money they wave around.

Now THIS I can agree with.

[yorkiemomma7]

Well, I am happy to see you post what you did. I in fact got a lot of grief last time i had posted about my Yorky Poo...(yes the mother was a mixed breed) and yes i have a baby right now for sale way under what the pet store is asking for a mixed breed. In my opinion, it should not matter how much money you make, all that should matter is the pups go to a good loving home that can provide a vet, food, attention and all the things that make it a good environment. I by no means am rich, i live paycheck to paycheck just like half of america....who doesn't in this time of bad economy....?? I had gotten many who were pure bred breeders basically yelling at me. I did not let my dogs breed to gain a profit. I bred them for the simple fact that i wanted puppies from them. To be quite honest, i never would of thought my dog would have had five in her first litter.....i had been told maybe three from the vet...anyhow, to make a long story short, all i did when i sold them was advertise to freinds and family, and in this area where i could actually make sure they had good homes. I had spent alot of money at the vet, and trust me, it IS HARD to keep up with that at times...I dont' buy clothes for mine, i think i have like two little doggies shirts that none of mine will wear...but, overall, i dont think anyone should be bashing anyone if they were not full blooded, nor if you haven't the money. I did not breed mine for shows either...but it hurt my feelings that people out there were making comments to me that i would never in a million years say to anyone like that.
Good for you for standing up and expressing your thoughts. I believe that if you can provide a good home and make sure the animals get thier vaccines, and provide love to them, then noone should make money a matter.

Actually, i priced Yorky poos at the pet store here where i live, and they were selling for around 900-1000. That is mixed too....i like the mixed simply because they have a wonderful temperament. The full blooded ones sold anywhere from 2800-2400... no way would i ever be able to afford a pet that costs that much...even though i think they are all adorable and deserve good homes.
Anyhow, enough of my ramblings...i hope you find one that you are happy with .

yorkiemomma7