a breeder of Tiny yorkies
 

If I were in search of a tiny I would sooner buy from a breeder that purposely breeds smaller rather than someone own accidently had a runt and decided the price should triple because of size.

I talked to Yorkmont the other day for quiet awhile, she is very sweet, knowledgable and willing to talk the night away conversing about yorkies, breeding all sizes and shapes and showing.

She purposely breeds small not by bringing down her stock but breeding into the tinier lines. Therefore she intimately knows her past pedigrees when it come to health, genetics and size there are no surprises. She does it with great care and keeps her babies up to a year (if needed) before she will place them. She explains she has a long process that must be followed when adopting one of her kids including she sends a 200 page care package!! Yikes!!! Her pricing for the tinies start at $3000. She breeds the look of a yorkshire terrier not the flavor of the month.

http://www.yorkmontyorkshireterriers...atid=13&gid=99

I liked your post - I'm not saying THIS breeder – but, the breeders I see on the net are capitalizing on smaller sizes....

Your friend sounds great - keeping them up to a year justifies a higher price….and care packages are a wonderful way to ensure a good homecoming - She sounds like she is one of those breeders that really DO love the breed.....I commend her for her care and love for yorkies.

I have a feeling there are so many new breeders out there who don’t go that extra mile with their small yorkies …..how would one even know when a breeder is actually tripling the price of a runt just due to it's size ? Most breeders will not share that information would they ? wouldn't they just say it's smaller therefor more expensive ?

yes, some of them do. One breeder I saw sold her tiny Yorkies for twice as much as her standards(1500. vs. 3500 up) and she said it's because they are tiny. (at least she was honest about that part) Her runt of that litter was $10,000.

The problem with someone trying to get tiny is they have runts too! Try for standard and you may get a 2.5-3.lb runt. Try for the 3lb. and the runts are REALLY small.

There are as many types of breeders as there are appearances in Yorkies. Everyone needs to do their homework, be ready to ask questions and decide what is ethical for them. Even breeders who share breeding stock do not always agree.

As the owner of two "tinies" I can give my experience on having one on each end of the spectrum...my first was Mia. I got her a year ago not having any idea how small she would be...to be honest I didn't know she was considered small for a yorkie puppy until my vet commented on her first checkup. Her breeder bred specifically for tinies, her mother was 3 lbs and her father was 2 lbs, which is just crazy now that I have learned more about breeding. She continues to have several health problems that will stay with her for her entire life because of her small size and because she was purposely bred to be tiny. While I love her, I am very lucky that I can afford to properly care for her because I have had to pay thousands (not kidding) at emergency vets and have talked to other owners of tiny yorkies who have had similar experiences.

So a year later I wanted another smaller yorkie since Mia is so fragile and I didn't want to risk her getting hurt by the new baby. After looking for a long time I found a YTCA breeder that had a litter of standard yorkies and Emmy was in that litter. She was obviously going to be smaller than the others, and the breeder felt since I had a lot of experience with all of Mia's troubles that I would be a good home for Emmy. She has not had one problem (she's almost 6 months old) not even hypoglycemia which tinies are known to have for their entire life not just puppyhood.

I am convinced after talking to other owners of tinies, both from breeders who bred them specifically to be tiny as well as responsible breeders who threw a tiny in a litter of standards, that the difference in health is due to the breeders I got them from. You can bash the YTCA all you want to but breeders who breed responsible for the standard yorkies do get the occasional tinies in their litter, they cannot help it. It happens. The late Terri Shumsky told me once that small yorkies less than 3.5 lbs as adults occur in about 20% of standard breeder's litters.

If you know all of the risks and the troubles you will have with a tiny, as well as the financial obligations, and you still want one, then IMO the best way to find one is speak to several YTCA breeders, let them know why you want what you want, get on waiting lists (there will be a wait), and the right one will come your way. I realize it is hard to pass by all the other breeders who always have tinies and they look so cute, but believe me it will be worth it to wait for a responsible breeder to have your puppy. Good breeding is priceless, and actually since YTCA breeders are usually breeding for show and not for profit you can get a healthier dog for less money.

I like this thread, A lot of good sense was posted here. When I breed my Bell, and yes it was my first breeding of many I hope. I breed for standard, 5-7 lbs. I wanted another female that had the same qualities that my first female has, with a few better ones.
I first wanted one a bit smaller than Bell, who is 8lbs so I breed her with a 5lb male. I wanted to try to thicken her coat, because she is cottony, He had a more wire/silk coat. Hopefully I have produced good pups, They are healthy and right now look great... But wouldn't you figure it that every time someone wants to inquire about them ...They want a tiny!!

But within my litter of three I have a much smaller one, But I could never sell him as tiny, becasue who really knows how big or small he will be when he is done growing..

so tell me something please...if my average adult size pup is 3.5-5.5 lbs depending on whom Ive bred. Within that breeding I had a female runt for $3000 would anyone of you be interested in paying that amount?? Would any of you bust me for it knowing my top price usually far below that...Would you think any less of me as a breeder if I merely price this puppy for its lack of size, because its what the market will bare!

just curious!!

please answer truthfully

I just sent home a tiny girl. I had to charge more for her due to higher expenses.

I tube/bottle fed her for the first month of life. She saw the vet more than once, had all her puppy shots, Patella's checked, bile acid test. She had no open font, not 1 hypoglycemia episode, good appetite, spunky and very nice quality.

She went home with her crate, book on yorkies, blanket, washable piddle pads, bag of food and roll too, treats, chew bone, toys and her harness and leash. I had to get her a ferret harness she was to small for any others.

I waited until she was 1.5 pounds and 6 months old before I let her go. She may get to 2-2.5 pounds as an adult.

She was $1500 and worth every penny. I'm not sue I could justify upwards of $3000 to myself for a pet quality (non-breeding contract) unless more screenings were run.

She may have been a runt. It doesn't make any difference if they are bred that way on purpose or not, as long as they are health screen properly before being sent home.

My pups are priced as pets. Male or female, size, shape or face, doesn't effect the cost or time I put into my pups or their parents. Most of the time my pups are all the same price. I don't price for "suppy and demand", but what I need to be able to stay into the world of breeding yorkies without cutting corners.

good for you :thumbup: i think what you charged is fair!

CC kudos to you $1500 for all the testing and 6 month rearing is more than reasonable and much more than a buyer could ask for.

This is what I mean if we add in our extra expenses to raise a tiny gal/guy with all the vet testing and personal time and attention and still under $2000 its a fair price??? right???

I just got off the phone with a client that has adopted me as his advisor. He calls me on every pup he finds because he needs another one by friday for his wifes birthday present. Long story short he found one that is 10oz 9 weeks old, this is in Los Angeles, both parents on site...emailed me pictures which she is quite adorable but here is the deal breaker!!!

NO CONTRACT told him to walk out with his $2500 cash because she refuses to give him a 1 year health guarantee. She said the vet will tell you she is fine I dont need to sign anything! would you buy her anyway???

here is her picture and her mom

I expect breeders to be able to charge what they need to. I don't think they should have to go in debt to raise pups.

I also don't expect the pups to be the way they earn a living. Sorry I just think when it becomes your income you maybe tempted to cut the costs because mamma needs a new pair of shoes or something.

I would not pay $2500 for any pup that wasn't show quality and backed up by the breeder.

Oh wow are they pretty ! Beautiful yorkie girls....I loved reading this thread and commend the good breeders out there...I know there are many good breeders on this site - reading these threads proves it.

I would pay more for a tiny if thats what I wanted. I have a smaller yorkie 4lbs and I paid about $400 more for her than my 7 lb yorkie.

chachi $400 is reasonable to ask for the smaller puppy but if one was selling a pup from the same litter at $950 and the other at $4000 what would justify the price difference??? and what would it take for you as a consumer to buy it??

just curious?

I would not pay that much for a puppy. I think other people would and I dont blame them if thats what they want I think its okay.

I just read the thread up to this post and I thought I would answer HONESTLY before I read the rest of the pages.

No, I wouldn't pay $3000 for your female runt
No, I wouldn't "bust you out", but I would steer clear of your dogs.
Yes, I would think less of you as a breeder

Kimberly, I respect your information and your beautiful dogs. I love your webpage and consult it often. I just wanted to answer honestly. I PMed you long ago inquiring about a female when we both first became members because I saw your dogs were high quality and beautiful.

If I were going to pay that higher price for a yorkie I think I would like to purchase form someone like your friend who holds on to them for a year. That definitely gives enough time for liver shunt or other problems to show up so you know your geting a healthy dog. I also think it is fair for breeders to charge fair market value for their dogs. So if they can get 4000 then I say go for it. Someone will pay it.

Someone will pay $4k, but it is probably going to be someone with a ton of money and who will think of their dog as an accessory. As hard as I try, I CANNOT fathom why 4lbs isn't small enough or even 3lbs, unless you have a valid reason like Brittie who had a tiny already. Otherwise, I don't get it and don't see a reason for IMO "ruining" a beautiful breed of dogs who are small to begin with.

Wow, this is a most interesting thread. I'm just in the process of purchasing a tiny. I've seen the ads and websites where some breeders are asking in excess of $5,000 for a tiny and for the life of me I don't understand why anyone would pay that when well bred healthy tinies are available at reasonable prices. I certainly expect to have to pay for the extra care and vet costs associated with producing a healthy tiny but if those costs are in the thousands of $ then I'm not interested in that dog.

If buying a pup I always try to by the runt of the litter, not because of size but for spirit. Most of my life we owned mixed breeds, everything from tiny terriers to a Newfoundland and picking the runt has never failed me.

I have owned several yorkies over the years, most of them rescues, but some which I have purchased from breeders. They've run the gamut as far as size is concerned, from 10 lbs down to 4.5 lbs and everything in between. I presently have one aging gal who is a rescue and she's cost us well over $8,000.00 in vet bills in the 8 years we have had her. This time around I will buy insurance for the new puppy.

I don't expect a breeder to provide a guarantee that the dog is never going to be ill. I do expect them to sell me a vet certified healthy dog with no known familial diseases or conditions.

Breeders do not however disclose hereditary conditions they learn about after the fact and to that extent you are taking your chances. It is really buyer beware. Thankfully we now have the internet so checking on a breeder's past successes or failures is fairly easy.

Anyone who does their homework beforehand will quickly learn that $4,000 and up is not the standard price for a tiny. They need to question that and if the answer from the breeder is "because the dog is a tiny" then walk away from that breeder or at least realize that you are being over charged. Some people will be more than happy paying an inflated price because they've fallen in love with the idea of owning a tiny.

On the other hand if I was a breeder of tinies my priority would be to make sure the dog was going to a home that understood the challenges of owning a tiny, it certainly would not be about $. Too many of these dogs are sold to people who don't have a clue what they are getting into. They are ill prepared for the costs and responsibilities of owning such a dog and the poor little things get bounced around from one owner to another until they end up at a shelter.

Why am I buying a tiny? I can no longer lift a 7 or 8 lb dog. I can afford to properly look after one and I've taken an extensive pet first aid course just to be on the safe side. I have years of experience with yorkies and know what I'm getting into. The alternative was one of those yippy little mexican chi's and I just couldn't see myself going there.

When I bought Chloe I wanted a tiny and she is now 7lbs of love. When I bought Lacey I wanted a tiny, she is 3 lbs of love. Honestly, I guess I'm a sucker because once I fell in love (at first sight), the last thing on my mind was price. I'll never be sure if the price I paid was "worth it" because to me, the answer is always a yes. However, when I get my third, I will still seek a tiny because I can handle a smaller dog better and if the breeder is reputable, I'll pay whatever that breeder feels is the right price.

Everyone wants a small dog, What is that all about, I wish the future parents would do some homework and read a site like this one, Then maybe they would learn something.. And stick to a standard.. (4) 5-7 lbs, The yorkie blood line would be healthier and maybe so many tiny puppies would get hurt..

While I agree that tinies should cost a bit more than standards because of the extreme care and maintenance and vet care they require, I DON'T agree with raising prices because there is a "demand". These are living beings not inanimate objects like a car or a home. Their cost shouldn't be higher just because there are crazy people out there who have no idea what they are doing but who will pay it.

However, having said that, I will say that if you can't devote a few thousand to your "tiny" then you probably can't afford it. I'm not saying this goes for all tinies but I have spent probably over $5000 in vet bills for Mia because of problems she's had since I've gotten her. Her spaying for example cost over $600 because of extra precautions they needed to take to protect her life during the surgery under anesthesia. Not to mention the several times I have had to go to the ER vet just since I've had her because of her breathing problems, stomach trouble, etc. You can't let a tiny with diarrhea or anything like that go because they could die in a matter of hours. I'm really not trying to flaunt money here, I'm just being honest sharing the experience I have had with Mia who is now 1 1/2 years old and weighs 2.0 lbs even. Again, Mia was bred by a breeder who was specifically trying to breed smaller and smaller, and I'm paying for it now. I love her to death but I really hope people know what they are getting into emotionally and financially when they buy a dog so small or choose a breeder that doesn't breed for standard yorkies.

Brittany I think your two are adorable and oh my quite the little models of clothes and tiny perfection...

interesting your post...glad to hear from your point of view~

Thanks Kimberly, I think this is a very important thread!

This afternoon , a woman called and ask me if I have yorkie puppies that will be 1 pound and under because she wanted one to impress her friends . I told her that I wasn't interested to have puppies so small . She tried and tried to convince me that I would do more money if I was breeding for them , I laugh at her and tell her to stop this crap .

I do not agree that you should pay more for a tinier pup. I paid the same price for my little girl as I would have paid for her bigger littermate had he been for sale.
From what I have gathered from her I do not think my breeder is overly thrilled to get a teeny tiny puppy either. That is not what she breeds for, sometimes it just happens.

What types of health problems do the tiny pups normally have?

I know that they are more susceptible to hypoglycemia. What else are they more susceptible to?

Tinies generally have poor structure with fragile bones, open fontanels are common, along with some hydroencephalic probs, mouth structures can be too small for good formation of teeth which can result in early loss or eating probs, collapsed tracheas are also common along with breathing problems. They need constant care and supervision, 24/7 because they can dehydrate quickly from one little bout of vomitting or diarhea and yes, hypoglycemia is almost a given. www.YTCA.org has a page on 'teacups' info.

Referring to an earlier post...I would never suggest that someone buy a pup with no health guarantee. Vets can only tell so much at a puppy exam and many genetic problems don't evidence themselves until much later.