ButterflyKisses | 09-03-2008 05:52 AM | Yes, I can block the rest of her e-mails. Here is something that I wrote - I'm going to add it to my web site - to help people understand why I raise the Morkies (hybrid puppies). This will not apply to everyone - but it is my reason. Why do you breed “designer puppies” or “hybrid puppies” instead of just breeding the purebred puppies? About 5 years ago, I started receiving request for “Morkie” puppies. At that time I was only breeding the purebred puppies and I saw no reason to breed any puppy unless it was a purebred. After several years of receiving request for breeding “Morkie puppies”, I decided to breed one litter – but there were several things I decided would have to happen for me to do this: 1) I would have to be able to charge at least close or the same price as I charge for my purebred puppies. It would be silly of me to breed Morkies, using my quality AKC purebred dogs (I don’t keep back any substandard AKC dogs for breeding any puppies), having the same cost for quality feed, vet care, shots, etc. and charge much less – why would I breed hybrid dogs if that were the case. And 2.) I would want to have “quality” Morkies, that are the best I can have in looks, health, and temperament. With this in mind, I had my first Morkie puppies. They were BEAUTIFUL. They sold for $600 to $700 each and went to great families – all having deposits on them by the time they were a month old. After this first litter, I again started getting request to raise more Morkies, so I had a 2nd litter. Again, all went well – and the 2nd litter found fabulous homes – averaging $600 to $800 each. This was around 3 years ago. Since them I have had many people who love the small breed dog – and after doing much research, they have decided that the Morkie is for them. So I have continued to do my best to better my breeding program for my Morkies like I have done for my purebred Yorkies. I sell then both in the general same price range as I feel that very often people will treasure more that which they spend more on. Also it is easier for some people to make a quick decision to buy a $200 or $300 puppy that turns out to be a mistake for that person or family – but if they are paying $600 to $1000 for a puppy, it cannot normally be as quick a decision due to the price. They have to REALLY WANT one of these puppies. Why do I raise Morkies? They are great little dogs that have made many families very happy. Morkies are what these families WANT. So I desire to have the best little Morkies I can possibly have that have all the benefits that I give my purebred puppies. Not everyone agrees with breeding hybrid dogs – that’s fine. But for those families that would like to have a “Morkie” or “Mal-shi” or “Shorkie” ect, they should have the right to decide what is right for their family and to have the ability to get the best Morkie possible.
As Cesar49 said - with the economics the way it is today - the puppy prices have gone way down in all puppies.
My vet and I discussed this and we feel that it is better to allow more of the parent dogs to go to pet only homes and actually breed less puppies - but try to only have those puppies that the price can be enough to provide for the feed, care, etc of the dogs - rather then to try to have more puppies that would requires more money for the care of the dogs and the puppies. If the demand is not as high for certain puppies, we should not be breeding for those puppies. There are plenty of people breeding purebred Yorkies - last count - I just checked - there are 933 Yorkies advertised on Next Day Pets and 150 Morkies. 933 is actually the lowest I've seen in a long time. There are too many Yorkies available and too few homes that can afford them right now. But in my case anyway, the Morkie demand has been higher, so that is where I am trying to "specialize" right now. :animal36
I respect those that would not pay this much for any "hybrid" puppy. In the home I was raised in the most we ever even paid for a purebred was $100;) My dad would have had a fit if we wanted a more expensive dog! |