Yorkie "Start Up" Fees
 

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new here, and a bit shy so I haven't put up an introduction yet (While I adore Yorkies, I don't have my own pup yet, so I lurked for a long time before joining). I came out of the closet a couple of weeks ago because I really wanted to become part of this amazing, caring community, and I hope I can contribute in some small way, as well.

I'm a graduate student saving up for my first yorkie, which I hope to get next summer. I want to be responsible and learn as much as I can about the breed and caring for my baby before I get him. To that end, I was hoping you could share insight on a ballpark amount I should save before looking for a little boy. I will not get him until I am sure I can care for him in all respects over the next 10-15 years. I've read the "Puppy Care Guide" and a lot of the resource guides here to get a sense of what will be required in the first couple of years.

I know things vary so much based on region, breeder and vet, but I hope to get a sense of "start up" costs for the first year of a yorkie's life. (From purchasing him, to vet care & neutering, to quality food, crate/xpen/toys etc). I will likely get a male puppy* from a breeder (~$1000?) -- While I very much hope to be a Yorkie rescue mom down the road, I understand that many rescues that I have gotten to know prefer that pups go to yorkie-experienced families, which absolutely makes sense. :woof:

Thanks so much for your time and insight...It's a long way off till I get him, but I love researching yorkies and spending time here!

Shana

*I want a little boy because I spend a lot of time my brother's female beagle mix, who's my little diva :D

Welcome out of the closet and to YT!!!

Sounds like you are on the right track. This is an amazing group of people.

Cheers,
Lorene

You are an incredibly smart woman for doing your research!! You are also smart for wanting to gather as much information as you can!!

I know you will receive a lot of wonderful answers, but I wanted to add my little suggestions...

I would start off looking at breeders, getting to know a few breeders, and plan on an average amount that they sell their babies for. Then, I would suggest calling some Vets in your area, or gathering some references to a few Vets and call or visit (most Vets will let you come by and visit/view the Clinic before hand) and you can ask them their Vet fees, food suggestions, etc.

Once you have gathered information directly from a few sources, you will be able to gather a more definite amount you will be needing to save up for a Yorkie. Getting estimates on here is a great idea! But, by going directly to the Vets and Breeders, I feel you will be a bit more set for your little one!!

Welcome to YT!! And Good Luck on your search!! :)

The "start up" money is very little compared to what a dog will cost over the course of it's lifetime. Here's a great breakdown of those costs:

The Cost of Owning a Dog

The most important thing to focus on is getting a healthy puppy. "Bargain" puppies can rack up thousands of dollars in vet bills, sometimes right away. Yorkies are prone to liver shunts and luxating patellas which cost thousands to surgically correct. It's essential to find a breeder who is knowledgable about genetics and health tests her breeding dogs to make sure they don't pass genetic conditions on to their offspring. Since Yorkies are so popular, too many people who don't know what they are doing are breeding them.

I'm glad you joined YT. If you stick around, you will learn a lot about finding a reputable breeder when the time comes to get your little boy.

my list
 

doggy friendly floors.. fencing..security measures..
unexpected vet visits.. grooming supplies...
training ...time involved.. cleaning up after them...
the best toys and dingo bones...
healthy food.. time involved... these are all important
issues when owning dogs..
but its all worth it:)

WELCOME to YT - I'm so glad you will "soon" be a yorkie Mama bc you will obviously be a great one! :D

Welcome to YT! Good for you....doing your homework! This is a great site to learn all you can about the breed. Books are a good resource, but, here you have first hand experience from other Yorkie owners to go by as well! Good luck to you when you begin your search for your furbaby!:D

Wow!
 

You sound like you'll be a great mom! When I got my first one, I did a lot of reading and looking around, but then I was gone once I saw her. She was $1200.

Yorkies aren't that expensive other than the cost of the puppy, IF you get a healthy one. Even if you feed a very high-quality food, the cost is neglible because they really don't eat that much. Their vet bills are going to be about the same as any other dog since they have the same shots and altering procedures IF you get a healthy one. (I keep saying IF because I'm about to have a $6,000 dog. Another of mine may turn out the same.)

Please don't go for the teeny tiny ones. Get a nice, healthy puppy that will come to at least five pounds adult weight. They will love you more than you can imagine, and you will love them just as much. They will sit at your feet and stare at you, and you know they're thinking, "Hello, I'm here. Can I be picked up now? I love you so much. Do you love me? It would be great to be picked up!" This will happen even if it was just ten minutes ago that you put them down. They LOVE their people like I have never seen another dog love its people.

I wouldn't stress over toy costs. If you know you're getting one in the future, just start looking at clearance items when you go to stores, and look on the forums here. I have a red stuffed toy with a squeaker in it that cost me $2 and looks like a bone, and they're scuffling over that right now. The $15 toy is laying there ignored. They're very curious and love things that amuse them, but they aren't very hard to please. Mine will play with an empty box if I set it in the floor.

You also may as well go ahead and price two, because they're addictive and it's very difficult to have just one of them. They're just so much love and affection that it's hard to stop at one (two, three, four).

Lady is SOOO right.
 

I should have read her post before I posted mine. I have one that has PSS (liver shunt) and another that was a rescue that has luxating patellas. The one with PSS is the one having the surgery. The other will need surgery if she becomes clinical when she gets older. (Yes, I knew it when I got her.) I just lost it when I saw her. She was full grown and only two pounds, and my heart just melted. I had to get her away, and it's people who do things like what I did that keep puppy mills in business. I was chastised for it on this forum, and for good reason. She's the sweetest dog I have, and the only one that's fully paper-trained, but she can't sit for a treat like the others. If she does end up becoming clinical and needing surgery, it's going to cost around $3,000, and that's not even the worst of it. It's a very long convalescence period (up to two months) that they have to have their little legs in casts and can't even walk. I was horrified when I found that out.

Welcome to YT . I am glad you are doing your homework. I did the same thing. It takes a while to find exactly what you want. It took me over a year, and I wasn't nesesarely looking for a yorkie, but the perfect pet. Remember, a high price is not always a synonyme of perfect health. Consider getting an older or young yorkie, because they would be more economical, and there is not gessing game. You will know how big, and how is the coat right away. I found some in petfinder, the foster mom wrote me back and, and said that as long as my aplication is aproved, I will get the one I want. That is a good option for you I think. Also, I dont think that good dog food is expensive. You can by them in bulk, and yorkies dont eat that much. For toys beds , toys and carrier's, I go to big lots. Also, it's good to have pet insurance. Ask your local vet, before buying a good insurance. good luck

I forgot to tell you, about the training aid, and grooming suplys. They become more expensive, than anything else

Welcome to yorkie talk!

We just brought Suri home recently.
I would recommend looking for a vet and groomer now. Get references from other yorkie owners as a small breed dog is its own category. Many vets offer puppy packages that include check ups, fecal exams, vaccinations etc...
Finding a vet that is familiar with small breeds will enable your pup to be effectively and safely treated. :)
Other costs include X pens, which you should look for now also. Many times you can find them on sale or clearance. I have been collecting for Suri for over a year and she has more than enough. :)

Hi and Welcome to YT .... :animal-pa

I love that link. It really breaks down the costs especially for the first year. This list can really help someone figure out where they can save some of the costs. (you can watch for discounted costs for spay/nueter (many towns have a yearly low cost spay/nueter clinic) most towns or vets offices have discounted cost for vaccinations at least one day per month) Some items you can buy ahead of time (like bowls, beds, etc) so you can spread the costs out a bit. Look for bargains on ebay or craigs list, or even from friends who may have things like strollers, ex-pens, etc) If you start picking up some of the little things now, you will be all set when you finally get your baby.

Welcome:wavey:! I Lurked here and read alot about yorkies for six months before I got princess. You sound like you will be a loving,caring yorkie mommy.

:wavey:Hello and welcome to yt! I did plenty of research too before I got my furbaby Twinkle and I agree with what others have said that the initial costs aren't too high.....I managed to put a little into a savings account each week in the months leading up to looking for a puppy and that helped when it came to all the things like food, bowls, toys etc. I would also recommend pet insurance.....because you never know....I for one know* that I couldn't afford an unexpected vets bill for thousands of pounds...Good luck with the search for your little one xxxx

Hi and welcome to YT!!! I'd definately recommend pet insurance, go with a big well known company. I know some people put money aside every month but what happens if you have 2 big unexpected vets bills one after the other? I personally wouldn't take the risk. As for doggy bits, get yourself a big box and just pick one thing up each time you go shopping, by the time your'e ready for your new pup it will be overflowing with lovely things.
Ring around local vets and make a list of initial costs;shots/neutering/worm and flea meds. And most importantly find yourself a good responsible breeder!!! Then you can find out how much they sell their pups for:D Once you have that figure plus initial vet costs and a years insurance cover add an extra 25% just incase. I know this sounds like alot but if you have almost a year to save it;ll mount up in notime. Plus when it comes to Xmas/your B-day ask friends and family for cash towards your puppy fund:D

I also did like you, lurked for months before joining, then didn't get my puppy for a year after that. I will give you a suggestion I learned here, that I wouldn't have thought of on my own. If you find a show kennel whose dogs you like, don't automatically feel you can't afford one of their puppies. They often sell pet quality dogs for much cheaper than a BYB sells their puppies for. Also, the difference in their "pet quality" and "show quality" puppies are often negligible, and they will generally be a much better bred puppy than you'll find in a newspaper ad. Also, if they have older pups, they will often sell them much cheaper. Last year when I contacted a show breeder, she had a six month old puppy she said she'd sell for $600. I didn't buy him because I was afraid of getting a dog that old, thinking he'd be harder to potty train, and worried he'd bark too much from being raised in a kennel. But now, after buying a four month old puppy, I realize I was probably wrong about that older puppy.

A tip a friend gave me is to check garage sales for stuff like ex pens, toys, collars, leashes, play pens, bowls, etc. I haven't had a chance to do this yet, but I wish I had thought of it in the year leading up to getting my puppy. I have probably spent $500 on "stuff" for the puppy in the month since I bought him. I also think it's a good idea to start picking up little things every time you go shopping. That will seem much less expensive buying it over the course of a year rather than having to buy it all at one time when you get your puppy.

Good luck. You sound as if you'll be a wonderful mom.

:thumbup::thumbup:

I couldn't agree with this post more. Since you want a male, they will be even more affordable from a show breeder since breeders don't want to keep them when they get close to being sexually mature. I know many people who have gotten a close to show quality male Maltese from show breeders for about $800 just because they were a little older, about five months old.

This is an excellent article about the difference between show and pet quality:

Maltese Show Dog Versus Maltese Pet.....What is the difference?

hi!!

just wanted to say welcome!!

heres what comes to mind right now

Puppy (depending on breeder, registration & location) 600-1000++
Vaccines, Dewormings, exams and fecals you need to go about 2-3 times after getting a puppy and you go every 3 weeks or so
Exam is about $35 each time
Vaccines (distemper) is about $16 each time
Vaccines a bordettla vaccine & a lyme vaccine..(optional imo)
Fecales are about $10 each time
Dewormings is about $10.00
Rabies is about $12
Ways to save a little bit of $$ on these are..THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE
buying a puppy at 12-16 weeks with all vaccines less rabies
buying your own vaccines (5.99 ea) and if you know anyone that knows how to administer them (like your breeder maybe..i do) (the vet is always the best route to go)
Banfield vet at petsmart offer free exams on certain days but their cost of vaccines, dewormers and so forth are way over priced
you can purchase your own dewormers online or at petstores (cost about the same as one visit at the vet but will last you a lot longer) and administer them..i still recommed fecals though
spay or neturing $100-300 depends where you go my vets charges $115. the spca is like $45 and banfield is 300.00

You need
nutra cal $7.99 ( i send puppies home w/ this)
Halter & leash $15.00 Minium
I d Tag $5.99
Food $10.99-20.99 for a large bad of good food ( i send puppies home w/ this)
Medical records (no cost, should come from breeder/vet)
Crate $35-60
Potty training pads $5.99-10.99 (i send puppies home w/ this)
Exersize pen or kennel $60-100.00

make a little room in the house with this..place the crate inside, with the bed, a place for food and water and a potty place and a play place..i bought 2 different styles...the first one was in the toddler dept at kmart for $55.00 its 3.5 ft high and has 5 or 6 panels really big..i use this outside when we have cook outs and stuff i did use it inside but its not that attractive..so i went to amazon.com and bought one thats shorter, and prettier its called iris something it even has a really cute door..i paid $50.00 and got free 2 day shipping on it
Toys $10-15 will get you several..i like cats toys and chewy toys
Food/Water dishes $2.99-20.99 (depends what you like =) )
Treats $5.00
Bedding $10+++ ( i send puppy home with a small bed )
brushes and combs $10-15
shampoo conditioner $10-15
flea treatment $30-50 for a 6 month supply( i send home 1 month
supply)
heart guard $30 for 6 months
ear cleaner $5
sanitary wipes $5
carpet cleaner $10-15 (you know you need it :D)
lysol :D
nail trimmer $7-10
professinal grooming $25-40 per visit (i groom my owned)
travel bag or carrier $15-35.00
have a emergency fund for you pets (not always easy)
if you can pick up the puppy on a weekend so you can spend time getting him used to you and the new enviroment or take time off if not.
car seats are good investments not sure on the cost i dont have one
clothing and belly bands are extra fun and extra $$:)

this is all i could think of right now

good luck!!!

i thought about that too..but you never know where it might be coming from and if parvo or another disease may be present in the used kennels and pens..your puppy would be at risk...just a thought

Welcome! I'm a graduate student too and know what it feels like to live on a "student budget." :) With that said, our little guy Padre has not been without...not even for a second! It's hard to sum up how much they cost since it all depends on each individual dog. I can tell you my experience and hopefully that will help. Aside from the initial cost of getting him, we spent the first month or two in and out of the vets office which my husband then started to call Padre "our little Mercedes." His blood sugar kept dropping and they thought he might have a liver shunt so we did lots of tests, etc... After the first two months, he's been healthy, healthy and not very expensive at all. Our expenses for him end up being about $150 a month.....that includes food, treats, toys, dog walker, etc.....and we live in one of the most expensive cities in the US. you're smart to do your research beforehand and you will absolutely fall in love once you make the leap!!

After reading Tammy's list, I'm wondering if I should have just had a baby instead.
 

I was going through the line items of her very thorough list and thinking things like, "Nope, my standard vet exams are $45. Most recent carrier was $50. Shampoo/conditioner $24 (for both)." Now I'm sitting here wondering how much money I've spent on these dogs and afraid to go into my MS Money file to sort by animal expenses and add it all up! Most of it I really never thought about because it's part of another purchase, like if I pick up a couple of toys at WalMart, I'm always there for other things too, so they're just another thing on a bigger receipt.

A lot of this stuff will vary with where you live, like the cost of my standard vet visits versus Tammy's. There are almost always less expensive ways of doing things, like so many others have pointed out. Everything in the northeast is expensive, but even here they have spay/neuter clinics periodically. Toys, beds, etc. you can always find cheaper online than doing an impulse buy at a pet store. Most places will even give free shipping if you spend a certain amount, and Amazon has a lot of their dog stuff on 4 for 3 right now.

LOL. If we've sufficiently frightened you at the cost of owning a dog, you're in a good position to start going backward on the expense. Most of what you spend on a dog is a personal choice, and I think most of us just spoil our dogs. Dogs don't know the difference in a two dollar toy and a twenty dollar one. They don't care if they have pretty, expensive dresses to wear, and most would prefer not to wear a dress. We buy that stuff for ourselves, not our dogs. You're doing research rather than an impulse buy, so you're going to be able to accumulate things much less expensively if you shop around at clearance sales and online and you focus on the necessary items rather than expensive toys and clothing. I can say with no doubt at all that my dogs are happiest when they're either running around jumping on one another in the yard, or they're curled up on our laps at night while we watch a movie. Some of the best things in life really are free.

There is a lot of good information here already. I am going to add something that I think is the most important- start shopping for a breeder NOW!! Many good breeders only have a few litters per year, and if you can pick out the breeder you like best right now, it may be a year before bringing home a new baby.

Remember that good breeders will keep the pups for at least 12 weeks, so when you add that four months to time it takes for the female to be ready to breed, and then the gestation time, you may be a year out. It's just a thought.. many people research for a long time and then decide they want to pup "now." Many end up settling for what is available "now." Find a breeder, get on a waiting list, and wait, wait, wait!! Good luck :D

lol...im cheap i dont have half of that stuff..lol but they are all good things to get dont you think??

i save money on doing all my own vaccines i bought 10 last year for $49 that included 2 day air on ice..so i vaccinated my litter and my adult dogs..

i never get bordettla (sp?) or lyme

i shop around for everything ..i finally found a great vet that does tails and dewclaws for $50.00 from a friend of mine here on yt..and that about a $60-70 savings from the other vets on my side of town

i never paid for an exam except when i take my litter in at 6 weeks..i go to banfield during wellness hours for free exams, i go to dr taylor for the puppy exams and thats $35..i will probably use dr taylor more often he is such a sweet guy and my mom has been taking her dogs there for Years upon years..and he told me that i have a beauitful healthy litter and we agreed on the same pup to keep..although i let her go =( i see pics all the time!!! and he is the only vet that doesnt get offened when you tell them you do your own vaccines and deworming..he told me i was doing a fantastic job..yeah i like him!!:D

i make my own beds..im not great at it..i have bought some but i wouldnt spend more than $20 i like shopping at petedge.com but the shipping had gone way up last time i looked..i buy most things online looking for wholesale prices..i did just make my own whelping box and my husband is also going to MAKE ME another bigger one..mines really cute though...i took an old moving box, cut the tabs off, cut one side down so gidget can get in and the puppies cant get out..i found some of this stuff i put in my kitchen cabinets and drawers..kinda like lament and placed on the bottom..i wrapped the box in this pink fabric with black poka dots and made a fleece roof and a fleece bed from left over materials my husband bought for his boat (i hope he didnt need it :D) and ALL the dogs are fightening to get in it..lol

i dont buy halters and leashed..i do have name tags and collars..gidget still has hers from when she was a baby and its porbably needs replacing..little girl had a nice set from the cat dept at petsmart and she ruined it, tanner his collar and name tag didnt last the night...he chewed them up..so the only one wearing a collar is gidget..i rarely take them anywhere..gidgey can go any where and she doesnt use a leash at all..she listens that well..tanner occassionaly goes to drive throughs with me..little girl has always had shot gun and never needed a carseat but she will bolt for fun so she doesnt go out other then out back..my neighbor knows her because she escapes...the guy mike down the street told me that she likes to come sit on his sofa and watch tv..LOL..she hasnt escaped in a while i think i fixed all the bottom of the gates this time..

i bought me a nice water cooler thing for them to drink out of i think it was $8 wholesale they just chewed it up so now they have my china dishes..lol

i do all my deworming for $3.00 and it lasts forever..petsmart or walmart or target..3 in one..i also order the tradewinds tape dewormer online for 10.00 ..i havent had any emergencies knock on wood and right now i have no savings for these guy but my mom has that care credit for emergencies and i would have to pay her back..(honestly i have never had a savings for them..but it sounded good didnt it???..lol)

i dont have a travel carrier but i have seen them online for 15.00
i did buy my pens/kennels and i love them..i have one x-large crate my moma bought me 6 years ago and i love it! it was $70..my other kennels (2) were right around $50.00 thats my inside stuff i have a nice fenced in yard but when we got butterball the golden my uncle gave us his 10x20 kennel for $50.00..and that had been at my mamas she just wanted it gone

i bought this awesome puppy shampoo at KROGER for $4.99!! and the smells last a whole week!!

i got some flea meds on clerance for 2.00 for 15lbs and under and stocked up!!..and when i sell my puppies banfield gives me coupons to give the new customers free frontline or advantage..

i bought my nutra cal at petedge for 2.99 each
the beds i gave out were $3.99 each on petedge
the toys were like $.50 at petedge

i do go all out when i sell puppies i give big puppy packs with bows, and treat, and food, etc..


i dont buy dresses all though they are super cute i just dont have extra money for that and if my husband came home and my dogs were wearing dresses that cost more then .99 he would flip..LOL...he cant get over the price of yorkies..he said whenever he wanted a dog he got it for free..or once he was a shelter and the dog was being put down that night and they wouldnt let him get the dog because he was like 18 and broke! so he stole her..LOL trixie was his fave dog!!

i buy treats every once in a while but they'd rather have my food that i "accidently" drop

i havent fixed any of my pets but im a small breeder so i dont really want to..except my golden i'd died if he got one of my girls..my vet said 115.00 for the golden (his name is butterball)

the only thing i spend money on is usually the puppy....

my dogs like purina..i used to get eukanuba but it made little girl sick..and they like purina and i can get a 35lbs bag on sale for $15 and it feeds 3 yorkies and a growing golden for 2.5 weeks =)

the only time i buy big things for them is after i sold a litter i like to treat them and me like last time i bought all new beds and that iris kennel off of amazon.


i dont send mine off the be groomed..i have 2 kids and a husband and i dont woke i dont have the extra money to take 3-4 dogs to the groomer every month so i bath them and brush them and trim them..i do like to buy bows sometimes...i use my Dove moose for styling them..lol:D

i just have fun if i have extra money to do nice fun things i do if i dont i dont worry about it..i make sure they are loved, well fed, healthy and up tp date on vaccines..and get at least 16 hours of sleep a day..LOL

oh but the carpet cleaner really is a must...LOL

OMG i cant believe how long my posts are!!..sorry ya'll:eek:

Good grief, Tammy! You scare all of us to death with costs then say you don't do them
 

I don't really like Purina food, but otherwise, the dogs simply don't care. If you can sew (I don't go there), the dogs don't care if you made their bed from scraps. I don't have mine groomed either because Yorkies are very easy to groom unless they have a bad coat (one of my rescues does). They just love and love and love, and love to be loved. They prefer snuggles over any toy you can buy.

And yes, the carpet cleaner is a must.

sorry guys didnt mean to scare you

:)

Well, you scared me! I think now I'll just give all mine away before I spend any more money on them :P