Zoeybear was about 1,000 less than Baby Chloe. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. Health is obviously most important. Do you want a Yorkie that looks like a show dog, or are you willing to accept a lot of flaws? Zoeybear is def. not show quality, but she is cute as a bug and I wouldn't trade her for the world, she was however less expensive.

Well I paid $2,400 for Teddi but I am in California. I think that a fair price would be about from $1,200 to $1,600. But there are so many factors and I think you get what you pay for. I personally would not buy a yorkie for under $1,000 because it would make me question the breeder but you have to go with your gut.

As to the quote above where there are dogs for $6,500 - $10K?? WHOA. I mean - are they parented by Westminster and Crufts winners? I mean, come on!! That is out of control. This whole business is out of control.

This would be Jeff Dane and sorry to say he is from Texas. He lives and Breeds about 45 minutes from me. I feel like going by to act like I want one of his sick puppies. Just to check on them and report him if his facilities are dirty. VERY OVER PRICED and yes some breeders are greedy but not all...

The fastest way I have found to "weed" out breeders was ask what background, lines or pedigree they have. Most will say.. uhhh they're registered.. Lets me know immediately that they have not done the research or testing and they certainly aren't looking to breed quality. The background gives us an idea of any defects that line might carry, as well as the quality
It drives me crazy to see someone selling sickly looking puppies for so much money, and their guarantees only protect themselves.. not the puppy or the new owner!
So it is buyer beware.. Ask lots of questions about health, guarantees, backgrounds, etc. Breeders should be happy to help you in any way they can!
BTW I have to agree with Bama about the 2 breeder's mentioned. Personally I'd be leary. 8 weeks is too young too!

DO IT. I want to know what at $10,000 puppy has. And when you report him, let us know!

And I agree - you can tell when a breeder knows their dogs. Thats the best indicator of quality - not price. though good breeders aren't always cheap, this isn't a purchase to skimp on.

I think a decent price is what you are willing to pay for it.....and where the baby will come from. I will not spend 1,000 on a puppy that does not have champion lines in the first generation. I would buy from a show home again, but that has to do with my experience with Chino's breeder. No I did not buy Chino for $1000, I bought him for his medical needs (neuter, shots, etc.) But I would buy from Dana again for her going price of her puppies at that time. If she is charging $1 to $2000.00 it is all about the breeder and how well you feel toward her. I never once second guess Dana and her breeding program and when I met her in person she was even better. Its really a judgement call that we cannot make for you, so good luck on finding that perfect yorkie, you will be surprised when you hold out and keep looking.

I do like Pat Estes and I have seen first hand his home. This is where we got Manolo and his health is fine, he is just small. I like the idea he wont send the dog alone on a plane but carries them and sits with them on their flight. He is a flight attendant. Now Jeff Dane is another story....

I just went to Mr. Dane's disgusting website. He actually compared the AKC and the ACA to Ford and Chevy. Um, so are the dogs he is selling soul-less trucks??? He doesn't even try to hide who he is and what he is doing. I am outraged. The poor babies...

I guess thats a great example of what NOT to look for in a breeder, huh? UGH.

He has them pilled in his garage cages on top of cages and it was dirty. Dont know if he has cleaned up his act but his website is Gross and cheap....No taste...And yes those pups are tiny and sick...and very very expensive......

I got my pup for $350. He's beautiful, healthy, and was raised underfoot in a loving home. I think $1000+ dollars for a dog is a little ridiculous unless you're looking for show quality.

I think this is a really big over-generalization. Most people paying a lower price for a pup simply can't afford an expensive one. I don't know a single person who could comfortably afford to buy a $1500 purebred puppy and pay for all the stuff you need to buy when you get a new dog (shots, kennel, food, etc...)

I'm a single person straight out of college. I could never afford to throw down 2K on a yorkie, or anything else for that matter.

I agree with you on this.....and I feel that the poster was wrong in stating something like this. That was not fair to the people who cannot afford one, or choose not to pay a higher price for one. Some people can just be tight with a dollar.I know I am.

I completely agree with you! if you can afford $1000+ for a Yorkie then by all means go right ahead. Just because someone paid $1000-2000 more then I did for my puppy doesn't mean its better. The most important thing I found you look for is what kind of breeder the puppy is coming from. How clean is the environment they are in and make sure by all means you see the parents! Find out if there are any health problems etc... Im a first time Yorkie owner and may have paid too much for Daisy, but I will never regret my decision. I only paid $600 for her, and when I say that may have been a bit much its because I did not get any papers for her. But I wasnt looking for a show quality puppy,or a female to breed, if that was the case then I would expect to pay that price.

Usually the smaller full-grown, the more expensive. You should be able to get a 4 lb male for $900 and female $1000. Tiny yorkies are more prone to health problems. They are absolutely the best breed, but do read up on the web before purchase. You will find a lot of useful info. Also, I would suggest you get your pup locally as either a flight or long delivery time can stress them out. (My female who came from up north still gets stressed riding and my male that I got locally loves to ride! Good luck:)

For those interested....do a quick search...Jeff Dane has been discussed many times here...unfortunately for years. :(

Jeff Dane aside....cost is at the bottom of my list of criteria for chosing a breeder. I'm much more concerned with their breeding program.

I've sold many a Champion Sired or Grandsired bigger male for $350, since sadly they are less sought after. It makes it nice for families to be able to afford a healthy Yorkie for a reasonable price. Show Quality is higher of course, but it's maddening to see someone like Jeff Dane dupe someone into paying more than any Show Breeder would charge.

Wow I have to say there's a lot of good information generated from this thread. I will certainly take it all into account. I think the best advice I can take away from all this is that I should be patient, find a dog with a personality I like, in good health, has a good background. Then see if the price is something I can afford and feel comfortable spending.

Agreed! :thumbup:

Of course there are going to be unethical breeders that get away with charging and arm and a leg for a poorly bred, possibly sickly pup. However, breeders generally price their dogs based on the costs they have to try to cover and what they have invested in their programs--not what is "fair" to those looking to get a dog...if the dog/breeder is not in your pirce range, keep looking. I really want an Aston Martin, but can't afford a $250,000 car, but I wouldn't describe it as being "unfair." :p

That is a GREAT pointer to those looking for a reputable breeder! :thumbup::thumbup:

I think you have perfectly synthesized everything we are trying to communicate!

I got my Hiro-san from a lady in the paper for 300$. Hiro was the last to go and he was a bit bigger than all the other puppies she said and since people wanted the smaller ones they overlooked him! :( We got him at 15 weeks.

She said that she is friends with a lady that is a groomer in town and that their yorkies snuck off for a rendezvous! :eek: And then she discovered that her dog was preggo! lol

Seems like a fishy story, but this is a small town and my husband knows the groomer lady and her dog and was able to check it out. We just got a great deal! :D

I LOVE the big kids....I'd be a terrible breeder. Big kids would go for a bajillion $$$!! :p

This is so true. In fact, most of the pet stores charge a fortune, and sometimes the pups end up sick.

You just have to be willing to shop around and look for a reputable breeder. There are alot of very good breeders who sell their pups at reasonable prices.

So whats the best age to bring a dog home? Since 9 weeks, actually mine was 10 weeks and 1 day now that I do the calculations when I brought her home. I want to get another one down the road and I want to make sure I do it right! I had no idea what I was doing when I got my Sophie!

12 weeks is a good time for small breeds like yorkies. :aimeeyork

I let my puppies go anywhere from 12-16 weeks.. they need their momma. although I did let one go at 8 weeks but she came to my house every signal day.. it was a getting her use to the other dog the girl wanted.. they were perfect people so I tried it and it worked.. but like I said she had mom when ever she needed..
I sold annabella.. with all shots at 75 dollars each shot at the vet in canda.. times three parvo and then rabies.. had her microchipped also.. sold her at 4 months old for 800. cause it was to a great home.. and with things happening I never got around to actually talking to people about her.. I lost the three boys in that litter and on top of her vet bills.. my vet bill for the litter itself the tail docking was 200. for 4 in canda.. here in florida 15.00 for the same thing I paid 50 each.. so that all comes in to play...so I am in the whole on that litter.. so what people do not realize is the expense of having a litter when one goes to the vet for everything.. if there are problems.. that money comes in to play.. I am having a litter soon again.. a first breeding by a new breeder.. have no idea what will happen.. or what prices her babies will be.. I have not gotten enough to pay for her or my new stud yet.. it is going to take at least 6 babies to get me on track some what.. selling these puppies at 1,000 with utd on shots.. which is generally two shots at least..
anne

My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder wouldn't let Louis come home until he was 16 weeks. She said the CKCS matures slowly and she also told me, no matter what the breed, breeders shouldn't let the babies go earlier then 12 weeks. She explained all about development and mainly, the big deal about socializing and how puppies can become nippers (and worse) if they are separated from their littermates too soon.

IMO its better to be safe then sorry - its harder to repair a broken heart from losing a sick pup then to be patient in the first place...

I did the work with Ella Bean, nursing her back to health after some horrid puppy mill did god knows what to her. She was nearly dead. Lethargic, kennel cough, hypoglycemic, infected wounds, infected tail docking (or maybe it was severed, we can't tell) She still had dew claws even. It required 2 months of round the clock care. No guarantees she would survive and about $2,000 of vet bills. Now she is healthy as a lark, but who knows what genetic surprises wait down the line?

After this experience, all I can say is that these places do unspeakable things to dogs. You can find gorgeous rescues if you want to adopt from a mill - but giving your money to these monsters perpetuates a business that treats puppies like electronic devices and illness like defective hardware. If you find you are dealing with a mill or broker - chances are they are doing something unlawful - contact your local animal services and get them busted. Then adopt your baby from those rescued!

Lets put the Jeff Dane's of the world out of business!

12 weeks is great....

I have seen here in our area, with the economy so bad, last yr they were selling for 800-1500, this yr the same breeder is selling for half that price .....cant say if indeed they are a rep breeder, i just reconize there ads :aimeeyork

On the age issue I have to agree with 12 weeks. We got ours in Korea at 6 weeks, which I thought seemed really young at the time. Fortunately there was always someone at home to look after him, but I think he was too young to be away from his mom and litter mates.