How much $$$ for a Yorkie--your thoughts

[hugz4all4]

Originally Posted by RoscoesMommy42

I used to think people were crazy for paying over $500 for a dog, and I really thought $500 was pushing it. But now I am one of those crazy people and realize the importance in finding a responible breeder and am willing to pay to make sure I get that. There are tons of dogs listed locally for a lower price, but I also see where they come from most of the time and it is not where I would want to purchase one of my furbabies from personally.

I dont think people are crazy for paying that much..lol.. I just wouldnt do it.. I couldnt do it.I have been very lucky in owning several healthy pets that I paid under 500.00 for. I will be the first person to admit that I didnt know much about breeding, puppymills, quality of dogs etc.. UNTILL I joined this board. I have learned a ton and share my info with anyone that will listen. So I do understand why people spend what they do when purchasing thier pets.

[KoltraneKarmy]

Originally Posted by topknot

Like my Mama always told me - you get what you pay for. Just look at cars for example - there are lots of different prices based on the kind/make of car it is. If you want a really nice one - don't expect to get one for a thrift store bargin price. The dogs I have - I paid a lot for and expected that. I did not want to settle for less. I knew it cost a lot (in time and money) to breed the very best.

"You get what you pay for", is my husband's favorite saying when we are making a purchase. He said it when we purchased our three yorkies and recently when he purchased me a car for my birthday. However, sometimes you can pay more and get less (poor quality). That is why I like to window shop before purchasing; to ensure I see what is available so when I make a purchase, I am happy with what I have.

[KoltraneKarmy]

Originally Posted by topknot

Like my Mama always told me - you get what you pay for. Just look at cars for example - there are lots of different prices based on the kind/make of car it is. If you want a really nice one - don't expect to get one for a thrift store bargin price. The dogs I have - I paid a lot for and expected that. I did not want to settle for less. I knew it cost a lot (in time and money) to breed the very best.

"You get what you pay for", is my husband's favorite saying when we are making a purchase. He said it when we purchased our three yorkies and recently when he purchased me a car for my birthday. However, sometimes you can pay more and get less (poor quality). That is why I like to window shop before purchasing; to ensure I see what is available so when I make a purchase, I am happy with what I have.

[mscat]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

What you pay for a yorkie is definately contigent on where the Yorkie is purchased (region), breeder and quality of the yorkie.....

absolutely correct. I live in a tiny town, I traveled out of town , and out in anther city , headed out of town from there. Suzi has been healthy , and within standards of the breed .She did not have papers though, and I was not as educated as I am now on the yorkie breed. I got lucky with her. I would not ever go by chance again though .my next little one is a shih tzu and she is AKC , I could see her parentage , and it is very cool to know her background.

[gemy]

Just to throw something else into the mix. There is more to the selection than just show or pet quality dogs. In my case I wanted an agility dog - that was most important to me - I also wanted great temperament and of course all the health checks. As it happened the breeder I knew well and trusted and watched her dogs for over 3years had a puppy which she thought would be good for agility - but he also was a good candidate for a show dog.

So here not just pedigree or show titles but working titles were important to me. There is some research that indicates working qualities are also passed on to the pups - and in the case of 2 out of our 3 dogs that has been my experience.

So if you are looking to compete with your dog in any of the dog sports - it is also a good idea to check into those titles and to go to those competitions and watch the dogs work.

Now I know that this isn't as popular with the Yorkie breed - working titles that is to say - but for me I would pay as much for an excellent working dog as I would for show.

to have a great working dog you have to have temperament, excellent conformation, and the "drive". If you don't have one of these, then you won't get a great working dog. Conformation is quite simply structure, with poor structure your dog will be a greater risk for injury - or might be incapable of performing the tasks asked of them.

Depending on the lines - pedigrees and working quality of the dog - expect to pay $2k and up.

[chloesMama]

I think the price depends on who you purchase the puppy from , what area you purchase the puppy in , and if he/she is for pet or show. I also think the price depends on the amount of research you put in .... If you don't know any better you will pay more for a "teacup" yorkie without knowing there isn't a "teacup" yorkie ....Like I did

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by gemy

Just to throw something else into the mix. There is more to the selection than just show or pet quality dogs. In my case I wanted an agility dog - that was most important to me - I also wanted great temperament and of course all the health checks. As it happened the breeder I knew well and trusted and watched her dogs for over 3years had a puppy which she thought would be good for agility - but he also was a good candidate for a show dog.

So here not just pedigree or show titles but working titles were important to me. There is some research that indicates working qualities are also passed on to the pups - and in the case of 2 out of our 3 dogs that has been my experience.

So if you are looking to compete with your dog in any of the dog sports - it is also a good idea to check into those titles and to go to those competitions and watch the dogs work.

Now I know that this isn't as popular with the Yorkie breed - working titles that is to say - but for me I would pay as much for an excellent working dog as I would for show.

to have a great working dog you have to have temperament, excellent conformation, and the "drive". If you don't have one of these, then you won't get a great working dog. Conformation is quite simply structure, with poor structure your dog will be a greater risk for injury - or might be incapable of performing the tasks asked of them.

Depending on the lines - pedigrees and working quality of the dog - expect to pay $2k and up.

Gemy I will disagree with you on conformation only being structure. The reason for conformation is to gain approval of your breeding stock. As breeder/exhibitors....we breed for Health, Structure, Temperament and drive. If any of those are missing you don't have a good speciman of the breed......

[whisky28]

max is 15 months old was 8weeks when we bought him and we paid 195 in se kansas he is aca

[topknot]

Originally Posted by Lilyshuman

Ok so I'm just interested in what everyone thinks...How much do you think is reasonable to pay for a Yorkie? Asuming the pup comes with a great health guarantee, parents have been through all the testing, and you really feel comfortable with the breeder???

I'm looking forward to your replys...

I just wanted to go back to the exact guestion - is what is a resonable price for a yorkie with a great health guarantee, parents tested and from a reputable breeder -

Well - JMO, since a responsible/reputable breeder will have nice quality dogs that are evaluated against the standard, since they care about what they are producing, she would have great pedigrees on her dogs, test all parents and puppies, have top care for all her dogs, give them the best and spend a lot of time with her dogs/pups to be sure they are well socialized and research herself to be up on the standard and other issues regarding yorkies, since this is her/his passion and would be there later for the lifetime of the pup - all this cost time and money for her/him and s/he would most likely pass the price on to the buyers, especially since her/his parents that s/he breed were of respectable price. I would not expect her/him to be selling pups for less.

[topknot]

Originally Posted by whisky28

max is 15 months old was 8weeks when we bought him and we paid 195 in se kansas he is aca

That is cheap, since the price alone for shots on a pup runs about this or more, not including testing and office visits. 8 weeks though is a bit young - so they probably only got one or two shots. Office visits run me 50.00 here where I live and then you have the cost of the shots on top of that.

[whisky28]

when we bought him we got his shot records deworm records

[Amazing Yorkies]

Some of the biggest mistakes I've made has also been with the most money and with well known Show Breeders. None of them were that a bite went off, or a topline fell apart, it was for health issues.. Shunt, Meningitus, Legg Perthes, Grade 4 knees, etc. Luckily, these things were found before I bred them. Health issues could destroy a breeding program. Sadly, It isn't always "you get what you pay for".
I price my puppies at what I feel is a fair price, regardless of what others are charging. I knew I would never make money at breeding, but that wasn't my goal.

[Sashabear0430]

The prices of my yorkies that I have owned ranged from $700-$900

I would spend any more than $1,000 on a yorkie. Sasha was $900 and came with AKC papers and comes from a champion bloodline.

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by Amazing Yorkies

Some of the biggest mistakes I've made has also been with the most money and with well known Show Breeders. None of them were that a bite went off, or a topline fell apart, it was for health issues.. Shunt, Meningitus, Legg Perthes, Grade 4 knees, etc. Luckily, these things were found before I bred them. Health issues could destroy a breeding program. Sadly, It isn't always "you get what you pay for".
I price my puppies at what I feel is a fair price, regardless of what others are charging. I knew I would never make money at breeding, but that wasn't my goal.

But you have a better chance with a show breeder. You can't get a guarantee in anything in life "but" I would never not or ever suggest anything but trying to get a healthy puppy from reputable breeder. Showing is just a part of the whole process in mine and many's opinion .....

I know your a breeder yourself though. Do you show, what is your goal?

[mypreciouspups]

Originally Posted by Breeze

But you have a better chance with a show breeder. You can't get a guarantee in anything in life "but" I would never not or ever suggest anything but trying to get a healthy puppy from reputable breeder. Showing is just a part of the whole process in mine and many's opinion .....

I know your a breeder yourself though. Do you show, what is your goal?

Check out Deb's website and I think you can see her goal and picture's of her champion dogs..