Etiquette-Is it Rude to Ask "How Much?"

[lizzieg]

Just wondering, how many of you have Yorkie Rescue Shelters in your state (or shelters that have an abundance of Yorkies)? I'm from NC, and we have one Yorkie Rescue Shelter, but they are wonderful about getting them adopting out quickly; extremely quickly. I hear FL shelters have Yorkies all the time. The only few reasons [in my opinion] that would lead a sweet Furbaby to a shelter would be if it was rescued from a puppy mill, and/or if it had pre-existing medical conditions, and the medical expenses were getting out of control. I know this is off of the subject slightly, but I think society knows that small dogs get adopted quickly from shelters, but if you go with the shelter approach, at least if the person has bad motives, they will presume the dog has no papers.

I was raised in Atlanta, and my sweet Westie, Max was stolen out of my fenced in backyard while I was at work and school. Someone cut the chain and everything (at first, I thought I forgot to lock it properly). He was a week away from being neutered, so I would speculate that he was stolen as a stud dog. He had a microchip, which I red flagged, and I never got any notification on him. I pray he is safe, where ever he is.

I want to see the good in people and I hope it is simply an innocent question (even though it is annoying at times), but going through that previous experience, it is tough at times.

[chachi]

Yea but alot of people who steal small dogs just want them as a pet and they wouldnt care where they come from. I can see why you would be skeptical of people and yorkies are a breed you cant leave outside or someone would steal them because they are high priced

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by chachi

Yea but alot of people who steal small dogs just want them as a pet and they wouldnt care where they come from. I can see why you would be skeptical of people and yorkies are a breed you cant leave outside or someone would steal them because they are high priced

You're right. That experience just was heart-breaking. He had a doggy-door to go in and out, but he was so friendly that someone could whistle and hold out food and he would come to them.

Excuse my language, but to capture Khloe, they'd have to break in my house and pry her out of my butt, and I think that that would be too much of a bother. lol.

[WV~Yorkies]

What I find is rude is when you tell them they go crazy and tell you how they would never pay that for a dog.

[Erin]

I tell people Sam was free, and then needed a $3000 knee surgery. It's true.

A lot of people asking about cost see your little dog and think they want one. If they are genuinely interested and not creepy or rude or clueless, I use it as an educational opportunity to caution them against puppy mills, encourage rescue or suggest how they find a reputable breeder (mom on site, pups stay with mom until 10-12 weeks, NO PET STORES, etc. - you all know the drill.) I give them a quick pro/con on Yorkies and explain how Sam is 6 pounds, let them hold her and see just how tiny 6 pounds is and caution them against the under-5 pound dogs if they have kids or have never had a dog before. I explain how Loki came from a quasi-puppy mill (we think) and even though I paid full price for him, has mega health issues that need expensive meds. Except for her knees, Sam is healthy. So, it's NOT get what you pay for UNLESS you do your homework and you must be prepared for anything!

If they ask if I'm going to breed them because they are oh-so-cute then I give them THAT lecture as well.

I figure they are either actually interested, or they will think twice about asking next time!!

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by WV~Yorkies

What I find is rude is when you tell them they go crazy and tell you how they would never pay that for a dog.

That drives me insane and ticks me off too. I get it all the time.

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by lizzieg

You're right. That experience just was heart-breaking. He had a doggy-door to go in and out, but he was so friendly that someone could whistle and hold out food and he would come to them.

Excuse my language, but to capture Khloe, they'd have to break in my house and pry her out of my butt, and I think that that would be too much of a bother. lol.

I'm so sorry about your Westie! We have one too and that would be absolutely heartbreaking. Right now, we have a large yard with a 8 ft privacy fence; but we are moving to a new house (new state) with an underground fence. I hope to get a regular fence right away but understand this can still happen.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Erin

I tell people Sam was free, and then needed a $3000 knee surgery. It's true.

A lot of people asking about cost see your little dog and think they want one. If they are genuinely interested and not creepy or rude or clueless, I use it as an educational opportunity to caution them against puppy mills, encourage rescue or suggest how they find a reputable breeder (mom on site, pups stay with mom until 10-12 weeks, NO PET STORES, etc. - you all know the drill.) I give them a quick pro/con on Yorkies and explain how Sam is 6 pounds, let them hold her and see just how tiny 6 pounds is and caution them against the under-5 pound dogs if they have kids or have never had a dog before. I explain how Loki came from a quasi-puppy mill (we think) and even though I paid full price for him, has mega health issues that need expensive meds. Except for her knees, Sam is healthy. So, it's NOT get what you pay for UNLESS you do your homework and you must be prepared for anything!

If they ask if I'm going to breed them because they are oh-so-cute then I give them THAT lecture as well.

I figure they are either actually interested, or they will think twice about asking next time!!

I usually hand them my breeder's card and ask them to call her and she'll tell them if they're interested in obtaining a pup from her. Yes, it's a rude answer, but if they're rude enough to ask a rude question.....oh well.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I usually hand them my breeder's card and ask them to call her and she'll tell them if they're interested in obtaining a pup from her. Yes, it's a rude answer, but if they're rude enough to ask a rude question.....oh well.

That's a good idea. I actually can't recommend the breeders mine came from Loki's because of his issues, and Sam's because I never met her. That's difficult to explain to people, especially since I don't have an alternative to recommend...

Has anyone thought about handing out pre-made "baseball card" type cards? With all of their stats? My mom's friend did that because she has a teeeny tiny one and can't go anywhere without getting bombarded so she just hands out cards.

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by Erin

That's a good idea. I actually can't recommend the breeders mine came from Loki's because of his issues, and Sam's because I never met her. That's difficult to explain to people, especially since I don't have an alternative to recommend...

Has anyone thought about handing out pre-made "baseball card" type cards? With all of their stats? My mom's friend did that because she has a teeeny tiny one and can't go anywhere without getting bombarded so she just hands out cards.

That is an excellent idea also. Or you could make a list of reputable breeders in the area if someone is just asking innocently. I like that approach. This was my breeder's last litter before having her sire and dam spayed and neutered, as they are 5 and 6 years old. So I can't refer them back to her, but she was great. She screens her buyers pretty hard, so Khloe's brother may still be available. Anyone in NC looking for a tee-tiny gorgeous little boy, talk to me. He is beautiful!

[chachi]

Passing out cards is a great idea. Another good thing to put on there would be yorkietalks web address

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by lizzieg

That is an excellent idea also. Or you could make a list of reputable breeders in the area if someone is just asking innocently. I like that approach. This was my breeder's last litter before having her sire and dam spayed and neutered, as they are 5 and 6 years old. So I can't refer them back to her, but she was great. She screens her buyers pretty hard, so Khloe's brother may still be available. Anyone in NC looking for a tee-tiny gorgeous little boy, talk to me. He is beautiful!

There a couple of reasons I will not divulge what I paid for my dogs, is because m dogs are show dogs. My breeder and I have two prices. One for pet and one for show. However, I also think it's very rude to divulge my breeder's prices, that should be kept between her and her clients. Her prices may have changed since I obtained my dogs from her.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by lizzieg

That is an excellent idea also. Or you could make a list of reputable breeders in the area if someone is just asking innocently. I like that approach. This was my breeder's last litter before having her sire and dam spayed and neutered, as they are 5 and 6 years old. So I can't refer them back to her, but she was great. She screens her buyers pretty hard, so Khloe's brother may still be available. Anyone in NC looking for a tee-tiny gorgeous little boy, talk to me. He is beautiful!

Giving people a list of reputable breeders is a great idea.

I carry my breeders business cards with me, as well as my own.

[babiehammer]

Im asked this quite often and I just say "not enough".

Whats it matter. I only ever asked this question to someone (a good friend) because i was interested in the boxer breeder she got her Boxer from!

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I'm so sorry about your Westie! We have one too and that would be absolutely heartbreaking. Right now, we have a large yard with a 8 ft privacy fence; but we are moving to a new house (new state) with an underground fence. I hope to get a regular fence right away but understand this can still happen.

Your Westie is so sweet; reminds me of my Max. I miss him everyday. I never give up on someone scanning his microchip and getting notified. Does your Westie and Yorkie get along well?