There are people who breed poor quality purebreds as well as mixed breeds. I suppose the idea of the "designer dog" was just another selling point for someone who either makes a living by breeding dogs or uses them as a supplement to their income.

I can tell you that about 90% of the abandoned small dogs that go into the shelters in the NYC area are "designer" dogs that did not turn out quite so cute as the owners expected. It is a sad, sad thing to see. For every little cutie that found a good loving home there are twice as many that ended up on the street or dumped at a shelter.

I own a "mutt" as some on here would refer him to. Do I care that he is not AKC? No. Do I care he is mixed? Absolutely not. Did I pay an outrageous amount for him? Sure didn't! Does this make me an irresponsible mutt mommy? Absolutely not! I put out more money caring for him than people I know with AKC Registered Dogs.

Personally, I think the reason some mixed breeds sell for so much is because of the rich and famous buying them and making the news, magazine, etc...

There are so many puppy mills near me selling shorkies, morkies, shichons, cavatzu's, etc...that I could puke. They charge up to $3500 for these dogs.

Just because you have an AKC registered yorkie does not mean you are above anyone else. Unless you're a breeder, more than likely the only reason you bought a registered yorkie is because you want the right to say he/she is "registered". Oh my! At the end of the day, do you think any of our little dogs care? As long as they are well cared for by responsible pet parents that is all that matters. So, I'll keep my little mutt and continue to love him just like you all love your AKC yorkie! Raley has yorkie hair and a little smushy face that I love dearly!

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I have 2 full breed yorkies and in no way would I ever think I am better than anyone. I did not buy a full breed for bragging rights I bought them because I ablsolutely love the look of the yorkie. I also have had mixes through the years that I have loved dearly. All dogs to me are precious.

That is generally my feeling---I love ALL dogs. The whole AKC Snobiness is just too much some times! I have owned both as well.

The problem is why breed more mutts when there are so many in shelters? Its not about being above anyone its about the fact that a good breeder who cares about dogs does not breed more of what is already filling shelters. Also a good breeder breeds to better the breed and obviously that's not being done with mixes.

Its not the AKC snobbishness but all other registry's you can register any breed any dog you want so people can lie about what the dog really is.

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My last dog was a "mutt" and he had a long happy life with us for 20 years.
I chose to get a yorkiepoo. I didn't care that he wasn't recognized by the AKC. He was cute...he needed a home..I fell in love with his little face...and we made him a part of our family. :animal-pa

I agree with you but where I live, there are breeders who have registered dogs and breed each and every heat. They obviously aren't doing it to better the breed. If that was the case we would live in a perfect world. I currently own a 11 year old large breed dog that I rescued from a kill shelter. I also have a registered rat terrier in addition to my yorkie mix mutt. I do a lot of rescue work and understand what you're saying. The problem here is the shelters are full of pit bulls, labs, etc...not many fluffs. Also, the yorkie breeders that I know of around here are extremely rude and as long as you can afford one of their "registered" babies, it's your's. They are not bettering the breed period. They are ONLY in it for the money. The local flea market is full each and every weekend of any and every kind of dog you might want...registered and mutts. It is very sad indeed.

I still love my yorkie mix as well as all my other animals!

That is a good point. I agree that AKC is THE premier registry. The other's are off the wall and not worth the paper they print on. That is because of so many uneducated people falling for it. With that said, there is a bit of snobbiness to AKC--some people think just because their pet is AKC registered that they have a better pet. Not true. Those papers don't remove the poor genetics and hereditary conditions in a pedigree. It simply means your dog is pure bred and registered. I suppose that is what I have the most problem with--having a dog with papers that is not a "well" dog. It's hogwash to me.

I am not talking about bad breeders thought I am talking about reputable breeders.

People who know better and have knowledge about it aren't like that though.

AKC registry has nothing to do with this. There are many puppy mills that sell AKC registered dogs. Most people who buy a purebred dog do it because they want a particular look and personality trait and not bragging rights. Many of these designer dog breeders charge as much and more for their pups than purebred breeders do. Many of these so called Hollywood "starlets" that tote little dogs around in their bags have "designer" dogs as well as purebred. The problem is that a large number of the designer as well as purebred dogs are not what the buyer was promised. Since it has become such a fad to buy a small breed dog many of the people who buy these dogs have never had a dog and do not know how to care for them. When the cute little puppy becomes a medical burden or grows too large they don't want it anymore. It is the breeding of poor quality, sickly dogs and selling them to whoever has the right amount of dollars that is the real issue.......and that happens with designer and purebred dogs. Mixed breed dogs are just as loveable as any other dog but to breed poor quality sickly dogs under horrific conditions and then sell them without regard to how they will be taken care of is beyond contemptible.

No. The reason I buy an AKC registered yorkie puppy is that I want to know my yorkie will actually look like a yorkie as an adult, and I want that true terrier temperament.

Some people that buy mutt/mixes get lucky...others not so much so. With a mix you don't know what you're going to end up with unless you buy an adult dog....which probably explains the number of mutts in shelters.

There is a well known hobby breeder in my town that sells a lot of registered yorkies. If you want a yorkie here that is who everyone says to go to. Well, I have seen her pups and they are very poor quality and definitely not breed standard. I have asked a few people that I know who have bought puppies from her why they chose to buy from her. Their reply, "her dogs are AKC registered". So, there is obviously good and bad and I won't argue that. I just so happen to really love my yorkie mix and it doesn't bother me that he is mixed. Whenever I get another furbaby, it just might be a pure bred yorkie. I can guarantee you, though, that I will not buy one from anyone around where I live!