|
Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member! Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us. |
|
| LinkBack | Thread Tools |
12-31-2005, 02:24 PM | #1 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 2,992
| Designer Mutts It's obvious that many of us have begun to notice a lot of little dog mixes that are selling for very high prices. A month or so ago - on the news and Internet - was a little dog selling in the New York area for around $1000. They can't even keep this little dog in stock--so to speak. It is a Puggle (a cross between a pug and a beagle). I'll have to admit that this little guy is handsome indeed. A nice size with wonderful clean looking short hair and the cutest face I have seen in a long time. I have no doubt about the Pugle being a wonderful little dog. This little fellow was described to be a "designer mutt" as are the other little dog mixes. And they do come with "designer prices." So far, "designer mutts" seem to be only small dog mixes. Of course, mutts come in all sizes, but the ones being breed on purpose and commanding very high prices are the smaller dogs. Needless to say, many "purists" are very much against this new popular practice. A vet on the TV show said that in her opinion, this may not be a bad thing. She feels it will help tone down some of the breed-specific faults that have become prevalent over the past years. And, she said that she felt this would have no impact on people's still wanting, breeding, and getting purebred dogs. I personally love purebred dogs ---but I certainly have a lot of room left in my heart for the delightful little mutts all over the world. I think there is room for both. Excluding puppy mills, of course, selling purebreds and now designer mutts -- I see no harm being done, and am sure this will not detract from the breeding and appreciation for purebreds. If a little YorkiePoo walked through my front door right now - I'd want to keep it, and I'm sure it would be a great little pet. I can tell you for sure that the little Puggle (Pug/Beagle) is a handsome little guy...he certainly ended up with the best of both breeds. There will be a lot of different opinions about mixing breeds, but I see no harm being done. Mutts have always been around and for the most part have been highly regarded and do make wonderful -sometimes even more healthy - little pets. But - aren't we surprised at the prices of these little dogs. They are going for $300 to $500 in my area. I believe this is causing purebred prices to go up even further. Carol Jean |
Welcome Guest! | |
12-31-2005, 02:33 PM | #2 |
YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 257
| I thing charging that much for a "mutt" is ridiculousbut at the same time i could see it if momma had many medical expenses. As far as mixing breeds there is no harm done in my eyes what is the difference when humans mix races....none and its perfectly acceptable!
__________________ Kari Willow Mia owns Me |
12-31-2005, 02:37 PM | #3 |
Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MD
Posts: 2,985
| Unfortunately, when you take a dog that has a high energy level and thus a high oxygen requirement such as the Beagle and mix it with the bracycephalic characteristics (very short muzzles such as the Pug) of the Pug, I would wonder how well the dog handles the change in the amount of air that enters its lungs. Pugs and Bulls, etc have very different requirements in that respect, I have heard. I watched Animal Planet today and the breed was Beagles and I was amazed at the amount of air they need to run and exercise. I had not thought much about that Puggle since I saw it on the news, til today. Anybody have one of these dogs that can share their opinions and experience?? Thanx. |
12-31-2005, 03:32 PM | #4 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 2,992
| Breathing requirements??? Apparently nature took care of this problem. The little Pugle does not have the flat face or short pug nose nor do they have the more narrow pointed nose of the beagle. It is a wonderful compromise. A brachycephalic syndrome can be problematic in the "flat-faced breeds. But, more often than not, it is not a serious problem. It is something that is a serious problem only occasionally and is certainly more serious in some dogs than it is in others. And, crossing these breeds with a longer nosed dog actually reduces any chance for this problem to occur. Interestingly, the vet mentioned this exact breathing problem --- a breed-specific problem (in the pug) --- as one that can be modified with cross breeding. This, she said, is an improvement. One breeder I found on the Internet says that the Pugle is a wonderful new little guy - "It tames the barking of the Beagle and improves the breathing of the Pug." --- He went on to say that the Pugle is "happy, energetic, playful, healthy little dog." He has had several of these dogs for years. So - apparently - rather than there being a problem - there is an improvement. Carol Jean |
12-31-2005, 03:46 PM | #5 |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central California
Posts: 445
| There are some bigger designer mutts also - goldendoodle (Golden retriever and poodle), labradoodle (Lab and poodle). In both of those cases there is an improvement in shedding issues. They will mix pretty much anything with a poodle to create a dog that doesn't shed. Also there could be an improvement in intelligence since the poodle is very intelligent however the last couple of goldendoodles I met were pretty dingy . I agree that the price of these so called designer dogs is pretty ridiculous. My niece recently paid $600.00 for a malti-poo. Ouch!
__________________ Dawn (Brandy & Titan's mom) |
12-31-2005, 03:52 PM | #6 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: ***
Posts: 647
| well... some designer mutts cost even $10,000... here is the famous puppy mill http://wizardofclaws.com/ http://www.stopwizardofclaws.com/ they have had mix pups for prices up to 10,000 |
12-31-2005, 03:56 PM | #7 |
BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,246
| I don't think the price of these dogs is too much since I don't think you can provide the very best start in life for the mother and her litter without using the best veterinarians, having the best whelping supplies, using a vet for vaccines and any other procedures necessary like dew claw removal or tail docking, the best food, the best or everything. Also the breeder needs to be available around the clock when a litter is due and for a couple of weeks after to make sure the babies are okay. In my opinion, you cannot raise a pup of any breed to 12 weeks without spending a minimum of $500 and then if you want to compensate the breeder for their time and maybe allow them a small profit, you are looking at $750 to $1000. Breeding is hard hard work and not everyone is cut out for it. It takes a special, very dedicated person and I feel all good breeders, whether they are breeding purebreds or mixed breeds, deserve to be compensated fairly for their hard work. They are dealing with LIVES after all. A purebred is no better and doesn't deserve any better treatment than a mixed breed. They all deserve the best. After the initial costs of getting the puppy to 12 weeks if yu want to price based on other things like show quality or pet quality or size or whatever that is called supply and demand and you charge accordingly. there is nothing wrong with that imo. |
12-31-2005, 03:57 PM | #8 |
Livin' La Yorkie Local Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,607
| Do you think this is how 'new breeds' start? I am not condoning these "Designer" pets just wondering. But then I argue with myself and say NO. What reputable breeder would purposely mix 2 breeds?...just wondering. Oh and Rini. Your findings and comments are really interesting, I wonder if the opposites will collide at some point. As cute as those pups are, it breaks my heart to see them being produced..they are just to make money. So unfair!!! |
12-31-2005, 04:24 PM | #9 | |
Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,432
| Quote:
| |
12-31-2005, 04:33 PM | #11 |
Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member | MY neighbors just produced a Terrier Mix Designer Dog ....and they are FREE. oh - and you can bet they hardly spent a penny on any "breeding" expenses - they didn't even know their dog was pregnant and she is just FINE. ANYONE can breed 2 dogs and call it a designer dog if they want - it's all in the catchy name and how many people want them - if something takes off - then voila - A New Designer Breed ....and they can now ask a LOT of money for them. I saw those Puggles on the news too and it's called a FAD. People are in love with them that have them - sure ...If I had a mix I would love him/her too - but the designer thing is just that ...A FAD ....at least with this particular dog it is...New Yorkers are making them the latest craze in pets.
__________________ Last edited by red98vett; 12-31-2005 at 04:35 PM. |
12-31-2005, 04:39 PM | #12 |
YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 257
| I knew puppy mills were bad bad places but today i came across a site(wish i remembered what one) but i had no clue had evil truely evil those places are. I sat and cried like a baby reading so many sad stories. Then to see celebrities buying their babies from such places. To think people acctualy look up to them.
__________________ Kari Willow Mia owns Me |
12-31-2005, 04:45 PM | #13 | |
Livin' La Yorkie Local Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,607
| Quote:
I think I'll answer myself. If this was a true attempt to 'make a new breed' that would be accepted by the AKC eventually, I am SURE they would not be selling the pups and pumping out so many puppies. They would be careful and evaluate and compare genetics etc. And the cost IMO is not justified. We pretty much know the majority of these puppy producers are not taking the best care of their litters, a big hint is that they sell to pet shops. So The pup was sold at a mix breed price to the shop and then the shop is recouping it's cost and adding profit hence the exorbent price tag! I personally do not think that these are the ways of responsible breeders. Funny, I just debated with myself..WEEEIRD! | |
12-31-2005, 04:46 PM | #14 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 2,992
| They aren't necessarily bred to just make money any more than any other dog. I have a friend who deliberately bred a poodle with her own Bichon and is taking wonderful care of them at home until they go to a new home - (and, they have already all been "begged" for). In fact, she had several people who wanted one of the pups before they were bred. This certainly is how many new breeds have been developed. However, I don't think it was done in the same way as what is going on now. It was done by more serious educated breeders who appreciated the traits of different breeds and bred intentionally trying to develop specific traits in a new dog. And, these new breeds have generally took years and a great deal of expense to develop. I don't think people are cross breeding these little guys in the hopes of developing a new breed --but rather just to come up with another cute, delightful, playful little dog. If we can justify paying $500 for these little "designer mutts" because of the care, vet bills, etc. --- then no puppy should ever be sold for less than that amount. I am not sure all puppies need to be priced this high. Many people could never afford to have a dog if this were the case. And, before anyone brings it up --- yes, when we own a dog - we should be expected to pay whatever bills are necessary to care for it and keep it healthy. I'm just not sure everyone needs to pay such a high price to get a dog in the first place. Probably one reason these little crossbred dogs are commanding such high prices is because the dogs being bred are small expensive little dogs. Then, of course, the pups are small --and we know small dogs bring premium prices. Carol Jean Carol Jean |
12-31-2005, 04:48 PM | #15 |
Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member | Kari - this thread is an example of WHY there are so many puppymills - the more profit people see in dogs - the more mills are going to continue to exist - I joked in my earlier post but I can be serious too...We have enough dogs in the POUND that need homes and why create more ? My feelings on Mix breeds are this - While I find ALL dogs just wonderful and yes I WOULD have a mix myself if given the opportunity - I don't agree with the price gouging that's happening in Sales of Dogs ...It's getting WAY out of control - One day every dog is going to cost so much money people won't even afford them - and this is especially true for mixes. Pure Breeds have lines that go back generations - when you buy a mix you don't really have that care and work that went into developing the breed. I can see a Breeder...for instance : a YORKIE breeder ...charging the prices they charge, but I just don't think it's fair to charge high prices for a mix - lovable as they are - it's just not the same thing... This is only my opinion and not intended to offend ANYONE with a mix - some of the cutest puppies I've seen are mixes - but to pay outrageous prices is just price gouging to me.
__________________ Last edited by red98vett; 12-31-2005 at 04:52 PM. |
Bookmarks |
|
|
| |
|
|
SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart