In search of puppy

[wigglewomyn]

Originally Posted by Sudie

To all the people who responded to my message. Thank you for being truthful about getting a Yorkie. Maybe this breed is not for me, I am very discouraged in even trying to search anymore or even increasing my looking price. I did find 2 sellers around $250 to $300. I didn't care if they had papers as long as the puppy was healthy. You really scared me so my search is over. Thanks again for the advice.

Sudie, I don't think you should give up your search but i think you need to know realistically that not just yorkies, but having any dog, is an expensive venture and if at the outset you only have $250 to spend on a dog, i think you need to rethink having a dog. In fact, this morning i read an article that stated dogs cost a minimum of $900 a year and having owned dogs for many years, that is a low low estimate. Vet bills, immunizations and dental cleanings, which yorkies MUST have, run close to that, without food or anything else.

Yorkies are cute, extremely popular, but very high maintenance, dogs. If you have found a yorkie that someone is willing to sell you for $250-300, I would be careful about them. Please do NOT blindly buy a yorkie off Craigslist or from the paper. Most times they are scams.

I asked a friend who does rescues here in Syracuse if a yorkie could be gotten in this area for $250 and she said most likely not. She said they usually are more than that and there is a waiting list for them. PM me and i can get info about the rescues. Maybe by the time one is available, you could save up more money.

Good luck in your search.

[Mayzoo]

Originally Posted by wigglewomyn

WOW, I wish I lived near where you do. It cost me over $225 to get my puppy neutered a few months ago.

Apparently you live in an area where there are different types of dogs in shelters. I live in Syracuse NY where the OP Sudie lives. I checked daily with our shelter for over a year for a "small" dog. Almost all our shelter gets are pitbulls and/or large dogs. They rarely get any small dogs or puppies. I have friends that work there that would also call me if they did. In ONE YEAR, I received TWO calls.

That $250 that the OP wants to buy a yorkie with would barely get her a pitbull at our local shelter; they charge $180 to adopt a dog.

I wish her good luck. This is a hard area to find a yorkie in for a decent price. I would suggest she put the word out to friends, friends of friends, and family that she would like a yorkie if anyone is giving one away.

The place I got my little mister from charged nothing (it was a pound called a city shelter). We paid 10.00 to heart worm test him (optional) and 68.00 to neuter him at a regular vet, not a county run neuter facility. The pound took the money and gave it to the vet since the pound does not release the furry kids until they are neutered/spayed. They do not trust a contract promising the new owners will neuter them, the pound themselves dropped our guy off at the vet and we picked him up at the vet. In fact, I think the pound actually subsidized the neutering a little, but I am not sure.

We had looked a few times before, and they had no small dogs. This time it may have been fate. They had Mario and his brother Luigi. No, we did not name them, but we did keep Mario's name the same since he had been called that for 3 or weeks by the pound. About a week later, someone adopted Luigi.

[wigglewomyn]

Originally Posted by Mayzoo

The place I got my little mister from charged nothing (it was a pound called a city shelter). We paid 10.00 to heart worm test him (optional) and 68.00 to neuter him at a regular vet, not a county run neuter facility. The pound took the money and gave it to the vet since the pound does not release the furry kids until they are neutered/spayed. They do not trust a contract promising the new owners will neuter them, the pound themselves dropped our guy off at the vet and we picked him up at the vet. In fact, I think the pound actually subsidized the neutering a little, but I am not sure.

We had looked a few times before, and they had no small dogs. This time it may have been fate. They had Mario and his brother Luigi. No, we did not name them, but we did keep Mario's name the same since he had been called that for 3 or weeks by the pound. About a week later, someone adopted Luigi.

I can't believe how inexpensive it is to adopt a dog from the shelter in your area. Here, as i said, it is a flat $180 for an older dog, a puppy is more.

[Mayzoo]

When we got Mario, I had no idea of the needs of a yorkie. We were not even sure what breed he was. We did know he was a terrier of some kind.

Now that I have done my research, we pay more his food (due to pancreatitis predisposition), I brush his teeth regularly (due to dental disease predisposition), I buy him special treats for his teeth and special water additive for his teeth. I hope to never have to have his teeth cleaned by a vet. He also has vitamins to help him stay well since he goes into the public with us everywhere. Add to this, vet needs such as heart worm pills and vaccines. Mario does not need to be groomed since he is on the shorter hair length, but most yorkies require owner grooming or shop grooming. Either costs some money.

It can be expensive responsibly owning any dog, but certain breeds are definitely more. It is not as simple as buying a dog then just feeding and watering them like it was 40 years or so ago. Some still do this, but the quality or length of the dogs life is not as good as it could be in those cases.

[Mayzoo]

Originally Posted by wigglewomyn

I can't believe how inexpensive it is to adopt a dog from the shelter in your area. Here, as i said, it is a flat $180 for an older dog, a puppy is more.

HEHEHE, and snicker...I have a receipt to prove it. Sorry, my devilish side coming out

Amazing how much region makes a difference isn't it. And it seems that it matters for everything!!

[Mayzoo]

Oh, and I forgot to mention the 68.00 was a rabies shot and the neutering. I forgot about that.

[matese]

A friendof mine that lives in BKLYN, NY just paid $500. for a
Shih Tzu / Bichon mix puppy.
Beware, ya know the saying "ya get what ya pay for"
Maybe a re-home for $250. or rescue, they could have a yorkie mix and say it's pure yorkie, BYB even charge more then that.
Please be careful who you buy a puppy from.

[Sudie]

I am leaving site. No other information would be helpful. Thank you again to those that did give advice.

[KimSie13]

Originally Posted by Sudie

To all the people who responded to my message. Thank you for being truthful about getting a Yorkie. Maybe this breed is not for me, I am very discouraged in even trying to search anymore or even increasing my looking price. I did find 2 sellers around $250 to $300. I didn't care if they had papers as long as the puppy was healthy. You really scared me so my search is over. Thanks again for the advice.

I wouldn't be scared. You should try a rescue. You can adopt from a shelter for around 80-100$ and while it may not be the breed you want, You will be giving a dog who did not have a chance, a Life. Yorkie's can be a costly breed, I will be honest. They require a lot of care and maintenance at times. But despite my comments about that if you have the time and love to give Id go to a shelter and ask for the dogs on death row and Id see if one catches your heart. I've gotten dogs from shelters and even from beside the road from where they were abused and dumped, with some care and kindness they make wonderful members of the family. All they need is a chance.