Trying to buy a yorkie...have questions!?

[hellokitty876]

Hello. I am new here. I have been searching for a very long time for a yorkie puppy. I have had my fair share of dealing with scam artists and dishonest people, so I am now leary with every new lead I find. I can't afford an expensive breeder at this time.

Today I found somebody who says they have one male full blooded ACA yorkie. They are an older couple and live only a few hours from me. They sent me pics, he is 8 weeks, and they are asking $375.

My questions are these...

1. What questions should I be asking?

2. What is ACA? I have heard of AKA.

3. Is $375 a bad price?

4. Any other advice?

I have a pic I would like somebody to look at and see if he looks like he should for a full blooded yorkie. I just cant post it here.

Thanks for any help!!

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by hellokitty876

Hello. I am new here. I have been searching for a very long time for a yorkie puppy. I have had my fair share of dealing with scam artists and dishonest people, so I am now leary with every new lead I find. I can't afford an expensive breeder at this time.

Today I found somebody who says they have one male full blooded ACA yorkie. They are an older couple and live only a few hours from me. They sent me pics, he is 8 weeks, and they are asking $375.

My questions are these...

1. What questions should I be asking?

2. What is ACA? I have heard of AKA.

3. Is $375 a bad price?

4. Any other advice?

I have a pic I would like somebody to look at and see if he looks like he should for a full blooded yorkie. I just cant post it here.

Thanks for any help!!

375 is good if it's adopting from a shelter or something... as a buying price it sounds like either a puppy mill, or a backyard breeder or a scam. I am not really sure, maybe someone else can chime in, but it sounds a bit too good to be true to me.

[FlyingNimbus]

Ask them the basics, are the parents registered in the AKC, are they registered with any other yorkie clubs.

Ask them if the parents were tested for genetic disorder/illness. Ask them if the puppies come with a guarantee. Look/examine/review their contract, if it sounds suspicious I wouldn't gamble it.

Ask if the puppies are tested by vets. Ask what they feed the dogs. Ask to be able to meet the parents, puppies and see where they are kept. A lot says about what conditions they are kept.

If you see the inside of their house notice if it's dirty or clean, messy or neat. I know it sounds silly, but my mother always used to say -- you can tell a lot about the people you interact by the condition of their house.

What she means, you won't be able to tell if the person is bad by just that-- but you can at least know the type of person they are-- whether they are organized, or all over the place/messy or clean.

I believe that translates into breeding very well. If a person can't take care of themselves very well- how do pray tell can you believe they can take care of others?


Things like that... Also ask to review the contract, if it sounds fishy maybe don't sign it? By fishy I mean a lot of things that say should the dog be found sick, we are not responsible after it leaves our premises, or should the dog have any serious illness no monies will be reimbursed.

If it says the dog cannot be return that's kind of iffy. Or if it says that overall if the dog arrives ill or was found with some serious illness that you can only exchange for another dog that is iffy...

Why? Because if one dog is sick who says the others aint?

[canana]

Given your circumstances, I would probably be even more leary than you. I'm not sure what you mean by "expensive". Most healthy Yorkie puppies will start at $1200 or $1500 and up. If you come across someone who claims to be a breeder selling for less than that, the chances are very high that it's either from a puppy mill, a backyard breeder (people who breed for fun or who breed to make money off you), and without any certainty about the puppies health.

I personally would not buy from this older couple. People can be very nice. Nice people don't necessarily know how to properly breed dogs. Nice people who have bred dogs for many years, don't necessarily breed with good ethics, whether intentionally or unintentionally (they may just not know any better without the help of a proper mentor). Pictures of puppies always look cute. But puppy pictures cannot ever tell you how healthy they are or what they will look like when they're full grown.

If you want a healthy puppy, I'd suggest you contact your local dog show organization (North Arkansas Kennel Club, Inc.) and ask for contacts - perhaps names of Yorkie breeders who have competed in the past (apparently the last show in your city was in February).

Otherwise, if cost is an issue, I'd highly suggest that you keep your options open in terms of the breed and look into adopting at your local shelter or rescue organization. Most shelters have had their dogs checked by a vet and any known conditions (if any) would be revealed.

But most importantly, please take your time and don't rush into buying a puppy. You'll appreciate waiting for as long as possible to find the perfect healthy puppy that will be with you for the next 12-18 years (versus rushing into getting the very cute puppy you saw in a picture that may be sick/unhealthy and end up costing you thousands in vet bills and possibly not living a very long life).

[Lovetodream88]

I would walk away. AKC is the only reputable registry in the US so you could be not getting a pure yorkie if you go with any other one. That price is also extremely cheap which means they probably didn't do all the required health things so you are more likely to get a pup with genetic issues.

[maxdog]

$375 is a great price. But if they ask you to pay before they give you the puppy then run away because it is a scam. You can spend a lot more money from very reputable breeders and it will limit the chance of genetic issues but no one can guarantee a dog will be perfectly healthy for life. Not everyone can afford a yorkie from a great breeder. They spend thousands of dollars to ensure the bloodline is kept and that the pups are given all the medical treatment they need so they cannot give the pups away. If your mind is really set on a yorkie (and they are the best babies in the world!) then consider a rescue. It is a win - win situation. Good luck in your search.

[matese]

In 1980 I paid more then $375. "In a pet Shop" for a pure breed yorkie. I would not buy this puppy. Even ppl that, neighbor has a male yorkie and they have a female yorkie lets mate them up (called BYB back yard breeders) sell their puppies for more then $375. Something smells fishy here. Like maxdog advised "if they ask you to pay before they give you the puppy then run away because it is a scam".
I would hate to see you buy a sick puppy. You should never buy a pure breed dog based on the cheap price they are charging. Use a reputable breeder who has checked both male and female to ensure there are no genetic defects. Pay more up front for a healthy puppy you are sure to save down the road in vet bills.

ACA is "American Canine Association

NOT the AKC

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by maxdog

$375 is a great price. But if they ask you to pay before they give you the puppy then run away because it is a scam. You can spend a lot more money from very reputable breeders and it will limit the chance of genetic issues but no one can guarantee a dog will be perfectly healthy for life. Not everyone can afford a yorkie from a great breeder. They spend thousands of dollars to ensure the bloodline is kept and that the pups are given all the medical treatment they need so they cannot give the pups away. If your mind is really set on a yorkie (and they are the best babies in the world!) then consider a rescue. It is a win - win situation. Good luck in your search.

Mmmm I mean 375 would be a great price if it was from a reputable breeder who had lots of legitimate references that aren't friends or family or anyone related to him outside of vets, another akc breeder, etc.

While you are correct not everyone can afford a puppy from a very reputable breeder. But that doesn't mean they should go for the cheaper option as in the long run the likelihood is higher to need more special care.

Rescue is actually a wonderful idea as she would be saving a life, however that too is a big gamble.


You know you say it's not a guarantee, yes correct it isn't. But you know I'd rather gamble with 80% chance of it not getting that bad, than a 25% chance of it going good.

It's all a gamble, but the higher costs means the less of a gamble which is better generally.

[Maximo]

$375 is likely a scam. Even backyard breeders charge more for a Yorkie.

More importantly, consider that buying the dog is the "cheap" part. Caring for the dog is very expensive, especially a smaller dog. Before I got my Yorkies, I bought a Yorkie book that estimated annual expenses at around $800 - $900 a year. I thought that was ridiculous, but it turned out to be true, less than what I have spent.

Having money to go to the vet, pay for emergencies, is very important.

[yavenay]

Is it a breeder or is it someone who just wants to rehome a puppy? I paid 400.00 for my rehomed puppy but she came with shots....etc and she was much older. Since I wasn't looking for a show dog, being AKC wasn't really that important to me.

If it's someone who just wants to rehomed him and is not a breeder, sounds like a good price to me.

[Wylie's Mom]

Might be helpful to read all of this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ent-guide.html

[rjwalt]

$375 is a scam. A yorkie with no papers or a yorkie mix will easily sell for $700 and up. That's not even a good scam. Anyone, with the mind to register a pup with any registry would know that, even if they are in it for the money alone. Next they will give you some story about sending them money or meeting them somewhere where they will steal your money and your car. It's best you move along.