Pet Stores
 

Here's another reason why you shouldn't buy from a pet store "PetLand". My daughter was telling me about her new boyfriend's moms dog...a yorkie...She paid 1500.00 for this puppy about a year ago and now the "yorkie" weighs 18pounds. I told him I bet it was bred with a poodle because he said the dog also had curly hair. I guess after talking to the manager and raising heck they gave her half her money back. Hopefully anyone out there thinking of buying a yorkie please, please do not buy from a pet store.
Nancy

I know what you are talking about, our pet store just recently added selling puppies, i went in there the other day and they had a yorkie and bichon mix, along with 4 other different kinds of puppies, but they had the yorkie mix for $450.00! I couldn't believe it! My hubby gave $500.00 for Prince, and $350.00 for Holly and they are full blooded, I think people who are not aware of certain things could get taken, but that is a whole other topic.

I was just in Toronto and saw yorkie pups being sold for $2900 (cdn) ! I wouldn't pay that much from a breeder! Our Tia came from a pet store. With tax she was $1300 (cdn). Turns out she has medially luxating patellas. We gave the store heck for not informing us (they swear they didn't know....either the vet didn't know wnough to check her joints or the breeder knew and chose not to tell the shop). We decided to keep her and we got a full refund. We're using the money we paid for her surgery if and when she needs it.

I got Bentley my yorkie poo from a Petland before I knew better and so far *fingers crossed* he's really healthy.

In Toronto At PJ's Pet store, there are 3 yorkie pups priced for $3999.99 (EACH BTW!!) and then the next week went on sale for $2999.99. So getting little Missy from a breeder for $750 seemed like a deal!!!

However, now that I'm reading some posts here from the US, i see people selling full breeds for $500 USD!! Even with the exchange rate from USD to CAD it's still more expensive in Canada... why is that??

Yep, pet stores are terrible, and notorious for selling mixes for outrageous prices. We don't have a petland here, but the one in our mall will sell muts for $600+. I can't stand the place.

Yeah I paid 900 for Bentley who's a yorkie poo. I don't regret it because I love him, but man talk about total robbery!

Mzzy...I was at PJ's too...that's where I saw the 3 pups! My husband's eyes popped and said they must be "high quality" (Tia came from a pet store with a paper saying that dogs from that store are not guaranteed to be purebred). I told him that the fact that they're being sold at a store raises questions (sometimes). 3 grand for a pup that you can get from a reliable breeder for much less....robbery!

I don't know why some are so inexpensive. Mine cost $1200 and $1500 each from home breeders. So do most in this area. There were some that were not AKC registered being sold for a little less. Some in pet stores for more.

I think if a breeder is doing everything they need to do, it is pretty hard to break even if they are only charging a few hundred dollars. I think most of those $500 dogs are from BYBs who do not get all of the testing, ensure good pedigree medical history, and parents within standards. Some people luck out and get fantastic Yorkies for those bargain prices, but too many wind up with heartaches and very non-standard Yorkies.

How NOT to buy a dog
 

I bought Max in a pet store only because once I took him in my arms, I fell in love with him. He was living with me within 2 hours. I was really nervous until the vet said that he was healthy. You have to see the papers they gave me - the breeder's name is not listed, nor is he AKC. I think they made up a registry-DKC or something. I never bothered with it.

I had gotten good solid advice about how to find a good breeder, etc. and was all set to buy my Yorkie that way. Then I passed this pet store and decided to just take a look at what I was going to get eventually.

I walked in and saw these precious little Yorkie babies - priced at $1500! I told them no way am I spending that on a dog. They said they would show me one from the back. I honestly expected to see a mutated 3 legged chicken, but out came this adorable little puppy. Like I said, as soon as I had him in my arms, it was love at first sight. He cost $750, which was okay.

He's probably from a puppy mill, but, like I said, he's healthy and the sweetest little boy, so I really consider myself extremely lucky.

My advice - never hold a dog before you know all about it, because you're going to fall in love.

Judy

I guess there's always an exception to the rule.
I personally don't like the word MUTTS! Mixed breed is a much
nicer term.
Buddy was purchased from a Private Pet Store. He came
with a vet check up and papers showing breeder, parents,
grandparents and great grandparents. He is a full breed Yorkshire
Terrier. He has been perfectly healthy however is much larger
than the standard. I guess that's where I got caught. I paid
$ 1,400.00 for him. I had no intention of breeding so his size
does not matter to me. He is a wonderful, smart healthy dog.
I have learned so much from YT and certainly would go to
a breeder if I were to purchase another. If you have knowledge
of the breed you'll know better next time around no matter where
you purchase your Yorkie from.

Carol & Buddy

Hi there. I got Hector (3 Months old) from a local pet store. We were not set on a breed yet but just knew we wanted a small dog. I will tell you what once I held him I was a gonner though. We got him 4 weeks ago and within twenty four hours of having him home he was sick and has been sick ever since. He is on the mend and getting better each day but we have been at the vet each week. He was $1,200.00 - which I am sure is outrages, but I was so in love with him I feel it is money well spent.

After we got him, there has been all sorts of problems with the pet store. They have been in the paper with stories of sick little puppies and even a few precious babies have passed away. I have had such a hard time with the thought we purchased Hector from such a terrible place. But I honestly feel he was not being taken care of and he was meant to go home to a loving home with us to get well. He may not had a chance otherwise.

I would like to eventually get a little female. I have fallen head over heels in love with Yorkies! I will never buy from a pet store again though. There have been too many negative things associated with buying Hector from there.