Rant on Yorkie Pricing

[feminvstr]

While some have touched on the actual cost of rearing a bitch, studding then raising a litter...I think some of the other costs have been omitted

a bitch average breed/show quality $2500
rearing that bitch to breeding age average 2 years $$$
grooming, vet visits, (show cost if being shown, entry fees, travel charges, hotel, gas, food, grooming spaces)
stud fee average $500 - $800 some up to $1500
prenatal care average $500
c-section non emergency $800
emergency $2000
care of a litter doesnt just include the food, vet visits, vaccinations but the 24-7 care for the first 2-3 weeks keeping the pups at minimum 12 weeks.

this entire process at the very least a 5 month process in producing a happy healthy good representation of the breed pup.

There are many breeders that dont show, so they dont incur those cost, there are many breeders that purchase a breeding bitch (not a good representation of the breed) therefore the price of that breeding bitch could be much less. There are breeders that dont take the time to find the right stud, breed the bitch to the boy next door, eliminating a quality male going rate for a stud fee. There are many breeders that work full time, leaving the bitch to whelp on her own, there are many breeders that don't do the necessary penatal and post natal care (eliminating the vet costs)....finally there are many breeders that raise pups in card board boxes and shove them out the door at 6 weeks (no vaccinations, no vet checks, no guarantees) they are tired of cleaning up the poop!!! These are the breeders that will sell for the $500!!

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Why it upsets me is because to me it seems the person is not concerned about the quality of the pup. I usually get a feel for my potential new families, if I get a good feeling about them, I will adjust price just to put my pups in loving, caring, forever homes. And yes, I'm not against placing pups without a fee.

I've actually placed one for free and one for considerly less. I have to correct myself and admit I was wrong in saying I don't take into consideration about pricing but I knew where they were going and why and I felt comfortable doing that. Again, it's not all about money it's about healthy, happy pups and to better the breed
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

I've actually placed one for free and one for considerly less. I have to correct myself and admit I was wrong in saying I don't take into consideration about pricing but I knew where they were going and why and I felt comfortable doing that. Again, it's not all about money it's about healthy, happy pups and to better the breed
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

I know I breed first for myself, hence the 1 or 2 litters a year. So on the average maybe 4 pups to place in new homes....as yet I've wonderful luck with the new families.

[Little Bit]

Originally Posted by love_me_cody

That's the thing, most breeders charge alot for their dogs and they look like a yorkie but not really a good repersentation of the breed.
(I haven't read the other post yet, sorry)

And when I asked a vet about a c-section he told me that for a small breed they can go about $200 in his clinic... but I guess that is in my area.

$200 is a bargain!! My last C section was over $700 and that is a pretty good price for here!

[makemepretty]

About 17 years ago(give or take) when I first saw an ad for Yorkie, it said they would be about 4 pounds full grown and the price was $900. That was AT LEAST 17 years ago. I then went out and bought my first yorkie book, which I still have. I never imagined I'd ever be able to save up $900, haha but they were the most beautiful tiny dogs I'd ever seen and I knew someday I'd have one.

[stedmansmommy]

Well actually, I think what people pay for their dog is nobodies business but their own to be honest I paid ALOT for Tatum, and I paid that because I fell in love with her and didn't care what her price was. I had the money to get her, so I did. Granted I do believe that some of these so called "breeders" who are charing $10,000 dollars for a dog is just completely and totally INSANE - but if there are people out their crazy enough to pay THAT kind of price - then that is entirely their business.

I didn't mind paying alot for Tatum #1 because I fell in love with her, but I also knew that she was coming from a wonderful breeder (show breeder) who had been breeding for a long time and was only doing it to better the breed. She truly does care about her dogs - they are like her babies. She asked ME questions that I WANTED (and expected) her to ask - questions that shows ME that she truly does want her babies to go to a good home, not to just anyone with cash in their hands. Tatum also has Champion Bloodlines (EXCELLENT ones) - and no I do not show her nor will I be able to because she is too small, but I don't care. I wouldn't show her even if I COULD because that is my choice. I bought her knowing that I wasn't planning on showing her, and I still didn't mind paying what I did for her.

Not saying that I wouldn't pay less for one if I fell in love with it (actually, my Stedman was ALOT less than she was), but Tatum just so happened to be the baby I wanted and she came with a bigger price tag. Maybe some wouldn't pay it, but I did However, that's my business and no one elses. I think what each individual person does with his/her money is completely and entirely up to them.

Most Yorkies aren't cheap, and that's just the way it is. This is an expensive breed

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by feminvstr

While some have touched on the actual cost of rearing a bitch, studding then raising a litter...I think some of the other costs have been omitted

a bitch average breed/show quality $2500
rearing that bitch to breeding age average 2 years $$$
grooming, vet visits, (show cost if being shown, entry fees, travel charges, hotel, gas, food, grooming spaces)
stud fee average $500 - $800 some up to $1500
prenatal care average $500
c-section non emergency $800
emergency $2000
care of a litter doesnt just include the food, vet visits, vaccinations but the 24-7 care for the first 2-3 weeks keeping the pups at minimum 12 weeks.

this entire process at the very least a 5 month process in producing a happy healthy good representation of the breed pup.

There are many breeders that dont show, so they dont incur those cost, there are many breeders that purchase a breeding bitch (not a good representation of the breed) therefore the price of that breeding bitch could be much less. There are breeders that dont take the time to find the right stud, breed the bitch to the boy next door, eliminating a quality male going rate for a stud fee. There are many breeders that work full time, leaving the bitch to whelp on her own, there are many breeders that don't do the necessary penatal and post natal care (eliminating the vet costs)....finally there are many breeders that raise pups in card board boxes and shove them out the door at 6 weeks (no vaccinations, no vet checks, no guarantees) they are tired of cleaning up the poop!!! These are the breeders that will sell for the $500!!

Hear, Hear Kim. I wasn't adding in those costs. But, here's a few more to add. Pre-breeding screening....Hearing and eye tests by specialists. Smears for STDs. X-ray on hips and legs.....OFA testing, Bile Acid Testing. Temperament testing on the pups and the same tests as above run on the pups - the STDs. And then how can you put a cost on the countless sleep hours lost.....your mother hearing is turned on. Countless wash loads (soap, water and machine wear). Oh yeah! The time it takes to keep your dam in condition...

[dani23d]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Donna,

You're so right. And if one does their homework, they will find that pups from a show/breeder are considerably less.

I like you screen my new families and have a waiting list since I only breed 1 or 2 litters a year. I do abhor it when the first thing I hear out of an inquiring person "How much are your dogs".

My first responsibility is my dogs, 2nd is to educate potential new families. I too tell them to be selective with their breeder, yes breeder. And as you said before you aren't only obtaining a new pup you are obtaining a relationship with your breeder. The deal isn't finished when they walk out the door with their new pup, as a reputable breeder you are available to them 7x24. I offer free grooming for the pups for the rest of their lives....good way for me to keep on eye on them.

I love this. I have found a breeder just like you here in Canada. I have been doing research for over two months now. She offers free grooming for a lifetime to all of her litters. This is completely amazing to me and I value her customer service and personal care for all of her puppies.

[feminvstr]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Hear, Hear Kim. I wasn't adding in those costs. But, here's a few more to add. Pre-breeding screening....Hearing and eye tests by specialists. Smears for STDs. X-ray on hips and legs.....OFA testing, Bile Acid Testing. Temperament testing on the pups and the same tests as above run on the pups - the STDs. And then how can you put a cost on the countless sleep hours lost.....your mother hearing is turned on. Countless wash loads (soap, water and machine wear). Oh yeah! The time it takes to keep your dam in condition...

Mary how about hire a handler $1200 per month average time to finish 6 months sometimes sooner....$7,200!! Or buying a finished stud there is a champion being advertised on a site $12,000.00

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by feminvstr

Mary how about hire a handler $1200 per month average time to finish 6 months sometimes sooner....$7,200!! Or buying a finished stud there is a champion being advertised on a site $12,000.00

I forgot about that. I've yet had to hire a handler, since I handle all my own, but that age for me is approaching. I have had to send my incouragable ones out for training and that was an extra cost.

[aka_yorkie_mama]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Hear, Hear Kim. I wasn't adding in those costs. But, here's a few more to add. Pre-breeding screening....Hearing and eye tests by specialists. Smears for STDs. X-ray on hips and legs.....OFA testing, Bile Acid Testing. Temperament testing on the pups and the same tests as above run on the pups - the STDs. And then how can you put a cost on the countless sleep hours lost.....your mother hearing is turned on. Countless wash loads (soap, water and machine wear). Oh yeah! The time it takes to keep your dam in condition...

ok thank you i read page one and was about to rant back and this covers it and a litter takes over 40 hrs a week in MHO for 12 weeks in the end i make less than minimum wage.and lets forget about the price of health clearences for sire and dam cesarians and shots wormers ect but the puppies them selfs two or three times at the vets liver shunt test and when a problem ariseks thousands of dollars ...in some litters i do make money but the next litter will suck that right up.

[La Princesa]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Why it upsets me is because to me it seems the person is not concerned about the quality of the pup. I usually get a feel for my potential new families, if I get a good feeling about them, I will adjust price just to put my pups in loving, caring, forever homes. And yes, I'm not against placing pups without a fee.

Why discriminate and pass judgment on someone who thinks what they spend is important? I am glad I never approached you because you would have assumed that i was not concerned about the quality of the pup i was buying. Not that your dogs aren't beautiful cause they are. If i saw that you had beautiful well groomed pups that would have been the reason I would have approached you anyway.

Originally Posted by Mardelin

if I get a good feeling about them, I will adjust price just to put my pups in loving, caring, forever homes. And yes, I'm not against placing pups without a fee.

this is what i like to see and i think i what my breeder does with her dogs, she is more concerned for the life of her who arent show quality and adjusted her price for me and thats what this is all about especially if you yourself say you dont make money from this.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by aka_yorkie_mama

ok thank you i read page one and was about to rant back and this covers it and a litter takes over 40 hrs a week in MHO for 12 weeks in the end i make less than minimum wage.and lets forget about the price of health clearences for sire and dam cesarians and shots wormers ect but the puppies them selfs two or three times at the vets liver shunt test and when a problem ariseks thousands of dollars ...in some litters i do make money but the next litter will suck that right up.

Hey! Will you share your secret with me on how you were able to make money I've been running in the hole since I started. Any money that is brought in is put right back into my dogs.

[SugarMama]

I could be TOTALLY off base, but has anyone else noticed that the person who started this thread has been silent on this thread since starting it. Was this just a way to get people all riled up again? Just my thoughts, I could be wrong. Sorry if I misspoke.

[La Princesa]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

If you can't afford my price then you can't afford a puppy for the rest of it's life either because you'll pay more than my asking price over the course of a yorkie's life.

See now thas where you are wrong because I know i cant afford your price and I have two and I still can afford to take care of these boys for the rest of their lives.Why? because its way easier to pay for something little by little over time rather than a lump sum all at once. I guess that is why poor people are lucky to get new cars... they can afford to pay for them over time.
Sometimes when breeders say this I think that they get forget about the things that no one can afford but are able to buy because the cost that they do pay accrues over time. Heck naww I wouldn't buy a dog if i knew i would have to buy 2000$ worth of dog food at one time to prove I could afford to take care of one... but to pay 20-40 bucks for food every few months is different.