Well said about Adopting a Yorkie for $100-$400 and giving them a new start and a loving home. DJ cost $250, Harley D $0 because no one wanted the little old guy, Zack $300 and Zeke $0 (same rescue group as DJ and Harley). Needless to say, I have made donations to the rescue group to help with their soaring medical and vet bills. :)

Price for Yorkies
 

You have to remember that the breeder had some expenses if you want a healthy puppy. If the baby has had tail docked and dew claws removed, at least the first shot and vet check, registration expenses, top quality food, etc. If the puppy is too cheap, you may not be buying what you think at all. Prices have come down since the national economy has gotten bad as there seem to be a few less buyers. I paid $1,000.00 and I got my money's worth big time! I have a free Yorkie that I got when she was 5 years old and has cost me big money in vet expenses but I love her just as much - maybe more because she came from a mill and had never been a pet. She needed me and I needed her! It is not what you pay but what you get. I had just lost my baby and had no money to buy another. I have NEVER regretted a dollar I spent on my kids! They re the love of my life!

I love that line BettyBee! So true! I paid $600 for my very first Yorkie. She did not meet standard and I had to spay her. She also wound up with health problems and I lost her at the groomer's possibly partially due to her CT. I paid $1200 for Ben, he is in standard and has never had a health problem at all. So, he actually cost less! Sadie cost even more but she gave us some beautiful babies! No matter the cost, I have loved each of my babies. There is nothing like a yorkie!

For the poster who said, "I think a dog shouldn't be 1,000. dollars , many more would find loving homes." I don't think there are too many $1000 dogs having trouble finding homes! I was on a waiting list for quite a while to get my $1500 girl and the whole litter had deposits before they were a month old! I wish I had had a half dozen more girls in my last litter. I priced them at $900 just because I was a newer breeder, (Remember part of the price includes all the years of experience and vast knowledge that the breeder shares with you for the life of the pup!) and I had more customers than I had puppies.

It costs quite a lot to breed right. The pre-testing for dam and sire, the extra vet check-ups, the xrays, possibly an assisted birth, a whelping pen, whelping supplies, calcium for mom, after-care, puppy check-ups, shots, worming, tail-docking and dew claw removal, puppy food, pads, toys, blankets, beds, play yard, Nutrical, health certificates, registration for the litter, etc.... that all adds up quickly! If you just have a litter every year or two, you do not make money. That is not even taking into account that if you really do it ALL right, you also show your dogs. That can be VERY expensive! Add travel, lodging, handlers, entry fees, supplies for wrapping, coat care, cages, tables, and all the misc. things required for showing and it really racks up thousands more!

Since the actual price of the dog is just a tip of the iceberg, prices do not bother me too much unless people are trying to gouge (like those asking $6000 just because a dog is tiny). I know over the life of a dog, I am going to spend thousands more, so what does it matter if I spend $500 now or $2000 now? It is really not going to make that big a difference over the life of the dog. They are all a bargain when you find the right one!

What you pay
 

Thanks. I would spend a zillion, if I had it, on Yorkies and Yorkie stuff! Breeding yorkies is a labor of love. I thought I would not be able to sell a single one, but realized that the puppies would be better off where they were no longer one of a herd, but very special in a loving forever home. You have to see the faces and get the pictures from the new owners, too. They gave me money and think I am wonderful for taking it!

Excellent post. Many people do not understand the level of effort that goes into being a quality breeder. Our price is set regardless of size (unlike many breeders) at $1500 for males and $1800 for females. We've never had problems finding quality homes for our babies and have turned more people away then we accept.

Our puppies each have a physical, have had at least two stool samples tested, have all shots, include a one year health guarantee, heart guard and flea and tick prevention, etc, etc.

They are also all AKC registered and have championship bloodlines.

If you think our prices are too high, that is your opinion and right. We however believe the price is more than fair for the level of effort we put forth to breed only the best Yorkies and the feedback we've received from new owners is that they more than agree.

Prices, like everything else, is personal - its what they are worth to you. Everything follows this path - cars, homes, clothes, etc.

We breed not for the money but because we love Yorkies and want to do everything possible to produce happy and health puppies.

To reiterate this fact, a couple of years ago, a woman purchased a puppy for her adult daughter (lives with her). She returned a week later and wanted another puppy for herself. We informed her that we still had Brydei but we were keeping her to breed when she matured and had no other puppies available (our next littler wouldn't be for about 8 months to a year). She very much wanted a puppy, loved the one she purchased for her daughter and didn't want to wait a year for our next litter. She offered us $10,000 for Brydei .... immediately.

We turned her down.

We were able to bring her to our co-breeder who did have one remaining puppy for sale which she purchased and was very happy. We gained nothing from this act except to see her happiness......

And that folks is what its about. The joy and happiness Yorkies bring to their new owner's lives.