Yorkie Prices

[ltret0294]

Originally Posted by Shelby&Seymour

Shelby & Seymour would have a been a BARGAIN at Double the Price!!! LOL!!! Of course they are worth MILLIONS!!!!!!!!!!
I paid a fair price for them, but I did end up having LP problems with Shelby. I can't say that it was a heredity issue (as she used to do the "flying squirrel" off the couch when she was little, and just had no fear from anything.... so it could have been caused by her Evil Kineval ways ). I do not show Shelby or Seymour...... but I think that I should have given it a try with Seymour... maybe with my next one.

I really think that if you are looking for a Yorkie, it is not just the price that is (or should be) looked at. You need to look at the breeder.... and there are LOTS of good quality breeders, just do your homework. (This is a lesson that most of us have learned from experience.. )
There are some TERRIBLE breeders out there that will sell you a "Teacup, TeddyBear faced, mini, or even a DESIGNER" (all words that should give you a RED FLAD.....) for $4000.00. Then you end up with probs like hypoglycemia, LP, livershunt, and etc. with no concern from the breeder.... sometimes they just "disappear".
You also can by a $4000.00 show dog from a wonderful breeder that gives you a wonderful guarantee and also will be willing to help you with questions and concerns the entire time you own the dog.

ON the flip side...... you can buy a $700.00 pup from the flea market, puppymill or a backyard breeder.......... that is probably not old enough to leave it's Mother, and also has not had any health checks done... and no contract or further help.
Or you could buy one for $700.00 from a reputable breeder, pet quality, who has a good bloodline (free from hereditary problems...... not always does the word "champion" in a bloodline mean this!!), and have a wonderful pet and a new "friend"(breeder) that helps with your concerns and questions.

....... but remember, it also may definitely be worth taking a small gamble and ADOPTING one for $200-$400.00 and give a deserving little guy or a gal a new start and a loving home.

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.

[BettyBee]

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!

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by BettyBee

It is not what you pay but what you get.

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!

[BettyBee]

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!

[ferragame]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

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!

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.