How much is a Yorkie puppy?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by simbasmom

I purchased my puppy from a member of YTCA who shows dogs and I didn't pay as much as you say Yorkies from show breeders normally are? Would you agree that prices also have to do with what area of the country the breeder lives in?

The prices are approximate, and averages from various threads I've read. You bring up an important point, prices do vary around the country, and places where cost of living and vet fees are higher may need to charge more. Good breeders give price breaks when they can, especially if the find someone who can provide an exceptional home.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

excellent post Nancy...pleasure to read it. My personal experience shows that you can even get a dog from a local newspaper ad for even cheaper than the prices listed on your information but that you are asking for a lifetime of health/behavioral issues. not that these cannot be treated, but they cost more money than you pay for the dog and they are difficult to stomach.

for my next dog i'm going a totally different route and most likely will adopt my next dog from a shelter and rescue and rehabilitate it.

thanks again for the wisdom Nancy.

Yes, you are right, I know of breeders here who say they can only charge $350.00 if they sell locally, but if they sell over the Internet; they can sell for much much more. They shouldn't be able to charge as much as an experienced qualified breeder, just because they've found a wider audience, but they do.

[BellaDonna]

Originally Posted by simbasmom

I purchased my puppy from a member of YTCA who shows dogs and I didn't pay as much as you say Yorkies from show breeders normally are? Would you agree that prices also have to do with what area of the country the breeder lives in?

I know that vet care certainly varies a great deal depending on the part of the country you live in. The actual dog may run close to the same but the vet bills are generally much less expensive in Texas than in Massachusetts for example. So if you were to have to compensate the breeder for spaying etc, that could make a big difference in the price.
I found this by comparing with a Breeder/Exhibitor of Chihuahua's that I know from that area.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I think Nancy is attempting to put forth the thought of supporting a certain type breeder over another. Yes, she has outlined prices from various breeders, but these prices were a ball park figure and can vary from region to region and breeder to breeder.

Exactly! I've read so many times that "You get what you pay for", but this is not always the case in the dog world. You have to do you're homework and research, and you will be able to find what Consumer Reports calls, "Best Buys".

[Wylie's Mom]

Thanks for this post.

Marcel came from a show breeder (Durrer lines, pedigree is champions/Can. Ch/BISS) and his price was on the very low side of the price you have listed for the show breeders. Bc he was the runt of the litter, the breeder knew he was "pet quality" right away, and kept him until 4mths since was a tiny.

And YES - "Breeders create life" - here here - and those little lives should not be about profit.

Another great point you made - "Remember, that not everyone who shows is a good breeder" - very important point! There are people who show who are so wonderful, at some point, and then something goes wrong along the way - so they do have wonderful pedigrees to show, from some point of their career, but they are no longer good breeders . Or, like Nancy says - they show, but are just not a good breeders - at all. So then the question is - within the show world, how do we find a good show breeder? (that is probably a question for another thread, but ....)

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Thanks for this post.

Marcel came from a show breeder (Durrer lines, pedigree is champions/Can. Ch/BISS) and his price was on the very low side of the price you have listed for the show breeders. Bc he was the runt of the litter, the breeder knew he was "pet quality" right away, and kept him until 4mths since was a tiny.

And YES - "Breeders create life" - here here - and those little lives should not be about profit.

Another great point you made - "Remember, that not everyone who shows is a good breeder" - very important point! There are people who show who are so wonderful, at some point, and then something goes wrong along the way - so they do have wonderful pedigrees to show, from some point of their career, but they are no longer good breeders . Or, like Nancy says - they show, but are just not a good breeders - at all. So then the question is - within the show world, how do we find a good show breeder? (that is probably a question for another thread, but ....)

Marcel has some health problems, doesn't he? Did you notify the breeder, and if so, were the parents taken out of her breeding program?

[Woogie Man]

I ran across some old ads for Yorkies from the 1800's. The puppies were priced from $15 - $25. Dogs were $150 - $300. Seems like nowadays things have flipped as most pet buyers value a young puppy more and a mature, yet still young dog is less desirable to many.

With Yorkie pups being so subject to change, you would think that people might value an older pup more as there would be less mystery on how it would turn out. Looks like it used to be that way, but somewhere that thinking changed.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Marcel has some health problems, doesn't he? Did you notify the breeder, and if so, were the parents taken out of her breeding program?

He has allergies (pollens). And he had a breathing episode at 2am that I posted about in the ER section (about 1.5yrs ago now?) - which is still undiagnosed. The vet thinks bc he has such a short face, it could be elongated soft palate, or reverse breathing (more due to his being a tiny and the runt, not genetic).

Are you thinking of my Wylie, w/ his hypothyroid and Atypical Cushings? He's my guy w/ health issues, in my mind - he'll have those forever. He came from a very poor breeder; I wouldn't call her breeding a "program" and she had no interest in hearing about Wylie. He also has LP.

[Fantastic49]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

So you very well now understand the reasoning for supporting reputable breeders over what Nancy identifies as Second and Third Group Type Breeders.

so if a breeder is with the YTCA, is an exhibitor and a breeder, does that automatically mean s/he is a reputable breeder? other than the obvious red flags, how can you tell whether a breeder who shows is a "good" breeder? what separates the ok from the good and the good from the great?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

I ran across some old ads for Yorkies from the 1800's. The puppies were priced from $15 - $25. Dogs were $150 - $300. Seems like nowadays things have flipped as most pet buyers value a young puppy more and a mature, yet still young dog is less desirable to many.

With Yorkie pups being so subject to change, you would think that people might value an older pup more as there would be less mystery on how it would turn out. Looks like it used to be that way, but somewhere that thinking changed.

All I can say is that is a lot of money for a dog in the $1800's! According to the inflation calculator The Inflation Calculator, what cost $300 in 1890 would cost $7,072.22 in 2009. So, I'm assuming these older dogs were considered for potential breeders, not for pets. The cost of breeding dogs is another thing altogether, but I imagine some of the same things are true. I do know that some great breeders will place a breeding dog in some homes for little or no cost, but this is part of a serious mentoring program.

[Woogie Man]

Nancy, the ads didn't mention any particulars about them. The only info was puppies at one price...dogs at another higher price. I guess it's wide open to interpretation. There weren't that many Yorkies available back then so I would guess the price would be high anyway.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

However, when man steps in, everything changes, and we need to realize the seriousness and responsibility that comes with this intervention. Breeders are creating LIFE that has feelings and experiences pain; they are not creating some inanimate object. If their work is shoddy, the puppy, as well as the family it lives with, suffers. There is NEVER any excuse in supporting breeders who breed for profit, you are enabling them!

Nancy, thank you for another excellent post!

This section in particular really struck a chord with me. Once again you amaze me with your words.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Fantastic49

so if a breeder is with the YTCA, is an exhibitor and a breeder, does that automatically mean s/he is a reputable breeder? other than the obvious red flags, how can you tell whether a breeder who shows is a "good" breeder? what separates the ok from the good and the good from the great?

No, in this world they are very few absolutes. I wish it were that easy, just to say, go to this club and you are ensured of finding a reputable breeder, but you still have to do research about each individual separately. I think any breeder can produce a pup with health problems, and what the breeder does after this, is what makes the difference, as to whether they are reputable or not. I'm just trying to give a slight guide to pricing. So many people assume YTCA breeders are outside their price range. The real truth is that breeders who are YTCA members are often as stringent as rescues on placing pups, and this is the biggest hurtle for most people, not the price.

Concerning your question on, "What separates the ok from the good and the good from the great" would make a great thread in itself! I know I've talked to some great breeders who have much higher standards for breeders and what they call great, than I do.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

I ran across some old ads for Yorkies from the 1800's. The puppies were priced from $15 - $25. Dogs were $150 - $300.

That's pretty cool! Can you post pics/links? I'd love to see those.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Are you thinking of my Wylie, w/ his hypothyroid and Atypical Cushings? He's my guy w/ health issues, in my mind - he'll have those forever. He came from a very poor breeder; I wouldn't call her breeding a "program" and she had no interest in hearing about Wylie. He also has LP.

You're right, I am thinking of Wylie. Again, I'm sorry for the health problems he's had, but I know he's really lucky to have you looking after him.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

Nancy, the ads didn't mention any particulars about them. The only info was puppies at one price...dogs at another higher price. I guess it's wide open to interpretation. There weren't that many Yorkies available back then so I would guess the price would be high anyway.

Back then; I'm sure there were no puppies sold on limited registration. I think this is a fairly recent phenomenon. Even when I was growing up, most people thought if you bought a dog, you should breed it, especially if it were a purebred. A dog sold for that price was probably seen as having excellent breeding potential, not just average.