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rockinsmile089 · Apr 23, 2009, 02:39 PM

What is a reasonable price for a yorkie dog from a breeder? I am purchasing a yorkie soon, and I need to know which prices are fair. Thank you for your help.

Alty · Apr 23, 2009, 02:56 PM

If you're getting the dog from a legitimate breeder then it can be in the thousands. It depends on where you live too.

If you're getting the yorkie from a backyard breeder or puppymill you'll save money on the dog, but you'll probably spend upwards of tens of thousands in vet bills.

Silverfoxkit · Apr 23, 2009, 03:30 PM

The average backyard breeder yorkie is around $800, but then like Alty said you will only be hurting yourself and your dog in the long run and you might not get want you want. I have seen a many puppy mill yorkie and they aren't the pretty little show pups you see on t.v.

Why do you want a yorkie? What research have you done into the breed? No breed should ever be purchased just because they are "cute" or "beautiful"

Are you aware of the grooming this breed is going to require?

If you are certain this is the right breed then make sure that you only get a dog from a reputable breeder. Yes it is more expensive because quality dogs are healthier and have received more veterinary care and attention. Breeding a dog responsibly is not cheap.

Some of the things you need to ask when looking for a breeder:

1. Why does the breeder breed? To make money? Because little "Fifi" is just too cute they have to let her have puppies? Maybe to teach their children the miracle of life?

These reasons are all wrong. A legitimate breeder breeds because they want to help conserve and further the quality o the breed.

2.How many dogs do they breed, how many different breeds, and how often?

A legitimate breeder never has huge quantities of dogs or more then a few select breeds. They do not breed a female dog every heat cycle or before they are mentally and physically ready.

3. What health tests have been preformed on the parents?

They should be able to provide proof of genetic testing done and offer a health warranty and often a spay and neuter contract.

You should always see the parents and where the dogs are bred and kept. If this right is refused to you this is a major red flag and you do not want to invest in these persons dogs.

These are just a few of the things you need to know. In order to be a responsible pet owner you need to do further research on your own to make yourself aware of the breed and potential breeders.

rockinsmile089 · Apr 23, 2009, 03:55 PM

Thank you to everyone who is answering my questions. I have found a very good breeder for pups $1000.00

Alty · Apr 23, 2009, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by rockinsmile089

Thank you to everyone who is answering my questions. I have found a very good breeder for pups $1000.00

That's awfully cheap.

Is this breeder licensed? Are the pups registered? Were the parents genetically tested? How long has this person been breeding? Have you talked to other people who have purchased a pet from this breeder?

Did you find this breeder in the paper?

Just a word of caution A legitimate breeder rarely advertises their pups in the paper. Also, a legitimate breeder will give you a list of names of other people who've purchased pups from them in the past. A legit breeder will let you see where the dogs are kept, will let you meet the parents of the pup, will show you the health check and genetic testing done of the dogs, will many times demand a home check before allowing you to purchase one of their pups and will also make you sign a document stating that you will have the pup spayed or neutered at 6 months of age and should you decide not to keep the pup you are to return it to them.

Just because someone's dog had puppies, that doesn't make them a breeder.

Do a thorough check before adopting an animal from anyone.

rockinsmile089 · Apr 23, 2009, 04:30 PM

The dogs are AKC registered, I found the breeder from her website.

Alty · Apr 23, 2009, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by rockinsmile089

The dogs are AKC registered, I found the breeder from her website.

AKC registration doesn't mean anything, there are so many loopholes, I could get my mutt registered if I wanted to.

How did you hear about the breeder?

$1000 dollars is really cheap. If you take in to consideration all the cost involved in breeding $1000 would mean that this breeder is actually paying to breed her dogs.

I would check. Yorkies are prone to many genetic defects.

Silverfoxkit · Apr 23, 2009, 04:35 PM

AKC Registered DOES NOT in any way, form or fashion mean that they are not puppy mill puppies. In fact many if not most of them have some form of registration. Regretfully I have worked at a very poorly operated pet store before and I have seen literally hundreds of puppy mill puppies, a good 90% all registered, a chunk of those even AKC. Were the puppy of good breeding, temperament, and health? NO. Usually not.

Please take our advice and do not just take the breeder for face value. Look into it closely and personally or you may find yourself funding a horrible practice for a less then healthy puppy.

Alty · Apr 23, 2009, 04:44 PM

Just so you have a better idea what a puppy mill is all about I've posted a link. This video was taken of the poor yorkies rescued from a puppy mill. These are breeder dogs. The spend their entire lives in a tiny cage just siring or birthing puppies.

YouTube - Rescued Yorkies from Substandard Puppy Mill-Specific Dog Case

Most of the puppies found in pet stores are puppy mill puppies. Most of the people selling dogs in the paper are either puppy mills or backyard breeders (just one step above puppy mills).

It's buyer beware.

shazamataz · Apr 24, 2009, 01:01 AM

$1000 is very cheap even in Australian dollars... that would equate to $1600 American.

As long as you know why the breeder has bred their dog and look at the living conditions of the dog it's up to you...

Also, ask how many litters the dog has had in the past... but don't make it sound like you are enquiring because you think they are a puppymill, as they WILL lie to you.

Check the condition of the mother, is she well fed, looked after, coat condition good, is generally happy?

rockinsmile089 · Apr 24, 2009, 03:39 AM

Yes, she sellsw her yorkies for very good prices. I have talked to her on the phone yesterday, and she really cares about yorkies. She has a rule that you can't take them to kennels (because they are so small) and everyone in the family has to help with the yorkie. She also emailed me pictures of te puppies and mother and where they live. She is also very nice, also, she lives only 20 min to 30 min away!

shazamataz · Apr 24, 2009, 03:46 AM

That's great rockinsmile :)
Go and have a visit and get to know the pup before you buy it... it always pays to get to know their personality and double check everything :)

rockinsmile089 · Apr 24, 2009, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by shazamataz

Thats great rockinsmile :)
Go and have a visit and get to know the pup before you buy it... it always pays to get to know their personality and double check everything :)

Yes, I agree! I would never buy a pup without meeting it. Also, we're getting one on the larger side, and she's going to help us pick him/her house!

rockinsmile089 · Apr 24, 2009, 03:54 AM

When I said house I meant puppy! :)

rockinsmile089 · Apr 24, 2009, 03:56 AM

Susan is a very nice breeder. The reason she started breeding yorkies is: "I love yorkies so much and I wanted them to be a part of my life, and I get to make money from them so working with one of my favorite things in the world is like a job! Breeding is perfect for me, I really have always loved dogs."

rockinsmile089 · Apr 24, 2009, 04:00 AM

What is the best way to train a yorkie? Because of their small size, training is different from my previous dogs. My father has had a yorkie, but he forgot how they trained it. Are there any tips on training our yorkie? :D :)

shazamataz · Apr 24, 2009, 04:02 AM

Training a yorkie is pretty mcuh the same as any size dog except much easier for toilet training etc because you can physically lift the puppy up to take it ouside.

There are quite a few dog training classes that operate and if you want your dog to learn basic commands they are well worth going to.

They are known to be very snappy dogs so obedience is a must :)

shazamataz · Apr 24, 2009, 04:08 AM

Originally Posted by rockinsmile089

Susan is a very nice breeder. The reason she started breeding yorkies is: "I love yorkies so much and I wanted them to be a part of my life, and I get to make money from them so working with one of my favorite things in the world is like a job! Breeding is perfect for me, I really have always loved dogs."

Mmmmm just be careful, I don't trust people who say they breed for money but you are the one who has talked to the lady and it is up to you to decide about her character :)
Just a few things to consider...

Does she do genetic testing (ie: tests for certain diseases/defects)?
Is she selective about who buys her puppies or is she willing to sell to anyone who wants one?

I'm not being horrible, I just want to try to make sure people are buying healthy. Happy puppies :)

shazamataz · Apr 24, 2009, 04:13 AM

Here's a great site for teaching your dog basic commands and lead training...

Supercoat - Training Tips

rockinsmile089 · Apr 24, 2009, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by shazamataz

Mmmmm just be careful, I don't trust people who say they breed for money but you are the one who has talked to the lady and it is up to you to decide about her character :)
Just a few things to consider...

Does she do genetic testing (ie: tests for certain diseases/defects)?
Is she selective about who buys her puppies or is she willing to sell to anyone who wants one?

I'm not being horrible, I just want to try to make sure people are buying healthy. happy puppies :)

Yes, in my previous one, it says she doesn't sell to anyone, she has to meet the whole family, they can't be put into kennels (because of their small size) and everyone in the family has to want the yorkie and help take care of it.