$1,500 for a Yorkshire Terrier?

[Sabeking]

I'm sorry you lost your little girl {{hugs}}.

Generally, charging twice as much for females that can be bred and using non-AKC designations like "teacup" to describe dogs is a big red flag that you are dealing with a NON-reputable breeder. Reputable breeders don't sell their *****es to be bred to anyone. They are sold to those with an established reputable breeding program or to those who are involved in showing the breed and want to start a breeding program. Reputable breeders require that their animals be spayed and neutered before they sign over the AKC registration so any "accidental" pups cannot be registered. Reputable breeders don't use terms like "Royal Poodles" or "Teacup Yorkies" as there is no such thing .... it's a marketing gimmick and it says to me that they are breeding for size over anything else. "Royal Poodles" are nothing more big Standards and "Teacup Yorkies" are just smaller Yorkies.

Thank you.

The lady who sold us Jingle (that was her name) told us she was literally the runt of the group. We saw the other pups in the group and they were larger but they were already sold. She was was a sweet dog. The breeder told us she could probably never have babies because she was so small. We didn't care about any of that ; we just loved her as a pet!

 

[robinb]

Jingle is a totally cool name for a Yorkie! I'm sure she was a great little dog .

 

[PizzieDuster]

That picture of the little yorkie is just adorable!

 

[cbg1027]

Reputable breeders actively show their dogs in AKC Conformation. If a breeder does not show their dogs, they are nothing but a backyard "greeder" or a puppymill looking to make money. Stay far away from those people.

I'm the owner of 2 Maltese so I'm quite familiar with the expense of these toy dogs. Yes, they are super expensive!!! But, there are reasons for that.

Dogs in the toy group have smaller litters, frequently with only 2 or so puppies vs a large breed dog that may have 9+ puppies. With a Yorkie being so small, they are also much more succeptible to having a C-section which is $$$$. A reputable show breeder only breeds dogs to improve the breed/maintain the quality of the breed -- NOT to make money. Quality breeders will ALWAYS keep a puppy until they are 12 weeks old. If a breeder is releasing puppies at 8,9, 10 weeks, run. You will also receive a health guarantee from a reputable breeder, usually from 1-2 years. Also, a contract will be signed stating you agree to spay/neuter the dog. You will receive limited AKC registration (meaning you can NOT breed the dog you get)...show breeders do not want you breeding your dog (plus it's irresponsible to do so). Usually one (preferably both) parents will be AKC Champions.

Yorkies are prone to many health problems, especially liver shunts (due to puppymills & backyard breeders) so it's especially important to get a Yorkie from a reputable show breeder unless you plan to adopt from a shelter or rescue. My first Maltese years ago was from a backyard breeder/possible small-scale puppymill and he had a liver shunt. He died before his 2nd birthday and it was heartbreaking trying to save him. We fought so hard for him giving him meds several times per day, having to see him incontenent and stumbling into walls, and he was too sick to have surgery (which was $3,000 and certainly not a guarantee it would work) or we would have done it in a heartbeat. He's been gone for 6 years and I still miss him and it still makes me tear up thinking a bad breeder essentially caused him to die by not being responsible.

I agree with most of this. The only part I don't agree with is the 12 weeks to leave the litter. Eight weeks is fine, but absolutely NO younger.

My aunt is a breeder/owner/handler of Bouvier des Flandres. She had a litter earlier this year and charged $2500 for a puppy. So for a REPUTABLE breeder, I don't think $1500 for a Yorkie is outrageous. It's outrageous if the dog is from a backyard breeder or a pet store.

There is a lot of work that goes in to proper breeding and raising of puppies. My aunt actually made a small profit on this litter, but only because there were eleven puppies (normal size for Bouviers is 6-8). It was round the clock work the first 10 days of their life because the mother wasn't able to make enough milk to feed them all. So my aunt had to make special puppy formula and feed puppies continuously throughout the day (by the time she went through all 11 it was time to start feeding again). She didn't sleep for a week.

My aunt practices a 'rule of seven' with her litters for socialization and adjustment. By the time to puppies go their homes, they must have been exposed to at least 7 different people, eaten out of 7 different bowls, walked on 7 different surfaces, met 7 other dogs, played with 7 different toys, etc.

 

[PizzieDuster]

Are you set on a puppy or will a young adult be OK? You may want to contact the Golden breed club in your area and let them know that you're looking for an adult dog.

goofy4tink,

There is also a message board for goldens and many people ask for information about breeders in their area.
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/

It gets pretty heated regarding breeders. We found ours here. And a really nice man helped look at our breeder and lineage and clearances, etc. They also have threads about adobting, many people will post pics of goldens who need to be saved or foster parents looking for a forever home for a golden.

Oh, there is also a yorkie message board too...http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/index.php

 

[DVC-Don]

My wife once paid $2000 for a Yorkie puppy. It was a nasty little thing. We adopted her out of here after three years.

That said we know someone who has 8 really nice little Yorkies.

 

[scottmel]

You pay for the bloodlines and the testing involved to hopefully ensure proper bloodlines. My Cavalier was 2k and is b/c parents are MRI'ed, heart and eye tested. A friend of mine found hers for 700.00 and unfortunately you get what you pay for. Had to surrender him after 3 months due to excessive biting (an abusurdity for this breed) and aggression issues. When you go to a responsible breeder who breeds no more than 2 litters per year tops and does appropriate testing it does cost a good bit extra unfortunately....3 years later this dog is happy healthy love of my life! And I was SUCH a cat person before her.