Are Yorkshire Terriers A Costly Breed To Own?
If you are considering bringing a Yorkshire Terrier, also known as a Yorkie, into your family, one of your first considerations should be the costs involved. Pet ownership is a significant responsibility and knowing the costs associated with purchasing and raising a Yorkie is essential. When I was a veterinarian working with pet owners, money was usually a significant concern for most of them. This comprehensive guide aims to provide an in-depth understanding of not just the initial cost of a Yorkie puppy but also the ongoing expenses to ensure its wellbeing and health.
Table of Contents
The Initial Cost of a Yorkie
When entering the wonderful world of pet parenthood, one adorable breed to consider is the Yorkie or Yorkshire Terrier. Known for their feisty personalities and petite stature, Yorkies make a vibrant addition to any family. However, it’s essential to account for the costs of obtaining these furry friends before making the commitment.
Puppy Pricing
Depending on the breed quality, pedigree, and breeder reputation, a Yorkie puppy’s price can vary significantly. On average, new pet parents can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $3,000. If you have a sizeable budget and a desire for a show-quality Yorkie with a top-tier lineage, prepare to shell out up to $10,000. Remember though, the purchase price is only the initial cost. Regular veterinary check-ups, feeding, grooming, and other expenses stack up over the pet’s lifetime.
Why Are Yorkie Puppies So Expensive?
Prices for most dog breeds skyrocketed during the Covid years due to high demand and short supply. Those prices have never really come down since. Yorkies are considered a “status” dog. They are shown almost exclusively in popular culture as the arm candy of wealthy celebrities and in upscale homes. They are revered by those that love the breed and this high demand will keep the price tag high for a puppy indefinitely.
Try not to let the initial sticker shock deter your decision if a Yorkie feels like the right fit for your family. There are often plenty of solid financing options or adoption opportunities to aid in making this lovely breed part of your home. Emphasizing the importance of budgeting, saving, and planning as key components in the pet adoption process can make for a smoother transition. After all, welcoming a furry family member is about love, care, and companionship rather than the price tag attached.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs For A Yorkie
Veterinary Care
Yorkies, being a toy breed, have certain ongoing costs that come along with them. One key expenditure to consider is certainly linked to their health and wellness. These sprightly dogs have a lifespan of 13 to 16 years. Like any other pet, regular check-ups are essential to keep them in tip-top condition. Vets visits for the routine issues (think annual wellness exams, bloodwork, heartworm preventative, flea preventatives, vaccinations, etc) can create a cost of at least $400 a year (in my area and at my practice but yours could be more or less depending on where you live).
What if your adorable baby Yorkie develops a problem on the weekend or at night? An ER visit could add hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars more to the costs of pet ownership. Even if you purchase pet insurance for your Yorkie (which, as a vet, I do highly recommend), ongoing monthly premium payments can add up to hundreds of dollars per year.
Grooming
Yet, one wouldn’t be able to discuss the Yorkie without acknowledging their distinctive aesthetic. To maintain their radiant coats and their elegant poise, grooming is an essential part of well-being. Regular grooming appointments can be quite the expense, averaging between $30 to $150 per session depending on the level of grooming service chosen.
This cost can escalate quite fast, with them requiring grooming approximately every 4 to 6 weeks. Additionally, remember to factor in the cost of food. Yorkies are small dogs with a big appetite, and hence, high-quality diet could sum to around $200 to $400 annually. You can save money by grooming your Yorkie yourself if you have the proper tools and the patience and time it will take to
Food/Diet/Snacks
Furthermore, don’t forget about the unexpected expenditures. Life is unpredictable, and so are pets. Emergency vet visits, medication for common Yorkie health issues, or even getting a new chew toy when the old one is unexpectedly destroyed, can add up. Home comforts like a bed, crate, or blanket, add to the tally too. These costs can vary greatly, so having a kitty set up for such unknown occurrences ensures everybody stays happy, healthy, and worry-free – just as a home should feel.
Collars/Clothing/Beds/Toys
The overwhelmingly vast majority of Yorkie owners (and I do know quite a few) spoil their precious pups incessantly with a variety of lavish beds, toys, and clothes.
Calculating the Overall Lifetime Cost of a Yorkie
Owning a Yorkie or any pet, for that matter, is a long-term commitment that extends beyond the initial adoption or purchase. Along these lines, one must consider the ongoing costs that are tied in with keeping a dog happy, healthy, and comfortable over its entire lifetime.
- Grooming – $30-$90/month, depending highly on where you live and chosen groomer.
- Feeding – you should budget for high-quality food that provides all the nutrients your little canine needs, a cost which can range from $20 to $60 per month.
- Veterinary Care – General healthcare costs, including vaccinations, boosters, dental cleaning, and occasional sick visits, can easily cost around $300 to $800 annually depending on the health condition of your Yorkie. I do recommend pet insurance to try and mitigate some of those emergency veterinary bills that can wreck a budget, but you are still going to pay a certain premium amount every month and have to pay a dedcuctible (usually $500/month) before the insurance starts to save you money.
- Toys, Clothes, Collars, beds, etc – Many Yorkie owners spend roughly $40/month or more on accessorizing their little Yorkie.
- A uniquely gentle shampoo that cleanses and conditions a puppy's skin and coat. Mild enough for use on the face of puppies 4 weeks of age and older.
- Formulated with the proper ingredients to maintain a moisturized and nourished coat as they get older. Contains aloe Vera, lanolin, and gentle proteins that leave a soft, fluffy coat.
- Safe for use with topical flea control products. No harmful chemicals or irritants. It can be used as often as necessary and will not strip the coat of natural oils.
- Made in the USA so you can buy with confidence. All shampoos made in federally regulated manufacturing facilities. Excellent customer service and return policy. 100% satisfaction Guaranteed.
- Healthy Breeds offers an assortment of dog healthcare products, grooming products and treats for over 200 breeds! Make sure to search for your breed! Click the Healthy Breeds hyperlink above to see our amazon storefront!
- FOR SMALL DOG CAR SEAT-40 X 32 X 24 cm, Suitable for dogs cats and other pets less than 6kg puppy The dog car seat is a great to take your furry friend with you on the road, keeps your pet safe and secure when driving
- STURDY SUPPORT AND FALLING PREVENTION-Sturdy PVC frame bars ensure the whole seat is in shape at all time, you won't see a 14lbs puppy sit in crawling the front bar and this frame collapse! You will never worry about attention on pets while driving, more safety on road!
- CONCENTRATE ON DRIVING DOG CAR SEAT - The dog car seat booster design with two safety belts fix the booster seat to prevent it sliding in the car, make pet won't disturb you when you driving. Adjustable straps fit most cars, vehicles & SUV's, there is a ring to hook the dogs harness too so it wont jump out
- DURABLE WATERPROOF DOG CAR SEAT- high quality dog car seat The pet puppy car booster Made of high quality waterproof 600D oxford, nylon belt, antirust D ring, PVC mesh net, The air circulating mesh design allows your pets breathe smoothly strong and durable.
- EASY ASSEMBLE FOLDABLE DOG CAR SEAT-Detachable board make clean more easy. When you not use it, fold it, just like a board. Waterproof material also make clean easily，of course It will not change the shape of the car seat after cleaning
- High-quality dog grooming tool: This small-sized dog brush is specially designed for small dog breeds such as Teddy Shih Tzus and Yorkies. It is made of high-quality materials to ensure durability and comfort.
- Soothing grooming experience: With its innovative design and soft bristles, this dog brush gently combs and massages your pet's fur, soothing their skin and promoting blood circulation.
- Reduces shedding and tangling: Regular use of this brush effectively removes your pet's loose hair and tangles, maintaining a neat and orderly coat. It prevents hair from tangling and matting, reducing fur interlocking in dog breeds.
- Easy to use: The user-friendly design of the brush makes it easy and convenient to use. The comfortable grip of the brush handle and the softness of the bristles allow you to effortlessly maintain your pet's beautiful appearance.
- Multi-functional grooming tool: In addition to daily grooming, this dog brush can also be used to remove debris, dust, and dirt, keeping
- Specially designed for small dogs, DO NOT fit any medium or large dog breeds. Please refer to the suggestion in the chart to choose the right size. SZAT PRO dog clothes can fit 0.5-20 pounds dogs, such as Chihuahua/ Fawn dog/ Yorkie/ Pomeranian/ Teddy/ Bichon Frise etc. The small size is especially suitable for puppies just born 1-2 months old.
- Made of 100% cotton fabric, Comfortable and breathable. SZAT PRO t-shirts are more suitable for small dogs to wear at home.
- High-stretch soft fabric can better adapt to small dogs of different body shapes. Our sleeveless tank vests are available in six sizes, XXXS/ XXS/ XS/ S/ M/ L.
- Uniquely textured fabric with classic multi-color strip designed, make your puppy outstanding and more energetic.
- Machine washable, Cold water is recommended.
- 【Dog Water Bottle & Treat Container 】 Compare with the common dog water bottle, there is a 100g food container closely attach to the bowl of water bottle. The treat container is detachable with another lanyard. It provides both clean water and fresh food when you go out with your pets.
- 【Poop Bag Holder & Optional Colors】 There are 3 fashion colors- blue, pink and white. Inner poop bag holder is designed in the bottom of bottle, pull the poop bag out through the gap on the bottom when first use.
- 【Leak Proof Lock & Carbon Filter】 There is build-in silicone loop between bowl and bottle to perfect prevent water from leakage, leak proof even seriously shaking. ALWAYS REMEMBER to turn the leak proof lock to right after use. Also carbon filter inside make the water more clean and fresh.
- 【Easy to Use & No waste water】 Turn left and depress the lock button, the water in the bottle can flow to bowl or flow back from bowl to bottle slowly. There is no waste of water. All operations can be finished by one hand, very easy to use. ALWAYS REMEMBER to turn right before putting the bottle into your bag, prevent leaking.
- 【Safe and Heat Resistant Material & Widely Uses】 The dog water bottle is made of food grade ABS+PC, BPA free material, safe and durable. 250℉/121℃ affordable and dishwasher available. It’s suitable for occasions like dog walking, travelling, picnic, camping, hiking, training with your pets.
- 🐕[ Suitable for Teacup Dog kitten ]: Suitable for Teacup Dog and Kitten Cats, Under 5 lb, The maximum spacing between the front and rear legs is 4". eg: Cats, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Miniature pinscher, Maltese, etc.
- 🐕[ Powerful Functions ]: Even at home, you can easily accomplish the same things as the pet hospital grooming table, such as trimming nails, grooming, eye, and ear health care, injections, checking various body indicators, etc. It is easy to place restraint on your fur baby in the hammock.
- 🐕 [ Professional Dog Grooming Kit ]: Safety Sling x 1 (Prevent puppy or kitten from breaking free) Nail clipper x 1(safety stop guard design), Nail file x 1, S-hook x 2 (suitable for the round bar), Hanging Sling x 2(suitable for the irregular bar).
- 🐕 [ Comfortable and Soft ]: Using Double-layer fabric design, Inner fabric use High-density knitted material, and the outer uses 3D air-mesh technology. Besides, Thickened edge of the front and rear legs and excellent breathability can reduce friction to protect pets, and keep puppies calm and maximum relaxation.
- 🐕 [ Choose the Right Size and Weight ]: Please read the size chart and measure the spacing between the Front and Rear Legs (2" - 4") / Weight (Under 5 lb) for your pets before purchasing. If you have another question, please connect us.
To sum up, while owning a Yorkie involves more than just cuddles and playtime, every investment made contributes to a rewarding bond and innumerable memories with your precious pet.
Yorkshire terriers, with their playful and affectionate demeanor, can undoubtedly bring immense joy and companionship to a family. However, prospective owners need to be fully prepared for the financial commitments involved in caring for these delightful creatures. By considering both the initial purchasing cost and ongoing expenses like feeding, grooming, and healthcare, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision. Remember that owning a dog is not just about the cute puppy stage; it’s a lifelong commitment that should be carefully considered and planned.
