One of the most popular small-breed dogs is the Yorkshire Terrier or Yorkie.
A lot of people enjoy them for their spunky attitudes.
Others appreciate their small stature which makes them a great dog for an apartment.
However, buying a Yorkie usually means you’re going to pay a high price.
Considering the dog’s size, you may wonder what makes Yorkies so expensive.
Why Are Yorkies So Expensive? (10 Reasons)
The average cost of a Yorkie puppy is $800 to $3,000.
However, some puppies can even go for around $10,000.
Certain factors like their popularity, whether they came from a show dog, and a breeder’s operational costs make Yorkies quite expensive.
Let’s look at these factors in more detail.
1. High Demand
Yorkies are expensive because of the economic law of supply and demand.
Yorkies are in high demand.
There are many qualities about Yorkies that make them ideal dogs for many families.
For one, their small stature means they’re usually appropriate for small children.
A lot of families like to get pet dogs that grow with their children.
The problem with dogs is that they grow faster than humans.
If the family buys a large dog, there’s a good chance that the dog might topple over a small child.
A large dog’s bite also does more damage to a child than a small dog’s bite.
As such, Yorkies tend to be popular choices for families with small children.
They also have unique personalities and are usually quite friendly.
That also makes them ideal pets and family dogs.
Because Yorkies are in such high demand, it means they sell for high prices.
Not every breeder in your area sells Yorkies.
You usually have to ask around or look online for reputable breeders.
Since breeders are usually in short supply, it means there’s also usually a shortage of Yorkie puppies.
Families buy them as soon as they are born.
Another factor that impacts the supply of Yorkies is that Yorkie mothers can only birth so many.
It takes time for puppies to grow and for mothers to give birth.
Reputable breeders also stagger their dames to ensure that their dames get enough time to recover before breeding them again.
Otherwise, they can become very unhealthy.
This impacts the supply because it means healthy Yorkies aren’t mass-produced.
Yorkies are expensive because they’re in high demand, but there is only so much supply available.
2. Apartment Appropriate
One of the factors that make Yorkies an attractive family dog is that they’re tiny.
They’re so tiny that they make great pets for people who live in apartments.
A lot of people live in apartments because they’re unable to buy a home.
Others simply prefer living in an apartment.
The problem with living in an apartment is that you usually have a limited amount of space.
Many apartment complexes also have rules about what types of dogs can live in their apartments.
Some complexes don’t allow dogs at all.
Yorkies are usually easy to get approval for from an apartment complex.
They’re tiny and non-threatening.
For owners, it means that the small dog has plenty of room to run around.
Larger dogs have difficulty in apartments because they don’t have space to run around and stretch their legs.
Even apartments with dog parks might not have enough space for larger dogs.
Yorkies fit quite well in smaller apartments.
Another reason they’re ideal for apartments is that they don’t need that much exercise.
Because they’re smaller, they’re not quite as energetic as larger dogs.
They’re able to get all their exercise in with a short walk.
That’s also ideal for an apartment since there’s only so much room to walk a dog.
Finally, it means their dogs are less likely to run around crazy.
They tend to use up their energy faster and so are a bit calmer.
These features make Yorkies quite attractive to those who live in an apartment.
That adds to the demand for them.
With supply being on the lower side, it means the price for Yorkies increases.
Yorkies are expensive because they’re ideal for apartments, making the demand for them increase.
3. Hypoallergenic
Yorkie dogs are also hypoallergenic.
Hypoallergenic usually means that the particular item or pet doesn’t produce any sort of allergens.
In the case of Yorkies, it usually means that they don’t shed all that much.
Shedding can be a big allergy to people because it usually means there’s a lot of dandruff in the air.
A dog sheds for many reasons.
They shed naturally, like humans, to get rid of old hair and grow new follicles.
Some dogs also have summer coats and winter coats.
They shed their winter coat when summer approaches.
These dogs tend to be working dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors.
Their genetics gave them two types of coats to help them survive in cold and hot temperatures.
Yorkies, which is short for Yorkshire Terriers, used to be work dogs.
They were primarily used to hunt rats and other small rodents.
Those days are far behind them now.
Instead, they’re often used as lap dogs.
Yorkies don’t have a winter coat or summer coat.
They just have their single coat that sheds normally.
As such, they don’t produce a lot of hair in the house.
That means less dandruff floating around, too.
Since there’s less dandruff floating around, people with pet allergies tend to suffer a lot less around them.
That makes Yorkies ideal for people with pet allergies or respiratory problems.
Since it increases the demand for them, the price for Yorkies also increases.
Yorkies are expensive because their hypoallergenic coats make them very desirable dogs.
4. Purebred
Another big factor that makes Yorkies expensive is the fact that they’re purebred.
A purebred dog tends to be more expensive than a mutt.
A mutt is a dog with different breeds in it.
For example, a lot of designer dogs could technically classify as mutts.
It’s why the American Kennel Club has yet to accept many, if any, designer dogs as purebreds.
Yorkies are purebreds.
They’re a specific breed of dog.
Purebreds are more expensive than mutts because they’re more expensive to breed.
They’re also just seen as more prestigious.
They’re more expensive to breed because the breeder has to ensure that the dogs they’re breeding are also purebreds.
That usually means they perform some sort of genetic test.
If the test comes back and tells them that both dogs are purebreds, they can move forward with breeding the two.
A breeder’s reputation relies on accurate reporting.
If they were to sell a Yorkie claiming that it was a purebred but discovered later that this wasn’t the case, their reputation could decrease.
People would trust them less.
They go to breeders expecting to receive a purebred Yorkie.
Another reason Yorkie breeding is expensive is that breeders have to be mindful of the pools they breed.
Purebreds mean that dogs get bred with other purebred dogs of the same breed.
That raises the risk of inbreeding.
When you have a lot of inbreeding going on, it leads to a higher chance of defects and unhealthy puppies.
As such, breeders have to spend time and money breeding their dogs with other dogs of different genetic pools.
Because it takes more effort on their part, they charge higher prices for their purebred Yorkie puppies.
A final reason breeding Yorkies is more expensive is that some breeders also go through the trouble of certifying them with the American Kennel Club.
That’s an important step if you ever plan on putting your dog through dog shows.
Yorkies are expensive because they’re purebreds.
5. Genetic Testing
Speaking of genetic testing, that’s another factor in itself that makes Yorkies expensive.
There are several reasons why a breeder might perform a genetic test on their Yorkies.
When it comes to breeding, it’s usually to ensure that both parties are healthy and are actually Yorkies.
The last thing they want is to cross a purebred with a Yorkie that’s only part Yorkie and part something else.
Besides the breeding aspect, however, a lot of breeders will also get genetic tests done on the puppies, themselves.
This allows them to give a full health report to interested owners.
The owners can see any health problems that they might need to contend with.
It’s a lot better to know beforehand since it can help you determine whether you have the finances available to own a dog or not.
Genetic testing doesn’t always come cheap either.
Some labs may charge around $60 while others may charge closer to $200.
That’s usually for each dog, too.
As such, the breeder ends up taking on quite a few expenses to give their prospective clients as much information about each puppy as possible.
Since they take on more costs, they cover those costs by putting higher prices on their Yorkies.
6. Show Dog Lineages
Another big factor that makes Yorkies expensive is when they come from champion show lineages.
Yorkies are often a winner at dog competitions.
They have the right breeding, walk, and look to become a winner.
If you’re into competitive dog shows, you might have an interest in buying a Yorkie puppy from a championship line.
The benefit of buying a puppy from a championship line is that there’s a good chance that your puppy will win.
It has the same genetics as the winner.
Since winners typically get judged based on their form, genetics play a key role.
The winners are those who best exemplify the ideal of their particular breed.
Since your Yorkie comes from a champion line, then it has the genetics needed to also win.
The problem with buying from a champion line is that they are extremely expensive.
For one, their lineages are rarer.
There may be a lot of Yorkies around, for example, but there are only a few champions among them.
Because they’re rare, they have higher price tags.
Breeders also put in a lot of work to ensure the puppies from that line are as close to the champion as possible.
It isn’t as simple as just breeding the champion with other dogs.
A lot of work goes into it.
That effort also comes with a higher price tag.
7. Reputable Breeder
Yorkies are also expensive when they come from reputable breeders.
It’s when Yorkies aren’t expensive that you have to be careful.
It usually indicates that the Yorkie isn’t a purebred.
There’s a good chance that the breeder is trying to scam you.
If you were to give the Yorkie a genetic test, it might come back as a Yorkie and as something else.
Since it’s not a purebred Yorkie, you wouldn’t be able to certify it with the American Kennel Club.
That could impact any plans you had for submitting the dog to shows.
Another reason you should be wary is that it might mean the breeder runs a puppy mill.
Puppy mills are bad since breeders tend to place their dames and sires in poor conditions.
They continue to breed the dame regardless of her health.
The puppies are also kept in poor conditions when not in view of potential clients.
Reputable breeders, on the other hand, spend a lot of money on their dames and sires.
They also ensure their puppies are healthy.
They’ll even take them to the vet for their initial vaccines and check-ups.
Because they spend more money on their Yorkies, their Yorkies are healthier and happier.
However, that also means their business costs are higher.
Since their business costs are higher, they charge higher prices for their Yorkies.
Yorkies are expensive when they come from reputable breeders.
8. Infrequent Shedding
One of the reasons why Yorkies are in such high demand is the fact that they don’t shed a lot.
Besides being ideal for people with allergies, it also means that owners don’t have to spend as much time cleaning up after their Yorkies.
It’s a lot easier to own a Yorkie than it is a Husky, for example, in terms of cleanliness.
Because that’s a major selling point, it increases the demand for Yorkies.
With high demand and low supply, Yorkie prices increase.
9. Operating Costs
A breeder’s operating costs will also impact the price of a Yorkie.
Breeders spend a lot of money to ensure their puppies are healthy.
While puppies will drink milk from their mother, eventually, they’ll transition to hard food.
Breeders need to provide that food to ensure they transition successfully.
They also need to ensure the mother receives adequate food to give enough milk to her pups.
Puppies usually get their initial vaccines while with the breeder as well.
That’s quite the expense considering how many puppies may need a vaccine.
There are also advertising costs and other costs they take on to run their business.
The more that a breeder puts into their business financially, the more they’ll need to make up for those costs.
Yorkies are expensive because breeders spend a lot of money on them and their businesses.
10. Low Maintenance
A final reason Yorkies are expensive is because they’re low maintenance.
Yorkies don’t require a lot of walking or grooming.
That makes them attractive to a lot of pet owners who want a relatively relaxed dog.
Since Yorkies are more attractive, their demand increases.
It’s here that their price becomes expensive.
Since they have a reputation for being low-maintenance dogs, the demand is higher for them.
Yorkies are expensive because their reputation for being low maintenance makes them more popular.
Conclusion
Yorkies are adorable dogs that are perfect for those who live in apartments and for those with small children.
A breeder’s expenses, a Yorkie’s lineage, and the popularity of Yorkies all make Yorkie puppies expensive.
