Yorkshire Terrier Costs (+Total Lifetime)

Last year I almost lost $2500 on my new Yorkie puppy. Yorkshire terrier costs have been going up like crazy. I had to do a bunch of research on the best places to buy, and in the end, I found a great breeder who only charged $600.

Don’t let this happen to you as well. In this article, I’ll give you an update on the average Yorkshire Terrier prices, so that you can be sure to get a great deal on your new pup.

How Much Does a Yorkshire Terrier Cost?

The price of Yorkie puppies ranges from $150 (shelter adoption) to over $3,000 (licensed breeders). The average lifetime cost for a Yorkie is between $17,000 and $33,000. This includes all of the initial startup costs, annual expenses, and health and end-of-life costs.

Yorkie puppies without papers go for $300 – $500. Purebred Yorkshire Terriers with pedigree papers cost $1,200-$3,000 from American Kennel Club licensed breeders and slightly less from unlicensed breeders. (1)

Yorkie Mix Cost Table

Type of Yorkie Mix	Shelter Price	Local Breeder Without Papers	Local Breeder With Papers	AKC Licensed Breeder	AKC Championship Bloodline (i.e. ancestor won AKC title)
Yorkshire Terrier	$150-$200	$300-$800	$800-$3000	$1200-$3000	Up to $10,000
Teacup Yorkie	$150-$200	$1,200-$2,000	NA – Not an official Breed	NA – Not an official Breed	NA – Not an official Breed
Biewer Terrier (rare 3-color version of Yorkie)	$150-$200	$3,000-$5,000	NA – Not an official Breed	NA – Not an official Breed	NA – Not an official Breed
Chorkie (Chihuahua + Yorkie)	$150-$200	$400-$800	NA – Not an official Breed	NA – Not an official Breed	NA – Not an official Breed
Morkie (Maltese + Yorkie)	$150-$200	$850-$3,600	NA – Not an official Breed	NA – Not an official Breed	NA – Not an official Breed

Next up let’s dive deep into why different Yorkie mixes have different costs.

Various things influence the price of a Yorkie.

Key Factors That Affect Cost

The Bloodline – Costs For Purebred Yorkshire Terriers

One of the most important factors influencing the price is whether a Yorkie is a purebred or a mixed breed. That’s why you should be careful, as, unfortunately, many breeders will try to get the advantage of an unaware buyer and sell him a mixed breed Yorkie for a very high price.

What’s more, you’re risking high medical expenses as well, as mixed-breed Yorkies may have a lot of health issues that will come after some time. The most expensive are pups of an aristocratic pedigree, and American Kennel Club champions.

In general, the more titles won by the lineage, the more expensive the puppy. So if you don’t care about the titles, and you’re not planning to become a breeder yourself, you may reconsider, as these pups can cost as much as $10,000.

Papers

If it’s a purebred Yorkie, he will need to have the right documentation as proof. (2) Registration documents provide you with an insight into a puppy’s bloodline, as well as his name, kennel number, his siblings, parents, and breeder.

American Kennel Club can give documents that are among the most respectable in the world, but there are also other registries. Such a document is a guarantee of a Yorkie’s health condition; that’s why Yorkies with papers tend to cost more than those without. The average price of a good Yorkie with papers is around $1,200-$2,000, while Yorkies without papers are usually under $1,200, but you have to be more careful with those.

Health

Of course, even the healthiest purebred parents can produce a sickly puppy, and each defect should lower the price. There are some issues that you can deal with and give a home to a puppy that normally wouldn’t have a chance for one, but you should stay cautious. Some breeders may be aware of their pup’s health problems, but as long as they are not visible to everyone, they will try to hide them.

Make sure to ask enough questions if you come across a purebred puppy from a good breeder, but the price is around $1,000. Inquire about the parents, the birth, and any medical conditions. It’s best always to visit the breeder, see their other dogs, and the environment they live in. Also, remember to check reviews if there are any available online.

The Breeder

The most reputable breeders are those who breed dogs with the best bloodline, aristocratic pedigree, and champion titles. If there’s a lot of information about a breeder, they are probably trustworthy, but when you find one that has no opinions online, you should be careful, even if it’s a little inbreeding.

Appearance

When it comes to their looks, of course, they need to look well, but two factors influence the price of a Yorkie: their coat and size. There are standard Yorkie colors, plus, he needs to be silky and smooth. If it’s a bit coarse, the price will be lower. When it comes to size, for some reason, the smaller the Yorkie, the higher the price.

Yorkies are generally 4-7 Ibs, but tiny ones are in fashion right now. You have to be careful, though, as some breeders may sell you small dogs that aren’t even real Yorkies. There’s also something called a Teacup Yorkie, but they are extremely attached to their mothers and require a lot of attention, therapy, and training if taken away.

Also, see our article on temperament – Are Yorkies Good With Kids?

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Yorkie?

Many people want to adopt a Yorkie, but don’t want to spend the money on a purebred. Luckily, there are plenty of rescue organizations that specialize in small breeds like the Yorkie. The average cost to adopt a Yorkie from a rescue is between $150 and $500. This includes all of the necessary vaccinations and spaying or neutering.

Initial Startup Costs For a New Yorkie Puppy or Adult Dog

If you’ve decided to purchase a Yorkshire Terrier, there are some initial startup costs that you’ll need to be aware of. These costs can range from $500 to $2000 depending on the breeder, where you live, and whether you’re buying a puppy or adult dog.

The list below outlines some of the most common startup costs:

• Puppy: $1200
• Adult Dog: $600
• Crate:$50-$100
• Bed: $25-$60
• Toys: $20-$40
• Food and Water Bowls: $15-$30
• Leash and Collar: $20-$40
• Total Startup Costs: $1730-$3210

As you can see, the initial costs of owning a Yorkie can be quite high. However, if you adopt an adult dog from a rescue, your startup costs will be much lower. And, of course, the love and companionship you’ll get in return are priceless.

Annual Expenses – What You Should Expect to Pay Each Year

Once you’ve got your new Yorkie home, there are some annual expenses that you’ll need to budget for. These include things like food, vet bills, and grooming.

The list below outlines some of the most common annual expenses:

• Food: $270-$540
• Vet Bills: $300-$600
• Grooming: $300-$600
• Toys and Treats: $100-$200
• Pet Insurance: $100-$300
• Total Annual Expenses: $1070-$2340

As you can see, the annual costs of owning a Yorkie can be pretty high. However, if you’re careful where you purchase your food and toys and groom your dog yourself, you can save a lot of money.

Health and End of Life Costs

Health and end-of-life costs are something that all dog owners need to be prepared for. Unfortunately, Yorkies are prone to several health problems, including luxating patellas, which can be quite expensive to treat (source). The table below outlines some of the most common health problems:

• Luxating patella: $1000-$3000
• Hip dysplasia: $2000-$4000
• Heart Failure: $2000-$4000
• Cancer: $4000-$6000
• Average End-of-Life Costs for a Yorkie: $1,000 – $6000

As you can see, the health and end-of-life costs of owning a Yorkie can be quite high. However, if you have pet insurance, many of these costs will be covered.

Average Lifetime Cost for a Yorkie

The average lifetime cost for a Yorkie is between $17,000 and $33,000. This includes all of the initial startup costs, annual expenses, and health and end-of-life costs.

Where To Find Yorkies to Adopt

There are a few places you can look to adopt a Yorkie. You could check with your local animal shelters or rescue organizations.

There are also many online resources where people post ads for dogs they are looking to rehome, and Yorkies are often included in these ads.

Finally, there are also several Yorkie-specific rescues that may have dogs available for adoption such as the Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, which has chapters all over the United States.

No matter where you decide to look for your new pet, be sure to do your research to make sure you’re getting a healthy dog from a reputable source.

How To Find Good Local Breeders

If you’ve decided to purchase a Yorkie from a breeder, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. First, be sure to find a reputable breeder who has experience breeding Yorkies and can provide you with references.

You should also make sure that the breeder is providing you with a health guarantee for your puppy. This will help ensure that you’re getting a healthy dog.

Finally, be sure to visit the breeder’s facility to make sure that the dogs are being kept in clean and safe conditions.

How To Adopt or Buy Out of State and Get Them Home Safely

There are a few things to consider when adopting or buying out of state and transporting the animal home safely.

Ground transport should always be the first option, as it’s the safest way for an animal to travel.

If you must fly with them, they should travel under your seat to avoid being injured or lost in cargo.

And if you must transport them in cargo, make sure it’s a reputable airline that takes animal welfare seriously. You’ll also want to purchase a shipping crate that’s big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

Lastly, with flights, you’ll need to check both your state’s regulations and the airline’s regulations to make sure that everything is in order before you book your ticket.