2007-03-15 16:47:50 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
It is demand and trend- same as why all the designer mutts are so expensive- everyone wants one. Small dogs are the "in" thing right now. It used to be large aggressive dogs, in a couple years, it will switch to something else.
2007-03-15 16:53:41 · answer #1 · answered by D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they are rare.
Why are they rare?
I think it's the litter size (1-4 pups compared to 9-12 pups for a big dog) and responsible breeders won't breed a female every season or past a certain age.
I check petfinder (the shelter site) all the time... and they don't often have very small dogs. The chihuahuas can be 15 pounds. The tiny dogs occasionally appear, but they are really rare.
In Illinois, there are currently 2 yorkies in the whole state up for adoption. In Indiana, there are more-- and where did the yorkies actually come from-- puppy mill rescues! So if the puppy mills hadn't bred them then there would be even fewer of these dogs... as horrible as that is.
Yeah, small dogs are simply rare. Which is why to be honest, I'm not against the "backyard breeders" for small dogs.
Supply and demand.
I would much rather a dog that never competed in the show ring, but was a loving pet, got bred instead of these poor dogs in disgusting puppy mills. If the dogs are healthy and the "backyard breeder" actually talks to other breeders to learn what to do, I don't think the dogs need to be champion bred.
Small dogs can be adopted though. I adopted my senior yorkie from a shelter and he was amazing.
2007-03-16 00:34:17 · answer #2 · answered by lexi m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The simple fact of the matter is that so many people will pay the price...I often ask why? There are so many dogs at the animal shelters(some are of the breeds you mentioned) that need homes and I don't understand anyone who would buy dogs in the first place. Call your animal shelters or go to the specific website on the types of dogs you are interested in and they will have rescued dogs that you can adopt. I have never bought a dog or cat and I have been very pleased with the ones I have gotten from the animal shelters and we have two boxers(both adopted from the Boxer Rescue Club)which have turned out great...We adopted a white boxer that no one wanted cause he was deaf and took him to classes where both he and us learned sign language...the other boxer has also helped him too. Please consider this before buying any dogs or cats! The breeders will stop breeding if we people stop paying the high costs and you can feel great when you save a dog or cat! There are a lot of pure bred dogs in shelters right now and you can specify to the people what you are looking for and they call other shelters to see if they can find you one. There is too many unwanted pets running around cause the owners are not responsible and don't want to pay to get them spayed, etc. Please consider your options.
2007-03-16 00:10:00 · answer #3 · answered by LibraAngel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I purchased two Maltese because there is something to that old saying, "you get what you pay for." I have tried getting dogs from the pound and from rescue aids. They were either very sick or very unpredictable as far as their behavior and what they would do........
I researched breeds and I wanted a dog that would compliment my lifestyle. It was between the Shih Tzus or Maltese. Everything the books said about them is true. Every behavior trait, the training, all in the book. You pay to know WHAT you are getting. It was wonderful to know WHY they act a certain way and WHAT their personality is going to be.
That is why any pure bred is expensive.
2007-03-16 00:18:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others said, dealing with petstores and backyard breeders, they will charge what they can get to make profit. Real breeders charge what they invest as far as medical screening, caring for the mother, shots, deworming, socializing, etc. In addition, most toy breeds have only 1-3 pups at a time, whereas a lab can have up to 12 pups, or more! So it's easier to breed larger dogs than small ones.
2007-03-16 00:10:24 · answer #5 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because more people want small dogs because they are easy to take care of, light weight and really cute.. so, they are expensive because people CAN and WILL buy them at that price... i have a 4 lb pomeranian and if i had gotten her at a pet store, she would have been $1800... but i got her through a private party and only paid $700.... which is still a rediculous amount, but thats how much i wanted her... i wanted a dog who would fit in a purse... and so thats what i paid for....
2007-03-15 23:58:01 · answer #6 · answered by shiningstar1313 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because everyone wants a small dog.
Either as a substitute for having a baby, and/or most people live in apartments now a days.
The more people who want them the more expensive they get.
2007-03-15 23:53:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cause their so cute and rare i know my shih tzu is i love him to death ^_^
2007-03-16 00:52:38 · answer #8 · answered by Enid 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depend on which store you buy them . i can get mine for $15.
2007-03-15 23:58:11 · answer #9 · answered by Cutie pie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because everyone wants one.
2007-03-15 23:51:55 · answer #10 · answered by piggylover_850 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋