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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not realise how much money is in selling puppies?

162 replies

Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 01/08/2024 22:31

We've been on the look out for a puppy. We've decided to go for a rescue dog. Got chatting to a neighbour and they told us a neighbour around the corner is selling puppies at £1500 each x6. As far as we know all is above board and they are registered etc.

We were tempted to go for it as the dogs are on our list but something was niggling away at me so decided to stick with our original plan and go for a rescue dog. This is booked for a visit to a rescue centre tomorrow.

I suppose my AIBU is should people not be allowed to breed puppies and those wanting to get one should just get rescue/abandoned dogs instead? There's so many dogs in shelters but they seem to be so many being bred still.

I don't know the full ins and outs but £9,000 tax free is a lot of money from what I understand the neighbours have bred puppies before and made £10,000 so £19,000 in the space of two years with no tax to pay? Should breeders have to pay a tax and only be allowed to breed so many dogs a year?

Apologies if I have this completely wrong and they do have to pay a tax etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 18:08

@notbelieved no I am not rude to assume...there are plenty of people who don't declare their full income who are self-employed...I personally know of a hairdresser who doesn't declare all their earnings as they do wedding/prom hair on the side for cash but works in the salon during the day.

There are plenty of people in all fields that do jobs on the side for cash and don't declare it. And if you use things like eBay or Vinted as a previous poster mentioned, I guarantee not everyone declares their earnings from that.

When we looked at quotes for our driveway to be done years ago, a lot of builders wanted some money transferred and the rest cash which I point blank refused because I knew the cash part wouldn't be declared.

Some wanted money paying into a personal account and not a business account because they were having 'problems' with their business account. We eventually found a reputable company (supply the workers with proper safety boots, suncream, don't want to come into the house every 5 minutes to go upstairs, and we're happy with a kettle with cups and boxes of tea bags, biscuits, milk, juice etc) that allowed us to pay a deposit into their business named account and then when the work was complete to pay the rest into the same business named account.

I don't willingly get involved with people who don't play by the rules, I try to support friends businesses as much as possible and shop local.

I believe eventually it will catch up with people who do the cash in hand, don't declare income etc. One of the builders we contacted was in the local paper for accepting cash jobs and not declaring it. He was a bragger of the lifestyle of flashy cars, holidays, big wedding etc the big I am. They really went to town on him to show that it doesn't pay to not declare and do things properly.

OP posts:
Grammarnut · 02/08/2024 18:06

theemmadilemma · 02/08/2024 14:32

That's not even the half of it for a good breeder. There's equipment, money to hand in case of caesarean or any other compliations, the list goes on and on. For a good breeder.

For a backyard breeder, it's money ahoy.

Only the public can halt backyard breeders.

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Totally agree. A whole lot more expense for a good breeder than just those, which are incidental to having a particular litter.

Cherrysoup · 02/08/2024 17:43

A woman I knew basically bred to make an income, which I found appalling. Just because it has a uterus, doesn’t mean it should be bred.

If a breeder is charging over a grand a puppy, I’d want low/zero hip/elbow scores, plus clear recommended tests for the breed (not health checks!)

Grammarnut · 02/08/2024 16:56

OrwellianTimes · 02/08/2024 16:45

You know some breeds are £3,000 each right?

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I do. However, I also know that to produce a puppy that will cost 3k you will have to do a whole shed-load of work with attendant expenses. Health tests for mother, stud fee (3k I presume),money for possible caesarian etc, vaccinations and so forth - I listed them all upthread and so have several other people. Not mentioning that you will need to be with such a litter practically 24/7 as mum is quite likely to sit on pups, push them into a corner, so they die of cold etc.

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 02/08/2024 16:54

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There's also plenty KC breeders who do the same. They're all bastards.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 02/08/2024 16:48

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OMG. Poor, poor dog.

OrwellianTimes · 02/08/2024 16:45

Grammarnut · 02/08/2024 16:30

How?

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You know some breeds are £3,000 each right?

OrwellianTimes · 02/08/2024 16:44

Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 13:38

@JudgeBurrito out no.1 choice is a Labrador, two of our friendship group have a Labrador and a family member Goldador so will be helpful for advice.

Two of my colleagues also have Labradors one of their partners has his own behaviour training business which we have accepted the offer of once settled.

Don’t get a “Goldador” without the parents having hip checks. You don’t want a dog with hip dysplasia, trust me, it’s heartbreaking.

You really need to know Labradors are from a good line - big dogs need proper health genetic tests.

Grammarnut · 02/08/2024 16:36

Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 15:52

But breeding dogs is not being self-employed is it? Looking at the replies and the costs people incur I don't think people could live on this alone? It appears this is more of a second income unless they have multiple amounts of dogs breeding?

It's more a life-style bound up with interest in improving a breed, showing dogs, agility etc.

Chester23 · 02/08/2024 16:34

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What breed of dogs was this? I dont agree with backyard breeders but 7 can be an average age for some dogs

Grammarnut · 02/08/2024 16:30

happyhemsby · 02/08/2024 15:23

I got £15,000 last year from one litter.

How?

notbelieved · 02/08/2024 16:29

Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 15:53

@notbelieved

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It's self employment, part time or full time. You're still being really rude assuming people don't pay tax on other sources of income

Original poster
Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 16:26

@Noodge so glad you were able to take it out of a horrible situation.

@WindsurfingDreams yes seen quite a few of these awful stories about criminal gangs, just terrible they should lock them up and throw away the key.

OP posts:
WindsurfingDreams · 02/08/2024 16:17

Noodge · 02/08/2024 16:07

Very glad you're rescuing OP. 21 HEALTHY dogs per day are PTS in the UK.
And that figure is rising. So many unwanted dogs, bought on a whim from young Nobby down the road who fancied himself a nice little money-spinner.

My dog is the product of irresponsible breeding. I learned of the litter when a friend of the breeders whom I knew, contacted me to ask what they could feed a pup who was rejected by Mum. I said to go to the vet and get some formula of course!

Breeder not registered with a vet. Get that-NOT REGISTERED WITH A VET.

And breeding dogs. Mum hadn't been walked in years and two other (huge) dogs in the house, same situation for them.

I went and got formula for the pup and left them to it. Two days later breeder rang me-can't get the pup to take the formula. So she'd gone two days without sustenance. Was very weak and lethargic when I zoomed over, breaking the speed limit, in order to try myself. I ended up taking her home, and breeder never got her back. She was NOT happy (and was a very intimidating character if I am honest, I wasn't going to be beaten down though) and wanted money for the pup which I refused on the grounds she'd not be alive if not for me.

She's had two litters since. Charged about £6-£800 for them when I got my pup, probably more now as that was pre-lockdown and pre-dog-craziness.

To coin a much hated term on here, the whole thing boils my piss.

Some of the "rescue" dogs these days are very much part of criminal gang activity... There was a recent prosecution where the woman was shipping dogs in as "rescue" dogs. Am not sure how it works, but clearly there is money for criminals to make in fake rescue charities etc

Noodge · 02/08/2024 16:12

FumingAintTheWord · 02/08/2024 03:50

In my view people who breed animals and are happy to sell a mother's babies are total sub human scum and deserve nothing good in life. How on earth anyone can sell an animals new borns is beyond me. Why humans are so fucked that they think they're superior to other races is beyond me. Imagine if this was done with humans.

I agree. It's so unethical in this climate.

Noodge · 02/08/2024 16:07

Very glad you're rescuing OP. 21 HEALTHY dogs per day are PTS in the UK.
And that figure is rising. So many unwanted dogs, bought on a whim from young Nobby down the road who fancied himself a nice little money-spinner.

My dog is the product of irresponsible breeding. I learned of the litter when a friend of the breeders whom I knew, contacted me to ask what they could feed a pup who was rejected by Mum. I said to go to the vet and get some formula of course!

Breeder not registered with a vet. Get that-NOT REGISTERED WITH A VET.

And breeding dogs. Mum hadn't been walked in years and two other (huge) dogs in the house, same situation for them.

I went and got formula for the pup and left them to it. Two days later breeder rang me-can't get the pup to take the formula. So she'd gone two days without sustenance. Was very weak and lethargic when I zoomed over, breaking the speed limit, in order to try myself. I ended up taking her home, and breeder never got her back. She was NOT happy (and was a very intimidating character if I am honest, I wasn't going to be beaten down though) and wanted money for the pup which I refused on the grounds she'd not be alive if not for me.

She's had two litters since. Charged about £6-£800 for them when I got my pup, probably more now as that was pre-lockdown and pre-dog-craziness.

To coin a much hated term on here, the whole thing boils my piss.

Sahara123 · 02/08/2024 15:58

Priggishsausagebore · 01/08/2024 22:33

Well it's income so they should declare it on a tax return but I would imagine most of them don't.

This, exactly .

Original poster
Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 15:56

Dahliaaaa · 02/08/2024 15:15

I completely agree you need to really check a breeder and if you have any concerns walk away, but that said, I think you seem rather deluded over rescues. If you aren't home 24/7 or have children you will be unable to rescue

Who is deluded?

OP posts:
Original poster
Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 15:53

Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 15:52

But breeding dogs is not being self-employed is it? Looking at the replies and the costs people incur I don't think people could live on this alone? It appears this is more of a second income unless they have multiple amounts of dogs breeding?

@notbelieved

OP posts:
Original poster
Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 15:52

But breeding dogs is not being self-employed is it? Looking at the replies and the costs people incur I don't think people could live on this alone? It appears this is more of a second income unless they have multiple amounts of dogs breeding?

OP posts:
TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 02/08/2024 15:50

Someone i know bred their dog. She had 4 or 5 stillborn pups and 3 survived. With all the vet fees, stud fees, food and associated medical costs they didn't make any money on it at all. They got their dog spayed as soon as it was recommended and it feels like they regret it immensely. They kept 1 puppy, but I don't think its been worth the emotional costs either.

Original poster
Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles · 02/08/2024 15:47

@Grammarnut All good for our household no children just older nieces and nephews who pop over occasionally when in the area, we've had a home check, references including income check the rescue centre has been quite thorough and has offered a lot of support which we have gladly accepted.

The mother was rescued with its litter so has had a health check (has been paid for with fundraising and donations from various sources). They were found near a motorway in a box.

Husband works from home full time. I work 3 days from home and 2 in the office and lucky enough not to work weekends. We also have access to a dog service if needed.

OP posts:
Andthereitis · 02/08/2024 15:44

Your local authority will have regulations on dog breeding.

Most people will never get on their radar but it wouldn't be difficult to monitor and deal with.

notbelieved · 02/08/2024 15:24

Why do you assume it's tax free? Thousands of self employed people manage to pay tax. Very insulting assumption.

happyhemsby · 02/08/2024 15:23

I got £15,000 last year from one litter.