To think the cost of a puppy is bizarre?

[PersonaNonGarter]

I am completely baffled by the cost of puppies.

I have been thinking about getting another dog. I’ve always had older rescues but this time I wanted to get a puppy. I googled puppy and OMG, all the sites showed dogs from £550 to £1300!

I am not going to buy one at that price, obviously, but it seems so strange. Who pays this, why, and why isn’t the cost so much lower?

God it's a minefield isn't it? We plan on getting a dog in a year or so when youngest is 5, and want to go to a rescue but are just nervous that you'd be able to find a good with kids dog iykwim?

Get a mongrel pup. They are by far much healthier and usually free.
Many people only seem to want a dog if it's fashionable and/or looks pretty though and they will pay any price for their fashion accessory.

Get a mongrel pup. They are by far much healthier and usually free.

I'd love to but I can't find any.

We have previously successfully adopted two dogs from Dogs trust.

The first one died recently and we went back to them. The attitude of some of the staff was appalling and we won't be going back there.

They don't want us to have a dog with the same issues as the two we've already had because we have a an existing dog (from them) and a 15 year old in the house, even though she was seven when we took the first one.

They then openly despised us when we were asking about puppies because everybody want puppies, not the dogs with issues. The puppies are generally reserved within the first 10 seconds of opening on the day they become available so they aren't struggling to find homes for them.

I completely get that they need to be very carefully to ensure that each rehoming is successful but they could be an awful lot more polite and constructive about it.

It was clear that were weren't going to pass muster for some reason so we will have to try to find a puppy that isn't from a puppy farm.

People are turned down by shelters because they are not suitable for the dogs the shelters want to rehome. It’s not difficult. These dogs are in shelters for a reason and the last thing they need is to wind up back in the shelter if adoption doesn’t work out. If you work full-time how can you devote the time to a dog that might have separation issues or need a lot of exercise?. Many are also nervous and jumpy around small children and dint socialize well with other family pets.. It’s not about you and you want; it’s about the dog and what the dog needs

It's ok to leave a dog at home all day as long as you've got a grand to spare though. Perhaps all would be dog owners should be vetted,rich or poor. Only then would it be fair.

I feel really strongly about this!
I'm so against breeding for profit,which lets be honest is the only reason the majority of breeders do it
Not because they love animals. Bollocks
I love animals and I'd rather work at an animal sanctuary than breed dogs.

If another dog wasn't intentionally bred again there would still be too many dogs without homes.
There are some beautiful pedigree breeds no doubt. And also some perfect temperaments.
However,I would feel as guilty as hell buying a pedigree puppy after visiting the local dogs home and breaking my heart

And I would certainly not line a strangers pocket with a grand for a dog!!
I do understand the theory that the cost deters the people who haven't really thought it through. Still,I belive people still don't care and will get rid of an animal no matter what the cost. The animal rescues are still full of pedigrees too

I do partly agree that animal shelters are very strict. When we had our dog it was no children under 10 and various other restrictions. Some i agree with,particularly if theres no history.
However although I have dc under 10 they are used to dogs even big bouncy ones and aren't fazed and are respectful

Anyway, ironically they offered us a puppy but it was a rescue puppy that had been dumped. Crossbreed. So my conscience is clear.
And she's lovely

I got a puppy because I wanted a specific breed. I also paid a bit more than perhaps the average breeders were charging but I wanted specific dna testing to have been done on the parents so was happy to pay a bit more.

The adopt don't shop doesn't work for lots of people. I know one person who recently adopted and the dog was very aggressive and had lots of issues which clearly had not been picked up by the rescue. I also couldn't adopt from most rescues because I work and whilst my dog goes to daycare lots of rescues have criteria that would exclude us.

Dogs cost money and honestly the amount we paid for him, which the OP would deem excessive, is just a drop in the ocean. If dogs were cheap then I think it would be far worse because some people treat them as disposable now so god knows how they would treat them if they cost just £50.

It’s a bragging right often. Like having a BMW or Audi instead of a Ford. Relatives have a £2500 French Bulldog, a rare colour apparently. It sounds like it can’t breathe and is always at the vets

Our own hound cost £1000 5 years ago. Breeder never advertises, her bitch had only had 3 litters in her life, all KC reg and health checked. Before she approves you for her list she had to meet us and all the kids see how they were with her dogs etc.

As DS was only 3 we couldn’t have a rescue, all other pets are rescues though. I’ve said next dog will be an old mongrel

Are all rescues equal? There's a few small ones opened up nearish me, they seem in the main to rescue from overseas. And on closer inspection a lot of the dogs are in foster care overseas and the rescue will bring them over once someone has been approved and paid for them. It does say they will give a week's trial and you could return the dog during that period. Some of these dogs have Leishmania, which seems to be a disease that UK dogs don't generally get (from what I understand).

We're considering getting a puppy, we want to do it all right, but I can't see us being approved by someone like Dog's Trust etc. I am home most of the time, but we have 4 DC, age 4-13. I didn't grow up with dogs, DH's family had one when he was child, so we wouldn't be considered experienced dog owners.

My experience of shelters in my area is that if you have children or a job you'll find it almost impossible to get a rescue dog.

As someone above said, the cost per year of a puppy from a breeder is very little.

"Have you seen the prices on gumtree?

It's not all about breeders' costs, it's about greed on there."

Well, Eliza, I wouldn't consider the scum that sell puppies through gumtree to be decent breeders.

My aunt tried to breed Siamese kittens.

Her cat had three, they incurred massive vets bills, and one died. She made a loss even though she sold each remaining kitten for £200. And that doesn't even include the immense cost of time it takes for dog care!

Unfortunately you get farmed puppies also cashing in on the genuine prices incurred by proper breeders.

I actually think that Britain and British lifestyles are predominantly dog unfriendly, and that most people would be better suited to a different pet - cats, ferrets, etc.

Not because they're easy, but because their needs can at least be met by a FT working household. So many people pronounce that they are "desperate" for a dog, when they actually have fuck all desire to walk regularly and don't have the means for daycare. If you don't want to do those things you're not desperate for a dog!

Ok may have to name change after this but, isnt saying adopt dont shop, isnt that like saying why have a baby while their are children needing to be fostered/adopted ? I'm sure having a rescue dog can be rewarding, it's not the same as choosing a particular breed/ pedigree of puppy though is it ?

It's stupid. It's all these new designer dogs coming about that are basically mongrels that people pay stupid amounts of money for.
Depending on the breed you want really do your research do you want a full pedigree go through the kennel club website. Or just after a fun loving pup that needs and wants a forever home adopt loads of rescues are overrun with pups needing homes xx

YABU. It's not bizarre.
There's nothing strange or unusual about it, it's how the market works.
If no one bought puppies because they were too expensive the cost would come down a bit.

No, not all rescues are equal at all.

I will not support rescues that charge a fortune for dogs they ship over, sight unseen and direct to new owners - these in most cases are not owners prepared to deal with the specific issues ex street dogs or foreign shelter dogs have and these dogs end up needing to be put back into rescue.. and where is the original 'rescue' that brought them over, nowhere to be found of course!

I will also NOT support rescues who simply take in dogs from puppy farms (only the cute breeds, never pound dogs, or staffies) and those puppy farms actively use this to advertise 'we donate our ex breeding dogs to rescue' as if thats a GOOD THING..

Rescues need to stop trading on this idea that people want a dog from them PURELY because its a good, worthy, kind thing to do.

They need to start acting much more like a business, in providing people dogs that have training, that are well assessed, and providing good back up and support for those adopters, including force free training and behaviour support and generally having good customer services people skills.

There are far too many people in rescue who are there because they love animals and HATE PEOPLE.. and have forgotten it is people who home dogs!

There are responsible, reputable breeders out there - they are however hard to find as they do not need to advertise their puppies.

There are good rescues out there too.

Either one is a good option but you won't find it tomorrow and you won't get a new dog next week, it takes time and research and patience!

Ok may have to name change after this but, isnt saying adopt dont shop, isnt that like saying why have a baby while their are children needing to be fostered/adopted ?

Yes I can quite see why you would name change for this comment

Lots of rescues have puppies that need homes too. Greyhound Gap have lurcher puppies waiting for their homes now.
Personally if we were ever to consider a puppy I would look at rescue puppies.

On the adopt don't shop.... Policies vary so much from rescue to rescue. It's worth researching and talking to different rescues.
Personal choice but if there is a particular breed you've researched and think will work with your set up I would start with looking at breed specific rescues. They know more about the trait of the breed which I think helps so much matching the dog and the right family.
xxxx

Our lab cost £700. Seems like a lot but behind the scenes there were genetic tests on parents, hip scores, vaccinations, food that the breeder had to buy etc. Not to mention the fact that presumably it's a breeders full time job looking after a bitch and her puppies? I can't see how you could adequately look after a litter of pups unless you were around all day and night for that first twelve weeks as they need so much care and attention. So considering all that I do t think it's that much really.

We bought our last breed (pedigree) at 10 months old. Owner was seller him as he was destroying her house. He destroyed ours too for about 3 months. Then he settle and turned into the most amazing dog ever. I think she bought him seeing a cute little puppy but not realising the hard work that goes into training. She paid £1500 for him and we paid her £300, because she just wanted rid. Best £300 I’ve ever spent!

I thought in this day and age we've seen enough programmes on puppy farms etc on the dog rescuers and the like to know better than to buy from breeders. They all claim to be responsible but many aren't and breed the poor dogs to death, making them produce litter after litter. It's a horrible business and I don't know why anyone would want to play any part in it.

I don't live in the UK, but I think it's brilliant that there are so few homeless dogs that you have to import them and then make it well nigh impossible for people to adopt them.

Go to a rescue. They have puppies too, but nothing wrong with an older dog either (far less likely to pee on your carpets or chew your shoes!)

They have a rehoming fee, to go towards their costs, but it is generally in the region of £100-200.

It is the responsible thing to do as well. Far too many puppies are bred then later abandoned.

Must be designer breeds - we are looking another dog and our choice of breed seems to be £250-400 with kc or isr papers, £100-150 without.

Alright, I'll bite.

I'm a registered breeder. My general costs for a litter are as follows (Australian $$). I have had ten litters over my twenty+ years in the dog world.

• To buy a bitch in the first place, assuming I haven't bred her - between $2000 and $3500 for one born in Australia, depending on the agreement with the breeder. To import - anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000.
• Stud fee - between $0 and $5000 depending on the agreement. If $0, that means they are taking a puppy from the litter. If I've imported a dog - it could be $10,000 to $20,000. Importing semen costs around $3500 plus the cost of stud fees. (I pay over $1000 per year to store the semen I have collected, regardless of whether I use it or not). I may also have to fly either the dog or the bitch for a mating, last time that cost me $550 each way for the dog.
• Pre breeding health tests in my breed total around $2500 for the bitch. Double that if I own the stud dog, or I'm using a dog that may not have had his health testing done by his owner, so I pay the fees in order to be able to use him.
• If an AI is needed - between $2000 and $4000.
• Pre whelping scans - probably another $250.
• Assuming whelping in natural and a C-section is not needed. If C-section is needed, add $1000 to $4000.

And we still don't necessarily have a live puppy on the ground yet.

Say we're lucky and have 6 pups (a fairly good sized litter in my breed).

Each one needs microchipping, vaccinations (about $100 per pup), and I also get them heart checked and eyes tested ($300 per pup). Registration and pedigree is another $50 each. Let's just ignore the costs of food, toys and all the other bits and pieces you need.

So, from my six puppies, one is likely to stay with me, another may go to the stud dog owner or someone else I have an agreement with. So that's four to sell. I may place one with a trusted family for half price so that I can collect semen from him later to use in my breeding program. So 3 (and a half 1/2) puppies to sell.

I do not breed to sell puppies. I breed for myself, and for the breed that I love. I am trying to leave a strong gene pool behind for the next generation of breeders to be able to work from, just like those who came before me did. I can assure you, that in twenty years, I have spent a lot more money than I will ever make. My dogs are my pets, first and foremost, breeding is definitely second to that.

Are there bad breeders who are in it for the money? Absolutely. Should you assume that all pedigree breeders are bad breeders? No. Most people wait 3-6 years to get a puppy from me.

My reasons are because I want a KC registered breeder (so KC registered breed not some mongerel, ot as other like to call it 'designer dog') and I want a responsible breeder who has tested for genetic issues/hip scored etc.

If you think £500 to £1000 is expensive for a decent dog then stick to the rescues.