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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the cost of a puppy is bizarre?

137 replies

PersonaNonGarter · 09/02/2019 12:45

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?

OP posts:
hibbledibble · 09/02/2019 22:44

midnite what breed are you breeding the c sections are frequently needed? Surely this is a sign that this is not ethical.

Pissedoffdotcom · 09/02/2019 22:58

Whilst i hate that so many people go for puppies, i understand it. And using a decent breeder isn't an issue. You can spot the decent ones a mile off because THEY quiz YOU on the home/lifestyle their pup will have.

I am an avid rescue advocate, having worked with several. However i am the first to admit that rescue criteria has now reached crazy levels. Whilst i understand it - kennelling dogs in their wait for forever homes means it is exceptionally difficult to fully temperament test - i wish it were different. Many rescues don't help themselves by being so narrow minded. There are several criteria that are ridiculous.

MidniteScribbler · 09/02/2019 22:58

I have never actually needed a C-section on any of my litters (touch wood), but I put it there because it can happen and you need to be financially prepared for it if you are breeding a litter. But anything can happen - a pup may be too big, get stuck, etc. Whilst there are some breeds that routinely need C-sections (which I have my own feelings about), any dog, just like any woman, may need a C-section.

MaitlandGirl · 09/02/2019 22:59

midnite and that is why I have a stud dog, not a breeding bitch. I can’t afford to breed the way my conscience wants me to so I don’t. It’s that simple.

The beeeder that I mentioned before that lost over $10000 (AU) on a litter had an unexpected emergency c-section (due to symptomless bladder stones) that was of course in the middle of the night (isn’t it always) with 4 live puppies and one still birth. The 4 live puppies then got sick just before they were due to go to their new homes and 3 died. The remaining puppy was given away as a gift to a a lovely family the breeder knew.

The breeder had all of the costs of the pregnancy, surgery and veterinary care for the puppies and didn’t take a cent for the only puppy she had left available to sell.

The stud fees for our boy don’t even come close to covering the costs we’ve incurred since we’ve had him and he’s only available to very select bitches. As a money making scheme he’s useless.

What breed do you have?

Pissedoffdotcom · 09/02/2019 22:59

Lots of people don't realise that their insurance more often than not doesn't cover pregnancy complications.

Herbyvor · 09/02/2019 23:01

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

Yes I will thanks, no way am I fuelling more puppy farmers.

PinkGin24 · 09/02/2019 23:05

@Herbyvor, erm my post stated KC registered breeders.....

So clearly not puppy farms.

trooth · 09/02/2019 23:06

The cost of a responsibly bred pup (health tested bitch and sire - hip scored, heart and eye check, good lineage also always health tested etc) is justified.

The cost of all these super popular, over bred (to the detriment of the breed - pugging the faces until they can't breath for example) and "new breeds" (goldendoodle anyone?) is bonkers.

We have a working dog we wanted from specific stock. The breeder does not advertise, nor breed very often. They aren't all in it for the money. Some really do it for the love of the breed and to keep good, healthy bloodlines going.

Herbyvor · 09/02/2019 23:07

Yeah, just the dismissive way you spoke about rescues as if they were beneath you...

I have a KC registered spaniel as well as three rescues. If anyone reading this thinks that KC registers means much, then you will be very disappointed.

Herbyvor · 09/02/2019 23:21

For every dog we rescue, we receive veterinary reports which show the common problems dogs face when coming out of commercial breeding kennels, including breeders who register their puppies with the Kennel Club. We know that a puppy being sold as ‘KC Registered’ means nothing when it comes to welfare. For the dogs, it brings no benefits at all as we see time and time again when we visit breeders/puppy farmers who are selling pups with genuine KC papers. It isn’t just us saying so, the vet reports provide all the evidence needed to know that KC registration does not help the dogs in any shape or form

MidniteScribbler · 09/02/2019 23:32

All buyers need to learn to do their research before buying a dog from anywhere. You can get good car salesmen and bad car salesmen, but anyone with any common sense knows that you get a mechanic to check it before you buy it, make sure you get a warranty, know your consumer rights. It's no different to buying an animals.

It's easy to point the finger at KC registered breeders because they are more visible. But you need to go behind the scenes. I have a very rare breed and all of the online chatter is about health testing, bloodlines, making sure the dogs can still do the job they were bred for. There are open health databases and most breeders have their dogs health testing published on their websites. I can only think of one person in my breed that I would consider unethical, because they don't health test and think show results are the be all and end all, but there's a reason they are now struggling to get new stock because no one will deal with them. It's up to buyers to make sure they are asking the right questions of people they are buying their new dog from.

callmeadoctor · 09/02/2019 23:38

Would just like to point out that statistically mongrels are no healthier than pedigrees!

MidniteScribbler · 09/02/2019 23:55

Would just like to point out that statistically mongrels are no healthier than pedigrees!

This is the craziest thing people believe. If you cross a poodle that is prone to hip dysplasia with a Labrador that is prone to hip dysplasia, you aren't magically going to get rid of hip dysplasia because they are different breeds. The only way to minimise the risk of hip dysplasia is to breed two parents who have had their hips tested and have good scores.

Shootfirstaskquestionslater · 10/02/2019 00:00

@PersonaNonGarter do a lot of research on the Internet and you will find the type of dog your after trust me I was looking round online it was only because my sisters dog had puppies just before Christmas that I got mine and I know the temperament of all the dogs that my puppy is related to otherwise I woukdn't of taken her on.

PinkGin24 · 10/02/2019 00:01

@Herbyvor I have VERY strong links to the KC through golden breeding. I know what I am talking about so don't try and make out my comment about the KC breeding regsiter is null and void.

callmeadoctor · 10/02/2019 00:05

MidniteScribbler I agree with you, you misunderstood me, I said that mongrels are NOT healthier than pedigrees (statistically)

giggly · 10/02/2019 00:05

I’m genuinely baffled as to why anyone would pay £1000 for a dog. I know dozens of people who have paid £600+++ for pups with a close friend paying £1600. Her reasoning was that the breed is good with childrenHmm. Each to their own and all that.
Seems like the in thing round here.

callmeadoctor · 10/02/2019 00:06

It is an urban myth that mongrels are healthier than pedigrees!

callmeadoctor · 10/02/2019 00:08

And people are so taken in by the naming of mongrels with a crossed /designer name, it is amusing!

Jsmith99 · 10/02/2019 00:27

Market forces. Because certain breeds, eg French Bulldogs, are deemed ‘fashionable’ by society, demand for puppies far exceeds supply, therefore the market price can only go one way. Exactly the same applies to horses, and to some extent, cats.

Don’t blame the breeders. They have significant overheads and business is business at the end of the day. Blame the vacuous cretins who treat animals as fashion accessories and are prepared to pay thousands to be seen with the latest ‘must have’ breed.

FlorencesHunger · 10/02/2019 02:20

I do think it's alot of money but have seen the care and time responsible breeders give to the mothers and then to the pups when they are born. They might make a prophet on it which I don't think is massive when you think of the time spent plus vet bills for mother and each pup she might have.

Pissedoffdotcom · 10/02/2019 10:03

KC registration often means jack shit. I mean, even some high level KC judges have been revealed to be breeding dogs with known defects. Top of my head we had the boxer who was blind - owner was breeding. We had the cavalier whose owner was deliberately breeding them smaller which led to issues with their skulls. Both were KC registered & accredited & both were top level judges in their breed for things like Crufts. KC does not necessarily mean ethical!

Delatron · 10/02/2019 10:23

Yes but it’s a start. We found a KC registered breeder. Then went to visit them to see the set up. Very happy with it. We were showed hip/elbow scores from both parents and met the mother. We were shown lots of information about both the parents.

We tried for a year to get a rescue dog but kept getting turned down. I’m happy with the route we’ve gone down.

Skittlesss · 10/02/2019 10:57

I would buy from a responsible breeder - one who vets the people buying from them. The ones I got mine from, like rehoming charity places, won’t let full time workers buy from them. Some are a bit iffy about children being in the house. Many also stipulate “pet only homes” (no breeding).

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