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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To implore people not to get a rediculously overpriced lockdown puppy

69 replies

hibbledibble · 10/04/2021 22:58

I know it's the vogue now, and people are bored at home.

However buying puppies for £3-5k+ a piece is fuelling crime and animal exploitation. A lot of puppies are being bred in terrible conditions, with health impacts for the mothers and puppies. Criminal gangs are breeding puppies, and also stealing puppies and adult dogs, in order to breed from them. There are multiple stories of people being violently mugged for their dogs.

People will say 'but I got my dog from a reputable breeder' however paying a highly overinflated price for a puppy is fuelling the crime and exploitation associated with the industry, by maintaining high prices. In addition, many breeders are not as reputable as they appear to me, as the high financial gains are attracting unscrupulous individuals.

Finally, what will happen to all these impulse purchased puppies once lockdown ends, and people are expected back in the workplace? Likely a lot will end up being abandoned, or left at home alone all day.

Please, if you want to get a dog, adopt, don't shop, and thoroughly research the decision, including the costs involved in ownership. There are many rescues that will rehome to families, and some that have puppies too, but they won't be purebreds or 'designer' crosses!

OP posts:
MeanWeedratStew · 10/04/2021 23:08

I get what you're saying, but we've had the conversation here before about shelters having such narrow and inflexible rules as to who can adopt that it drives people toward the breeders.

I know the puppy farming industry is abhorrent, but I don't know how it can be stopped. If people want a dog, they'll find a way to get one. Sad

Sprockerdilerock · 10/04/2021 23:18

I think it's a bit late now!

Returnoftheowl · 10/04/2021 23:19

Please, if you want to get a dog, adopt, don't shop
Whilst I'm sure no one wants to support puppy farming most rescue centres seem to put such strict conditions on rehoming it is near impossible to get one from there.
Got children under 12?
Got a cat?
Got fences less than 6ft tall surroundings your property?
You can't guarantee that sometime will be at home at all times?
Unfortunately all reasons I've recently heard trotted out to people I know about why they can't adopt from a rescue centre.
My DM for example tried to adopt a Laso Apso. Experienced dog owner, WFH, has a dog sitter arranged when she does go out, etc... Got turned down because her fences are 5ft, not 6ft (and it had to be solid fencing so sticking trellis on wouldn't work). She was a tiny dog...no chance she would have cleared a 5ft fence without being fitted for mountaineering equipment.

I'm in no way condoning puppy farming, but I can see why people get sucked into less ethical means of getting a dog as rescues are out of reach for most.

Pupster21 · 10/04/2021 23:21

We’ve been looking for a dog for 15 months. I won’t pay these overinflated prices but rescues won’t accept us due to the ages of my children and other pets in the home. Not sure what we’re to do. It feels like an impossible task finding a decent breeder at the moment.

MajesticWhine · 10/04/2021 23:23

We bought a puppy so you can tell me off if you like. We looked for a rescue. We have a primary aged child and another dog so there were very limited options. Any rescue dogs that did seem suitable were taken quickly because of the demand.

OppsUpsSide · 10/04/2021 23:23

I think you’ve missed the boat a bit to be honest

Cherrysoup · 10/04/2021 23:24

Way too late and who on earth will listen to you? There are at least 6 new young dogs in my local park, all being taught that it’s ok to run round like feral creatures, pelt up to other dogs who may not like it, zero actual training.

Many big rescues are extremely inflexible re dc under 10 or people having to work for a living, so the ever constant whinge about adopt don’t shop is irrelevant. My cousin would be turned down-3 kids under 11, works full time, as does her Dh but he works from home.

You should also read the horror stories about Eastern European imports of multiple dogs and the drivers being told it’s their 6th trip, with their alleged ‘own pet dog’. Shocking lack of giving a fuck at the border currently.

mikejardine · 10/04/2021 23:24

I hope this thread does not put people off rescuing a dog. I have just adopted a dog - i have low fences and also have a cat - we had her overnight for two sessions yo see how she got on with the cat and now she's ours!

SionnachRua · 10/04/2021 23:26

Yanbu. I'm a primary teacher and I'm pretty damn sure some of the class parents are buying from a puppy farmer. Four €€€€ puppies from different litters over the space of six months...come on, people. I hate plastering on the smile when a kid comes in to tell me about the new designer mutt.

Happycat1212 · 10/04/2021 23:27

Not just dogs, I was looking at kittens recently and was shocked to see people selling regular standard cats for Up to £500

firedog · 10/04/2021 23:27

This was relevant 6 mths ago but it's not lockdown now. And yes ads have started re rehoming puppies

MrsTulipTattsyrup · 10/04/2021 23:27

Your message is fine, and laudable, but it’s a bit late given that we are about to come out of restrictions. And in light of the fact that we’ve had this same thread pop up about once a week since last March.

PinkiOcelot · 10/04/2021 23:29

I think that ship has sailed OP. Should have posted this last year.

Original poster
hibbledibble · 10/04/2021 23:30

It's still relevant as people are still buying these very expensive dogs. Demand has not stopped. While lockdown is easing, we are still in lockdown.

Sure, some rescues have strict rules, but not all. Many will rehome to families, including those that fly dogs in from other countries with a lot of strays, for example Galgos del Sol

OP posts:
DontBeRidiculous · 10/04/2021 23:34

As others have said, it's too late now! Most of those who wanted a "lockdown puppy" will already have bought one, months and months ago.

I dislike the "adopt, don't shop" line, because even when you buy a dog, you are "adopting" it, and don't most (all?) rescues require that you pay something for their dogs? So you're still "shopping". It's a meaningless phrase, imo.

I wouldn't pay an exorbitant price for a puppy, and I don't want anyone to get a dog anywhere if they aren't fully committed to being good, responsible, caring pet-owners, but I imagine many are tired of being told that they're horrible people if they source a dog through any means other than a rescue or a professional breeder who can trace their dogs' lineage back 200 generations.

Original poster
hibbledibble · 10/04/2021 23:38
  • As others have said, it's too late now! Most of those who wanted a "lockdown puppy" will already have bought one, months and months ago.

I dislike the "adopt, don't shop" line, because even when you buy a dog, you are "adopting" it, and don't most (all?) rescues require that you pay something for their dogs? So you're still "shopping". It's a meaningless phrase, imo.

I wouldn't pay an exorbitant price for a puppy, and I don't want anyone to get a dog anywhere if they aren't fully committed to being good, responsible, caring pet-owners, but I imagine many are tired of being told that they're horrible people if they source a dog through any means other than a rescue or a professional breeder who can trace their dogs' lineage back 200 generations. *

Not at all, lots of people are still looking for puppies, as they are in such high demand that they weren't able to get one sooner.

Adopting from a rescue is completely different from buying a dog for thousands from a breeder, who is making a huge profit. Rescues ask for a donation, to contribute towards their running costs, and fund their ongoing work.

Professional breeders charging vastly inflated prices are part of the problem here as well.

OP posts:
Howshouldibehave · 10/04/2021 23:45

@Returnoftheowl

Please, if you want to get a dog, adopt, don't shop Whilst I'm sure no one wants to support puppy farming most rescue centres seem to put such strict conditions on rehoming it is near impossible to get one from there. Got children under 12? Got a cat? Got fences less than 6ft tall surroundings your property? You can't guarantee that sometime will be at home at all times? Unfortunately all reasons I've recently heard trotted out to people I know about why they can't adopt from a rescue centre. My DM for example tried to adopt a Laso Apso. Experienced dog owner, WFH, has a dog sitter arranged when she does go out, etc... Got turned down because her fences are 5ft, not 6ft (and it had to be solid fencing so sticking trellis on wouldn't work). She was a tiny dog...no chance she would have cleared a 5ft fence without being fitted for mountaineering equipment.

I'm in no way condoning puppy farming, but I can see why people get sucked into less ethical means of getting a dog as rescues are out of reach for most.

Completely agree-I know of several people who were refused a dog by local rescues because they had kids, so went on to buy puppy instead. If they want a dog and rescue centres won’t let them have one, they will go elsewhere.
wetotter · 10/04/2021 23:59

I think this is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Lockdown is ending. Those who wanted a lockdown puppy have got them already (and I'm including those who know their working life will be more flexible going forwards in that group)

It might have been harder to get a puppy last year, when vets were under tight restrictions and many breeders suspended mating. But it all resumed later last year. The number of puppies and young dogs you see out and about is very high. I really don't think that there is pent up demand , and I read for the first time this week of a litter that was readvertised at a lower price (OK, still very high compared to pre-pandemic, but it's an indicator that prices may have peaked)

I've heard that there are an increasing number of older puppies/young dogs being advertised for sale as owners can't deal adequately with dog ownership as workplaces return. They don't seem to be ending up in rescues (yet) because it seems people are trying to sell them on privately, possibly in an attempt to recoup outlay

Original poster
hibbledibble · 11/04/2021 00:17

I think this is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

I would love for this to be the case, but the many adds on gumtree for very expensive puppies from backyard breeders tells another story. There are also sadly a lot of puppies of 5-8 months being rehomed as well. It's heartbreaking.

OP posts:
Ericaequites · 11/04/2021 00:19

It’s easier to get a foster child than a puppy from some local shelters.

Deadringer · 11/04/2021 00:31

I agree with you op, no way would i pay way above the odds for a puppy which definitely encourages puppy farming. However adopting a dog is not a possibility for many people. We are experienced dog owners, my youngest is 12, no cats or other pets, i am a sahp, but the kennels in my area only have a handful of dogs, all large, older breeds, and they are only available for adult only homes. I have been watching the rescues for the last year. The only solution is to not get a dog at all, which is our current plan. I would rather never have another pet than risk supporting unscrupulous and cruel puppy farms.

PutBabyInTheCorner · 11/04/2021 00:32

I've always adopted pets.
I'm afraid it's not just people put off by rescue centre rules but in my experience people wanting designer pups. Every other friend on Facebook has a sausage dog at the moment.
Many rescue centres aren't that strict but it's interesting that people who can't rescue for various reasons including having small say they feel forced to go to breeders. Perhaps there are legitimate reasons not to have a dog? Maybe not all dogs are suitable for small children or to be around cats. In my line of work I deal with dog attacks - mainly children - and I often wish someone had advised them not to get the dog instead of pushing ahead to get the breed they wanted.

AnnaFiveTowns · 11/04/2021 00:32

Agree OP. Prices now are obscene and encouraging unscrupulous dog breeding and theft; everyone has to take responsibility; if you pay these prices you're part of the problem.

Lauren15 · 11/04/2021 00:33

@PinkiOcelot

I think that ship has sailed OP. Should have posted this last year.
Doesn’t make it less relevant.
Deadringer · 11/04/2021 00:39

Re legitimate breeders, if they sell puppies at the 'regular' price, people buy them then sell them on for profit so the puppies can end up anywhere. Anyway breeders are business people, no matter how ethical they are naturally they want to make as much money as possible.

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