To not realise how much money is in selling puppies?

[Purplebiscuitwithsprinkles]

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.

Bad breeder. Pointless as the pups may be weak and out of a litter of ten or 13 several are likely to die if the mother is not in good condition. The man was an Idiot.

They will if they want to sell the puppies because unvaccinated puppies are likely to die - and new owners likely to turn up on doorstep demanding money back and making a fuss, and reporting the breeder as well (and I have no sympathy for such a breeder).

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.

Not if you have small children. Then it's not necessarily a good idea.

They won't have done health checks on the parents since they do not have them - it's a rescue dog.

I trust you are a vegan.

You are anthropomorphizing. Dogs do not think in that way.

@Grammarnut there's absolutely nothing wrong with getting a rescue dog. Responsible rescues will only place dogs who have successfully lived with children without issue or young puppies into a home with small children. It seems like you're scaremongering a bit there.

My dog is from a rescue, she's brilliant with children and my son is so lucky to have her as his first dog.

Sorry? Those two statements are non-sequiturs.

I agree. Dog breeding needs a good income behind it, since it is a lifestyle rather than an income.

@SalemsPot You are aware that the size of the litter isn't something that the breeder can control? It depends on breed, and size of dog as well as nutrition. You don't decide to have 13 pups.

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

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

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

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.

@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.

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.

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

Who is deluded?

This, exactly .

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.

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

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 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.