£800 for a puppy?!

[yellowbrickroad]

I'm looking at getting a puppy. Initially I wanted a Bealge, but had no idea that they cost around £800 from a breeder! Waaaayyyy too much for me (despite how cute they are).
I've tried looking on local ads but there still seems to be a cost of around £200 attached to getting a puppy. I was under the impression I could find someone local who's dog just had puppies and I could take one home for a tenner (pretty sure that's what my mum did with our jack russell!)
I haven't had a dog before (apart from when I was a kid) and have a young family & not lots of space, so would like a small dog, but have no clue how to go about finding one that doesn't involve me paying hundreds of pounds. Can anyone help?

Bella _ sorry, I'm obviously relying too much on my own experience!

Sorry to correct you, Haribo - I just thought it was important the OP knew this about breeders

I want hob nobs but I am all alone in the real dog corner

If I said I was going to get a lab when ds is 2 (most likely outcome to current lengthy deliberations) would you give me a hobnob?

outcome of, doh

No problem, bella - it's important that the OP knows what's what, and my post would be misleading...

I'd recommend a lab to anyone who wanted a family friendly dog, but they do shed a lot of hair!!!

now, are these hob-nobs the particularly nice sandwich type ones (that I've only recently discovered) or the ordinary chocolate ones? not that I'd say no to either. just interested.

I've had various breeds/mutts and also used to be a vet nurse so I've seen just about all of them.

Having got my first lab last year I can see exactly why they are the favourite family dog - biddable, placid and relatively low maintenance (except the exercise). Not great guard dogs, not the most intelligent dogs ever, but they do make fantastic family pets.

You can have a hob nob whatever you decide, OP

KingCanute - quit sulking!

xpost - they do sandwich type hob nobs??????!!!!!!!!!!!

they certainly do and they are, if you'll forgive the phrase, (but it does seem appropriate), the dogs bollox.

I have an old english sheepdog who cost £800 and eats hob nobs
will anyone talk to me?

( he also ate DHs easter egg. Stupid bloody dog. And DS2's EFAs but they didn't make him any brighter)

Oh, they ARE!!! THose sarnie type hobnobs are gorgeous

Wow, those sarnie style hobnobs look fab.
I don't have a lab, pug or ridgeback thingy, in fact I don't have a dog atall
I am (whispers) a cat owner!
BUT I would really like one of those biscuits

Sandwich Hobnobs?

[mutters about living in a Hobnob-free country]

We paid 500chf (erm, about £300) for our Maltese Terrier x Cavalier King Charles, from a private owner. A pure bred Maltese Terrier from a breeder would have cost at least 4x that.

Part of the reckoning behind that is that they wanted someone who is going to be commited to caring for the dog and not just taking it because it only cost £50 and if you don't get on well then just turf it out.

I agree that the cost of having the dog is much much more than the initial cost of buying the dog. We just paid a chf 1000 to have the dog spayed.

[goes and sits in the small and cute dog corner]

Am joining this thread because those hob nobs look YUMMY.

Blametheparents - PLEASE!!!

There are labradors over here.

You have to SPELL the C-A-T word. But, you are forgiven cos you whispered it!!!

Ooops, sorry about that.
NobNob is yummy though.
You dog owners are nice and friendly

[joins the swot corner] look you lot can you just be quiet and let me get on with my work.

pmsl Haribo - my lab lives with my 4 cats. One of whom he has a very (unnaturally) close relationship with

Do us a favour, MmeLindt - dip some of these hobnobs in your chocolate fondue will you?

Rescue Centres can be good. Our local one sometimes has a mother with pups so you can at least see her size and nature. They also have dogs who have had to be rehomed for certain reasons; currently one is a pointer who has decided to chase sheep, so needs a sheep free zone. We have a kind of collie boy, he is very friendly and likes children. And hobnobs, she says hopefully.

Those hobnobs look delicious