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Original poster

What is a reasonable price for?

87 replies

FittyPheasant · 03/06/2018 16:03

I'll give a bit of back story as it may help. Last year I bought a puppy, she is a dear little thing and has been no trouble at all (apart from the usual terrier puppy shenanigans!).

A couple of weeks ago the breeder contacted me as another of the puppies from the same litter has run into difficulties in his new home. The breeder wondered if I may be interested in taking him on. It turns out that the pup has been badly bullied in his new home by one of the other dogs there and has become very nervous and hyper sensitive. Not at all aggressive but he is a young dog and it is a danger that he may develop fear aggression as he matures. The current owners are out of the house for many hours in the day and cannot devote the time he needs. They also do not seem to have the experience required to handle the situation.

I have now been to see this dog (a 8hour round trip) and the poor little mite is terrified but a lovely looking example of the pedigree and clearly has a very gentle, sweet nature. The breeder also came to the meeting to help with introductions etc.

Having weighed up all the advantages (there are precious few) and disadvantages (many) I have agreed to take on the dog and attempt to bring him on. So I sent the owners a message expressing my interest and suggesting taking our dogs for a walk at a halfway point between our homes to make sure they all get on.

I have received a text back saying that they would be delighted for us to have him and that they want £500 for him.

TBH I hadn't even considered paying for him as I had it in my head that they needed a good home for a difficult dog. I am offering a good, experienced home but I will be investing a lot of time and money on him to get him right. I appreciate that you shouldn't give a dog away but if he goes to the breed rescue they will simply take him and then charge the new owners a fee, fair enough but the current owners will get nothing for him. I know that they have made a financial investment in buying him so I am willing to offer something for him.

I don't know what is a fair price for a 10 month old pup with behavioural problems?

OP posts:
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6
Floralnomad · 04/06/2018 10:07

Has your dog been spayed , if not that’s another reason for not having him . I actually think the breeder is well out of order for getting you involved .

fivedogstofeed · 04/06/2018 10:18

You are doing them a huge favour by taking on a dog with issues they have caused Angry
I wouldn't be afraid to ask them if the money is more important to them than a good home for the dog.
Agree your breeder has handled it really badly - should have gone and removed the dog asap. Poor pup.

Branleuse · 04/06/2018 10:26

dont feel guilty. Its not your responsibility. You have no more responsibiity to this dog than any of the others on gumtree.
I reckon they saw you coming

Tinkobell · 04/06/2018 10:35

Oh I do feel for you OP, I'd be the same especially if you've bonded. That is awful.
I think go back and stay cool. Say you like the dog very much and you can offer it a loving and well resourced home. But there are issues. They brought you over under false pretences without talk of price which was a bit naughty. The dog will require a castration which you have to find money for. It has fear / behavioural issues which are not easily unwound ....in fact to be honest, these is NO surefast guarantee that these will ever be fully ironed out now.
I realise that this is tough but hold firm, I would honestly offer very very little. A nominal sum as per a rehoming centre of a couple of hundred.

Tinkobell · 04/06/2018 10:37

I think you've been cherry picked as a nice person (too nice) and a good owner. But you've got to show some grit here.

Tinkobell · 04/06/2018 10:38

As hard as it is, you have to be prepared to walk away.

SlothMama · 04/06/2018 11:44

I'd say nothing, seeing as he has behavioral issues and will need a lot of work. If they went to a rescue for help they wouldn't insist on being paid for the dog so why should you pay?

Original poster
FittyPheasant · 04/06/2018 11:48

I wasn't the only one approached by the breeder and initially I did say no, for a variety of different reasons. It was two weeks before I went back to the breeder and said we may be interested. In the mean time the breeder has contacted the breed rescue and has a couple of other interested parties through them. As he knows me because I already have a pup of his he was delighted that I'm interested and would prefer I took him. He was as surprised as me when the owners asked for money.

I don't want to drip feed but i do feel I want to defend the breeder, he really hasn't done anything wrong. He can't just waltz in and take a pup that legally belongs to someone else if they don't want to let him go. Regardless of any agreement.

I'm not really that much of a soft touch, it just didn't occur to me to ask about money. I'm letting them think over my reply to their text and I'm prepared to walk away as it would be a massive inconvenience to take the pup. Its just that he is a sweetie and despite the inconvenience I do believe we can help him.

OP posts:
Tinkobell · 04/06/2018 12:12

Well, it's good to hear that pup does have other decent options - it's not you or gumtree! The breeder can't check everything of course, but you've got to question if they really vetted those owners carefully. As for the owner, they just sound opportunistic at best.
What did you say or offer by the way?

Tinkobell · 04/06/2018 12:14

The onus was not on you to ask about money. The onus was on THEM to declare the price before you left your house. Don't feel guilt there. I've bought puppies, the breeder or owner should tell you upfront the price to avoid wasting everyone's time.

Original poster
FittyPheasant · 04/06/2018 20:33

I offered £250. I know it should be £0. I figured if I got him from a rescue it would be about £250. They have accepted and he is coming to live with us! This next few months are going to be challenging to say the least.

Thanks for all the advice.

OP posts:
NewToCats · 04/06/2018 21:00

Well done OP. I know they shouldn't have asked for money, but I'm very pleased you managed to come to an agreement. I'm sure you work wonders with him. Just make sure you get written proof of the change of ownership.

niknac1 · 04/06/2018 21:14

They will likely have a form with the dogs microchip details on, it’s a good idea if they can give you that as it’s more costly to register without their form also the vaccination certificate. Good luck although you should be just fine as you are very determined.

niknac1 · 04/06/2018 21:16

I forgot to mention most greed rescues ask the family rejoming their dog for a donation if they can afford because it’s very expensive to keep breed rescues going as the dogs are kept up to date with vets and kennelling can be very expensive.

niknac1 · 04/06/2018 21:16

Breed not greed

Soubriquet · 04/06/2018 21:20

As much as it sucks having to give them money, you did the right thing

Branleuse · 04/06/2018 21:34

congratulations on your new puppy x

BiteyShark · 05/06/2018 05:41

Good luck OP.

Els1e · 05/06/2018 06:55

I think they are being very greedy and I would normally say don’t pay them. However I would offer an amount, such as £200, to avoid owners being tempted to put the puppy on gumtree or similar site. Really hope for his sake you get him.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 05/06/2018 07:51

Congratulations OP. Obviously we will be asking for puppy pictures Grin

Original poster
FittyPheasant · 05/06/2018 08:08

Well he is 10 months old so lost that puppy appeal. In my eyes he is a complete dream boat 😍
This is when we saw him last week. Still working out the fine details, like how I’m going to cope Shock

What is a reasonable price for?
OP posts:
missbattenburg · 05/06/2018 08:14

Well done OP. Although I still think £0 was the right amount for this dog I am (not so) secretly glad he's going to such a lovely home and suddenly has a much brighter future. He is very handsome. Good luck!

blueskypink · 05/06/2018 08:28

I wish there were more people like you in the world Fitty ThanksThanksThanks

Once you've seen them it's just too difficult to walk away! (Which is why I'm currently squashed into a corner of the bed while our 2 'second-hand' dogs are stretched out snoring happily ...)

Tinkobell · 05/06/2018 08:35

Yay! We all love a happy ending! 💐 So glad he's soon to be yours! Go get him quickly and let us know how he's doing?! What are you going to call him?

resignedtoresigning · 05/06/2018 08:38

He's a beaut! 😍. This has warmed my heart this morning, we have an anxious and sensitive rescue dog and she is the most loving grateful little soul you can imagine, it's hugely rewarding to watch her progress and blossom little bit by little bit.

I'm so happy this little chap has a home with you💕

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