When do we think the puppy boom will pass?

[Chickenandrice]

We would like a puppy but don’t want to compromise on the breeder. We want to be sure we are getting a healthy pup from a happy home etc. But the breeds we like are so difficult to come by. I am wondering how long it will be til this puppy craze is over and we will have an easier time finding a good breeder.

No idea. But the genuine breeders should not be charging silly money - at least one breed club has done a sort of charter outlining their expectations of breeders, which includes a price per puppy which is at the high end but realistic for a well-bred puppy of that breed from health-tested parents.

As you have some idea which breeds you want, it might be worth your while to join FB pages for the breeds is question, esp any associated with the breed club, and see if there is any sort of charter or policy like that - or just ask around on the page for that sort of info.

We bought a puppy this summer and the breeder charged exactly what she always charges.

Thank you. Yes I have joined some Facebook pages for breeder clubs but the overwhelming message seems to be that waiting list are full and nothing available. Did manage to get on a waiting list with one lady who only has 20 names so far. So hopeful something might come from that. She is charging her standard rate

Fingers crossed for you.

If you know somebody who owns a well-bred dog of one of the breeds you are after, perhaps ask about their breeder and if they would recommend you. If I were to breed, I would be happier selling a puppy to someone recommended by a previous buyer than a total stranger. Waiting lists are not cast in stone.

It might also be a good idea to contact the owners of a few stud dogs. They'll have some idea who is breeding, and may well have a view on how reputable they are.

I’m on the list for a pup from my current dog’s breeder but she’s just not breeding at the moment due to Covid.

My MIL breeds and her prices haven't changed from pre covid as she doesn't agree with the insane prices people are charging.

About 12-18 months. That’s when things should settle.

I would also recommend putting your name down with breed rescues. A lot of people will have got puppies in 2020 but then can’t look after them when circumstances change. You may find a young dog looking for a home.

Yes personnongarter I am hopeful that I may get a young rescue dog too. There must be going to be a lot around in the next little while (sadly)

Its Christmas soon so I doubt the boom will be over any time soon.

This will go on for a long while yet I'm afraid. That's if they even go down at all. If people are paying these prices I can't see prices ever going back to normal.

Prices will go back to normal when buying slows. No one wants to be stuck with an extra 2 or 3 young dogs when they were counting on selling. It’s all supply and demand.

And demand won’t stay sky high forever. And supply is about to boom as all these lockdown puppies hit fertility next year and owners think they’d like to make some money back.

I agree, prices will go down when people stop paying silly prices.
I'm on the fence regarding breeders selling at previous prices.... how can they truly filter out people who just want to re-sell the pups?

I know several breeders who have kept their prices the same and had pups bought and sold on for a profit, they were heartbroken.
I don’t blame anyone for putting their prices inline with others.

I think getting a puppy in the spring/summer is quite a different prospect to the long dark cold nights of winter. And I think most people who thought a lockdown puppy was a good idea will have got one by now.

So aside from any remaining people who still think a puppy for Christmas is a good idea (one hopes that the numbers keep dwindling) I think demand might be flattening.

But I have no idea what that might mean for prices. Breeders who suspended matings during lockdown may well decide not to resume before the spring, when the covid situation might have become more manageable and vet services are closer to normal.

If you want a puppy I wouldn't wait for prices to go down. So many more people are working from home now, so the demand for dogs will stay high.

There are breeders with integrity out there who are selling for 'normal' prices. They are the difficult ones you need to impress - but well worth it.

Good luck.