Puppy prices..

[BertieBasset82]

My friend just paid £1800 for a cockapoo. He looks very sweet and she loves him, but really.. nearly 2k for a pup?? Is that what they are now!?

@Harleyisme

We got our labrador puppy from a family who breed them the mum had 3 litters and is having no more. They were in a family home which when we could when covid restrictions didn't apply we visited she sent us photos and videos daily. We ended up getting the pup early which I know is not great but they were obviously a good reason why possibly as the dad dog got cancer and the breeder was struggling with 11 puppies and managing the vets and the dads cancer. Hes now 10 nearly 11 weeks. We payed £550 for him.

If you got your puppy before eight weeks of age, the breeders were breaking the law. There is no good reason to sell a puppy early

The puppy was 7 weeks 4 days ( i thought when we first got him it was 6 weeks 4 days but had the wrong Date of birth). the vets all knew this and it was vets that advised to send them i know the vets refused to do injections on all puppies with the breeder at once because of covid. I know people have said to me after its to young ect. But not much i could do after wards i was told by the vet that its not ideal but sometimes it has to happen. Never mentioned about it being against the law.
As i have said before from people i can only do what is best for this little puppy and i have done. I think its probably best to not discuss with others about my puppy and just ensure he has the best life.

"If you got your puppy before eight weeks of age, the breeders were breaking the law. There is no good reason to sell a puppy early."

That's what I was thinking too vanilla. Seems far too early.

It’s been against the law since October 2018. I would question a vet that describes illegal selling of puppies as “not ideal”

As far as buying a Labrador puppy without extensive health tests, you’ll just need to keep your fingers crossed that there are no issues with hips, elbows, eyes, and you don’t have any issues with PRA, EIC (40% of labs are thought to be carriers), HPNK, CNM, or SD2. All serious issues that Labs should be tested for before breeding.

You’re welcome to think it’s best not to discuss your puppy with others who have different opinions on animal health and welfare. But Labradors SHOULD be health tested, and puppies SHOULDN’T be sold before 8 weeks.

@Harleyisme

The puppy was 7 weeks 4 days ( i thought when we first got him it was 6 weeks 4 days but had the wrong Date of birth). the vets all knew this and it was vets that advised to send them i know the vets refused to do injections on all puppies with the breeder at once because of covid. I know people have said to me after its to young ect. But not much i could do after wards i was told by the vet that its not ideal but sometimes it has to happen. Never mentioned about it being against the law. As i have said before from people i can only do what is best for this little puppy and i have done. I think its probably best to not discuss with others about my puppy and just ensure he has the best life.

I find it very difficult to believe that a vet would encourage people to break the law. If it was only three days as you claim, why on earth could the breeder not have waited? I appreciate the sire had cancer but that's not a reason to break the law

I know you don't want to discuss it but it's important people realise that this isn't just ill-advised - it's illegal and has been for a while now. Puppies should stay with their mothers for an absolute minimum of eight weeks - longer for toy breeds.

You also say he's not KC registered - presumably that means no health tests have been done either? What about hip and elbow scores? Sounds like a very dodgy situation to me, sadly.

Some breeders I know don't let their puppies go to new homes until 12 weeks. I agree with a PP about Labrador puppies, you honestly have to put the odds in your favour that the puppy you bring home will have a reduced chance of hip dysplasia. No one can guarantee it even with health testing, but you increase the chances of a healthy puppy if you know both parents have low hip scores.

@blowinahoolie

Some breeders I know don't let their puppies go to new homes until 12 weeks. I agree with a PP about Labrador puppies, you honestly have to put the odds in your favour that the puppy you bring home will have a reduced chance of hip dysplasia. No one can guarantee it even with health testing, but you increase the chances of a healthy puppy if you know both parents have low hip scores.

We got ours at 12 weeks of age. He came with all his vaccinations so we could walk him pretty much right away, he was mostly toilet trained (he only had a handful of accidents and never once pooed inside) and was already good with nipping/biting as he was with his siblings for that extra month.

vanilla it seems like a sensible plan as extra socialisation with siblings will help with their development and also extra milk and time with mum. The breeders we spoke to also will start crate/toilet/whistle training etc for you. Many really are wanting the best for their puppies and won't rush a sale.

@blowinahoolie

vanilla it seems like a sensible plan as extra socialisation with siblings will help with their development and also extra milk and time with mum. The breeders we spoke to also will start crate/toilet/whistle training etc for you. Many really are wanting the best for their puppies and won't rush a sale.

Definitely.

I read a lot of threads here where puppies are brought home at eight weeks and I just think how glad I am that we managed to avoid all that! Personally I think eight weeks is too young (except maybe in the case of large breeds like Great Danes or St Bernards) but I appreciate that's not a very common opinion on here

A St Bernard breeder I was in touch with a while ago said she likes to get the training started early and by 12 weeks when her puppies go to their new families that training has been already well established. Easier for new families especially with the giant breeds, training has to be taken very seriously with these breeds for obvious reasons.

That's awesome and the sign of a good breeder, I think, that they're happy to hold on and do what's best for the pups.

Ours is a beagle so not a large breed by any means but I've read a lot of threads from beagle puppy owners where they're really struggling at 9/10/11 weeks of age and I'm so glad we missed out

Whitney168 We are complete novice dog owners so any advice is always great.

I am going to visit the breeders in a couple of weeks to meet them and their dogs and latest puppy litter (all spoken for).

I have also spoken to the council re the licensing and inspections.
All looks very positive. We are getting excited!

The breeders are also KC registered.

"Ours is a beagle so not a large breed by any means but I've read a lot of threads from beagle puppy owners where they're really struggling at 9/10/11 weeks of age and I'm so glad we missed out"

You have managed to make good connections with a breeder who cares too, it seems 🙌It's great when breeders have the sense to put some of the ground work in for you and you will find it a huge advantage when you brought your beagle home to continue on with the training. It reflects well on a breeder when they have established training, as they want it to work for the family and for it to be a success.

In a way it's good the prices have gone up, because it makes people think twice about taking on a puppy.

I don't undersgand the love for cockapoos though - all the ones I see seem to be untrained and prone to jumping up at everyone. Not sure if it's a problem with them being hard to train, or just daft owners who buy them because they look cute, but don't have a clue about responsible dog ownership.

Stereotypes apply to every breed.

If I said all the greyhounds I know have a high prey drive, poo all over the house and are far from the lazy relaxed dogs they are portrayed on here to be, then I’d be told I’m wrong. Maybe I am. That’s my experience though.

Cockerpoos are no more or less hyper than any poodle or spaniel I know. I like them, they are lovely dogs. I like most dogs though.

Cockerpoos are no more or less hyper than any poodle or spaniel I know. I like them, they are lovely dogs. I like most dogs though.

I agree, but lots of people seem to go for cockapoos because they don't want the coat of a poodle or energy of a spaniel. It makes no sense.

I don't undersgand the love for cockapoos though - all the ones I see seem to be untrained and prone to jumping up at everyone. Not sure if it's a problem with them being hard to train, or just daft owners who buy them because they look cute, but don't have a clue about responsible dog ownership

Me neither. It seems to be people wanting all the attributes of a poodle, coat, trainability, size etc, but not actually wanting a poodle. Whether it’s breed snobbishness or the perception of pom poms and show rings, a poodle with a normal clip often doesn’t look that much different to a labradoodle/cockerpoo etc.

My friends had a giant poodle. They were constantly asked if it was a labradoodle.

The increased price of puppies is a very good thing.

Having paid £2.5k, or whatever, for their cute little dog, responsible owners will be more likely to protect their investment by getting it properly insured and properly looked after. Dogs should not be throwaway commodities, bought and disposed of on a whim and people who cannot afford insurance should not have dogs.

I have to laugh at the ‘it’s breaking the law letting pups go early’ do you think this is enforced in any way? who do you think reports this?
Ppl churning out doodly whatever pups are NOT doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, it money pure and simple.

@SBTLove

I have to laugh at the ‘it’s breaking the law letting pups go early’ do you think this is enforced in any way? who do you think reports this? Ppl churning out doodly whatever pups are NOT doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, it money pure and simple.

It may not be enforced, but it doesn't make it any less illegal and wrong.

If people didn't buy puppies from unscrupulous breeders who are only in it for a quick buck, they'd have to stop.

Sadly, too many people just want a puppy and want it now - they don't really care where it comes from or what condition the Dam has been living in, just as long as they get their pup.

@Harleyisme

Did the breeder give you got the hip score for the puppies parents? Or any paperwork from the parents health certificates? It sounds like they may not have or Dads poor health could have been picked up?

I'm not saying this to scare you but if they haven't bothered having Mam and Dad health checked, and have told you the vet couldn't microchip all the puppies due to covid then just how sick has the Dad dog been for the vet to see him? What type of cancer does the Dad dog have and when did the owner find out before asking you to break the law?

I have no doubt you love your puppy but my concern would be because of the reds flags, giving away too young, very cheap, and possible no health checks of parents or puppy I'd strongly advise having the best health cover insurance possible.

They sound like backyard breeders if I'm totally honest.

The increased price of puppies is a very good thing.
It's a double-edged sword. It might make people think twice, but it also encourages people to do it just for the money, and will make running a commercial facility vastly more profitable.

This came up on active threads as I wouldn't normally look in "The Doghouse" especially being a cat person.
I don't have a high respect for animal breeders nor the people who want the "perfect pet" feeding the circle. So many people are in denial they are buying from puppy farms.
I wonder how many of these lockdown puppies and kittens will.be unwanted next year? The poor overbred mums surplus to requirements? I'm looking at this from a cat perspective as I volunteer for CP but I dread to think what rescues will have to deal with and on the back of less income. Let alone the poor animals the rescues don't see. If you're willing to pay £2k for a puppy, insure it, don't expect people to pay your vet bills via a crowdfunder and don't complain about expensive vet bills!
Rant over.

Blimey. We paid £700 for our Cockapoo 10 years ago. I thought that was steep!
He's been a fantastic addition to our family though. He's never jumped up or barked at all really. Long may he live!

I wonder how many of these kittens and puppies will be unwanted next year

Hopefully, not many at all.

Where cats are concerned, I’ve never had a pedigree, just moggies, but people who buy Burmese, Siamese, etc, tend to be real cat enthusiasts. They don’t abandon them, as a rule.

Ditto puppies. Overwhelmingly if you look at any rescue centre, the breeds available are staffs, JRTs, greyhounds and German shepherds. Not many cockerpoos at all.