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Original poster

Puppy prices

16 replies

WiganNorthWest · 10/04/2021 20:55

Does anyone know if any breeders haven’t increased their prices due to the lockdown demand?
Are even reputable breeders increasing prices? What do people think of this?

I can see the argument that they may need to hike up prices to avoid people selling the dogs on for profit, but surely responsible breeders vet prospective buyers very carefully and will have had people waiting for a long time so they wouldn’t sell to someone if they thought they were the kind of person who would just sell the dog on? I thought responsible breeders refused to sell to anyone they thought was a bit dodgy/hadn’t done thorough research so surely price rises are unnecessary?
Has anyone heard of anyone getting a dog for pre lockdown prices?

OP posts:
Indoctro · 10/04/2021 21:01

I got my puppy in March for £1200 which is pretty much same price as pre 2020

I went to the Breed club. I then got in touch with a show breeder , and got a puppy from them for the correct price. They only breed one litter ever few years.

ElderMillennial · 10/04/2021 21:20

Have you considered a rescue OP (assuming you want to get a dog)?

Wolfiefan · 10/04/2021 21:22

Decent breeders I know haven’t hiked their prices. But they breed rarely. Never shop online for a pet.

Blueberrymuffin40 · 10/04/2021 22:09

Bide your time. Prices will drop.

XelaM · 10/04/2021 22:17

We got our pug puppy for £1200 just over a week ago. I guess pre-lockdown you could get them cheaper but it's still cheaper than the current going rate online. The breeder was a word of mouth recommendation from my daughter's teacher who had two dogs from this breeder.

brokengate · 10/04/2021 22:31

I am an accredited breeder. I breed with a friend who is an incredible asset to the breed and dogs. Our price has been 800 for years and won't change.

We have lists and lists of people.

We have only had one litter in the last 14 months.

I seem to spend my days ranting about prices and ridiculous actions. I've seen puppies being advertised at 18500. Puppies being auctioned. Puppies being resold ( breeder not taking back).

It's like anything there are good and bad breeders and good and bad buyers. Prices will settle, reputation cannot be recovered.

KenAdams · 11/04/2021 01:04

You need to go to the breed club. They sell their litters by word of mouth usually and they're never advertised anywhere. A word of advice - contact the stud owners and ask for numbers of anyone who has used their stud so you're approaching breeders at the right time who have an upcoming litter.

GrimDamnFanjo · 11/04/2021 01:10

I know a couple of decent breeders for a particular breed, kC , active in the breed club and show.
They haven't increased prices and independently said they were shocked at those that have Done as their priorities are to ensure their litters go to responsible owners.
I echo others and say get involved with the clubs to find those that want their pups to go to good homes.

Blueberrymuffin40 · 11/04/2021 01:39

@WiganNorthWest

Does anyone know if any breeders haven’t increased their prices due to the lockdown demand? Are even reputable breeders increasing prices? What do people think of this?

I can see the argument that they may need to hike up prices to avoid people selling the dogs on for profit, but surely responsible breeders vet prospective buyers very carefully and will have had people waiting for a long time so they wouldn’t sell to someone if they thought they were the kind of person who would just sell the dog on? I thought responsible breeders refused to sell to anyone they thought was a bit dodgy/hadn’t done thorough research so surely price rises are unnecessary?
Has anyone heard of anyone getting a dog for pre lockdown prices?

Out of interest I know a breeder who hasn't put prices up i really don't know how she does it surely she puts in more than she gets out but anyway are you looking for a particular breed
Lonecatwithkitten · 11/04/2021 05:42

I waited years for my standard poodle puppy, he was at prelockdoen price. In 2019 he would have been expensive, but she does more genetic testing than the majority of other breeders and her puppies are raised right. She has held her prices inspite if everything so in today's he was cheap.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 11/04/2021 10:43

AFIAK, a lot of reputable breeders aren't breeding at all, as they don't want their puppies to go as "lockdown puppies" and potentially be rehomed when owners go back to work/back to the office.

However, I can also see why someone breeding a planned litter might not want to price their puppies right at the bottom of the market, as well.

Original poster
WiganNorthWest · 11/04/2021 12:33

Interesting. It almost seems like there is 2 completely different markets-one catering to people buying dogs online who want a dog now and will pay ££££ and one catering to people who want a health tested responsibly bred pet but will have to wait. I wonder if anyone who has paid thousands for a lockdown pup has any idea that they could get a probably healthier member of the same breed for a fraction of the cost if they did a bit more research into breed clubs and were willing to wait.

OP posts:
Original poster
WiganNorthWest · 11/04/2021 12:36

Well maybe not a fraction of the cost but a bit less. I was asking because my sister wants to get a puppy this year and was expecting to have to pay silly money having assumed that all breeders will have put their prices up.

OP posts:
Stellaris22 · 11/04/2021 14:52

When reliable breeders are all word of mouth and don't have an online presence I'm not surprised people buy from irresponsible breeders.

I don't understand why breeders can't have an online presence. Then people could contact them more easily and be made aware of waiting lists and why it's advisable to go them due to health testing.

Being so obscure and hard to find is very unhelpful.

Potential owners should do research but your average person is unaware of breed clubs etc.

Original poster
WiganNorthWest · 11/04/2021 16:01

@Stellaris22

When reliable breeders are all word of mouth and don't have an online presence I'm not surprised people buy from irresponsible breeders.

I don't understand why breeders can't have an online presence. Then people could contact them more easily and be made aware of waiting lists and why it's advisable to go them due to health testing.

Being so obscure and hard to find is very unhelpful.

Potential owners should do research but your average person is unaware of breed clubs etc.

That’s true. Maybe it’s because demand would outstrip supply? I think there will probably never be enough responsible breeders to meet the demands of the amount of people that want dogs even in non covid times. Really responsible breeding and socialising puppies must take so much time and effort that very few people are able to do it. And those that do breed probably don’t want or can’t keep enough bitches to have regular litters.
OP posts:
IrmaFayLear · 11/04/2021 16:27

I suppose why would you sell a puppy for £800 when the going rate is £3000 ? You would have to be a very altruistic breeder to do that.

Finding a puppy is difficult - I have read that it is not the done thing to ask the price of the puppy, but at some point you have to know! At the moment you have to be on the breeder’s list pre-conception. It all seems to have gone bonkers. When I got my dog 8 years ago the breeder was having difficulty finding owners and offered me a buy one get one half price! I was tempted, very tempted, but good job I didn’t as one hooligan was enough Grin

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