Will the price of puppies come back down?

[beggingforsleep]

I've been waiting years (decades even!) to get a dog and I'm finally out of London, in a proper house with a decent garden, finished having children, permanently working from home etc but the prices are mad.

I know the subject has been covered a lot but do people think the prices will come down? Or do you think now that a new threshold price for puppies has been set, breeders will just choose to breed less often for more money when demand dies off?

I'm specifically after a puppy because my children are still very young. I guess I could wait another decade and get a rescue but I've waited so long.

I've researched breeds extensively and settled on a working golden retriever. I finally found a breeder with a new litter and spoke to them for 40mins last night and they sounded great. But the puppies are £3.5k. I know it's not money I'll regret spending in the long run but it's such a huge sum it's made me quite anxious. My friend got the same breed for £1.5k in June last year.

Should I just wait?

I think if you are going pure breed and you are going to buy a puppy, buy one with good health lines. I can't advise you on that, but think that it is definitely worth the research if you are going to spend that kind of money.
I wouldn't purchase a cross breed (insert poo, doodle or choice here) There is currently a thread about a cross breed that turned out larger and more active than the owner expected or was prepared for. With cross breeds, you really don't know what you are going to get in terms of temperament, health, size etc.
If you are ok with not knowing what you are getting, rescues do have puppies too....Or do you think rescues will not adopt to you because you have small kids?

But in answer to your question, no I don't think the price of dogs will come down in the short term.

@sillysmiles thanks. I found the breeder through champ dogs and they list the heritage/health scores and it all looks great. I have no issues with the reputation or quality of the pups, it's just the price and not specifically theirs, just all prices at the moment.

I'm just wondering whether if I waited another year it would be more reasonable. I could wait up to 18 months I think but not much beyond that.

And yes, that's it. I don't think shelters would place a dog with us with the kids so young (2&4). But that would change with time too. I do like the idea of a pure breed from a reputable breeder though to remove some of the unknowns.

I think it depends on the breeder. I was on a waitlist for a kc registered Chinese crested, the price was £900 as the breeder only has one litter a year for showing. In the end I adopted a 3yr old long haired chihuahua. It was a long wait to find a suitable rescue dog because I have pedigree house cats. But it was like he was meant to be I couldn't imagine a better fit for our house. Looking at it now I don't think I would have coped with a puppy even though my youngest child is 8. But as an adult he doesn't chew, doesn't need a crate and sleeps all night on the bed.

The genuine breeders I’ve met aren’t asking for inflated costs. But a lot aren’t breeding atm as they can’t breed the way they’d like - potential owners visiting the house multiple times to check that they’re happy with the owners and to start to bond with the pup

@beggingforsleep I would wait given your children are so young!

Our puppy is 14 weeks old now and my children are 12,9 & 3.5. They all love dogs and have been around various family and friends dogs all their lives... the older 2 are great and know when to leave the pup alone... the 3.5 year old is a bit of a menace! I constantly have to be watching everything and she can't have her toys out on the floor if pup is in the room etc.

We also can't just go to the park in the swing bit now because dogs can't go in there, we have to consider trips out - can dogs come or someone has to stay behind with the dog or we have to rush back. No more family days at zoo or theme parks etc unless we can find someone to have the dog.

Don't get me wrong we love the puppy and I, like you, wanted a dog for nearly 10 years and it seemed like the right time as I'm not working, own our house etc but it is hard work with under 5s in the house as well.

Also golden retrievers get big very quickly and although they are lovely friendly dogs, they would easily knock a toddler over! And they shed hair everywhere so all your kids clothes, toys and the floor/furniture will be covered in hairs! The working bred dogs also need a lot of physical and mental exercise, is someone else around to have the children when you have to go on long walks with the dog in all weathers and even just taking them out in garden all day for toilet training etc. I knew all this stuff and still took on a puppy and everyone said I was mad and it is mad.... hopefully it will get easier lol! It's fine when everyone is at school/nursery and I can train and play with her in peace but then they are home and I have to play with/supervise children, help with homework, cook dinner etc while keeping an eye on the pup etc it's very full on! School holidays are coming up again too so then it will be a house full all day every day!

My DB has the same issue. We got our boy two years ago and paid around £1k; same dog now is about 3x that. They’re on a list for rescues but hardly any have puppies and it’s usually all staff-type dogs which they don’t want. Most rescues won’t rehome anywhere with under-10s either.

We were going to get a puppy just before lockdown and then we out it on hold to see what would happen. We're priced out now. I keep looking at rescuing but round here they all get snapped up very quickly and with a child in the house the options are limited. We're just waiting now. Will probably be another year before we look again.

My friend got a great lab for under a grand a couple of months ago, but she lives in rural Scotland and knew the breeder - which probably isn't much help to you I know, but my point is ask around, talk to local doggy people and try to tap into the grapevine. Decent breeders are doing what they've always done - although of course a % of them will have put their prices up because so has everyone else, and I can't find it in me to argue with that - but there will be a dog out there for you at a price that isn't eye-watering.

I agree with a PP, puppies and small kids don’t work well together. I’ve just got a puppy and I’ll be honest I feel like I’m neglecting my youngest child and he’s 4 not 2. The puppy takes up so much time and can’t really spend too long in the same space as the children because it’s too exciting and she becomes hyper and jumpy and they can’t control their reactions to it. Are your kids old enough to not shriek and run when the puppy jumps up at them or nips their trousers or even their hands? I wish I’d waited until my youngest was about 9.

@Aria20 I was doing it now because the kids are so young! My perhaps naive approach is to get all the hard work and sleepless nights out of the way at the same time so in two years time we're in dreamland. Literally and metaphorically. A bit like having kids close together. I worry that by the time my kids are more independent and reliable sleepers, a puppy would hit me harder. Right now it doesn't feel like it would be a lifestyle adjustment. But when I'm in thick of it I'll probably be a heap on the floor

We've focused on workers specifically because of their exercise needs so I'm not worried in that respect.

But it's really useful to hear about people in a similar situation with more resolve than me. I should start listening to my head more. The prices are insane. Waiting is the sensible thing to do.

@SherryPalmer god yes the nipping, even my 9yo doesn't like it but the 3yo has had a couple of pairs of leggings get hole in around the ankles and of course she shrieks which encourages the puppy more. We do the whole stand still fold your arms etc but puppy not getting it so far! Of course we will get through the nippy phase but yes it's like neglecting the children to deal with the puppy!

It's not just the UK with insane prices, we're the other side of the world. Thankfully we went on the waiting list for our pup oct 2019, he was born in November and we got him in January 2020. The same breeder is now selling them for double the price. I am super happy with the breed and breeder, no regrets and we love him to pieces. Not sure DH would agree to spend the $$ at today's prices though.

If it's a working golden retriever then are you going to be working the dog in sone form or another? I would be questioning a breeder of working dog who: a) doesn't have a huge waiting list (most of the reputable working dog breeders I know of have huge waiting lists) and b) is prepared to sell puppies of working stock to a family/non-working home. Some will sell them to non-working homes in particular circumstances, for example I've known breeders who would sell them to owners who are hill-walkers or in mountain rescue, etc as they know the dog will get the exercise and stimulation they need as working breeds. I would be wary of a breeder who has working puppies easily available for family homes as they literally need hours of exercise each day. I know that dog trainers are seeing a huge increase in working breeds that are generally considered very placid (working cockers etc) coming to them with aggression and behavioural issues due to them not receiving the stimulation and lifestyle that they require.

I agree with Borris. Most of the genuine breeders who virtually all show just aren’t breeding at the moment. I’m one with one of the very much At Risk Native Breeds listed at the Kennel Club.
I have a three year waiting list already but have no plans for a litter for at least another year when hopefully shows will start up again & can keep at least one puppy.
We don’t breed to make money as such, almost always because we want to keep something to show & continue our line. Odd ones who have had a litter have mostly not advertised.
With COVID there are no shows so no point in rearing a puppy to begin showing & ring craft training classes stopped too. & pretty disgusted at the way the public is being charged inflated prices
Don’t get me started on the extortionate prices for crossbreeds