Varying cost of a pedigree dog.
Discussion
We've been giving some serious thought about buying a new dog.
It'll be our first family dog (although I've owned/looked after several over the years) and now we've moved to a bigger house and the children are reaching double figures, now seems like a good time.
I've never bought a pedigree dog before and one thing that confuses me is the varying costs for seemingly very similar puppies.
They all seem to be KC registered, had their jabs and microchipped and have equally desirable appearance and yet the cost ranges between £450 and £900. Location doesn't seem to be a factor.
Does cost reflect standard or are some breeders just being a bit greedy?
It'll be our first family dog (although I've owned/looked after several over the years) and now we've moved to a bigger house and the children are reaching double figures, now seems like a good time.
I've never bought a pedigree dog before and one thing that confuses me is the varying costs for seemingly very similar puppies.
They all seem to be KC registered, had their jabs and microchipped and have equally desirable appearance and yet the cost ranges between £450 and £900. Location doesn't seem to be a factor.
Does cost reflect standard or are some breeders just being a bit greedy?
We got a new puppy a couple of weeks ago. After ringing around and going to see a number of breeders, of varying quality, we finally settled on what was our perfect breeder.
They lived in a lovely house with a lots of grounds, they took the time to socialise the puppies with people, other dogs, horses and cats. They were taken in the car and exposed to different sights & smells.
The dogs weren't being bred for the money, they wanted to keep one as the mum has such an amazing temperament and I know they spent a small fortune on the stud fees to get the perfect dad.
She's jabbed and wormed, fleed (is that a word...) and was pretty much toilet trained when we got her at 8 weeks old.
They also took the effort to make a website and create a Facebook group so we could see how she was progressing and vetted all applicants to make sure they were suitable owners of what can grow into an occasional handful of a breed.
Compared to some of the much cheaper breeders who were on the 3rd or 4th litter from the same dog and were 'bringing them up' by changing the newspaper every other day and letting them crack on as they pleased we think she was worth every penny of the £1000 she cost.
Having spent the time to pick her and doing the same with our last all I can say is pick a breeder, not a price. Once you're there viewing the individual puppy will usually pick you!
They lived in a lovely house with a lots of grounds, they took the time to socialise the puppies with people, other dogs, horses and cats. They were taken in the car and exposed to different sights & smells.
The dogs weren't being bred for the money, they wanted to keep one as the mum has such an amazing temperament and I know they spent a small fortune on the stud fees to get the perfect dad.
She's jabbed and wormed, fleed (is that a word...) and was pretty much toilet trained when we got her at 8 weeks old.
They also took the effort to make a website and create a Facebook group so we could see how she was progressing and vetted all applicants to make sure they were suitable owners of what can grow into an occasional handful of a breed.
Compared to some of the much cheaper breeders who were on the 3rd or 4th litter from the same dog and were 'bringing them up' by changing the newspaper every other day and letting them crack on as they pleased we think she was worth every penny of the £1000 she cost.
Having spent the time to pick her and doing the same with our last all I can say is pick a breeder, not a price. Once you're there viewing the individual puppy will usually pick you!
The "cheap" ones will be from those looking to make a few bucks and don't give a duck about breed quality or improving it. The expensive one will be convinced that breeding there show winning dogs who think that there doing you a favour by allowing you to "adopt" on of their babies.
Ignore the price and interview the breeder, hold out till you find one who "feels" right.
Ignore the price and interview the breeder, hold out till you find one who "feels" right.
KrazyIvan said:
Ignore the price and interview the breeder, hold out till you find one who "feels" right.
Exactly that. Our last Ridgeback cost £400, although that was because he had a wonky ridge and nobody wanted him, this one £1000. Both were picked on breeder alone and if it weren't for the fact the last breeder had passed away we'd have used them again.Now, time to go and try and teach the little bugger to stay off the sofa!!
As Bex says, have you considered a rescue?
From here http://www.dogpages.org.uk/breedt.htm :
Independant Tibetan terrier Rescue & Welfare
Jan Borrett, Tel: 01594 560198
Ros Warwick, Tel: 01759 302751
Ms Michelle Baker, Tel: 01759 302751. Email: michellebaker@tesco.net
Val fensome - National Co-ordinator, Gloucester. Tel: 01594 562402. Email: peteval@talktalk.net
Tibetan Terrier Association Rescue
Devon & Cornwall - Roslyn Gilbert, Tel: 01752 844140
Essex & South London - Mrs B Stringer, Tel: 01474 832557
London & Home Counties - Pam Davies - Co-ordinator. Tel: 0208 3682538
Northants - Glen Davies, Tel: 01536 762111
Scotland - Mr T Fleming, Tel: 01236 766256
South Coast - Marianne Erskine-Jones, Tel: 01794 340657
South Wales and West - Ms Sheila Allun, Tel: 07970 448394
Tibetan Terrier Breeders & Owners Club Rescue
Mr Neil Smith, Gloucester. Tel: 01452 863519
Mr T Johnson, Cambridgeshire. Tel: 01487 822630
From here http://www.dogpages.org.uk/breedt.htm :
Independant Tibetan terrier Rescue & Welfare
Jan Borrett, Tel: 01594 560198
Ros Warwick, Tel: 01759 302751
Ms Michelle Baker, Tel: 01759 302751. Email: michellebaker@tesco.net
Val fensome - National Co-ordinator, Gloucester. Tel: 01594 562402. Email: peteval@talktalk.net
Tibetan Terrier Association Rescue
Devon & Cornwall - Roslyn Gilbert, Tel: 01752 844140
Essex & South London - Mrs B Stringer, Tel: 01474 832557
London & Home Counties - Pam Davies - Co-ordinator. Tel: 0208 3682538
Northants - Glen Davies, Tel: 01536 762111
Scotland - Mr T Fleming, Tel: 01236 766256
South Coast - Marianne Erskine-Jones, Tel: 01794 340657
South Wales and West - Ms Sheila Allun, Tel: 07970 448394
Tibetan Terrier Breeders & Owners Club Rescue
Mr Neil Smith, Gloucester. Tel: 01452 863519
Mr T Johnson, Cambridgeshire. Tel: 01487 822630
You may find some are for show, some "pet home" only, some not for breeding, others may have breeding rights (albeit with restrictions).. Speak to a few breeders, ask what they do. What lines do they come from and what checks did they do on those line, what health conditions are in their breed and what have they done to ensure their lines don't have them, what health checks are undertaken on the parents, what is the COI of the litter.
A friend off ours fosters for Staffie rescue, we went too see her one day about a year ago and she had a 7 year old Staffie bh just come to her the day before, this dog immediately took too us so we decided there and then to have it. She is the most docile,gentle, affectionate dog Ive ever encountered, dont rule out a Staffie they have a reputation that is totally undeserved and is caused by irresponsible chav and criminal class owners wanting an intimidating dog which the can certainly be trained to be but are not by nature.
stuartmmcfc said:
Thanks for the advice. It's all a bit daunting tbh!
I hadn't really considered rescue,as I'd assumed the only rescue dogs available were either dogs with "issues" or Staffies.
I'll look into it
Definitely not, but a common assumption, sadly. There are masses of rescue dogs, in all ages, shapes and sizes and breeds.I hadn't really considered rescue,as I'd assumed the only rescue dogs available were either dogs with "issues" or Staffies.
I'll look into it
Dogs end up in rescue for all sorts of reasons. Some come in with known history or are in foster homes with children (which would obviously be a concern for you). There are also pups in rescue.
And you certainly wouldn't be paying the sums of money mentioned here - none of my rescues has cost me more than £120, and all have been vet checked, microchipped, vaccinated, neutered and treated for parasites.
Best of luck in your search
Edited by moorx on Sunday 12th April 12:30
thehappyotter said:
KrazyIvan said:
Ignore the price and interview the breeder, hold out till you find one who "feels" right.
Exactly that. Our last Ridgeback cost £400, although that was because he had a wonky ridge and nobody wanted him, this one £1000. Both were picked on breeder alone and if it weren't for the fact the last breeder had passed away we'd have used them again.Now, time to go and try and teach the little bugger to stay off the sofa!!
moorx said:
stuartmmcfc said:
Thanks for the advice. It's all a bit daunting tbh!
I hadn't really considered rescue,as I'd assumed the only rescue dogs available were either dogs with "issues" or Staffies.
I'll look into it
Definitely not, but a common assumption, sadly. There are masses of rescue dogs, in all ages, shapes and sizes and breeds.I hadn't really considered rescue,as I'd assumed the only rescue dogs available were either dogs with "issues" or Staffies.
I'll look into it
Dogs end up in rescue for all sorts of reasons. Some come in with known history or are in foster homes with children (which would obviously be a concern for you). There are also pups in rescue.
And you certainly wouldn't be paying the sums of money mentioned here - none of my rescues has cost me more than £120, and all have been vet checked, microchipped, vaccinated, neutered and treated for parasites.
Best of luck in your search
Edited by moorx on Sunday 12th April 12:30
Unless you want a breed for a very specific reason or you want to show it etc, then it doesn't make too much sense to spend a fortune on a 'higher end' breeder puppy. If you're just looking for a family pet then there should be loads of rescue dogs available that would fit your circumstances. It'll be a fraction of the price plus you'll be doing something good in taking a dog out of a rescue situation, and freeing up a space there.
I work in dog rescue. We often get dogs in that have no behaviour issues at all, and they're in through no fault of their own. Death of an owner, a new baby, job in a new country, divorce, etc etc. And of course you can always get puppies from rescues too. If they've been weaned properly and are still only a few months old then they're a 'clean slate' as far as issues or training etc go. For some people they definitely want a puppy, for others we recommend an adult dog. It all just depends on what you need, but a good rescue place should be able to go through those options with you
stuartmmcfc said:
Tibetan terrier is at the top of the list.
What else is on the list and what has made you choose this specific breed?The reason I ask...and certainly not associating this statement with you, is because I find a lot of people choose a breed for the wrong reasons. They don't research or understand the inherent traits associated with a breed and end up choosing something that blatantly doesn't fit in with their lifestyle.
Price wise, as covered, there is a huge difference and you really need to choose the breeder. I know many people who've bought from 'working lines', yet they never got to see the pups with the mum and have fairly obviously bought from a puppy farm who are about the money, NOT the dogs.
My Male Dobermann was £850 which is pretty standard for that breed. He came from a Kennel Club listed breeder who does happen to be the head of the UK Dobermann Association. We met the pups mum and we have all the associated paperwork to go with it. The family tree is pretty big with most dogs being CH titled. We weren't rushed, left with the pups for as long as we wanted and at no point did they try and sell us anything. While I personally couldn't put a value on what a dog is worth, we had no problem with the price as the whole process was rather pleasant and they offered nothing other than an excellent service. The only doubts we had were our ability to be the best owners for the dog.
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