The price of a puppy
Discussion
Too early after the loss of our Springer, Son has exams coming up and should be concentrating on them, we've still got the Skye Terrier who's a bit funny with other dogs etc etc but he's started searching the web for another dog.
Gobsmacked at the prices folk are asking now. Seems £2500 is about the going rate for a Springer or Cocker.
12 years ago our recently deceased Springer was IIRC about £300, the Skye, 5 years ago was £600.
I've heard this is due to Lockdown amongst other things, will things calm down when everything gets back to normal or am I just out of touch?
I'm determined to delay for the reasons above but just thought I'd pop the question on here for discussion. I've suggested a rescue dog but think the Skye will take to a young pup more easily than an older dog which may come with some emotional baggage.
Gobsmacked at the prices folk are asking now. Seems £2500 is about the going rate for a Springer or Cocker.
12 years ago our recently deceased Springer was IIRC about £300, the Skye, 5 years ago was £600.
I've heard this is due to Lockdown amongst other things, will things calm down when everything gets back to normal or am I just out of touch?
I'm determined to delay for the reasons above but just thought I'd pop the question on here for discussion. I've suggested a rescue dog but think the Skye will take to a young pup more easily than an older dog which may come with some emotional baggage.
As original post, we're not sure how the Skye will take to a fully grown dog coming into the house, she's extremely territorial at times. She's good with very young pups however. Anyone who knows a Skye will understand, she's a true terrier happy to pick a fight with anything bigger than her!
We're putting the word out with the local dog groomer who will keep us posted on any coming up in the area. We're in Scotland and travel is still restricted up here so viewing is difficult at the moment anyway.
Appreciate there's a lot involved with the rearing of a litter, parent health, chipping, registration, inoculations etc
We're putting the word out with the local dog groomer who will keep us posted on any coming up in the area. We're in Scotland and travel is still restricted up here so viewing is difficult at the moment anyway.
Appreciate there's a lot involved with the rearing of a litter, parent health, chipping, registration, inoculations etc
I have seen puppy prices range from £2500-4000 over the past few months or so. Mental.
As others have said, the really sad thing is that this has almost purely been driven by so many bored people wanting a puppy because they are stuck at home in lockdown.
Prices will fall again, but it makes me sad to think that many of these ‘boredom puppies’ will be cast aside as people realise they can go to on holiday again, or go to the pub, the shops, etc. The puppy will become an inconvenience rather than a new toy.
As others have said, the really sad thing is that this has almost purely been driven by so many bored people wanting a puppy because they are stuck at home in lockdown.
Prices will fall again, but it makes me sad to think that many of these ‘boredom puppies’ will be cast aside as people realise they can go to on holiday again, or go to the pub, the shops, etc. The puppy will become an inconvenience rather than a new toy.
Im on the look out for a beagle or a westie pup. I just refuse to pay £2k+ for one out of principal.
I would consider a rescue if you could actually see what they have just now. All the local homing centres put up 1 or 2 pics of 1 or 2 dogs on the website at a time. If it was more like autotrader and people could actually see whats there before driving over to see whats there it would be better.
I would consider a rescue if you could actually see what they have just now. All the local homing centres put up 1 or 2 pics of 1 or 2 dogs on the website at a time. If it was more like autotrader and people could actually see whats there before driving over to see whats there it would be better.
Just hold out for the moment. Lots of overpriced dogs due to demand from lockdowns, and as people go back to work demand will decrease and the prices as well.
Lot of rescues centres have high demand, but you should be able to easily home a rescue from overseas.
I understand your concern about introducing an older dog into the home vs a puppy. Just take your time, and the right dog will come up for you.
Lot of rescues centres have high demand, but you should be able to easily home a rescue from overseas.
I understand your concern about introducing an older dog into the home vs a puppy. Just take your time, and the right dog will come up for you.
Skyedriver said:
Too early after the loss of our Springer, Son has exams coming up and should be concentrating on them, we've still got the Skye Terrier who's a bit funny with other dogs etc etc but he's started searching the web for another dog.
Gobsmacked at the prices folk are asking now. Seems £2500 is about the going rate for a Springer or Cocker.
12 years ago our recently deceased Springer was IIRC about £300, the Skye, 5 years ago was £600.
I've heard this is due to Lockdown amongst other things, will things calm down when everything gets back to normal or am I just out of touch?
I'm determined to delay for the reasons above but just thought I'd pop the question on here for discussion. I've suggested a rescue dog but think the Skye will take to a young pup more easily than an older dog which may come with some emotional baggage.
Our cleaner at work has just had a litter of Springers. She's a bit reluctant to advertise them at the moment as they seem very popular to the type who live in caravans and seem to go missing when they know your address! She'll only be letting them go to people she knows. Gobsmacked at the prices folk are asking now. Seems £2500 is about the going rate for a Springer or Cocker.
12 years ago our recently deceased Springer was IIRC about £300, the Skye, 5 years ago was £600.
I've heard this is due to Lockdown amongst other things, will things calm down when everything gets back to normal or am I just out of touch?
I'm determined to delay for the reasons above but just thought I'd pop the question on here for discussion. I've suggested a rescue dog but think the Skye will take to a young pup more easily than an older dog which may come with some emotional baggage.
We found the only way to get a rescue dog during lockdown was to look at the charities bringing them from abroad. They all advertise on Facebook and are much more active there then on their own websites.
We ended up getting one from Romania and the adoption fee was £475, although we chose to double that as a donation since they were so good throughout the whole process. I would definitely recommend them.
What's more, the majority of dogs they have are puppies, or pregnant mums where the pups are born in the shelter so you don't get any of the issues with past abuse. The only thing to note is that they have to be 12 weeks before they can travel as all their vaccines need to be complete, so a little older than a pup you would get from a breeder.
We were initially looking for an adult dog but ended up with this 12 week old girl, and couldn't be more pleased, she is a lovely natured dog and is training exceptionally well. Gratuitous photo...
We ended up getting one from Romania and the adoption fee was £475, although we chose to double that as a donation since they were so good throughout the whole process. I would definitely recommend them.
What's more, the majority of dogs they have are puppies, or pregnant mums where the pups are born in the shelter so you don't get any of the issues with past abuse. The only thing to note is that they have to be 12 weeks before they can travel as all their vaccines need to be complete, so a little older than a pup you would get from a breeder.
We were initially looking for an adult dog but ended up with this 12 week old girl, and couldn't be more pleased, she is a lovely natured dog and is training exceptionally well. Gratuitous photo...
Edited by billbring on Friday 16th April 22:39
Skyedriver said:
Too early after the loss of our Springer, Son has exams coming up and should be concentrating on them, we've still got the Skye Terrier who's a bit funny with other dogs etc etc but he's started searching the web for another dog.
.
Despite my protestations, about too early, rebound from last dog, school, cost etc, it would seem we are getting a wee pup in about 4 or 5 weeks (after school assessments). Cockerpoo (I know, I know but our other dog seems to get on well with that "breed" (crossbreed). I don't appear to have much say in the matter, it's wife and son against me. I know my place, it's in 5th behind her, him and the two dogs..
Billbring: They CANNOT legally travel till 15 weeks old. Vaccine is licenced for dogs 12 weeks old plus THEN it needs 21 days for the vaccine to activate hence 15 weeks.
Be aware many of these Romanian Dogs are vaccinated well before the 12 week age. It's pretty much impossible to police. Plus many that think they are rescuing dogs are actually buying stolen dogs and supporting organised crime. Many of the so called Romanian dogs coming from the former Russian states, puppy farms operate out there too.
They are not necessarily charities but businesses.
Be aware many of these Romanian Dogs are vaccinated well before the 12 week age. It's pretty much impossible to police. Plus many that think they are rescuing dogs are actually buying stolen dogs and supporting organised crime. Many of the so called Romanian dogs coming from the former Russian states, puppy farms operate out there too.
They are not necessarily charities but businesses.
To give you an idea of the insanity of the last year or so - my other half's scrote of a cousin cleared over £200k last year...
He's a registered breeder, with top ratings from his local authority, but it's just nonsense that this is the sort of profit levels arising from the recent demand. He's not a breeder I'd get a dog from either.
He's a registered breeder, with top ratings from his local authority, but it's just nonsense that this is the sort of profit levels arising from the recent demand. He's not a breeder I'd get a dog from either.
Is there not the argument that a higher price weedles out those who are serious about dog ownership from those who are less so?
£2.5k is not really an impulse purchase price so committing to this level requires some proper consideration, thought, research and preparation.
I guess that it denies choice to those who are genuinely committed to dog ownership but rescue dogs and the various charities do a very good job in fulfilling demand at this level.
I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with this - just an alternative angle to discuss.
£2.5k is not really an impulse purchase price so committing to this level requires some proper consideration, thought, research and preparation.
I guess that it denies choice to those who are genuinely committed to dog ownership but rescue dogs and the various charities do a very good job in fulfilling demand at this level.
I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with this - just an alternative angle to discuss.
StevieBee said:
Is there not the argument that a higher price weedles out those who are serious about dog ownership from those who are less so?
£2.5k is not really an impulse purchase price so committing to this level requires some proper consideration, thought, research and preparation.
I guess that it denies choice to those who are genuinely committed to dog ownership but rescue dogs and the various charities do a very good job in fulfilling demand at this level.
I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with this - just an alternative angle to discuss.
Its just profiteering becsuse of excess demand. Its not about animal welfare its purely supply and demand.£2.5k is not really an impulse purchase price so committing to this level requires some proper consideration, thought, research and preparation.
I guess that it denies choice to those who are genuinely committed to dog ownership but rescue dogs and the various charities do a very good job in fulfilling demand at this level.
I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with this - just an alternative angle to discuss.
sherman said:
StevieBee said:
Is there not the argument that a higher price weedles out those who are serious about dog ownership from those who are less so?
£2.5k is not really an impulse purchase price so committing to this level requires some proper consideration, thought, research and preparation.
I guess that it denies choice to those who are genuinely committed to dog ownership but rescue dogs and the various charities do a very good job in fulfilling demand at this level.
I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with this - just an alternative angle to discuss.
Its just profiteering becsuse of excess demand. Its not about animal welfare its purely supply and demand.£2.5k is not really an impulse purchase price so committing to this level requires some proper consideration, thought, research and preparation.
I guess that it denies choice to those who are genuinely committed to dog ownership but rescue dogs and the various charities do a very good job in fulfilling demand at this level.
I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with this - just an alternative angle to discuss.
If everyone else is selling a puppy for £3.5k, and people are prepared to pay that, you'd be stupid to sell them for £2k.
I'm stupid!!
Quite interestingly as well, one of my friends works for a water company, he was talking about the return to office working. The employee's were pushing back because they needed dog daycare. Their HR dept are actually looking at ways to solve the problem
super7 said:
sherman said:
StevieBee said:
Is there not the argument that a higher price weedles out those who are serious about dog ownership from those who are less so?
£2.5k is not really an impulse purchase price so committing to this level requires some proper consideration, thought, research and preparation.
I guess that it denies choice to those who are genuinely committed to dog ownership but rescue dogs and the various charities do a very good job in fulfilling demand at this level.
I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with this - just an alternative angle to discuss.
Its just profiteering becsuse of excess demand. Its not about animal welfare its purely supply and demand.£2.5k is not really an impulse purchase price so committing to this level requires some proper consideration, thought, research and preparation.
I guess that it denies choice to those who are genuinely committed to dog ownership but rescue dogs and the various charities do a very good job in fulfilling demand at this level.
I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with this - just an alternative angle to discuss.
If everyone else is selling a puppy for £3.5k, and people are prepared to pay that, you'd be stupid to sell them for £2k.
I'm stupid!!
Quite interestingly as well, one of my friends works for a water company, he was talking about the return to office working. The employee's were pushing back because they needed dog daycare. Their HR dept are actually looking at ways to solve the problem
The flipside to "higher prices, better owners" is countered by "easy money, unscrupulous breeders"...
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