Question To Breeders

[indigirl]

hey perth girl try looking here its a thread abput 18 months ago where ppl listed the average price for purebred pups of different breeds

ETA Just remember these prices are 18 months old and its likely the prices will have risen a little. But it gives you a rough idea

Edited May 14, 2010 by indigirl

[Shaar]

Well thought out answer dancinbcs

That list still seems about right indigirl, as I said around $1,000-$2,000 for any breed... with a few exceptions.

[Gayle.]

If a breeder can't be bothered to take the time to chat to prospective puppy buyers, get to know them a bit and educate the ones who are seriously interested in their breed, then honestly, they should shut their traps when those people go to pet shops, puppy farms, backyard breeders etc. and buy a pet.

And expecting casual enquirers to know what health tests should be done on the particular breed is just plain ridiculous and excluding those that don't know from being considered for a pup is extremely short sighted. The breeder needs to know what health tests have to be done, the buyers shouldn't have to.

But thank goodness not all breeders are like that.

When I enquired about my first Australian Shepherd pup, I emailed a breeder who lived near me and she replied with her phone number.

The conversation went like this:

Hi, I'm interested in buying a puppy, I believe you have a litter at the moment.

Yes, I do, what so you know about Australian Shepherds?

Ummmm.....not much, I really like the way they look and a friend of mine has one and she raves about it. I've been doing some reading about them though, and they sound like they might be the right breed for us.

Well, why don't you come over and meet the pups and our other dogs and we'll see how you like them and they like you?

And so we did. And spent a few hours with the pups, adults dogs and breeder and then she asked me which puppy I thought I might like. When I couldn't decide, she pointed out a little black boy she thought might suit us due to his calm temperament. We took him home the following weekend. He got the best home a puppy could ever have.

The breeder mentioned health testing, I didn't. She gave me a puppy pack with all the relevant info in it, including hip, elbow and eye tests and further information on MDR1, as well as a detailed guide to socialisation, feeding, training etc.

Now, had she hung up the phone when I didn't ask questions other than express an interest in her current litter, I would have gone elsewhere for a pup and it may not have been to a registered breeder.

[Guest Tess32]

I would expect someone to do some research into the breed they have chosen before ringing up and ordering a puppy

It's not that hard really, there are hundreds of sites on the internet, all you have to do is google "poodle health problems" and get plenty of hits.

Not everyone even realises there are differences in breed temperaments. There are plenty of people who would make a great puppy home, but they don't even KNOW they have to research.

It's easy to believe this is common sense, but it's not. There are people who would fall over from shock to know there is a whole forum about dogs on the internet but they'd still make a great dog owner.

I recently bought a car. I googled it a little but did I check out what a *car person* would have? Probably not. But I do keep it clean and get it serviced regularly. I don't want to join a car forum and make the car the focus of my life or a hobby or anything. Get it?

I've said it before, but *not every good dog owner has to be a DOL OWNER CLONE*. Not everyone is going to join a forum, make their dog a big focus of their lives, go do herding, agility etc. They just want a nice family pet. They don't realise what most breeds are, they just want a nice dog and probably expect to pay about $500-600 as these are the prices in pet shops. They think the only health testing that is done is a check up at a vet.

They may think that it's absolutely fine to first enquire on the PRICE because they are *buying* something and money is not unlimited. Maybe they want to narrow down prices because we can't all afford the 'best thing ever' at any given time.

These are the kinds of people who will end up at pet shops because breeders are being too picky and expecting everyone to know the right thing to say and do. Who gives a crap if they aren't a walking dictionary on a breed they don't own yet? Maybe they'll LOVE the dog and give it a great home. But they aren't getting the chance because they aren't saying the right thing, the right way.

[Gayle.]

I recently bought a car. I googled it a little but did I check out what a *car person* would have? Probably not. But I do keep it clean and get it serviced regularly. I don't want to join a car forum and make the car the focus of my life or a hobby or anything. Get it?

I did actually join a car forum when I bought my X-trail because I wanted to know two things specific to the model I'd bought and couldn't find the answers anywhere else. It amused me to see the passion for a car that owners displayed on that forum. Not unlike DOL, they had forum get togethers, trip reports, photo galleries, general chat about the X-trail......mind boggling really.

And at the time I thought....hmmm, I wonder if this is how general pet owners feel when they stumble across DOL while trying to find the answer to a question they have about their pet dog.

[dancinbcs]

hey perth girl try looking here its a thread abput 18 months ago where ppl listed the average price for purebred pups of different breeds

ETA Just remember these prices are 18 months old and its likely the prices will have risen a little. But it gives you a rough idea

Most of that list seems about right but $2000 for Border Collies really surprised me. Average for limit or main is about $800 - $1000 even from the biggest winning kennels. A few are charging $1200 but the only ones over that are colours, usually of very inferior quality, from those cashing in on breeding for colour only. Of course these are prices for puppies to be sold in Australia. Exports being sent as breeding stock are more expensive because they are taking a top quality puppy out of the gene pool that the breeder has ready access to.

Edited May 15, 2010 by dancinbcs

[Shaar]

I think I'll just give up.

No-one seems to be getting my point at all.

[Fleuri]

I've said it before, but *not every good dog owner has to be a DOL OWNER CLONE*. Not everyone is going to join a forum, make their dog a big focus of their lives, go do herding, agility etc. They just want a nice family pet. They don't realise what most breeds are, they just want a nice dog and probably expect to pay about $500-600 as these are the prices in pet shops. They think the only health testing that is done is a check up at a vet.

My local Pet shop is charging close to breeders prices on some breeds. Unless it's a real mixed breed looking dog. This is why I wonder how they seem to know the going price of the breeds and the avarage person looking to buy from a proper breeder has such a hard time finding this information.

[Guest Tess32]

I've said it before, but *not every good dog owner has to be a DOL OWNER CLONE*. Not everyone is going to join a forum, make their dog a big focus of their lives, go do herding, agility etc. They just want a nice family pet. They don't realise what most breeds are, they just want a nice dog and probably expect to pay about $500-600 as these are the prices in pet shops. They think the only health testing that is done is a check up at a vet.

My local Pet shop is charging close to breeders prices on some breeds. Unless it's a real mixed breed looking dog. This is why I wonder how they seem to know the going price of the breeds and the avarage person looking to buy from a proper breeder has such a hard time finding this information.

Some would be most of the chain pet stores seem to keep their prices around $500-$800. Probably because they will make a few hundred off accessories as well.

[perth_girl]

Most pet shops in Perth sell puppies for around that price too. Must be the general 'going rate'.

[Lowenhart]

I don't list the price to purchase a puppy on my website. Lucky I rarely ever have any for sale...

I find listing prices tacky. It's a living breeding animal not a washing machine. Emailing to ask for a ballpark is fine, even the one liners. I have a standard text that basically says "Tell me about yourself, this breed may not be suitable", if they reply back with more info then they get a price for a dog suitable for their needs. In breeds like Afghan Hounds, the purchase price is insignificant to the amount of money you pay out to keep them looking like Afghans and I spell that out when mentioning the price.

I generally charge at the lower end of the spectrum. I prefer to pick and choose the homes and not be held back by the selection who can afford the cost. I have however seen breeders who charge much more denigrade another breed solely on purchase price - they implied that selling a dog at less than the first breeders pet price meant the dogs were lesser quality than the first breeders pets. I kid you not.

Some countries charge tax on the value of the dogs imported into their country. I had a stand up fight with officials in one country over this, with them claiming they got the price from "my website". The dog was a GIFT but they wanted to charge a large wad of money in taxes and held the dog to ransom.

When listing a price you are assigning a monetary value to dogs that isn't as reliable as non-ANKC people think. I try to explain the "value" of my dogs as such - If you were to steal my imported Lowchen he would be worth very little, $300 or so, in resale value as you would need to steal ownership of his ANKC papers as otherwise he is just a little adorable fluffy dog. But his replacement value is around $12 000, that would be what it would cost to buy and transport something equivilant to him in pedigree here in Australia.

But what is the dogs true monetary value? What I paid? What he could be resold for? What he costs to replace?

[Wazzat Xolo]

I don't list the price to purchase a puppy on my website. Lucky I rarely ever have any for sale...

I find listing prices tacky. It's a living breeding animal not a washing machine. Emailing to ask for a ballpark is fine, even the one liners. I have a standard text that basically says "Tell me about yourself, this breed may not be suitable", if they reply back with more info then they get a price for a dog suitable for their needs. In breeds like Afghan Hounds, the purchase price is insignificant to the amount of money you pay out to keep them looking like Afghans and I spell that out when mentioning the price.

I generally charge at the lower end of the spectrum. I prefer to pick and choose the homes and not be held back by the selection who can afford the cost. I have however seen breeders who charge much more denigrade another breed solely on purchase price - they implied that selling a dog at less than the first breeders pet price meant the dogs were lesser quality than the first breeders pets. I kid you not.

Some countries charge tax on the value of the dogs imported into their country. I had a stand up fight with officials in one country over this, with them claiming they got the price from "my website". The dog was a GIFT but they wanted to charge a large wad of money in taxes and held the dog to ransom.

When listing a price you are assigning a monetary value to dogs that isn't as reliable as non-ANKC people think. I try to explain the "value" of my dogs as such - If you were to steal my imported Lowchen he would be worth very little, $300 or so, in resale value as you would need to steal ownership of his ANKC papers as otherwise he is just a little adorable fluffy dog. But his replacement value is around $12 000, that would be what it would cost to buy and transport something equivilant to him in pedigree here in Australia.

But what is the dogs true monetary value? What I paid? What he could be resold for? What he costs to replace?

what an excellent post!

[Fleuri]

Most pet shops in Perth sell puppies for around that price too. Must be the general 'going rate'.

One parramatta Pet shop had one dog at $1200. Often when we go past the pet shop my boys run in to see the rabbits and guinea pigs, so I often get to hear customers asking about the price of the dogs (Often the pice has been $1000). I often feel like telling them to go to a breeder, for the same price, at least they will know exactly what they are getting. Poor puppies stuck in those glass shelves for weeks.

[alpha bet]

A serious question to breeders.

How come almost all the websites for breeders say absolutely nothing about the prices of their puppies? I would think that most breeders are sick of getting emails just wanting to know how much they charge. Can somebody please fill me in? On that note, can anyone also tell me the 'general' price for a British bulldog pup for pet purposes (not breeding or showing)

Thanks

Perth Girl - Sorry but I never really thought about putting the price on the website - I suppose the thing is I would have to remember to go on and change the prices if need be. Also until the stud dog is selected, I may not know the price of the stud fee - and the stud fee is an indication of the puppy price.

One of the things I was always told by experienced breeders when i first started out - price of a pup should be at minimum whatever the average weekly wage is at the time - This is enough to really mean the people have had to think about spending that money and perhaps they will value this decision. It may also indicate that they can afford the costs involved especially in the first year with their dog. But it is not too much that makes it seem like you are out to get a profit.

Using that as a guide then you could consider a fair price for a pure bred dog as somewhere between $1200-$1500 at present.

I always thought this sounded reasonable.

[badboyz]

Perthgirl, I do not put my puppy prices on my website either, but I do not have an issue with people asking me how much? I do not charge a blanket price for puppies and sometimes I don't even know what price I want to charge for a pup until it is older. I usually give a price range for those that enquire when the pups are very young.

Some of my best puppy buyers were from an email asking how much? If it is too much for them they do not reply, but if it is about right for them, they usually reply with alot of detail and questions. Saves us all time. What if you, Shaa, are the first person they contact in their research of the breed??

I will never forget going to a dog show when I had a beagle litter one day. All the other breeders with litters were talking about recieving a fairly blunt email asking how much, and they were very proud of their sarcastic replies or lack of reply. I also recieved that email, and replied with the price and asked politely that if they were interested, then please let me know more about them and what they were looking for. I had to laugh at the expression on the other breeders' faces when I was able to tell them that the I received back a lovely email from a lady who told me her 12 yr old son had sent the first email, and that she was buying the dog for him and her. They wanted a particular colour and sex, which I did not have available, but were so very happy with the pup I recommended. They drove 4hrs to come and meet the pup and were the nicest people you could meet. They listened to all my advice, would send me updates and ask questions, and were wonderful dog owners.

Edited May 16, 2010 by badboyz

[Gayle.]

I think I'll just give up.

No-one seems to be getting my point at all.

actually, you seem to be the one not getting the point. Why would anyone go to the trouble of researching a breed and investing a whole lot of time and emotional energy into it when they don't even know if they can afford a puppy?

Knowing what I know now, the very first thing I would ask when looking for a new dog us the price. And nothing else. Because if I am can't afford the price or am not prepared to pay thatmuch thenwhy on earth would I bother to learn about health testing or anything else specific to the breed.

And strange as it may sound, lots of people choose a purebred dog on looks. That, at least is something they can make a decision on quite quickly.

[Golden Rules]

One of the things I was always told by experienced breeders when i first started out - price of a pup should be at minimum whatever the average weekly wage is at the time - This is enough to really mean the people have had to think about spending that money and perhaps they will value this decision. It may also indicate that they can afford the costs involved especially in the first year with their dog. But it is not too much that makes it seem like you are out to get a profit.

Using that as a guide then you could consider a fair price for a pure bred dog as somewhere between $1200-$1500 at present.

I always thought this sounded reasonable.

Something is way off there, otherwise can you please tell me where I can get the average weekly wage of $1200-$1500

[Wazzat Xolo]

One of the things I was always told by experienced breeders when i first started out - price of a pup should be at minimum whatever the average weekly wage is at the time - This is enough to really mean the people have had to think about spending that money and perhaps they will value this decision. It may also indicate that they can afford the costs involved especially in the first year with their dog. But it is not too much that makes it seem like you are out to get a profit.

Using that as a guide then you could consider a fair price for a pure bred dog as somewhere between $1200-$1500 at present.

I always thought this sounded reasonable.

Something is way off there, otherwise can you please tell me where I can get the average weekly wage of $1200-$1500

same place you get the car, washing machine , new lounge!

save save save! lol ;)

[ellz]

But what is the dogs true monetary value? What I paid? What he could be resold for? What he costs to replace?

I was asked on air the other night during my ABC radio interview with Annie Warburton what Flame's value is. It caught me on the hop initially as I'd never really considered it. But in the end I said that she was worth very little to anybody but me and my family.

[mumsy]

Having just got a puppy recently I find this interesting. I did research the breed ( and many others) to find what I felt was best suited to our family. Our last dog we got at three years old from a family that had been transferred overseas. My point is I had NO idea the price of a pup and was quite taken aback when I heard. I am not questioning what anyone charges. That is their own business but alot of people out there live in a world where they need to know whether they can afford the item they are looking for whether it be a car, a couch or a pet.

There was one breed of dog that we looked at and were quite interested in. My kids spent time researching etc. When we found out they were $3500 that was it for that breed. If we had seen that info first we would have saved alot of time. I think that even an indication of approximate cost would be helpful.

There are wonderful people out there that would do anything for their pets, but can't afford $3500 just to purchase a pup. I think the point is the more info on the website, the less time you would spend answering emails that could be irrelevant.