Why Do Puppies Cost So Much?

[Katheris]

Funny, isn't it, how people will brag about how much they paid for a puppy bought at a petstore, but then try to haggle with a breeder over the price? I think your breakdown of the costs is quite reasonable, and you made a nice page to show to argumentative people to explain WHY the costs is barely breakeven. With Linda and my Thymely litter, I wryly thought to myself after all the costs were tallied, Ra was "only" a $200 pup. In other words, we didn't break even. But, we have some very nice pups, and the pet puppies are in wonderful homes.

Katy

[lvoss]

Katy, that is pretty much how my husband and I feel. As long as we aren't more in the hole than we would have been buying a puppy then we did pretty good. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case recently. The Silken Windhound folks remember and fondly refer to L'Ox as the "most expensive basenji puppy" because he is a frozen semen puppy born via c-section and was a singleton so no other puppies to spread the cost over. We didn't ever do a real tally for what his actual cost was, I don't really want to know.

[Kipawa]

I re-read the page you made, Ivoss, and I noticed that you didn't indicate a per hour charge for your time. I would think that should also be considered.

[tanza]

Lisa, did you include removal of dew claws in the wellness puppy check? I didn't see that on your breakdown.

And yes, it is very fustrating when talking to potential puppy people and they "challenge" the price… or that is the first and only consideration they have... Many will say "but I don't want a show dog" or "I would take the runt".... and honestly, when you get a puppy from a responsible breeder, rarely is there a "runt" or one that could not be shown...

[lvoss]

Yes, the $15 per puppy is for the dewclaws in the newborn wellness check.

[tanza]

@lvoss:

Yes, the $15 per puppy is for the dewclaws in the newborn wellness check.

And trust me everyone… many Vets charge way more than is in Lisa's tally... take that tally plus at least 10% would be my Vets charges.

And Kipawa.... if we ever added in our time... the prices would be out of sight...:eek:

[lvoss]

It isn't just pet people. People looking for show and performance dogs too. Recently, I have encountered several people, pet and show, who think I should just be grateful they would even consider a puppy from me.

[Kipawa]

@lvoss:

It isn't just pet people. People looking for show and performance dogs too. Recently, I have encountered several people, pet and show, who think I should just be grateful they would even consider a puppy from me.

Oh boy, good thing I am not a breeder (never plan to be, I leave it to the experts). If I was a breeder and someone even slightly indicated that I should be grateful they are considering one of my dogs, that person would be scratched off my list so fast. I'd probably also contact my other breeder colleagues to advise them of this person's attitude. To me, if someone is acting like that prior to getting a dog, their actions afterwards would certainly be no better, and I could see where the dog would suffer being with such an owner.

[stazy]

Basenjis aren't even that expensive compared to some of the more popular breeds. Everyone who has asked me about the price has been surprised at how inexpensive they are. (I paid $800)

[dmey]

I think people love to brag about how much they paid for everything, but it is also natural for people to try, at least, to get a lower price on the things they buy. the sad thing is that normally, the care people give to the things they buy depends on how much they paid for them, notice I say "things" because I think that's how a lot of these people think about anything that they are buying, even if it is alive. Ive had people here say things like, " that operation will cost more than the dog!!! Just get another one!! ".. You know, honestly I don't waste my time even arguing with people like that, if you can't see the difference between a dog and , say a car, then you know it's like speaking a different language.

[dmey]

By the way, why declaw? Ayo isn't declawed and I don't see how that could be a problem.. Just curious…

[dmey]

I have noticed that dogs here get more expensive depending on their popularity, for example French bulldogs are really popular here now and I have seen them for sale, at pet stores, without "papers" meaning who knows, for the equivalent of 1000 US dollars.
Pet stores sell " pure breed" dogs with no papers, which is funny because, there comes a point when the dogs aren't even close to the breed anymore, like chihuahuas, for example, everyone in this country owns a chihuhua, but when you compare them to akc chihuhuas, they are two different dogs. The Dominican version has a very small head and long thing snout, like a whippet!!!!

[lvoss]

Not declaw, dewclaws, the "thumbs". I have them removed at a day old because when done that young it is very simple procedure and not traumatic for the puppy. Dewclaw injuries can be quite bad and quite expensive and major surgery for the dog. Since I course with my dogs and on several natural fields that are not a quick drive to an ER vet, I rather do it early instead of risking it later.

[dmey]

Oh , yeah thats is what I meant to say dew claws, sorry. …

[tanza]

@lvoss:

Not declaw, dewclaws, the "thumbs". I have them removed at a day old because when done that young it is very simple procedure and not traumatic for the puppy. Dewclaw injuries can be quite bad and quite expensive and major surgery for the dog. Since I course with my dogs and on several natural fields that are not a quick drive to an ER vet, I rather do it early instead of risking it later.

And while it is not a practice to remove dew claws especially "across the pond" it is pretty much common practice here. It does become a matter of personal preference. I have seen many dew claw injuries… and they are not pretty .... and while we have a short haired breed that you can clearly see the dew claws, long hair breeds you can not.. therefore I have also seen many dew claws not kept trimmed that grow around and back into the skin...

[dmey]

Yeah I have noticed that, while the nails on the other toes wear out , that one needs a lot more trimming and its really hard to trim…..

[dmey]

That reminds me I just found out about Norwegian lundehunds, I had never heard of them, apparently they have just been accepted by the akc, they have six toes!!! Really cool the way their feet look!

[dmey]

here is a picture of their feet.. thats so weird!!!

[Basenjimamma]

wow, weird..for sure.

[DebraDownSouth]

You left out the cost for showing and proving the value of your bitch, raising her, feeding her… I know of few breeders who do more than break even if they are lucky. Yeah if you have a dog that throws a HUGE litter, you do okay. Until something happens. My friend spent over $5,000 on a litter that came 4 days early and lost all of them even with taking to the top veterinary hospital in her state for intensive care. That was just the medical, never mind all the previous expenses of getting her pregnant etc.

On the Norwegian, its really a form of dew claws. Some dew claws are unformed, others make up almost functional toes. Lots of dogs have double dew claws, btw. Some REQUIRE you not remove them. My first rottie litter had major double front AND back. That was 20 yrs ago. My vet tells me she STILL has nightmares are doing their dewclaws, lol.

http://www.messybeast.com/poly-species.html

The Norwegian Lundehund must have at least six toes and eight pads on the fore paws; five toes must rest on the ground. On the hind legs there must be at least six toes, four of which must rest on the ground. The toes have extra joints to aid it in its traditional job of puffin-hunting, for which it needs to climb cliffs.

In the Beauceron, the double hind dewclaws should form thumbs and be close to the foot to provide a larger weight-bearing surface.

The Catalonian Sheepdog's double hind dewclaws must be joined together and joined to the first (inner) toe by a membrane (webbing).

In the Iceland Shepherd Dog, hind dewclaws are essential and double dewclaws are preferred.

The Briard's double hind dewclaws must be located close to the ground. In several other breeds, hind dewclaws are permitted e.g. Great Pyrenees (double), Portuguese Sheepdog (single/double), Cao Fila de Sao Miguel (single), Cao de Castro Laboreiro (single/double on both front and hind feet), Saint Bernard, Pyreenees Mastiff (double preferred over single), Estrela Mountain Dog (single/double), East Siberian Laika, Anatolian Shepherd Dog (double).