$2500 for a puppy?

[pinkytoe]

I recently learned that a relative purchased a purebred puppy for $2500 as it comes from some elite breeding outfit. They can afford it but it just seems outrageous to me when perfectly fine mutts can be had for next to nothing - I mean if all you are wanting is a family dog for your kids.

[catherine]

I agree. I belong to a dog park and some people are real dog snobs--I know one woman who drove 500 miles to pick up her purebred Airdale. My mixed dogs have been absolutely wonderful, and I don't care if they wouldn't make past the front gate of the Westminster Kennel Club.

[kib]

"- I mean if all you are wanting is a family dog for your kids."

As opposed to what, a good strong labradoodle that can plow your fields for you? A shitzu you can dust with? :~)

I do think some people go with expensive purebred dogs out of worry that they might wind up with a puppy mill dog with health or temperament issues - even if they go to the shelter for a dog- but it seems so many people buy dogs based on the image they want to portray. A terrible shame, how many dogs and cats are unwanted because they're not The Right One.

[pinkytoe]

This is a Silicon Valley family so I bet image has a lot to do with it. Being snarky, but even their children seem like assets to be groomed for the elite realm they were born into. I am always curious about that lifestyle but glad I don't have to live it. The finest pets we ever had were always mutts.

[bae]

I guess it depends on what sort of dog it is, and what you want it for.

A mutt can be a great pet, sure. And you can get a mutt for "free".

But if you want a top-drawer working dog of certain breeds, from proven lines, that you are going to invest many more thousands of dollars and hours in in training, $2500 for the dog is a drop in the bucket.

[iris lilies]

This is a standard price in my breed for puppies (Bulldogs) with show potential or pet quality puppies from high end breeders in our midwest~low cost area. I don't know how much my friend charges for the puppies she occasionally has, but I'll bet it's that price. I would guess that a bulldog in Silicon Valley would be a lot more.

i don't track the price of puppies because I have no interest in getting a puppy. They are high priced and THEN you have to,put up with months of chewing, training, etc. No thank you.

i often hear the charge that people who go after purebreds do it for the snob appeal. Ok, whatever, you can have your opinion. But just let me keep my smushed faced silly Bulldogs. There is NOTHING like them. I've even tried French Bulldogs but ugh, not the same at all.

I've had, oh, maybe 12 Bulldogs over the years In addition to a dozen foster dogs and I've paid a grand total of $500 for dogs. The first couple of breeders charged a nominal fee but after that, they were standing iI line to give me their retired breeding dogs.

the best dog I ever had was a retired show dog who was perfectly behaved and beautiful. I paid $0 for her.

[pinkytoe]

I believe it is either a lab or golden retriever - strictly family dog. Another relative spent a large sum for a specially bred retreiver that supposedly will be cancer free since all the over-breeding has apparently caused that trait to appear. I I've sort of turned into not a dog person these days though so I am seeing it from a different perspective. It just amazes me what things cost today though or what people are willing to pay and not just dogs. It is easy to say that's not so much when one has the means.

[ctg492]

Oh I don't know, I suppose whatever works for each as long as the pet is a loved pet for life. Amortize this cost for 10-15 years and for the love worth every penny. There is no such thing as a Free Pup or Kitten when you factor in the vet bills. My little Jack that I posted was a gift at Christmas and the $$$ in emergency Vet bills, is happy, fun and sweet, we are now in obedience classes, worth every $.

[catherine]

It just amazes me what things cost today though or what people are willing to pay and not just dogs. It is easy to say that's not so much when one has the means.

We could start a whole thread on things that some people spend a ridiculous amount of money on. Of course, it's their choice, but for instance, I would never, ever spend thousands for a purse. I would never, ever spend thousands for a bottle of wine. I would never, ever spends tens of thousands to join a club. I guess you can never say never but honestly, I truly believe that if I won the PowerBall lottery, I still would not spend thousands on shoes, wine, country clubs, or elite purebred dogs. I don't need a workhorse dog. Frankly, as much as I love dogs, after Nessie goes, I don't see myself needing another dog--even a cheap mutt.

[Miss Cellane]

Well, if I won the Powerball, I'd buy all the books I wanted, hardcover, right after they were published, instead of waiting for them at the library. And I'd finally buy that Vermont farmhouse I've been dreaming about and turn one room (or more) into a library with built-in shelving.

Which is to say that I think we all have *something* that we'd like to spend a little money on, if we had the money.

People make choices with their money. You can learn a lot about a person from the choices they make.

[Tussiemussies]

Well you are paying for a life, I don't think you can cap a value in that.....

[Reyes]

I'd pay that for a fine German Shepard if I was so inclined. I've had great rescue dogs as well (including a wonderful older Shepard) but I would not write off the possibility of paying a couple thousand either.

[JaneV2.0]

I might pay more than usual for a Selkirk Rex or a British shorthair--certainly more than I'd ever pay for a purse. And I love a good accessory. But I'd also pay something for an older thrown-away cat, or nothing for the ones that show up on my doorstep...And yes, we all have our money pits, and why not.

[bae]

I'd pay that for a fine German Shepard if I was so inclined. I've had great rescue dogs as well (including a wonderful older Shepard) but I would not write off the possibility of paying a couple thousand either.

I have an incredible black and tan coonhound now that would have cost thousands of dollars, except I got him through the animal shelter/breed rescue back channel, as his first very loving owner had to get rid of him. But it took me about 2 years of searching to find this dog, I was quite prepared to lay out $2-10k. I'm using him for search work though, and he has to actually sing for his supper.

You can see how he suffers here (cat not to scale)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wWnAcKCtSTk/VTFk1saMEBI/AAAAAAAAPPk/ntnTRT-xaZI/s720/Awesomized.jpg

[goldensmom]

A friend just paid $2500 for a Bulldog. When we were recently looking for a Golden Retriever puppy we saw $2500 Golden puppies. In my heart, all Golden puppies are worth the money and I'd pay it if we wanted the puppy and could afford it but we can't . Found a lover boy for $800.

[iris lilies]

I might pay more than usual for a Selkirk Rex or a British shorthair...

My brother and I both have a thing for fat faced grey cats, mainly because we had one as as children. He looked like a British blue. He was a Buddha cat, fat, slow moving, always happy and frankly not very smart. Loved that cat to death.

[mschrisgo2]

Oh, yes. The prices of puppies, oh My!
My grandson paid $500. for a mutt puppy, part husky, part shepherd, part- ?

I'm a cocker spaniel lover. My first was 5.5 months old when I brought her home in 1994, I paid $300 for her, a failed show dog. She Hated being in the conformation ring (all 3 of her siblings went on the be champions). I showed her in obedience and she loved it. And she was a wonderful companion for me and a great sometimes pet for the grandsons, for 17 years and 8 months. My next was a rescued dog, he was about a year old when we got him in rescue. He fell in love with my first, and they got along so well I decided to keep him. I paid his vet bill of $174. My third I still have, another purebred but rescued, I gave her foster mom $100. I knew she had paid for her spay, but she didn't want to accept any money for her. My fourth, I drove 1600 miles to bring her to California from Utah, a pure bred but senior dog. I paid the rescue $410. to cover her vet bills (sadly, she had liver cancer and only lived 7 months here. She was so sweet and we miss her terribly.)

Now I have my name and a small deposit on a pure bred, but mis-marked, cocker puppy. If I follow through and bring her home next month, she will be almost 9 months old and will cost me $900. If she were not a mis-mark, she would sell for $2500, as her siblings did. She is house trained, crate trained, table trained, health certificated... and hopefully will stay healthy for many years to come.

I did rescue and adopted out a lot of cockers (250 in 2.5 yrs); I couldn't help but notice that most of them did not live very long, only 4-6 years, passing significantly before their life expectancy of 12-15 years. My theory is that their hearts were broken when they were abandoned, and the stress took a huge toll on their little bodies. So even though I really believe in rescue, I don't think my heart can handle another. So yes, I will probably pay $900 for my next dog. Outrageous? Yes.

[kib]

he has to actually sing for his supper.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wWnAcKCtSTk/VTFk1saMEBI/AAAAAAAAPPk/ntnTRT-xaZI/s720/Awesomized.jpg
Can he play the piano too? the cat seems better dressed for it. - and thanks, love pix of the furry people.

[JaneV2.0]

My brother and I both have a thing for fat faced grey cats, mainly because we had one as as children. He looked like a British blue. He was a Buddha cat, fat, slow moving, always happy and frankly not very smart. Loved that cat to death.

I've had mostly Siamese and Siamese mixes, so I'm used to smart cats. But I'm flexible...(Maybe a pointed Rex or British shorthair.) I have a soft spot for round-faced, cobby bodied pets.

French bulldogs produce the cutest puppies. That little voice!

[ctg492]

I have not seen "Free Puppies" in the advertisements or on signs in years in my areas. I remember when I was young the paper always had Free Puppies ads. Forget about free Small dogs ever. Mixes all have hybrid names that makes them cost more. This is a good thing as in the areas I have been in it means the spay neuter programs and awareness, the licensing programs have worked perhaps. Just a thought.
My shelter dogs cost a couple hundred to adopt after fees to cover the spaying and vaccinations.

[sweetana3]

They are not on signs anymore. They are on neighborhood facebook pages, garage sale ads/pets/free on craigslist, etc. Some areas however have done a much better job at advocating spay/neuter etc. and have to actually import dogs/puppies from the south. We still have lots of issues with way too many pits and big dogs/puppies.

Our low cost clinic is running a big dog(over 40 pounds) special for spay/neuter AND vaccinations for $20.

A documentary about "purebreds" worth watching or at least learning about is discussed here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedigree_Dogs_Exposed

[Miss Cellane]

I just checked what the local shelter charges for animals.

Dogs: $275
Puppies: $350
Cats: $85
Kittens: $135
Senior Cats: $50
"Desperate" Cats: $25 (cats who have been at the shelter over 60 days)

This fee covers the costs of shots, neutering and microchiping, as well as a collar and lead for dogs. I can see how some people would think that if a mutt still costs $275, then paying $1000 for a pure-breed dog seems more reasonable.

And these prices have gone down a bit. Cats used to be $150. (I'm guessing that they couldn't place enough cats at that price, and had to lower the cost in order not to be overrun with kitties.)

[pony mom]

In 1997 I paid half that amount for my horse!

[larknm]

Dogs who are advertised as free (some cats too) often are picked up by people wanting to use them for bait for dog fighting or other awful purposes.

[sweetana3]

Shelter pets go up and down in cost due to supply and demand. In our city, they can $25 (cats and large dogs) to $400 (for small breed puppies). Our low cost spay neuter is having a Big Dog fix for big dogs and their puppies. $20 includes spay/nueter and vaccinations. Supply and demand.