Ive been browsing the ads and breed clubs for a little while now, i like to window shop even though i am not looking for a pup.

Now one thing has certainly sprung to mind... the absoloutly HUGE difference in the price of pups...

I'm going to give some examples, but wanted to throw this open to discussion and opinion.

example 1

Litter 1 - Labrador puppies, health tested, registered, lifetime support, £400
Litter 2 - Labrador puppies, unhealtested pets, unregistered - £200

Example 2
litter 1 - Toy poodles, health tested, lifetime support, £500
Litter 2 - "tea-cup" poodle puppies, no health tests, unregistered £800

Example 3 -
Litter 1 -Labradoodles, health tested, lifetime support £900
litter 2 - labradoodles, unleaht tested £900

Example 4 -

litter 1 - chihuahua puppies, health tested registered, lifetime support £900
litter 2, merle teacup chihuahua puppies, untested, unregistered £2000


WHY?

Why is it that in example 1, the unregistered untested dogs are cheaper? where in my other examples they are either the same or vastly MORE?

Merle in chihuahuas is unregisterable due to the health problems associated with the colour (and its believed to have come from crossbreeding), and TEACUP doesnt exist in any breed.... so why?

Why are the labradoodles more expensive than either of the purebreds that created them, and why isnt there much variation in the prices of tested to untested stock?



Just to say i am going out shortly, so if you need me for anything then i will be back this evening! PLEASE STAY NICE! I dont want this turning into a row! I am just genuinly curious as to how people can charge such different rates!

It seems like greed to me. Registered breeders wouldn't want to sell their pups at hugely over inflated prices as its just not done, usually.

I have seen un registered t cup chi's for £3000

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t

no idea. i've often thought the same...............greed, ignorance ???. look forward to reading people views.

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love me love the dogs

I think the problem is that the price of puppies is the least reliable indicator of anything. It relies purely on market forces and what people are prepared to pay, particularly from those breeders who think of making money.

I've seen unhealth tested labradors cost the same (an in some cases more) than health tested one.

A local pet shop (that has been shamed in the press and was found to have a number of dead, older puppies in their freezer as they didn't sell), buys their puppies from Irish puppy farms. They charge £700 for a labrador and people pay!!!. On the other hand, I can buy a labrador puppy, fully health tested by a FTCH with a lot of red in it's pedigree for £550. Then, there's the pet owner/byb who has had a litter using a mates dog down the road, has done no tests, had little expense because they've not bothered and been lucky enough for things to go wrong, who just wants to sell the pups and figures £200 will sell them quick.

Go figure!!!

I think this applies to all popular breeds, not just labradoodles, but I suspect it's because they see other puppies being sold at a good price and figure they will be able to charge the same. Unless you are involved in your breed (and relatively few people who breed from their pets are), then how do you decide what to sell your puppy for? You look at what other people are selling theirs for....and the internet advertising sites are readily accessible to most.

Are the prices you're using quoted or are they what you think the prices are? I've seen pups for twice that but also half that with the latter appearing to become the norm.


Edited to add...... how do you class "lifetime support".

Agree Dundee,
I enquired at Dogs4us some time back for a SBT pup,Of course I wasn't going to buy one,they came with a DLRC Registration,no health testing and were £575
Now a KC Reg,Health tested pup would cost in the region of £400 - £600,depending on bloodlines,part of the UK.

The market is now dropping away from Unreg Staffords,according to a friend of mine they are down to £100/150.This can only be a good thing in the long run as those Breeders doing it purely for the cash incentive are not going to make much,so hopefully it will put them off breeding again.

The Blues are a different story though,some are still asking £800/£1000 purely because it's Blue, not quality or bloodlines.

these breeders with their 'rare' colours and 'teacups' are just cashing in on the gullible gp, people looking for puppies really should do their homework.

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"If the wolf is to survive, the wolf haters must be outnumbered. They must be outshouted, out financed, and out voted. Their narrow and biased attitude must be outweighed by an attitude based on an understanding of natural processes."
L David Mech

We have doomed the Wolf not for what it is, but for what we have deliberately and mistakenly perceived it to be..the mythologized epitome of a savage, ruthless killer..which is, in reality no more than a reflexed images of ourself." -Farley Mowat

I agree Jo,
I really don't see what the big deal is regarding Blues in our breed.Most have faults like poor pigmentation,light eyes etc which in my opinion spoil the head expression etc.

sprry i'm out visiting family but sneaked on to see what replies i'd had...

anyway

1 - these are actual prices i have seen quoted on recent adverts

Personally i class lifetime support as

1 - being able to contact the experienced breeder for help and advice at any time, the option of returning the pup should anything unforseen happen and the ability to call on them from time to time