Price of a puppy?

[siparlb_813]

Well, My sienna was from champion bloodlines, but they werent registered with the akc, they were with the CKC, and so she wasnt showable here. but this upcoming litter that he is having, they are 375. So I guess just it varies from breeders.

 

[Alex C.]

So looking at that, why not pay a little more for piece of mind?
Out of the 4 breeders I found who did health testing some did in various degrees. Some tested hips and thyroid but not heart or eyes... and so on. Most had no pus available and had extensive waiting lists. We ended up getting Diesel from a breeder who tested for everything but hips. They said they hadn't had that problem in their lines at all and we took that chance because they had one pup left and after searching for what seemed like forever we snatched him up. I don't regret spending a penny extra on the cost of my dog. But to each his own and that is my story and my opinion. Good luck in your search.

I totally agree with you. If someone is going to sell a 'product', it should be the best they can produce or offer. I also, got similar responses from breeders. It seems to me though that some breeders who health test and provide 'quality pups' still cut corners. As you said, many tested a certain thing because they had not had a problem with one or the other. That's really not fair to the buyer, but in the end they are the one making the decision to buy from that breeder or not.

I sincerely hope you mean, the lower price is for pet quality pups, who they only allow limited registration. It is against AKC rules for breeders to base their prices on the registration of dogs.

Yes, I believe so since I know w/limited registration you cannot show the dog, nor would registration be available should that dog produce a litter. The thing I disagree with is 'pet quality vs show quality'. Aside from being white, or more than 1/3. How do you decide which pup is either quality? If they are from the same litter? I would think that the markings would make a difference, but if you have 3,4,5 similar pups, how do you decide?

You get what you pay for. It costs significantly more to be a responsible breeder. A BYB need to only put two dogs together and wait until the puppies arive. Being a responsible breeder involves alot of health testing, vet visits to monitor the pregnancy, vet visits and medication for the puppies, etc. The jb is exponentially more expensive, and that is why they cost more.

That is true. It would have to cost more to do all the health testing, vet visits etc. But how much more should it reflect in the cost of the pup? I thought the reason for responsible breeding is 'to better the breed', not to make a profit? I agree it costs a lot of money to send a healthy litter into the world, but some of these breeders are making a ton of money with these inflated puppy prices.

you have no idea what it cost to produce a litter of puppies if you care and do all the right testing, stud fee, care for the bitch and puppies, the cost of showing the parents till they are finished. I think $1,000 is in no way a crazy amount even for a pet quality you will find byb selling there dogs for 200-300 because they have not done health testing, finished there dogs in the ring or spent the extra time and money to find a quality stud for their bitch. They spend about 50 bucks on shots and tail docking and call it good. In my area the normal for a good show prospect is $2,000. That is around meaning some are more some are less.

You're right, I don't know how much it is to produce a litter and I probably never will but its hard for me to reason that producing a healthy litter of pups would cost between $7000-$18000. I'm just trying to educate myself on this topic. BW is the only place I would trust because ultimately, what we all care for is the best interest of the Boxer. Thanks.

 

[GoCougs]

Yes, I believe so since I know w/limited registration you cannot show the dog, nor would registration be available should that dog produce a litter. The thing I disagree with is 'pet quality vs show quality'. Aside from being white, or more than 1/3. How do you decide which pup is either quality? If they are from the same litter? I would think that the markings would make a difference, but if you have 3,4,5 similar pups, how do you decide?

Puppies are not Xerox copies. Just because they are all in the same litter does not mean they are all exactly the same except for the markings. The difference can be quite significant from one puppy to the next in a litter. There are alot of things you look for, and you try to find one that fits the standard as closely as poosible. Sometimes you get one or two, sometimes you don't dont get any that are show quality.

But how much more should it reflect in the cost of the pup? I thought the reason for responsible breeding is 'to better the breed', not to make a profit? I agree it costs a lot of money to send a healthy litter into the world, but some of these breeders are making a ton of money with these inflated puppy prices.

Well, this is somewhat true. There are some "responsible" breeders who do everything right, and still charge enough to make a profit. I've brought up this point in another thread, and I don't think it is fair to distinguish between a BYB and a responsible breeder who both want to make a profit. The end game is the same.

The price of the puppies, in my opinion, should never reflect more than the cost of the litter itself. However, again, you're not making Xerox copies. Some litters have as few as one puppy, while others have as many as 12 or more. In a litter of one, is it fair to charge $5000 for one pet puppy? Absolutely not! Sometime you make more than it costs to produce a litter, and sometimes you lose significantly.

You're right, I don't know how much it is to produce a litter and I probably never will but its hard for me to reason that producing a healthy litter of pups would cost between $7000-$18000.

Producing a healthy litter can EASILY cost $7000. I can't fathom it getting upwards to $18000, but there are breeders who will factor the cost of showing and finishing the dog and bitch. I don't particularly agree with counting that as part of the cost of producing a litter, but I can understand why they would.

 

[Darbysmom1]

I also think 18000 for a puppy is very high but I know of a popular winning dog that was an american and canadian Champion who was sold to an owner in China that wanted a nice american stud/show dog who he could breed to his line and finish in Asia too. The owner of the dog who are very well known and respected who also judge all over the world flew over talked in detail about the kennels breeding program decided it was a right fit and sold the stud dog for $30,000. Is that high for one dog of course! This dog was shown all over the country and the breeder joked that when adding up all the handling fees and show costs they spent before they sold this dog they just about broke even. I dont see very many puppies sold for 7-18 grand though. At least not many that I have heard of. But if you get a puppy who has maybe been started in the ring and is starting to win and show promise I could see that. I dont know if I would pay that but I can see people maybe charging it.

 

[Rostasteve]

I paid $2,000 for mine. In the NYC area most reputably bred boxers cost $1,500 - 2,500...these are mostly show dogs. Pet shops and newspapers list them for $400+.

My main reasons for paying so much was that the parents and grandparents were health screened, I got to see both parents and a grandparent, show boxers typically look better, and my breeder provides me with tons of support after the purchase. Your criteria may be different...

My breeder charges the same regardless of sex and registration type. Other breeders charge less for males and limited registration. They may also charge less depending on how the pup conforms to the standard (show vs. pet).

 

[LilygirlCO]

I'm in Colorado too and I know there are some health-tested, reputable show breeders with litters on the ground or coming soon. If I were you, I would attend the local boxer club's boxer bash on Oct. 1 and perhaps start interviewing them and seeing if you can find a match. I would say probably 3/4 of them don't have websites so its harder to find them around here.

 

[pmari3]

As my DH has always said about MANY things, "You can pay more now or you can pay a whole lot more later".

Absolutely! Before our education about BYB we bought our rottweiler from a pet shop :eek: for a bargain price of $400 - on sale because she was already over 12 weeks. By 2 we were spending $1,500 to repair and ACL and the list goes on. She lived to 10 - we called her our million dollar dog. She was as sweet as pie, but health-wise she was a money pit!

I paid $2,000 for mine. In the NYC area most reputably bred boxers cost $1,500 - 2,500...these are mostly show dogs. Pet shops and newspapers list them for $400+.

Yes! My lowest quote in my area was $1,700. I paid a bit more than this but again, coming from health tested parents. They are opening a pet shop down the road from where I work - online they are advertising a boxer pup for $1,400! From a pet store!!!!!!! Claiming, of course, local breeders - right.

IMHO if my puppy doesn't develop the health problems that we are able to test for, then I'm already ahead.

 

[pmari3]

my sister paid 1200 for maggie on Long Island...

Health tested...that's an excellent price. I think it also depends on how long you are willing to wait. If you do find a good breeder offering pups at a lower than average price in your area - the litters are generally few and far between. If you just missed a litter or all the pups are already spoken for - then you are looking at a year or more for your next opportunity. I would venture to guess that more than one of us were willing to pay the extra $$ to get a puppy from a reputable breeder sooner. I'm guilty - as I posted before - of the reputable breeders I was able to get in touch with, there were only three that had anything to offer before next year and the lowest price was $1,700. It's better for my family to bring a puppy home in the fall as we have more time to devote to training a young puppy in the fall and winter. We are on the go in the spring and would like the puppy to be a little more road worthy then. So for us it was do we bite the bullet, pay the extra and have him this fall or wait until next fall. I just couldn't wait

 

[Net45582]

What is a 'FAIR' price for a pup? I've contacted some breeders I found from the abc and they range quite a bit ($650-$1200). What has everyone paid? I was initially going to pay $300 for Brandi, but in the end got her for free.

It does depend on your area. The local BYBs are getting $500-$600 for boxer pups now....makes me soooo mad!Have you considered contacting a rescue organization? The last few I had contact with were asking $200-$300 in fees which is very reasonable considering the care ,spay/neuter and other attention the pup gets while in their care.

 

[Alex C.]

Have you considered contacting a rescue organization? The last few I had contact with were asking $200-$300 in fees which is very reasonable considering the care ,spay/neuter and other attention the pup gets while in their care.

Yes, I've been on the list since March, but have had awful luck. I have another thread in the rescue section with all that happened. I totally agree with the rescue fees, PLUS it's saving a life! I will keep looking, but was just curious on the puppy because to be honest I am considering one now...