12-24-2010, 02:38 PM
The price of a puppy is basically whatever the buyer is willing to pay.
Before moving to Hawaii I bred and showed dogs for 30 years. Most of my pups sold for between $250 and $350 because the general public wouldn't pay more. I occasionally got an outstanding quality show prospect for which I could get $1000 to $3000 from another show fanatic.
When I moved here I found that I missed having dogs underfoot, so I did my homework and ending up importing two high quality German Shepherds. Being highly particular in what I wanted, I ended up paying through the nose for them but I don't regret it! They turned into two super dogs, they are a joy to be with and look at. They are sound in both body and mind. I couldn't be happier.
I do occasionally produce a litter because we get so many requests for pups. I sell the pups for $600 no papers under spay/ neuter agreements or $2500 papered (that's what I paid for each dog not including the importation costs). Why $600? Strictly arbitrary. I figure $5 per month for 10 years = $600. Why $2500? That's what the best pups from these bloodlines and tested parents sell for around the world.
Now before everyone starts screaming at me, I'm no show dog snob. I also have a working Border Collie and 3 mix breed dogs that needed homes. Over the years I've done more than my share of rescuing dogs and educating would-be puppy mass producers.
Here in Hawaii breeders can get high prices for purebreds because puppies cannot be brought over from the mainland. One would have to know and trust a person in the UK or Australia/New Zealand in order to get a good quality puppy shipped here. Yes, you can get puppies over on Oahu, but what is coming in from Australia is really poor quality! By quality I don't only mean looks and confirmation, but also health and temperament. It's a shame.
Why do people pay hundreds of dollars for mix breeds? Because they want to, simple as that. They want a puppy of a certain size, color, shape, etc. And they are willing to pay. So that's why little Chihuahua mix pups are pricy, or farm dogs with 6 breeds in them sell. People want them. If people were not willing to pay, then these pups would be cheaper.....or not be bred in the first place!
Before moving to Hawaii I bred and showed dogs for 30 years. Most of my pups sold for between $250 and $350 because the general public wouldn't pay more. I occasionally got an outstanding quality show prospect for which I could get $1000 to $3000 from another show fanatic.
When I moved here I found that I missed having dogs underfoot, so I did my homework and ending up importing two high quality German Shepherds. Being highly particular in what I wanted, I ended up paying through the nose for them but I don't regret it! They turned into two super dogs, they are a joy to be with and look at. They are sound in both body and mind. I couldn't be happier.
I do occasionally produce a litter because we get so many requests for pups. I sell the pups for $600 no papers under spay/ neuter agreements or $2500 papered (that's what I paid for each dog not including the importation costs). Why $600? Strictly arbitrary. I figure $5 per month for 10 years = $600. Why $2500? That's what the best pups from these bloodlines and tested parents sell for around the world.
Now before everyone starts screaming at me, I'm no show dog snob. I also have a working Border Collie and 3 mix breed dogs that needed homes. Over the years I've done more than my share of rescuing dogs and educating would-be puppy mass producers.
Here in Hawaii breeders can get high prices for purebreds because puppies cannot be brought over from the mainland. One would have to know and trust a person in the UK or Australia/New Zealand in order to get a good quality puppy shipped here. Yes, you can get puppies over on Oahu, but what is coming in from Australia is really poor quality! By quality I don't only mean looks and confirmation, but also health and temperament. It's a shame.
Why do people pay hundreds of dollars for mix breeds? Because they want to, simple as that. They want a puppy of a certain size, color, shape, etc. And they are willing to pay. So that's why little Chihuahua mix pups are pricy, or farm dogs with 6 breeds in them sell. People want them. If people were not willing to pay, then these pups would be cheaper.....or not be bred in the first place!