From $50 to $1500, puppies come with many different price tags. Some
may be given free, and others may exceed even this range. But where do
these figures come from?
Puppy sellers come in several categories. They include show breeders,
working and sporting dog breeders, puppy mill or commercial kennel
breeders, pet shop retailers, and backyard breeders.
Show breeders breed for correct type in accordance to the breed
standard., for size and proportion, front and rear angulation, straightness
and reach of gait, head type, pigment, and all the other traits important
to maintaining the breed according to the standard. Some of these traits
are important in the long-term health of the dog. Show breeders take
responsibility for certifying their males and females against problems
inherent to their breed. Their efforts help minimize inheritance of potential
problems by their puppies, which in turn will benefit the puppy buyer's
wallet.
Working and sporting dog breeders concentrate on working drives and
retaining strong instincts to perform the duties their dogs were originally
designed to do. These dogs are genetically predisposed to perform their
line of work whether it is herding, trailing prey, flushing birds from the
bush after long, energetic searches, or performing in the schutzhund
field. These dogs are not necessarily beauty contestants, for temperament
and workability are the priorities. Health is important, so they are also
screened for health problems according to breed.
The price of puppies from show, working, or sporting dog breeders are
higher than most newspaper classified ad puppies. These puppies come
generally come from parents that have achieved titles under the well-
trained eye of an unbiased judge. Certification of parents have been done in
an attempt to eliminate hereditary health problems such as hip dysplasia
in large breeds. Starting prices for these “blue-blooded” progeny begin at
$500 and may be more depending on breed, titles, or potential as a show
dog, working dog, or pet.
Working titles in their pedigrees may include TD or TDX for Tracking
Dog or Tracking Dog Excellent; HS, HI, or HX, the herding titles
awarded by the American Kennel Club; WD or WRD for Water Dog or
Water Rescue Dog from the Newfoundland Club of America; DPO I or
DPO II for police dog titles; Schutzhund I, II, or III, or other titles
that indicate a continuation of the dog's ability to do the work he was
originally bred to do.
Although these puppies sell for higher sums than others, their
temperaments should remain stable relative to the purpose of the titles
achieved by their parents and grandparents.
Breeders of show, working, and sporting dogs generally offer health
guarantees, an indication of a confident, well-considered breeding. The
passion these breeders have for their breed helps them continue their
journey to produce genetically sound dogs.
Puppy mills and commercial kennels are the main contributors to pet
shops. Their goal is to produce lots of puppies for profit. Puppies are a
commodity. Puppy mills may be raided by animal control for horrid,
deplorable conditions. Quality is not a top concern in this part of the
industry.
Puppies are often sold to pet stores at wholesale prices and resold to the
public at “show ” prices. The cost of overhead, especially mall rental
property requires the store owner to charge exorbitant prices for their
“products.” Compulsive buyers and the high degree of foot traffic
supports these establishments. Before making a financial and emotional
commitment, prospective buyers should contact the area's humane society
and Better Business Bureau for information.
Backyard breeders are the main contributors of puppies. This term applies
to all who breed with little knowledge of bloodlines, breed standard, or
proper temperament and structure. Their breeding animals are not screened
for potential inherent problems prevalent in the breed, nor are the dogs
proven under the well-educated eye of a judge in the show ring or at a
trial. Key phrases such as “champion bloodline,” “excellent bloodline,”
“German or European bloodline,” “oversized,” or “rare colors” are often
selling points in their ads. They have not taken the time, money, or
effort to insure anyone they are breeding better dogs than the next
advertisement in the paper.
“Rare colors,” advertised as unique, may be major faults according to the
breed standard and may be linked genetically to health problems.
“Excellent bloodline” is nothing more than a family tree if the breeder has
little or no knowledge about bloodlines. Many backyard breeders confess
that they are not breeding show dogs and don't subject themselves to the
show or performance breeders' rigorous attempts to eradicate health
problems or to maintain proper type or temperament.
Puppies are like children — they are all cute. But they do eventually
grow up to be adults. If you prefer a specific breed over a mutt, choose
a puppy with the potential to grow up healthy, properly-sized and
proportioned, and with the correct temperament distinctive to the breed
you have chosen for the family pet.
may be given free, and others may exceed even this range. But where do
these figures come from?
Puppy sellers come in several categories. They include show breeders,
working and sporting dog breeders, puppy mill or commercial kennel
breeders, pet shop retailers, and backyard breeders.
Show breeders breed for correct type in accordance to the breed
standard., for size and proportion, front and rear angulation, straightness
and reach of gait, head type, pigment, and all the other traits important
to maintaining the breed according to the standard. Some of these traits
are important in the long-term health of the dog. Show breeders take
responsibility for certifying their males and females against problems
inherent to their breed. Their efforts help minimize inheritance of potential
problems by their puppies, which in turn will benefit the puppy buyer's
wallet.
Working and sporting dog breeders concentrate on working drives and
retaining strong instincts to perform the duties their dogs were originally
designed to do. These dogs are genetically predisposed to perform their
line of work whether it is herding, trailing prey, flushing birds from the
bush after long, energetic searches, or performing in the schutzhund
field. These dogs are not necessarily beauty contestants, for temperament
and workability are the priorities. Health is important, so they are also
screened for health problems according to breed.
The price of puppies from show, working, or sporting dog breeders are
higher than most newspaper classified ad puppies. These puppies come
generally come from parents that have achieved titles under the well-
trained eye of an unbiased judge. Certification of parents have been done in
an attempt to eliminate hereditary health problems such as hip dysplasia
in large breeds. Starting prices for these “blue-blooded” progeny begin at
$500 and may be more depending on breed, titles, or potential as a show
dog, working dog, or pet.
Working titles in their pedigrees may include TD or TDX for Tracking
Dog or Tracking Dog Excellent; HS, HI, or HX, the herding titles
awarded by the American Kennel Club; WD or WRD for Water Dog or
Water Rescue Dog from the Newfoundland Club of America; DPO I or
DPO II for police dog titles; Schutzhund I, II, or III, or other titles
that indicate a continuation of the dog's ability to do the work he was
originally bred to do.
Although these puppies sell for higher sums than others, their
temperaments should remain stable relative to the purpose of the titles
achieved by their parents and grandparents.
Breeders of show, working, and sporting dogs generally offer health
guarantees, an indication of a confident, well-considered breeding. The
passion these breeders have for their breed helps them continue their
journey to produce genetically sound dogs.
Puppy mills and commercial kennels are the main contributors to pet
shops. Their goal is to produce lots of puppies for profit. Puppies are a
commodity. Puppy mills may be raided by animal control for horrid,
deplorable conditions. Quality is not a top concern in this part of the
industry.
Puppies are often sold to pet stores at wholesale prices and resold to the
public at “show ” prices. The cost of overhead, especially mall rental
property requires the store owner to charge exorbitant prices for their
“products.” Compulsive buyers and the high degree of foot traffic
supports these establishments. Before making a financial and emotional
commitment, prospective buyers should contact the area's humane society
and Better Business Bureau for information.
Backyard breeders are the main contributors of puppies. This term applies
to all who breed with little knowledge of bloodlines, breed standard, or
proper temperament and structure. Their breeding animals are not screened
for potential inherent problems prevalent in the breed, nor are the dogs
proven under the well-educated eye of a judge in the show ring or at a
trial. Key phrases such as “champion bloodline,” “excellent bloodline,”
“German or European bloodline,” “oversized,” or “rare colors” are often
selling points in their ads. They have not taken the time, money, or
effort to insure anyone they are breeding better dogs than the next
advertisement in the paper.
“Rare colors,” advertised as unique, may be major faults according to the
breed standard and may be linked genetically to health problems.
“Excellent bloodline” is nothing more than a family tree if the breeder has
little or no knowledge about bloodlines. Many backyard breeders confess
that they are not breeding show dogs and don't subject themselves to the
show or performance breeders' rigorous attempts to eradicate health
problems or to maintain proper type or temperament.
Puppies are like children — they are all cute. But they do eventually
grow up to be adults. If you prefer a specific breed over a mutt, choose
a puppy with the potential to grow up healthy, properly-sized and
proportioned, and with the correct temperament distinctive to the breed
you have chosen for the family pet.
