How much is that doggy in the window?
 

I'm a bit ignorant on this subject but I was talking to my aunt who breeds Samoyeds and I asked her whats the going rate for one of her dogs that people would want to buy as a pet. SHe was like $800-$1,000. :shocked: After my near heart attack, she proceeded to inform me that of course those prices are for the "Top of the line" dogs, meaning purebred by a REPUTABLE BREEDER along with PAPERS. Papers has to do with the dog's registration with the American Kennel Club, thus allowing for a higher breeding fee. Derek and mine's Dachsund for example is purebred but doesnt have papers, so instead of paying $400 for him he only had to pay $150.

I paid 1,700 for my Jack Russell.
Crazy I know..but..I had to have him!!!

I'm sorry, and I know I'm going to ruffle some feathers here, but there are thousands of pets that need homes and it's a damn shame that people spend thousands on pets that are BRED to be sold. You mean to tell me that the Golden Retriever from the breeder is better than the one at the SPCA? Will it love your family more? I doubt it. And guess what? It will still pee & poop all over your yard, and possibly have health problems, and eat the garbage. :p

I got our Boxer through a rescue organization. He's purebred, but I don't have his papers. What the hell do I need them for? :shrug: He's not a show dog, he's our pet.

I see where you're coming from. But unfortunately some people font see it the way you do.

I agree. For all the animals out there on Death Row, whose only crime was that they merely came into existence, breeders and their outrageously priced products are minimizing their slim chances of survival.

It makes me weep.

If I were ruler of the world I would force all breeders to mandatorily work for one WHOLE year in a shelter, and be the ones actually transporting the condemned dogs and cats to their execution.

I have a feeling there'd be a lot less breeders and a lot less overflowing animal shelters then.

Sasja

I run into this problem many times throughout each day. :laugh:

Hey, at least there are people like you that like to shake things up once in awhile. :thumbsup:

it is sad to think of all the wonderful animals that get put to sleep simply because no one wants them. i got my cat from a shelter about 4 1/2 years ago, and he's been perfect ever since. he's my little man, and loves everybody! he has the cutest little personality, and he's a major talker. it's awful to think that he could have been put to sleep had i not gone there!

I love you Paula. :xoxo:

I agree completely. Of course you don't attain much status, by not spending $1700 on him.:blob2: :wavey:

oddly enough, we just has this same exact discussion in my office over lunch, not 30 minutes ago. one of my co-worker's nieces is buying a pure-bred maltese . . .she's not going to show the dog or anything, so i don't know why she wouldn't go get one from the shelter. my shih tzu is purebred and i got him from a shelter. of course, he only has one eye, but whatever! it makes him special to me. i get so upset every time i think about all those poor pets waiting to be adopted. i know if i ever have enough money to get a larger home, i'm going to be that crazy cat/dog lady in the neighbourhood. it's going to make grey gardens look tame.

agreed. breeders piss me off immeasurably. all of my pets throughout my life have been rescues and all of my future pets will be, too. i don't need some sickly inbred purebred that's going to end up with hip dysplasia by the time it's 10.

Add my name to those agreeing with Paula...I've only had one pure-bred dog in my life - a Golden (but it was the runt, we therefore got it way cheap) and it was dumb as a box of hair....lol...we still loved it and it us...but I can't fathom spending even more than $200 on a dog.

My family has gotten the rest of its pets from the shelter...and that's where I found Clancy.

You shouldn't talk about Michelle like that. It's not her fault she's from Kentucky. :shrug:

And where is Strand? I fully expected to see photos of his prize winners in this thread by now. :p He's probably still celebrating the holidays in some warm exotic gay beachy way.

I showed both of my dogs and they are champions.

I bought them from a reputable breeder for the following reasons:

1. She can trace the family trees back to like 1990.

2. She breeds for quality and health - not appearance.

3. Dogs from puppy mills are very prone to illness and defects because they are bred to anything without care or regard to heath and quality.

As for the AKC, it is important, but it in no way assures the dogs are bred for quality or health.

I think all dogs should be fixed if they are not to breed and I think it is important to consider the pound dogs first. Having said that, many dogs from rescues and pounds have problems (physical and emotional) -- so they are not for everyone, etc.

Finally, my Scotties new puppies will likely go for $2,000 a puppy.