| To my surprise (somewhat) upon entering the dog | | | | has 2 puppies. Or worse, the mother dies and the |
| world, people apparently have an issue with selling | | | | puppies need to be hand raised and fed every 2 |
| dogs. I don't know about your local Craigslist, but my | | | | hours for 2 weeks. To break even, these would |
| local Craigslist has over-zealous, self righteous pet | | | | basically need to be 3000 dollar dogs. |
| flaggers. And while it is a stupid, albeit entertaining | | | | So arguably, why would anybody be crazy enough to |
| past time, I enjoy visiting Craigslist and looking at all | | | | be a truly good dog breeder and why should we buy |
| of the puppies! And all of the flagging has really made | | | | from them? Because the puppies that are produced |
| CL a pathetic pet community. | | | | are guaranteed to be healthier. The genetic tests will |
| There is a time and puppy for buying a dog. I would | | | | limit the chances of the dog developing hereditary |
| refrain from purchasing a mixed breed dog as the | | | | disease. Some breeds like King Cavaliers have such |
| breeder probably haven't put the time and dedication | | | | pervasive genetic disease it is almost certain that |
| into getting health clearances, quality food, and | | | | they will have at least one of many genetic problems. |
| probably just decided to breed on a whim or | | | | It also guarantees that the dogs had the best start |
| accident. I definitely wouldn't pay over 300 dollars for | | | | at life and were properly taken care of. You get |
| a mixed breed puppy and god forbid over 1000 for a | | | | what you pay for. A properly priced puppy is the |
| so called "designer dog". I also wouldn't pay more | | | | best investment one can make; of course make sure |
| than say 400 for a pure bred puppy raised by | | | | the dog is worth the price. Most good breeders will |
| sub-par breeders nor would I pay exorbitant prices | | | | also have a contract that guarantees against any life |
| for puppies obviously bred for commercial gain | | | | threatening congenital disease. Also great breeders |
| (puppy mills/irresponsible breeders). | | | | help to perpetuate the proper breed type and |
| I would pay for a pure bred puppy bred by an | | | | personality. |
| experienced and conscientious breeder. Truthfully, | | | | Beware pet store puppies. No puppy sold from a pet |
| there aren't all that many out there, maybe 1/100. A | | | | store was bred by a conscientious breeder. The |
| great breeder only ever hopes to break even selling | | | | sellers at pet stores are completely willing to sell you |
| their puppies. They are lucky actually to break even. | | | | a sickly dog for exorbitant prices. They have no |
| Between the costs of finding good breeding stock | | | | qualms selling dogs with obvious physical defects for |
| dogs, vet costs, whelping costs, quality food, and | | | | over a thousand dollars. Pet store puppies are truly a |
| sleep deprivation, good dog breeders don't make | | | | poor investment. |
| money and do it all for the love. | | | | Don't get me wrong. While I would be willing to pay |
| Not helping breeders recoup the funds lovingly put | | | | up to $4000 dollars for an amazing dog, I would only |
| into your puppy to make sure it's as healthy as | | | | cough up that much dough if I were certain that this |
| possible, is a disservice to the hobby. If one were | | | | puppy is worth it. I mean, there is some basic |
| breeding a toy dog, costs would include $4000 in | | | | economics involved. People want puny dogs so they |
| stock dogs, genetic tests, hip x-rays (if needed), | | | | command a higher price, etc. Small dogs have more |
| good food, pre-pregnancy vet visit, pregnancy vet | | | | whelping expenses per pup; huge dogs cost more to |
| visits, possible emergency c-section at 2 am, possible | | | | raise and perform c-sections on. There is a purpose |
| pregnancy health crisis, puppy check up 1, worming | | | | to purchasing dogs and it is to guarantee that your |
| pups, 1st vaccines, whelping tools, puppy shot/worm | | | | dog will be as healthy as it could ever have been. |
| #2 and time. If all of those services and costs are | | | | And in the end whose business is it if people breed |
| added up (excluding time and energy which is a full | | | | or sell dogs, it is each of our choices to only buy or |
| time and exhausting job) the costs already weigh into | | | | breed the healthiest dogs or not. |
| the thousands. And now imagine that this litter only | | | | |