Hello,

I have put this on the breeding section as I would value some advice from those of you that breed.

We are hoping to buy either a puppy or a young dog who has been "run on" (Hope terminology is correct)  We have narrowed our choice down to a couple of breeds and will be visiting Crufts/Discover Dogs to help us decide. Our first dog was a crossbreed who adopted us and our second was a youngster who had been shown but didn't enjoy it.  She was offered to us via a third party who knew we were looking for this breed.  The cost for her was nominal and was mentioned casually straight away.

My question concerns the etiquette of inquiring what people are asking for their puppies.  I have looked at some of the adverts for litters on this site and some clearly state the price to be £X, others mention no price.  I now have an idea of what a rough cost will be but how do I ask about price if it is not stated and when should I raise the issue ?  I don't want to offend anyone by asking in the wrong way or giving the impression that this is my only consideration.  I am prepared to be asked many questions about our suitability and don't want to appear crass, or "vulgar" as my mother would put it, by asking about costs inappropriately.

How do you like people to approach this issue when discussing your puppies with a prospective buyer? 

Many thanks.

I don't at all mind people asking the price of my pups, but I am usually wary o anyone who asks this as the first question.

As Gwen has said it's perfectly reasonable to ask the price of a pup, but after you've asked all about it's family, their health and temperaments etc and explained why you want one. One line 'how much are your puppy' emails will get deleted by most people and if thats the first question you ask 'face to face' it can be very off putting. Let the breeders know that you're serious about a puppy first then ask how much they are :-)

I had a lovely e:mail a couple of days ago... asking loads of questions on my, as yet unconfirmed, litter... all the questions you would expect, and at the very end of the e-mail, a simple sentence... "And finally, can I ask the price of your pups"

It has to be asked, yet we all hate doing it.. but this, I think is a very simple and polite way of asking...

Verbally, it could be used in the same way... talk to your breeders, ask your questions, and then "finally, can I ask the price of your pups"  :-)

Thank you for your replies.  Perhaps I am worrying too much as experienced breeders will have a lot of experience of taking inquiries and sussing people out.  Maybe a feeling of rapport with a breeder whereby I felt relaxed enough to ask about price would be a good sign in itself.  I am still in touch with the breeder of our last dog and would like that sort of supportive relationship this time.

I was a little concerned that pricewise it might be like those scarily posh shops where there are no prices in the window on the grounds that if you have to ask the price you probably can't afford it.......... 

Just to add to what the others have said, all of which I agree with, my favourite enqiuries are those where the person starts off by telling me about themselves, any dog they already have or have had in the past, and explain why they are looking for a puppy.

Marrianne, how much time do you have.......................  Both dogs have been such a big part of my life.  Even managed to fit a couple of children in around them.

Seriously, am off to check "puppy fund" and repeat mantra "am not going to get dog until after Crufts".

As others have said, you obviously need to have some idea of the price of a puppy, but tell the breeder about yourself/situation/reason for choosing that breed first etc.

If I get an enquiry where first question is about price, I don't feel that comfortable with that person and they have to really then excel in all other communication before asking them to come and meet us in person.

Any one line emails just asking price get deleted straight away!

We did once have a family come and view our pups who had omitted to ask about the price and she was shocked when we told her - so now I always mention it before inviting anyone to visit.

I nearly forgot to ask the price at all !! Not because I have endless money and didnt care but got so invloved in talking completly forgot

I asked the price as i went out the door to get the cash to bring my baby home.  Did the same with the second one also.

i don't see why the price can't always be asked, not everyone knows what that particular breed might go for and if preparing for. I don't see any reason not to ask and prepare  The only reason i didn't ask was i had the money in the bank and had planned on a new addition for over a year.

I asked at the end of a long and rambling email where I described our current dogs and cats, the set up at home, questions about the breed & health tests that I wasn't sure of and finally - " Also if you could tell me a bit about the temperament of
the parents, how much a puppy would be and when they are available?". I'm not sure why they sold us a puppy after all that :-D

Ditto what Gwen said I try to dodge the people who ask how much first?  I have no problem in enquires asking if they have given a lot of info and seemed to have done their research on the breed.

Hi Verity

If finances are an issue (and let's face it, most of us need time to plan for big expenses) then I can see no harm in asking up front even just to get a ball park figure.  Most breeders will want an owner that has really thought things through and feel comfortable with a well phrased, sensible price based enquiry even before too much other conversation.

Imagine a scenario where a pup costs £900 but you had guessed it would be closer to £500 - you might need a bit more time to save.  You also need to factor in your extra expenses which might include insurance,  innoculations, wormer, bedding, crate, baby gates, training course, food etc. 

I would imagine that if you explained why you were asking for price first, ie to plan properly before meeting the breeder, most of the good ones would understand and reply.  Or at least I hope they would :)

That said I completely forgot to ask when I met my dogs breeder for the first time - we met several times after that and I still didn't ask - but luckily she told us before the mating and I had time to pick my husband up off the floor and get saving! :)

That may be your opinion but Verity would take a bit of a chance by asking, up front, the price of a puppy.

Despite the need to be reassured that the owner can afford to keep a dog for its lifetime, I too get a very bad feeling if this question is one of the first asked.

Hi , I am not a breeder , i just own a boxer pup who is now 10 months old. We bought our pup from a breeder in sheffield. But to find the perfect dog and breeder actually took us over 8 months. when we first started looking we was overwhelmed at the difference in cost some breeders were charging for thier litters. So we found a local boxer breed club within our area and started attending the classes each week and got talking to professional breeders who gave us advise on what the average cost of a boxer pup was and as we wanted to show the pup they also gave advise on what to look for in a pup from the ones the breeder suggested would suit us. After attending the classes they really gave us a ball park figure for what we would be expecting to pay for a pup with a good quality background. So then we know from this site who was our best breeders to contact for a pup. The club also guided us in the correct questions to ask such as health , and temprement and so on . In terms of cost of our pup to be honest that was the last thing we asked after speaking to the breeder numerous times and 2 visits to see the pup. It might help you if you can find a breed club close to you and then you can form relationships with breeders face to face. We found it very helpful :) xx

NatalieH Boxer Club  now would that Margaret  Wildman by any chance??? ;)

Hi Starryeys , yes :) x

I had to ring back to ask when I bought Henry, I'd totally forgotten to ask! :-p