Hi,

My friend is really interested in getting a Norfolk puppy, she's done tonnes or research and have spoken to various breeders from the breed club. She's got one question, which she doesn't feel brave enough to ask breeders overtime she talks to them. That is, how much does a Norfolk puppy cost? She doesn't want to ask breeders because she doesn't want to come across as insincere, but she just wants a round about figure so that she's prepared.

I can't directly answer your question, but understand how tricky it is asking what is rather important question. I went to see the breeder of my dog and chatted away to them for ages, but when I got home I realised I hadn't actually asked how much they were charging for a pup. I emailed them later and worded my request something along the lines of wanting to know, roughly, how much I would need to put aside to buy a puppy.

What she could do if she doesn't want to ask outright is to contact a committee member and say she's interested in the breed and she's currently saving but would like to know the rough price of one to make sure that the breeder isn't over charging for a pup from health tested parents.
Ask a few more questions like what tests are mandatory and what tests are recommended. Just to add something else to the email.

I think it is a perfectly reasonable question to ask politely, because many if not most pedigree (and 'special' crosses) go for more than what's left out of the average monthly wage, after mortgage / rent and other bills have gone out. I'd suggest that for the average family, an outlay in one go of (I'm guessing here) between £500 and £700 is somthing that needs planning and discussing. There should be no shame in saying, "I'm sorry, that's beyond what we can afford at the moment" and moving on.

If a breeder thinks this isn't a serious consideration, or takes offence, I would find another breeder.

> an outlay in one go of (I'm guessing here) between £500 and £700 is somthing that needs planning and discussing. There should be no shame in saying, "I'm sorry, that's beyond what we can afford at the moment" and moving on.<br />

I would expect a family to have been saving some time for the purchase of a puppy, and the figures quoted above are less than I'd expect to pay for a puppy from any breed from breeders who breed quality puppies to the breed standard health test etc.

I paid around 3/4's of my white collar office worker pay in 1988 for my first dog (£300) and currently my own breed sell for about the same proportionof my daughters similar job's salarywhich is around £1000 take home (£750).

With breeds with small litters like the Norfolk, I'd expect to pay somewhat more probably another 25%.

I would be surprised if they were much less than £1000.  I may be wrong.

I think I completely forgot to ask with my first ones, and phoned back 10 minutes later saying 'sorry, completely forgot to ask'. That's probably quite a good way to do it even if she does it on purpose - the breeder knows it's not the first thing on her mind, which is always something breeders seem to hate, and she's asked all the good questions first and they have started to get to know each other. And then your friend can just phone back and say 'by the way, I forgot to ask what the price was', thank the breeder, and hopefully then everyone knows what they need to. :-)

I'm not quibbling as to whether current prices charged for pedigree dogs are unreasonable or not, but every prospective buyer needs to know the cost at some point. I can understand a person doing all the other research first (e.g. would that breed suit their circumstances or not) I know a lot of dog owners who have been genuinely shocked by cost: not because they are ignorant or tight-fisted, but because they have owned long-living breeds and haven't had to think about the cost for 15+ years. In the last 10 years or so, more health tests have become routine and there is more expectation that people will be prepared to pay more.

Ideally, yes, a family would save up for as long as it takes, but they still need to know what sort of figure they are aiming for in the first place.

There are 3 litter currently advertised on champdogs. 1 doesn't have a price, one is £1000 & the other says £800-£1000...hope that gives you an idea

This is a perfectly logical question and whenever I have a puppy enquiry, (am happy to chat to people about my breed, even though I'm not breeding any more) I make a point of bringing up the subject at the end of the conversation. I agree with the other suggestion of asking a breed club secretary, they should be able to give a round about figure.

> one is £1000 & the other says £800-£1000...hope that gives you an idea <img title="wink" class="fsm fsm_wink" alt="" src="/images/epx.png" />

I wasn't far off then.

> I wasn't far off then.

Not at all

Thanks everyone :)