Hi,

I’m looking for a responsibly bred Miniature Schnauzer pup. But the only ones I can find are litters from Champion/title holders, which given the lineage are too expensive for me. The only other source I can find are from puppy farms, which is absolutely not an option. 

Anyone have any advice as to where I can buy a Miniature Schnauzer pup, who has been ethically and responsibly bred, but not for the purpose of breeding or showing? I have experience of the breed, have a lovely home and garden, work for myself, meaning so have plenty of time to spend with my new furry friend, and a lot of love to give.

I don’t show or breed dogs, but all the dogs I have bought over the years have been from breeders that are breeding for the show ring as they are the ones that are health and temperament testing and raising the puppies in the best possible way.
Yes they are expensive, but I’ve noticed that non health tested byb or puppy farms puppies are not far off the same price. I know what I would always go for and would save up in order to do so

If you can't afford 2 or 3 hundred more for a quality bred dog then perhaps you should rethink getting a pedigree dog or any dog.  They can be very expensive and I often hear owners say that they would take their pet to the vet but find the costs too prohibitive.  Pet insurance excesses of £100 per condition are the norm and each visit to the vet can costs upwards from £40 just for a consultation.  Must be so heartbreaking to need the vet but not be able to afford to go or afford the treatment.    See this from Sainsbury's Pet Insurance:

"The average lifetime cost of owning a dog today stands at around £16,900 and for a cat £17,200, according to research by Sainsbury's pet insurance. And it's set to get even more expensive. The average annual cost of owning a dog is currently £1,183. However, pet inflation will bump this up over its lifetime".

The initial upfront costs are nothing compared to the costs of owning.  Just saying.....

Thank you for the replies so far.  I think there are a number of assumptions being made about me, based on the responses I've received so far.  I've done my research, and am well aware of the cost of bringing up a pet dog.  I have every intention of paying for pet insurance. 

I'm simply surprised at the cost of some Miniature Schnauzer pups. 

Perhaps a Miniature Schnauzer breeder could tell me the general guide price of a pup from an ethical litter.  I'd be very interested in hearing back as to whether my budget expectations are in line with the going rate, or are unrealistic.  If I am being unrealistic, I will certainly continue saving/reconsider my preferred breed.

I wouldn't expect to pay much less than £1000.

I don't know the average price of.the breed but generally there is no difference between pet and show quality pups
.they both cost the same to care for and mum costs the same to.prepare and care for during and after pregnancy
. Very occasionally u may find a breeder who differentiates but  not often if well.bred.after all.its not a guarantee that any healthy pup will succeed in the ring

The only people who are breeding for "pet homes only" are the BYB, who are only interesting in making the money from the sale of the litter. The ethical breeders breed with quality in mind (type and temperament) to further their lines, possibly to keep one back themselves for the next generation in the ring. Each puppy within the litter costs the same to rear, so sell for the same price whether they are shown or not, but they have every chance of having a happy, healthy life which is what pet owners should be looking for when picking a puppy.

For an idea of why they cost so much, health testing of the parents costs hundreds, stud fee (in my breed is the same price of a puppy) and cost of travelling to the stud for mating, CHV jab, progesterone testing and scanning (for those who do it), whelping equipment, if needed an emergency c-section can cost upwards of £1,000, any time off work the breeder may need to stay home with the puppies, food for the litter and additional for dam, health checks for the litter, all the water and electricity used caring for pups... The list goes on, but actually when a litter has been carefully reared there isn't a lot of "profit" at the end for the breeder! Also remember miniature schnauzers don't have large litters.

Breeding responsibly is expensive.

I have a medium size breed that over the years averages 6 pups, and a litter will cost me around £2000 to produce, and that isn't adding in the extra heating washing etc.

Health testing is very expensive, as is travel to use the most suitable studs.

Interesting article here (research based conveniently on Miniature Schnauzer): "Discover the True Cost of Keeping a Dog in the UK"

> Perhaps a Miniature Schnauzer breeder could tell me the general guide price of a pup from an ethical litter.

You are best to contact the breed club/s who should be able to tel you the range of prices that are normal for a well bred puppy.

Even if you don't plan to have your new puppy as anything other than a pet, if you buy from a known reputable breeder who does, you'll have a puppy with all the benefits of the research, testing and rearing a good breeder will be giving her litters.   I'd want to buy from a breeder who is breeding only for their 'next generation'.    That should give you a good puppy with all the advantages of coming from such a breeder.   It would be rare for any breeder, of any breed, to have an entire litter that will become Champions (or can even be shown), so they will always have 'pet puppies' that need a good home.

Contact the relevant Breed Club where you are.