Just tonight, I'm chatting to a puppy owner of a non KC registered puppy, charged just shy of £1k, puppy is 6 weeks old, not microchipped, breeder had the puppy on two meals per day.  I'm helping with nutritional advice and will help report the breeder if necessary.  So tell me again how high prices equal a good home?!

How sad, breeder obviously didn't realise how hard work it is raising a litter and how much it can cost - so got rid of them early. 

Thank goodness they have your support - poor puppy and it's litter mates

We're dealing with the same at work; an unregistered pup, homes at 6 weeks, not microchipped, infested with fleas, not wormed, and owner was told to feed it twice a day. And again, a high price charged. These people see the prices advertised and think "I can make a lot of money from my bitch" and off they go, mating her to the nearest dog. High prices actually cause so much real suffering.

Another breeder is charging a slightly below-average price for her KC registered puppies to weed out the people who like to brag about how much their dog cost them!

Brag about how much the pup cost .fgs ! What is it with some people !! That is all so sad

On the same note, on the same group, another person is boasting they want to have puppies from their non-KC registered puppy soon, the bitch isn't even a year old.  It's all about the £ signs and people thinking they can make a quick profit out of their dogs, and the more prices stay unrealistically high, the more pups/dogs will suffer.

> and the more prices stay unrealistically high, the more pups/dogs will suffer.

It can only be hoped that demand will  come into play and dictate what happens with these inflated prices being seen right now.   Once reputable breeders get going again, there should be more 'supply' than demand.   As long as said 'reputable breeders' don't jump on the bandwagon re the prices being asked today! 

Our last litter were sold at £400 (in 1997) and priced according to the going rate for puppies of my breed.  And at that time, stud fees = the cost of one puppy too.   Our most recent buy in of the same breed (bought in 2010) cost £800 at 4 months, as a show potential.   Since then I've been watching prices ASKED for puppies in my breed gradually creep up to around £1200., before the Covid 19 lock down.

As always, the market will/should only support what people can pay.   Looking at the number of people trying to find a puppy right now, these prices should be maintained for quite some time yet.   We can only keep telling these people to WAIT!!   But again, we live in a 'get it now' society and there apparently are people with money enough to buy into what's going on.

Once people stop looking - this website will 'die', looking at the majority of questions here at the moment

It's actually illegal for pups to go to homes at 6wks now, so I hope these owners are reporting breeders to the police...

I've offered to help them report the breeders, but unfortunately, most people don't want to bother.  I've also helped a couple of people report ABS members recently, who were profiteering, but the KC didn't want to know, very disappointing.

> I've offered to help them report the breeders, but unfortunately, most people don't want to bother.

Had the same thing years ago with a relative got a labradoodle from a licenced breeder at 6 weeks old with the breeder claiming they were allowed to leave at that age. Told them they should report them to their lending council as it's against their licence but they didn't want to. They didn't see it as a problem so didn't want to report it.

I've been saying for years that having money does not equal a good home.  But some of the best homes I've seen don't earn much and could not afford the absurd prices going on at the moment.

I am not surprised. As long as the KC get their registration money, they are okay with whatever.

Met a lovely family as I came off the beach yesterday. They had a  a young Border Collie, beautiful and well behaved. They told me he was a farm bred dog and that they would be picking up a puppy in few weeks time from the same breeder. I cheekily asked how much they were paying, expecting to be told some outrageous sum of money. They are being charged £50  !! The farmer has said that good homes are more important than money. I didn't ask about registration but the parents were eye tested.

I couldn't agree more with this statement.

Having looked at pups recently, the prices are extreme and really putting me off at the moment :( After a very long wait (11years) I'm finally in a position all round to welcome a dog into the family but as you have said -  can't afford the crazy prices. That's not to say I can't afford the month to month financials for a dog though.

Anyone got a crystal ball and know when things may settle again????

> Anyone got a crystal ball and know when things may settle again??

Looking at ads in my area there are some litters now back to pre lockdown prices or nearer. French bulldogs, English bulldogs, dachshunds between 1500-2500, some other breeds 650-1000. Still plenty at the higher price though.

I'm just totally saddened and frustrated at a very recent experience my friend has had.  She has had a small breed (not sure if I can mention the breed) for years, and I have groomed her boy for over 13 years until he passed away a few months ago, and I know this family would make an excellent home for a good, well-bred dog.   So, I've helped her look for another dog now that she is ready.  I found a litter available for her, and gave her the details, from the kc find a puppy site, and she has enquired to find the cost, of the last puppy, to be £3000.  Now that is ridiculous since the average rate for 2019 was just over £1200.   What on earth constitutes such a rise in price?

>she has enquired to find the cost, of the last puppy, to be £3000.  Now that is ridiculous since the average rate for 2019 was just over £1200.   What on earth constitutes such a rise in price?

Covid extortionists, sadly. If she's prepared to wait a few months I'm sure prices will return to near normal.

obscene amount.  agree tell her to wait.   I think these very high prices will encourage a lot more back yard breeding and puppy farms. far too much profit in breeding a litter. lower prices would mean those only interested in money chose a different way of making it and get out of business of dog breeding

yes, that's what i was thinking and i know she'll wait, i just couldn't believe it really I suppose.

Oh she'll definitely wait, and she wont pay that, but I suppose I just feel angry that I felt I had directed her to a reasonably 'reputable' source for finding a pup and that was the outcome.  Also, I'm only used to buying larger breed pups and pretty much know what to expect to pay for my breed, so I thought maybe I was out of touch with the smaller ones lol!

Greed

Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum, having come across it in my search for a suitable child friendly puppy. I have to say, I’m simply astounded at the prices I’m seeing. Even on champdogs, breeders have really ramped up their prices. I used to see labrador pups on for between £850-£1600. Now the average seems to be about £2500. So yeah.....I’ll definitely be waiting for prices to stable or for a decent breeder to advertise their pups.

Just yesterday labs on here for £1750 and today a litter on for £2500. We are looking for a black boy to join our family after we lost our
14yr old boy in May. 
We have been speaking to some breeders about litters for next year but I am amazed at the price increase I have seen since we’ve been on here in less than a month!

Do working lines cost more than show, excuse my ignorance but when we were looking 14years ago none of this was around and we hit very, very lucky with an advert in our local pet shop!

whippets at £3000.  its complete madness and best to leave buying until this greed subsides.  its not a great time anyway as puppy socialisation is near impossible with social distancing,

its not really the difference between working and show its covid madness imo

I've seen crossbreeds for £4500 today. Total madness. At the same time the main rescue for my breed is now being inundated with puppies aged around 6 months as they are no longer wanted and the buyers discover that a) it was the wrong breed for them and they can't cope, and b) the breeders who so happily took their money are not at all interested now and will not take puppies back.

Doesn't that prove that these breeders are in it for the money not the dogs or they would take them back now . I get it can't be easy to check someone out  but maybe a bit more thought as to who the pups were being sold to could of helped too

No usually working lines tend to be slightly less than show lines but ball park figure is in and around £1k for a puppy. Too much more is a greeder taking advantage.
I don't have the breed but know breeders in working and show lines and asked them the average price

It's a bit of how long is a piece of string, I've seen some working lines advertised at £1200 prior to covid-19, which is above what I'd say the average was.

I thought prices would have calmed down by now, but today there are Cockers £3500. South Yorkshire is supposed to  be one of the poorer parts of England!

With child poverty, period poverty, poor wages and job losses being reported daily, it makes you wonder how puppy prices are so high.

At the start of 2020 you could pick up a show Cocker for £800-£1200.

15 years waiting here, I didn't want to take on a pup until I knew I could provide the best environment and I'm feeling really disheartened at the moment. I guess it's harder when you've waited so long and then you get your hopes up.

I’m on the same boat. But I absolutely refuse to pay the exorbitant prices being charged by sellers everywhere - byb / puppy farmers/ and even some “reputable” breeders on champdogs! Guess it’s just down to individual breeders - whether they’re greedy people out to make a profit or genuine upright individuals. From what I’ve come to understand, a lot of the actual reputable breeders have put off breeding their dogs / bitches till this crazy demand has settled down and there’s less chance of scamsters selling on their beloved pups to just about anybody for profit. Even though I’d really love to have a pup right now, I will not be entertaining profiteers out to make a fast buck.

Seen a post on a social media site that says many reputable breeders have put their prices up because people are buying normal priced pups and selling them on to make money, even when fully vetted which I can see is an issue in itself. I feel sorry for anyone who has a litter right now and where vetting people now has to be done

Personally, I think that’s a poor excuse, surely they will already have had interest from people wanting a puppy and they can still vet homes thoroughly, talk to prospective puppy owners and get a good idea of whether they are likely to be genuine. Also, sell under contract of sale to prevent this from happening. There are always going to be people who lie to try and get a puppy, so if you’re not 100% sure of someone, they don’t get a puppy, simple.

Regardless of contract of sale if someone has sold that puppy on its a whole ball ache to go to court to get it back.

People will lie through their teeth and think its a little naive to think that full vetting will negate this as it does happen no matter how thorough you are in vetting and not everyone has a full waiting list prior to a mating either

The very fact that a contract of sale is in place, and if you have had it checked by your solicitor, which I have, is going to put people off who think they might be able to get away with selling a pup on.  No, I'm not naive, there will be people who lie to try and get their hands on a pup, and I know not everyone has a full waiting list either, but if you are doing things well word of mouth soon gets round it shouldn't take long for waiting lists to form.  I don't do anything any better than other breeders who health test, look at things like EBVs, CoI, try and research a good stud dog etc, etc.  The last litter I had I had homes lined up for six pups, and ended up having to find five extra homes as she surprised me with an enormous litter.  Two went to friends who didn't pay full price, and one was given to a friend who helped with the whelping, and fortunately two lovely homes came forward for the last two.

seen 2 articles today one on bbc news about dogs being discarded now lockdown has been eased.
Rescues are already taking in more than usual and seeing more dumped
one vets practice has issued an article about the problems puppies that have been bought now are likely to suffer and things you can do to help improve their changing situation

Goldmali...£4,500 for a Mongral is outrageous, what is wrong with these people. Back in the eighties you could get a mongral for a fiver.
Back then I had Doberman’s pure breed,kC registered bred in family homes, fantastic temperament and if I can remember right they cost around£300-400. All lived long happy lives.
 
I retire In 3 years time and I am looking for a new puppy to join us in our retirement, but no way will I pay these extortionate prices. £900.00-£1000 is as much I would pay for a well bred puppy that’s been bred with love,care,and attention and I am prepared to wait for the right dog and if I cannot find the right breeder then I will do without.

I was reading an article in the news that bulk dog breeders ( puppy farms)Can’t sell their  puppy’s quick enough so they are selling them on to Laboratories for experimenting on...this is so cruel and shocking and I found this very upsetting. So they are asking extortionate prices but can’t sell them so they are selling on to Laboratories.
I saw another add with some blue Merle pugs...I think they were pugs or Boston terrier they had squashed faces and they looked deformed, the price started at £6,000 -£10,000 on some internet selling site. And what on earth are Jugs? Are they Mongral as well...I think they are priced at £3,500 and probably have a load of health issues, this is also sad.

And no..high puppy prices do not guarantee a good home. High puppy prices encourage over breeding, suffering and disappointed would be Dog Guardians.

Deposit taken then the sale should follow through as agreed.

Its up to breeders what they sell their pups for today and I can totally understand their dilemma (people selling their pup on for a profit) therefore, I would imagine many breeders are being forced to increase their prices as a consequence.

A Jug is a Jack Russell Terrier crossed with a Pug.

Silverleaf79...thanks for that,I thought a jug was something you put water in or liquid, but is another name for a Mongrel dog.
Don’t get me wrong, Mongrels can also be great companions but it’s sad that purebreds that have been with us a long time may become very rare in the near future because society are getting Mongrels pushed in their face at Extortionate prices.

I just don’t get how people think this pandemic is an opportunity to charge such exorbitant prices! Are they going “Thank God for this pandemic! It’s really putting some money in my pocket!”???
And I agree with Sleeping Lion regarding the poor excuse that breeders are charging high prices to dissuade scammers. I don’t buy it.

Browsing on that other website, I found a puppy Basset for £4000.   Yes really.   And not KC registered either.   I took the breeder to task asking why she felt her puppy (it was apparently the last one and only weeks old from the photo) was worth that much.   She wrote back saying 'special colour'.   It was a lemon/white, a recognised Basset colour and by no means 'special' and at that age, the puppies could be 'anything'.

The advertisement has now (this morning) been removed.   Whether or not she sold the last puppy or at what price, I don't know.

this is NOT me- I have just read this on a facebook whippet group I am on and am so disgusted...

I was due to take ownership of our new Whippet puppy in 4 weeks, but the breeder - having asked for and agreed £1600 - emailed last week to say she was auctioning the puppies with a starting bid of £2500. We are so disappointed, for us and the little pup, just horrid. So if any of you genuine whippet lovers have pups looking for a loving new home, please let me know

what a vile thing to do. words fail me

Just wanted to add that a yellow Lab litter appeared on here a few days ago for £3000 ☹️☹️☹️ Think it’s now been removed and don’t know if that’s because pups already sold. However have seen a new one listed at £1300 so hope people see the difference and the reason (greed) given all health tests done on both.

I almost got a Whippet three years ago and they were £500-£600. I saw a litter from the same breeder today charging £1500. They are still relatively inexpensive compared to other breeds.

I'd love my wages to have increased by the same margin over three years!

Malwhit, 4 years ago I charged £550 but the going rate this year, for decent well bred Whippet puppies is £800(this has gone up a bit more than I had expected, I have to admit), so £1500 is still profiteering in many decent breeders book.

Is anyone able to estimate what a reasonable price on a border collie pup is? The prices I'm being quoted by breeders (that came recommended including from this site) are much higher than I was anticipating. I'm not sure if it's covid pricing or if my expectations are just all wrong.

Undoubtedly it's Covid pricing...

Interestingly I have found most OTT prices are from puppy farmers, BYB & Pet Breeders. Young puppies were costing around the normal at the recent Skipton sales & ISDS puppies haven't increased much in price

I've seen someone on this site asking £1,000 a pup before COVID19 based on one of their dogs being a "Crufts"Obedience champion, on investigation turned out a dog they bred had won a YKC class( not the Obedience Championships)at Crufts a few years back !

Some KC only puppies have been at silly prices.

I personally wouldn't be looking to buy a puppy at the moment & there are some lovely dogs in breed rescues.

Scroll to the bottom of the page in this link...it may help..https://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeds/border-collie

Fully Health tested KC registered Border Collie pups were around the £800 to £1000 mark pre covid. Hope tha gives you some idea