Thanks lexy and satincollie - that's really useful! I'll hold out until the prices return to those sorts of figures I think.

Looking at Lab puppy prices on this site and even on that other site, it looks like prices are on the way to being normal again. Still way too high (2k plus) on that site but near normal levels on CD.

I was beginning to hope, too,  that Lab puppy prices were returning to the realms of sanity.

However, I have just seen, on this site, a litter (working lines) for sale at £3,500 per puppy.  A deposit of £1,500 required when choosing puppy at 6 weeks of age.

I'm lost for words.  Is this ever going to end?  I would like to think so and live in hope!

Don't know why I'm posting, really - sorry.  Just had to unload!    It's so sad ....   X

I saw that advert earlier as well, I don't know if they'll get that price, they are, of course, that 'rare' shade of red fox as well, which adds to the appeal for anyone who's got more money than sense.

I noted that the advert didn’t say “all puppies reserved/sold” within minutes of the advert being published like most other adverts - may be they really have priced themselves out of the market??

Hi Sleeping Lion

Actually the litter I refer to are all black puppies - it was a waiting list notification.  That means that there's more than one litter at this price if you've seen a litter of "rare fox reds" also for £3.5k lol !

I really, really hope they don't get their price.  Capitalism gone mad !!!

L Middleton - Yes, let's hope they've priced themselves out of the market, although the litter I saw has only just popped up on the "waiting list" notification..  It seems there's a way to go before sanity returns.  I really hope it will.  What a dreadful market and poor puppies being caught up in all this greed and the "I want a puppy NOW - at any cost" approach from prospective buyers who appear to have more money than sense.  Grim.

No way anyone with any sense should  encourage these resent high puppy prices. Anyone with any sense would steer clear.
If you are someone desperate for a puppy then my advice would be to wait. While people are willing to pay these high prices it’s just encouraging greed...
The price will drop if demand drops. It pays to wait. I mean someone could go ahead and pay £3,500 for a pup then in a few months time see the same breed puppy for £1,250... how disheartening would that be knowing you’ve been ripped off.
BIDE YOUR TIME.

We continue to see 'looking for a ******** puppy' on this website, so the demand is still there which means the supply will continue to come from BYBs et al, asking ridiculous prices.   Only earlier this week I see two Bassets, not puppies, on that website, for £2K.   They were KC registered, for a change, but one was a bitch and I just hope she doesn't end up being another breeding machine.   I don't think either was neutered and the male apparently went fast as he was only there for days.

The demand is definitely still there - all the breeders I’ve spoken to have had 50+ emails within 5 mins of posting the advert and inundated with calls. I think I’m on the waiting list for a puppy but haven’t heard anything confirming it, so not sure. Hopefully will hear something once the puppies are born. Fingers crossed!

Just checked on what I assume is ‘the’ site you’ve mentioned and see that top price for golden retrievers is now £3850.
One advert tells you that the reason for the high price is they are top quality dogs and have lots of champions in the pedigree. Admittedly the pups will be KC registered and the sire is health tested, I couldn’t see mention that mum was too. This, by the way, is for two dogs that have been mated with no idea if she has taken and that there will be any puppies at all

I am so disappointed for my daughters. We have been looking for a working cocker spaniel to join our family well before lock down and eventually after doing a lot of research, paid a deposit (£300) to a reputable breeder (advertising on this website) due a litter back at the end May/June. First Litter was too small for breeder to sell pups and she was then expecting another litter at the start of June, which we were happy to wait for due to breeders knowledge and apparent reputation. We were told on 21/6 we 100% had a lovely chocolate male pup due to collect in 8 weeks but due to COVID unable to visit thus would be provided with lots of updates via phone/video etc.
Things seem fine initially but I was always asking for updates and she kept putting me off with lots of reasons: busy/ill father/ill dog etc etc but by the pup being 6 weeks old us anticipating collection in around 2 weeks and having not seen any photos of pup/litter/mother or father I finally pressed her and said this was unacceptable and her response was to simply return by deposit! You can imagine my daughters' response - to be told your are getting a puppy then not-I felt so sorry for them!
We are devastated but suspect perhaps were never going to receive a pup in the first place or she has decided she can get more money (we were due to pay £1450 total) but given current prices I believe she may be able to demand a lot more and just wanted rid of us.
I suspect there will be a lot of people in similar situation despite believing you are going though a reputable breeder.

RosieQ
That is very disappointing and disheartening.You would think joining Champ Dogs would guarantee some peace of mind...but it just goes to prove that a persons word has no value anymore. I think your right in saying the breeder wanted more money knowing the high demand. It saddens me that some people can do this after taking your deposit and knowing that your family were so looking forward to getting a puppy.
You know sometimes in life we can get disappointed...but I believe we can learn from our disappointments. I myself have been let down by a breeder but I have learned so much from that experience.
I have been watching Advertisements on several websites selling puppy’s and dogs...and yes there are still greedy breeders but also I have noticed prices dropping. For example a Gentleman had Saluki pups for sale, both parents were his family pets and looked well loved and cared for. He was looking for good homes for the pups and wanted to vet potential owners. These were a one off litter as he said he wasn’t a business and wouldn’t be letting his dogs have another litter. He was asking £900 for the pups, both parents pedigree and both living in family home. He was advertising on free adds.
Keep looking I’m sure the right puppy is out there for your family somewhere...perhaps that breeder who let you down wasn’t meant to be, perhaps something better waiting
Best wishes.

I have definitely seen encouraging signs of greeders no longer being able to sell their pups at the inflated prices. I like to keep an eye on what goes on in my breeds so I get daily e-mails with ads for puppies for sale from a variety of websites. Every day now I get e-mails where the prices have been dropped from the original one advertised. They're still high, but it's the first time this year that I have seen lots of litters being reduced in price so hopefully this is an indication of people going back to work and no longer wanting to pay silly prices for puppies. Sadly there's of course also an increase of puppies in rescue......

Yes I look every day on several websites..not that I am looking to adopt at the moment but I have been concerned for the welfare of the dogs. There has been a fare few pups around 4 months old I believe been bought to sell on like £2,250 for a puppy below the age 5 months.
There’s a lot of dodgy adverts as well asking stupid prices for mix breed dogs like £3-4K I think some of these greedy con people try to test the prices by advertising very very high amounts. Like I said before it pays to wait. Genuine, caring breeders have held back as not to get pulled into this panic mode.

I'm a prospective owner rather than a breeder, but I agree entirely.

I've had this exact comment from a breeder we've been speaking to recently - they've upped their prices to ensure good homes.

Yes, you need a certain amount of money to look after a dog. Time and compassion only goes so far. But I'd argue it's the people who have the money to buy a dog on a whim that you need to be particularly wary of - and selling what would have been a £900 dog last year for £3,000 won't be enough to deter them. You could raise the prices well beyond the means of a normal dog owner and still fail to filter out some of the worst candidates. To put that into perspective, I saw a thing the other day saying that the average house price inside the M25 is now £475,00, which realistically means those with the space for a dog in a nice-ish area are probably paying £750,000. That's an almost unimaginable sum of money where I live in the depths of Somerset, but I know which is likely to be a better home for a dog.

I have had three Cavalier King Charles dogs .. each one was great a perfect family dog  .Sadly on Friday I lost my 13 year old Cavvy . I would love to buy a new one , some people say enjoy your retirement without a dog , But I want enjoy the friendship and the training , sadly with prices at £3500, I have 2nd thoughts on that sort of spending .. I have read your posts and I understand the reasons for these high prices and it can be due to 3rd parties selling them on for a massive profit . lets hope we get back to normal prices ,, Im in Liverpool if you have any litters soon ..

Thanks
B

The point is, a high price doesn't necessarily deter someone from selling on, or breeding against your wishes and so on, so high prices do not equal a good home, just like an ABS member doesn't mean they are definitely a good breeder, there are so many grey areas.  I'm sure if you hang on there will be the right pup, or even a rescue for you, there's a lot of people now rehoming dogs as they got them during lock down and realise they don't have the time, or want to make extra time now to look after a pet.

There is a silver lining to all this though: So many more people are turning to rescue and rescuing dogs instead of buying, simply due to the cost of puppies. Whilst rescues aren't for everyone, and some people need/want specific breeds, there are many more people who would have a super time with a rescue dog and perhaps this is the silver lining...

Breeding is a rewarding experience for those of us that choose to do it.  It must not be taken lightly when breeding is considered, it takes dedication, time and can be costly to the breeder for many reasons and not only financially.
It can be heartbreaking, it can be soul destroying and it can be exhausting but on top of that it can be amazing, exciting and enriching.
When breeding is undertaken its a huge commitment and can be a very expensive time for the breeder.  However if a breeder is breeding her bitch to make money it is for the wrong reason, no matter what breed of dog you have, choosing to breed should be done for the right reason for the good of the breed and temperament of the dogs - not too make a quick profit in 9 weeks.
Of course it nice to make a small profit for your hard work and dedication but not to line your pockets with gold.
Geographically prices will vary but not hugely. Health tests should be done in line with Kennel Club requirements but prices should still not be extortionate.
When looking for your puppy look at last years prices as a guide a small increase to allow for vet increases, chipping and Kennel Club charges increasing but overall we breed for the love of the dogs.  If your looking for a puppy and are unsure on the price range there are lots of forums for all breeds and people will always guide you to the right price bracket for your chosen breed .
Always, Always - I can not stress enough  - make sure you see mum and pups together interacting, playing and feeding if possible to ensure it is the mum and not just a random bitch put in with the pups, the bond will be obvious.
Ask the questions you want to ask in person. Don’t be afraid to ask the breeder anything as a good breeder will happily answer your questions.  After all as a breeder I will be asking my prospective puppy owners lots of questions, so ask in return, genuine breeders are happy to oblige and there are no questions off limit on either part or certainly shouldn’t be.

Never pay a deposit until you have visited the litter and are completely happy and confident that it’s right and you feel comfortable with the breeder.  Most breeders will ask for 20% deposit of the full price and the balance paid in cleared funds 48 hours before collection of puppy.  You should have a receipt for the deposit stating when balance is due.

As keen as you may be to have a beautiful puppy in your home make sure it’s the right type of dog, the right breeder, a genuine breeder, not a greedy breeder, check the prices in your area as an average !!
Paying a high price for your puppy could result in them becoming unobtainable.