They certainly were but with even those increasing would.that price some out that market leading to even more crossbreeds

Are the majority of Buyers/Breeders over 70?  Really - why would they be breeding other that for profit and would you seriously sell a Puppy to a 70 year old.  You must be aware that the majority of these Puppies will end up in Battersea or similar - YES?

What would be the reason you would not consider selling to a 70 year old?  I cannot think of a single thing.

I'd say a large proportion of dog owners are in this age bracket, it's having dogs that keeps them fit and active.

Many of this age are likely to face fewer life chamges in the lifetime of dog than many younger puppy buyers.

As a friend of mine discovered, younger owners can also die necessitating a dog needing to be re-homed.

Many younger owners _ace more changes in circumstances that could result in a responsible breeder needing to have a former pup back/re-home.

I'd say a large proportion of dog owners are in this age bracket, it's having dogs that keeps them fit and active.

Many of this age are likely to face fewer life chamges in the lifetime of dog than many younger puppy buyers.

As a friend of mine discovered, younger owners can also die necessitating a dog needing to be re-homed.

Many younger owners _ace more changes in circumstances that could result in a responsible breeder needing to have a former pup back/re-home.

Well said.

I find retired people often have the most time to raise a puppy well and spend time training.

> You must be aware that the majority of these Puppies will end up in Battersea or similar - YES?

Surely any breeder that considers themselves responsible would be taking back puppies/dogs if an owner of any age dies?

> Surely any breeder that considers themselves responsible would be taking back puppies/dogs if an owner of any age dies?

Yes, you are so right.

Hoggie....People can die at ANY age, not just 'old' people can be taken!!

My 20 page Puppy Pack Contract which is signed & dated by both parties, clearly states that I will take a puppy/dog back if peopl'e circumstances change at anytime during the animals lifetime. I have never had one new owner have the need to return either dog nor Puppy...I believe that this is partly because I do vetting of their present and expected future circumstances before they are even considered as suitable.  One of your Forum Grp also asked me why I would't sell a Puppy to a 70 year old?  All you supposed experienced experts out there should know the work & responsibility involved with a Puppy - or are you all not that experienced?  Why place a little life with someone who might not be able to deal with this responsibility working on the ratio that sooner rather than later (working out risk of said) they will have to be rehomed.  Can I remind you all that 're homing is also a terrible thing to do and something else I have been slated for even though the situation is that my older dogs are only 800yds from me at any one time..another flexible belief coming out in the wash

Yes I agree  re proportion of owners in this bracket - ADULT DOG owners not NEW PUPPY owners.  Who's rights are you putting first here?  The fact that the elderly owner will be kept fit & well or the Dog that will have to be rehomed?

I know many fit people over 70 & I repeat people can die or be taken at ANY age.

I think you have to take each situation, on it's own merit & not have a blanket 'ban' regarding age.

I think many prospective caring dog owners are now priced out. We are in our 50's, perfect environment, lots of friends with dogs and priced out today by a breeder.  Agreed to have a Labrador born in August and were informed today the there was a "price change". Our so longed puppy went up considerably in price to £2600. We are wealthy enough to afford a dog but not like this. Apart from the lack of seriousness from the breeder, this is the  current situation, prices now for some serious prospective owners are not acceptable. We will have, like lots of other potential owners to wait for better times. Maybe a long time. In this case we tried to re-assure the breeder about our love and care, about not intending to sell on the puppy, but sadly seemed only it was a matter of money.
We are very sad and upset and depressed, the whole family crying. But as you all say it is COVID, it is bad for lots of people and we can not complain.

>I know many fit people over 70 & I repeat people can die or be taken at ANY age

Very true. In fact younger people who commute to work each day are more likely to be involved in a road accident than a retired person. Plus, of course, illness can strike at any age. Another aspect to consider is that younger working people are more likely to have a change of circumstances (divorce, redundancy etc) that makes keeping their dog impossible; older retired people can often have a much more stable life.

We are in out 70s, my husband is 5 years older than myself.
We have 7 dogs, they motivate us daily and we all go out for good walks most days, we also do a lot of beating in the shooting season, the dogs share their duties on different days of each week. Sometimes 3 to 4 days each week.

We bred a litter of puppies 2.5 years ago, but first I consulted my vet and asked him what he thought of us keeping a couple of puppies at our age. Our vet was very positive, he has known us for about 30 years and knows how active we are.

Our dogs are not kennelled or caged for hours on end while we go out to work, (we are retired). Even on a shoot day the ones that are left at home have access to our covered back yard, we have a dog flap!
Hopefully they are enjoying a full family life with us as family members.

.

Older people are not stupid. We are far more likely to have made wills, and even without a will, I think that most who have been active in dogs will have arrangements in place for their four-footed dependents in the event of their death. When I was a hobby breeder - pre 1990 - my vet agreed to act on my behalf in the event of my death, but we did have rather closer relationships with our vets in those days. I decided to have not to have any more puppies after the age of 65, so my current show dog came to me as an adult. My wishes for the future of this one, and my 12 y.o. former Obed. & Working Trial hound, are known to the people who are closest to me, so there is no way that a general charity would ever need to become involved.
Having said that, I am a member of the Dogs Trust, and a supporter of our Breed Rescue, - from which I will probably end up either adopting or fostering my next adult dog!

That is vey sad. Most people in my breed are still charging a normal price of between £900 - £950. That is for puppies from fully health tested parents.

I have noticed I have got used to the high prices, a year ago a litter at £1200 a pup would have been considered a high price to me.

A few days ago I caught myself saying a local litter was "only" £1200. It's still a high price but compared to other liters it looks cheap!

As a prospective first time dog owner I'm really struggling with this at the moment. We have planned for a few years to get a puppy this year to make sure timing with work, children etc was right. Then Corona happened! We live in Guernsey so only have one local breeder of a breed that I don't think we would want.  Now we have travel restrictions in place which would certainly make visiting impossible and would mean a 2 week quarantine on returning with puppy nearly as impossible with my husbands work. There is a local, privately owned airline who have been operating a pet courier service to help locals in this predicament. We are so desperate for a dog now and this waiting is horrible. We have family members who have taken a puppy with only online viewing but I'm torn about this. I'm worried about looking for litters for the end of 2020/21 (in the hope that the restrictions are lifted) if there is a chance we would have to cancel if restrictions were then reapplied which would be heartbreaking. Any advice would be greatly received. If anyone had a crystal ball and could tell me when this will all be over then that would be even better!!

If you work with a Specialist hobby breeder, and can satisfy them as to your suitability, arrange to visit them to meet their dogs, and then go on their waiting list, then the rest is no great problem and can be worked around.

Such breeders will often have kept puppies longer due to holidays, or take pups back to board.

I have exported pups and had to keep them for up to 14 weeks, had to arrange extra vaccinations, blood tests etc.

In my case I only add the additional expenses, and a nominal £25 a week boarding fee for the period beyond 10 weeks of age. I have to add my breed is not in the silly price bracket, and still under 4 figures.

I would suggest considering breeds that are not popular, but truly rare. They tend to be bred by real enthusiasts.  Getting recomendations via a breed club is a starting point.

Google the Affix/Kennel name, it should come up with at least some show/Trial results, as the purpose of breeding should primarily be to further such activities, and maintain bloodlines.

YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR, AND CHOOSING A BREEDER, not a Puppy.

Once you find a breeder who does all the health testing, is knowledgeable about their breed, is able to explain theirbreasoning behind a planned litter, then the choice of suitable puppy can largely be left in their hands, based on the home your offering, and watching the pups characters develop.

>If anyone had a crystal ball and could tell me when this will all be over then that would be even better!!

When there's a vaccine, which will be some time between this autumn and spring next year. Not really that long to wait, in the lifetime of a dog...

I don’t know what country you are in, but I am in ireland and it’s impossible to find a dog at this time at a reasonable price. For example, I just moved into my own apartment, and I want a lab or golden retriever, pre covid they were €300-600 now some people are asking €2,500 for golden retrievers!! It’s insane

Same in most parts of the UK where the majority of members are . I think we are all hoping once the responsible breeders are able to breed again there will be some return to more usual prices

Andreu:  Rediculous Pricing:  I couldn't agree more that greedy breeders who have no thought for welfare have been predominant advertisers during the COVID situation.  It's the reason I slowed my breeding programme down from my last mating in March of this year.  I hope to start breeding again around November however on a 'normal' years pricing scale I think you may struggle to find a Labrador Puppy for 300 - 600 euro.  however 2,500 euro is insane - totally agree!  I do believe 'normal' pricing will return after the BYB charging these astronomical amounts have 'burnt out' any credability.  Hope you find the 'forever' puppy you would like.

Yeah, and I contacted one with goldens asking the price as he didn’t have it up, I replied insane to €2000 and he just mocked me that I couldn’t buy one for that price, then said “i could of sent them to london and they would of made £4000” after that, I would have never bought a pup from him. No words to describe him. Here in ireland, registered well bred pups, would have cost €500 or €750 at most, some unregistered labs were €280, just for pure pets. Don’t know how long I will have to wait to get a registered pup for €500

Andreu.  How rude was that breeder!!! Glad you didn't progress any further with his obvious disregard for the welfare of the puppies in question ie "sending them to Londomn for a higher price" definately a Back Yard Breeder! I can't comment on pricing of unregistered Pups as I have never had unregistered litters and I don't understand anyone who breeds without registration. I see you mentioned - just for pure pets - but reality is all dogs can have genetic health problems and an unhealthy pet is just as expensive to treat ie, working. agility or show type categories.  Breeders are becoming more & more aware of health testing (which is very expensive) these days and you really should check each litter has even the basics.  Something I have had to take on board very quickly and is still work in progress.  To be honest moving forward, I think you may find it difficult to buy a Puppy at 750 euro unless you try to deal with  people such as the rude BYB.  In my experience you are looking at £1200 - £1300 for a Labrador Puppy who meets the criteria from the UK mainland.  Hope this helps to manage your expectations...PS  there are advertising sites who don't allow pricing to be attached,

Well they weren’t bred for pure pets, that was probably just someone wanted a puppy from their family dogs so then they just sold the other pups. Well I found a breeder in Ireland on champ dogs that will have pups for €850, parents health checked and obviously registered. I am on his waiting list. Wished I had gotten a pup for €500 or less, I saw prices in the Uk and USA, they’re so much higher than irish prices. Guess irish people don’t want to pay as much of a high price than the us.

Andreu.  Well done!  Patience paid off for you! As a fellow 'Celt', we don't like to part with too much money!  Hope it all works out!

Yeah, I will have to see the pups to know if it’s what I really want. Thanks, all the best

This reply is 3 months down the line I know, but it reflects the state of the market that has been skewed by COVID.  Most breeders on here , even the good ones, are now asking high 4 figure sums.  £2500 for a lab seems to be the norm.  It's a sellers market.  It's easy to see why breeders are tempted, especially when these inflated prices are the norm & buyers seem to be queuing up to pay.  I will not be one of those buyers.

Makes me sad, if truly good breeders are jumping on the bandwagon.

There is the worry of course that if good breeders charge low prices they risk attracting buyers who will resell at a profit.

I suspect that all those who do not have to breed (breeding windows are time limited, with age for a first or last litter, availability of stud), are postponing breeding.

Good point.  I'd not even thought of those who may re-sell at profit!  Very sad.

There is the worry of course that if good breeders charge low prices they risk attracting buyers who will resell at a profit.

I agree with you Barbera, also, endorsements, contracts, K.C. Reg certificates, ped, any written agreement etc etc will sadly all go out the window (in the bin) as people can still make a profit with no paperwork whatsoever today unfortunately.

In light of the above, even reputable breeders are being forced to put their prices up now, but obviously prices will come back down again when more people decide to start breeding. its only a matter of time I guess.

Looking on one of the pet sales sites a search for litters under £950 brings up 21 pages (20 ads per page) but say 20 as most of the first page are either not real ads (scam warnings, missing posts) or not the real price. Where as at one point when I looked during the lockdown there was only like 3 pages before getting to thousand pounds. Mainly crosses, lurchers, Jack russles and collies but noticed some are for other breeds too. A lot of ads around the £600-750 mark.

So looks like some prices are starting to drop.

Brainless\ Jostockbridge\compassion:  CORONAVIRUS possinble affect in 2020
I totally agree with all of your comments re pricing of Puppies>  Could I just add that responsible breeders such as myself may be viewed as a non reputabe breeder simply because I have not bred during COVID and did not inflate pricing. ... those of us seem to be gaining terrible reputations for not taking advantage of Clients and damned if any BYB did,  Could we please re-evaluate what is a repuatble breeder and a greedy. money making, non commted breeder please?

"Could I just add that responsible breeders such as myself may be viewed as a non reputabe breeder simply because I have not bred during COVID and did not inflate pricing. ... those of us seem to be gaining terrible reputations"

I can't see how anyone can be viewed as non reputable simply for not taking the decision to breed during COVID. 2020 so far as been a CRAZY year

Not many people would consider a puppy farmer (sorry, commercial breeder) reputable, no matter how they try and dress is up now.

Depends on the reputation and trust built up with any new owner & an established recommended commercial breeder.

This continued attempt to justify a situation gets really boring after a while don't you think?

Very true but the ignore option is really useful, no pms & no having to plough through the rhetoric they spew out. It's particularly good for not seeing some people's ever changing stories & clear lack of knowledge & they never know

Yip the ignore button is very useful I've found.  You don't have to read anything you dislike, get bored with or hold prejudice with.

Ann R Smith/Tattiehead: Thread relates to CORONAVIRUS possible affect (finding pups new homes) in 2020:

chaumsong:  got the same belief re puppy farmer - oops (sorry commercial breeder) Thread relates to CORONAVIRUS.  Please feel free to start a new thread in line with CD rules

I don't read everything on this forum therefore, I have no idea of any arguments you guys may or may not have had on here, just wanted to make that clear, I have no interest in getting involved in other people's arguments, 'Peace to everyone'

Compassion:  I'm so grateful that no one else wants to cause problems but merely wants to participate - sorry just a bit defensive at the moment and kind thoughts to you