I have been reading all the threads and at the moment there seems to be this issue that people have with the cost of a pedigree pup versus crossbreed or unregistered.  In my opinion this actual starting cost in comparison to the cost of actually keeping the dog / dogs in good health and looking after them over 12 + years is very small even if you buy the £1000 pup.

As an example I have laid out cost for our oldest GSD.
Purchase  £400
Food                                          £6*52= £312 per year MINIMUM  now aged 13 so thats £4056
Vet Innoculations/ Wormers  everyday things   £20 per year  now around £40 per year total     £ 400
Toys / Bedding equipment leads                £60 per year                                    £ 780
Misc there will always be this taking him out or Just because you love them  £80 per y        £1040     

Grand total  around  £6676

This would be a dog with perfect health though even in declining years but who has one of those? Also my table does not take into consideration insurance but even this may be of little use if they refuse to insure your dog afer a certian age that would add at least another £1000.

Now it comes to the illhealth costs

Year 1 = £0
Year2  = £60  peice of glass in paw need GA
Year3  = £200 ear infections reaccuring
Year4 =  £0
Year5  = £70  limp not sure of reason but do xrays
Year6  =  £50  finds new foxy friend ends up with mange aargh
Year 7=  £0
Year8 = £0
Year 9 = £330 growth in mouth thankfully nothing to worry about
Year 10 = £ 90  limping front paw glass again GA needed
Year 11 = £250  first sign of anal furunculosis treated but reaccurs
Year 12 = £600  Anal furuncolis back + now has arthritis
Year 13 = £1300 Estimate on average £50 a week spent controlling anal probs  plus arthritis and CDRM

Total Medical costs  £2950

Total dog own cost £ 9626

Actual cost non monetary Priceless he is my best friend and I will always love him. my Mum chose him for me and his litter brother for my brother she died within 2 years of purchase so he is my link to her.

Perhaps if people saw more than just the cost of puppy buying they may be brought to see the responsability.

Jane

By the way he is pet dog only so add on associated showing costs etc.

Got to agree I cant believe how many people make a fuss about the price of a dog usually quibbling over a £100 quid or so when they have no idea of what the costs will be for the future.  I paid £450 for my first dalmatian when everyone else was paying £300 because it was always at the back of my mind I would like to expand my family so I wanted a good quality dog with a good pedigree.  Long term this has paid dividends because although she is not good enough for showing she can certainly produce good puppies.

Paying more than other breeders charge doesn't always mean that you are getting the best of the breed though.  So I don't blame people enquiring.  Litters in my breed vary, I believe, from £650 to over £1,000.  I know that a lot of the £650 ones are from excellent breeding and from people who carry out the recommended health tests.  So I always think it's feesible that people ask the price of a pup beforehand.  You don't go out and buy a car or a house without knowing the price range first.

Hi Perrodeagua,

Similarly in our breed the top prices don't necessarily equate to the top pedigrees - prices on a lot of occasions seem to be more based on location within the UK as a whole.  I've heard of puppies from unproven lines selling for between £100 and £150 more than those from the best known breeders in the country who are using long term established lines for health and type.   I guess it's like everything that is a considered purchase in that purchasers should be looking at the bigger picture and not necessarily be swayed by price alone.

Regards, Teri :)