i have both read and heard of a few cases where breeders offer there pups at 2 diffrent prices. for example 500 pounds with papers or 350 with out papers.

how does this work, and why would someone want to do this?

As it only costs £12 to register a puppy, any breeder who charges more than that difference between the two should be asked why.

As to why it's done; some breeders don't register mismarked puppies, for example - others may have more sinister reasons.

Good breeders wouldn't so if you see it AVOID it like the plague :-)

some breeders withhold papers to try and make sure that only the best dogs from a line are bred from.If you are just looking for a pet then i think it is a good idea,to many pet quality dogs are bred from and this cant be good for a breed!!

oh i see.
so when the add says with papers 500, without papers 350 for example. it isnt a price for the same pup, but seperate prices for diffrent pups. the best examples  or breeding potential being more expensivee and with papers and the not so good examples but atill a pedigree dog for less with out papers.

Hi benjismum,

whether a puppy is obviously pet quality (say due to coat marking for eg) or whether it has clear potential as a possible show dog and thereafter for breeding on from, they ALL cost exactly the same to rear. 

While it's not unheard of for some successful breeders to charge more for a show quality puppy, their "pet quality" pups are likely to still be the average price of the breed and still come with KC registration (endorsed), contracts, puppy pack, life-time commitment by the breeder to be on hand for advice and if necessary return of the dog at any stage in it's life.

Regards, Teri :)

I think its an advert for the same pup. they dont care if its a good example of the breed or not-- they are simply making you pay more because you may make money in the future from breeding. This sort of breeder should be shot! i have seen many adverts eg. pug puppies-£600 pedigree but no kc papers or pay £950 for kc reg for same puppy. they can only be in it for the money surely??!!

>some breeders withhold papers to try and make sure that only the best dogs from a line are bred from

Good breeders simply endorse the registration papers of the puppies as "progeny not for registration".   I would be very suspicious of someone selling pups at two differing price points on the basis of one registered and the other not.   IMO it suggests that possibly everything is not quite above board.

>i think it is a good idea,to many pet quality dogs are bred from and this cant be good for a breed!!

Lack of papers or endorsed papers does not make a difference to whether a dog of any quality is bred from - both only ensure that the resulting progeny cannot be registered with the KC. 

Regards, Teri :)

i sold a pup last year for £200 less than the rest of the litter,  there was nothing wrong with the pup he was 1 of the best in the litter but a person down the road was looking for a pup and i was helping.  they are a very nice family but only had so much for a pup,  but they wanted to make sure that it was a full kc reg pup and i said for that you wont find a well breed dog for that. (there older dog was bought as a staff and turned out to be a cross) so when the pups came along and they fell in love with there pup i know i had found the best home for him.  i said they could have him for what they had but i will keep his papers and if they ever wanted to show him or use him at stud (after tests) then they can hav them if they make up the rest, so its not always a bad thing. 

Hi Natalie,

The situation you describe is not exactly representative of breeders who charge two different price points for pups.  Obviously if a genuinely experienced and caring breeder comes to a private arrangement in order to get a fabulous home for a well reared and healthy puppy that is quite different and clearly the best home is the main issue with any good breeder :)   However the two tier price system based on *with or without KC Reg* which is often seen advertised in certain papers is IMO something often done for quite different reasons and I would always recommend a puppy buyer of any breed to dismiss that breeder and look elsewhere.

As a generalisation, there's much to be said for "you get what you pay for" and as has already been addressed, registering a puppy costs a mere £12 so there is no legitimate need for a significant price difference and the option of endorsement is always with the breeder while in possession of the puppy.  Regards, Teri  

hi Teri
i know what your saying but i just wanted to point out that now all that have sold at diffrent prices are just out for money,  and thought i would also point out that it is done a lot in cats there is a pet price then a show price then a breeding price (queen) and if you are looking for a stud you will pay more again.  there is no diffrence as all kittens are sold with papers and have had both jabs and are all on the Gccf reg just some are on active and other are not

>and thought i would also point out that it is done a lot in cats there is a pet price then a show price then a >breeding price (queen) and if you are looking for a stud you will pay more again.  there is no diffrence as all >kittens are sold with papers and have had both jabs and are all on the Gccf reg just some are on active and other >are not

Yes, this is true -but quite a few breeders (although a lot depeds on breed) is now starting to do things the dog way (NO PUN INTENDED!!!!)  and charge one price for all kittens.  (Notably in Siamese it seems.) I've just changed my ways myself, last year. I used to base the price on the kitten's quality, regardless of whether it was to be a pet or show animal or what.  It took me 15 years to come to the conclusion LOL but I ended up with some potential buyers that were suitable owners but didn't want to pay a show price for a kitten they wouldn't show, so now I charge one pet price if that is what the kitten is to be, even if it is the best in the litter, and of course then it is non active.  A good few years ago I was "had" -a couple said they really REALLY only wanted a pet but couldn't afford the show price for what was the best kitten in the litter (of course, in my breeds, it is usually VERY obvious already at birth which will make the grade at shows and which will not -unlike in dogs!) -so I let them have the kitten at pet price. All of a sudden the couple then took an interest in showing and the kitten once adult got his title in 3 straight shows! Ooops. But really what harm was done, none really, he was still non active in a good home and it was lovely to see him on the show bench doing so well -and his owners became hooked on showing, started breeding (bought in other cats, not with mine as he was a neuter) and are now very successful and on the committee of the breed club!

I must say I did prefer the dog system when I finally had puppies to sell, it was a lot easier to just have one price. Espeially as in dogs it isn't ONLY looks that count -a dog that may not be good enough to be shown could go on to be very successful in obedience or agilty or whatever. :)

Marianne

yes i know a few breeders are now changing but sadly not in Maine coons or Ragdolls yet, i have seen a few other breeds selling pet and show at the same price but there breeding quenns still cost at least twice as much and studs more again,  i know why this is done but there are other ways to stop the over breeding of some breeds

Hi Staffy Lover  :-) what you did was a nice thing but not the normal and not something people would advertise as doing.

If people are advertising different prices offer some with papers and some without it is not a good sign.

That is what endorsements are for.

There has been a couple of posts recently about puppy prices. Is there a site where you can get an up to date average price of a breed? Is it best to ask the breed club secretary?

The breed clubs are definitely the best places to go for specific advice like that.