Firstly, thanks to everyone who answered my questions regarding different breeds whilst I was researching for my pup. I've now settled on the idea of a Boston Terrier. The positive qualities far outweighed the problems relating to their eyes and noses.

Which brings me to my question. I've been doing lots of calling around and finally turned up a pup today.

She's a little girl, 3 weeks old, Kennel Club registered and with good parentage. She's probably no good for showing as she's got irregular markings on her back and one of her legs, but she appears healthy. She'll have been eye-tested before I can pick her up. She's being raised in a family home with other dogs and will have been nicely socialised...

The asking price is £700. Considering a couple of people known in Boston circles told me £450 was a "high" price, this does seem a little expensive, especially considering she's not "show quality". I also had a look around online and breeders outside of the UK are asking MUCH LESS (£300 approx., and these are breeders, not puppy-farms).

Given the apparent shortage of puppies in the UK, and especially bitches, does paying £700 for this pup seem reasonable? I'm happy to pay it, but I'm worried that I may be paying over the odds. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Hi there Bostons are not my breed but from what I have picked up from friends etc. £600 to £700 seems about average for a well bred Boston depending on Area and who the breeder is, £450 seems a little too cheap to me, I'm sure someone will come along with more knowledge of the breed to put you right. In Boxers when we tell people the price some say well I can get one from the local paper for £350 well usually they get what they pay for in the end a puppy of dubious breeding from parents who are not health tested, what annoys me is when you tell them why yours are priced higher they say well it doesn't matter it's only going to be a pet I'll have the cheap one.

"Only going to be a pet" is probably the one of the most important jobs a dog can do ;) and to do that job properly it needs excellent health and a sound temperament- ill health is not only expensive but causes so much heartbreak for many families.  I can't understand people who will buy a puppy which is not health tested because it is cheaper and only to be a pet!!    When will they learn?

that is the exact reason why i bought an exspensive cocker . i knew it had been tested and knew that the parents had good show history so i knew the breeders had there heart in the dogs they bred , now i bought a cheaper cocker to start out many years ago not knowing about tests and all that i ended up with a poor quailty dog which i loved and i was heart broken when she ended up having no knee caps and nothing could be done and all the other health problems to go with it  .be careful of dogs that are alot cheaper then other ones , i bought my first cocker no signs of any problems then at the age of 6 months she started bunny hopping .no one could ever of seen the problem at 8 weeks old or when the vet checked her over when she had her vax's. its cheaper to buy an exspensive healthy dog and be quite confident there wont be a problem , then buying a cheaper one who you wont be sure will .my first cocker was cheap to buy but the vets bills amounted to over the thousands :)

You can have a problem with any puppy you buy, the difference being in a pup from a good breeder who has done the best they can to see they are only breeding from health tested stock, any problem is unforeseen.

Agreed, any puppy can have problems, but a puppy from health tested parents should have less likelyhood of suffering from those problems which have been found to occur more often in that particular breed or only occur in that breed.