Price of puppies

[Last Visit]

Seriously, do they come wrapped in gold these days, as it's been a while since I had a dog.

Have wanted a family dog for years but only now have the space for one as our extention and building wotk is finished so we have been looking at some pups such as cocker spaniels, cockerpoos, CKC spaniels. There are people asking 3.5k for a puppy and others aren't far off that figure. Wow. I mean just wow.

I wasn't expecting one to be £50 but even so.

Is this a coronavirus thing? How can anyone think that's reasonable!

My wife was messaging one breeder, huge deposit required and all based on a WhatsApp video 'tour' as you can't visit due to social distancing and lockdown etc. Good luck to the breeder but I'm out.

Are people taking the piss? Or is supply and demand really like this currently in the dog world.

I'm aware a dog shelter won't be charging such figures.

[Last Visit]

We most certainly would take care of a dog, we have given this a lot of thought.

My 9 yr old son is autistic and whilst we all want a dog as a family pet we are hoping he'll develops a good bond with the dog too, there is a significant school of thought that suggests a dog can be a great companion for those who are autistic. Obviously he wants a dog too.

This reason has slightly put us off a shelter dog, in that it would probably be older and we worry that the dog might have behavioural issues and not make a great pet or be good with him as he takes a while to trust any animal (some friends have dogs). Happy to be re-educated on this of course, I'm no expert.

[Last Visit]

Norgles said:

Thanks. I have loads but don’t want to derail the thread, just wanted to post a few to say that shelter dogs can be amazing and not to be put off by them.

That's certainly a lovely looking dog and lovely pics. We are ideally looking for something terrier or spaniel sized. Temperament and the ability for our son to be comfortable around it is the key thing.

I have visions (probably quite wrongly) of a rescue dog coming home and bounding about while my son runs off and hides.

[Last Visit]

moorx said:

Where in the country are you, as people may be able to recommend local rescue centres?

moorx said:

Suitable dogs/breeds will also depend on your lifestyle/working patterns, etc.

Indeed, I work from home mainly and my wife works shifts (nurse) amd also does some.work from home. Generally one of us is always here.

moorx said:

Would you consider an ex-racing greyhound? Yes, they are older, but they tend to be calm and quiet and are not high maintenance.

No I wouldn't. I don't doubt what you say but they are just not a breed I would want as a pet.

Edited by Last Visit on Sunday 28th June 17:44

[Last Visit]

Some helpful stuff, thanks all. Certainly some food for thought both in terms of what a rescue dog could offer (as well as the fact I like the idea of giving an unwanted dog a loving home) and pricing of puppies generally.

Although I mentioned cockerpoos in my OP, we aren't that set on a 'designer dog', as a child we had a cocker spaniel and I'd love another one but equally these seem to be priced high currently.

[Last Visit]

As the OP a quick update to say we are yet to get a dog. We did look for a few months and that was mainly rescue centres for a dog suitable for us but nothing as yet, although the past few months we haven't been as active looking as decided now we will wait until the new year.

I'll update with some pics of course when we do in the New Year/Spring.