The Cost Of A Puppy
What a Good Dog Should Cost
from the Teckel - Teller, August 1993
Newsletter of the No. California DC
The cost of a quality dog varies greatly between breeds. It is best to check with several breeders before buying. You will find, in general, that a certain price range is quoted for a pet or show prospect in that breed. Avoid any dogs priced far below the other prices quoted.
However, price is no guarantee of quality. Miserable specimens sometimes are priced high. The pedigree and the standing of the breeder will tell you how good your dog will be. But remember that there are very few bargains in the dogs and that you would have to be a great expert in order to find one.
A well-bred and properly cared for puppy is not cheap. This is because the sire and dam have had the finest of care all their lives. The brood bitch had had special attention during and after whelping, the puppies have had vitamins, minerals, milk, meat and all necessary shots and often a substantial stud fee is involved in the litter. This represents a considerable investment in every puppy sold by a responsible breeder. If you want a dog in which you can take pride and which will be a healthy, loving member of your family, saying: "I only want a pet" is no excuse for buying a cheap puppy from someone trying to make a fast dollar or paying far too much from some commercial establishment (pet store) which buys for little and marks up as much as 300%.
Never buy a puppy without reading the pedigree. Ask the breeder to explain it to you. And remember that the word "Champion" in a pedigree is like the word "Sterling" in sliver.
Responsible private breeders are experts, as compared with those who breed dogs only for money. They study bloodlines, breed carefully, resting dams a long time between litters, always trying to improve one generation over the last.
Because they want to produce the best possible puppies for themselves to show and breed, they take advantage o the vast knowledge available in planning and raising their litters. Thus, pups from a show home are likely to be superior.
However, since it is rare for all pups in a given litter to be show prospects (the breeder considers himself lucky to get two or three) the others are available as house pets......well-bred, stable, healthy, dependable house pets. They all have the same loving attention by an expert who does not spare work or expense during their formative weeks. They are not shunted from pillar to post but go directly from one secure, happy environment to their new home.
