Purebred Puppies And Their Oh So High Price Tags

The price you end up paying for purebred puppies depends on several factors. One of the main factors is basic Economics 101 – supply and demand. If you are looking to purchase a very popular dog breed then chances are that you will pay a lot for your new puppy.

The price to get a new puppy can also vary depending on where you live, and what time of the year you are looking for a new puppy. If you are shopping for a new dog during the holiday season, the price can actually be higher than purchasing a dog at other times of the year – because there is an increase in demand around the holidays.

It will also depend on whether you are getting a pet quality pup or a show quality dog. The price difference can be as much as $500 for an eight week old pet quality puppy, to around $3000 for a show dog prospect of the same breed. The higher price tag is usually because that puppy came from a line of pedigree dogs and probably has a history of champions as well.

If you are considering a more mature puppy, about eight months to a year old, then the price can be significantly higher than $3000. Of course, these figures are for illustration only to show the huge difference between pets and show dogs – at least when it comes to price.

Are Smaller Purebred Puppies Less Expensive?

The price of a puppy really has nothing to do with its size. Many small breeds and toy breeds are quite expensive, usually because they are popular and in high demand. In many cases, because a breed is so popular, you have to put your name on a waiting list to reserve a puppy. Sometimes, a breeder has sold all their puppies before the litter is even born.

What About Male Versus Female Purebred Puppies?

In general, female puppies are less expensive than their male siblings. Unless she exhibits the potential to be a great show dog – then sorry brothers . This is because such a female puppy would be used as foundation stock for future breeding.

Many people mistakenly stay away from female dogs because they feel that they would have to deal with potential of caring for a litter of new born puppies. Growing up, that is the way my parents felt about dogs. As I grew older and started doing my own research, I realized this was simply not the case.

Since I advocate spaying and neutering as a part of responsible dog ownership, this is not a problem at all. So all my dogs have been females. As far as being good pets and companions, there is really no difference between male or female dogs.

Beware of Unscrupulous Breeders of Purebred Puppies

No matter what business you think of, there will always be people who are in it only to make money. Nothing else matters, and they will make money at all costs. The world of dog breeding is no different. These are the people you want to stay away from.

In deciding which type of puppy you want to purchase, take your time and do your research. Find a reputable breeder, and even then, do not rush and buy the first puppy you fall in love with. Remember, you are buying a dog who will hopefully spend the rest of her life with you.

And please do not forget about the mixed breed dogs out there. Especially those in shelters, just waiting for someone to take them home and love them.

There is nothing wrong with purebred puppies, if you are getting one for all the right reasons. But if adopting a mutt is in your future, hey, you will be saving some nice change .

Choosing a Family Dog is a series of articles discussing several things you need to know when deciding to bring a new dog or puppy into your family. Move on to the next article, Raising Two Puppies, or go back to the previous article, Mixed Breed Dogs or a Purebred Puppy.