Looking to buy a new dog

To my surprise (somewhat) upon entering the dog world, people apparently have an issue with selling dogs. I don't know about your local Craigslist, but my local Craigslist has over-zealous, self righteous pet flaggers. And while it is a stupid, albeit entertaining past time, I enjoy visiting Craigslist and looking at all of the puppies! And all of the flagging has really made CL a pathetic pet community.

There is a time and puppy for buying a dog. I would refrain from purchasing a mixed breed dog as the breeder probably haven't put the time and dedication into getting health clearances, quality food, and probably just decided to breed on a whim or accident. I definitely wouldn't pay over 300 dollars for a mixed breed puppy and god forbid over 1000 for a so called "designer dog". I also wouldn't pay more than say 400 for a pure bred puppy raised by sub-par breeders nor would I pay exorbitant prices for puppies obviously bred for commercial gain (puppy mills/irresponsible breeders).

I would pay for a pure bred puppy bred by an experienced and conscientious breeder. Truthfully, there aren't all that many out there, maybe 1/100. A great breeder only ever hopes to break even selling their puppies. They are lucky actually to break even. Between the costs of finding good breeding stock dogs, vet costs, whelping costs, quality food, and sleep deprivation, good dog breeders don't make money and do it all for the love.

Not helping breeders recoup the funds lovingly put into your puppy to make sure it's as healthy as possible, is a disservice to the hobby. If one were breeding a toy dog, costs would include $4000 in stock dogs, genetic tests, hip x-rays (if needed), good food, pre-pregnancy vet visit, pregnancy vet visits, possible emergency c-section at 2 am, possible pregnancy health crisis, puppy check up 1, worming pups, 1st vaccines, whelping tools, puppy shot/worm #2 and time. If all of those services and costs are added up (excluding time and energy which is a full time and exhausting job) the costs already weigh into the thousands. And now imagine that this litter only has 2 puppies. Or worse, the mother dies and the puppies need to be hand raised and fed every 2 hours for 2 weeks. To break even, these would basically need to be 3000 dollar dogs.

So arguably, why would anybody be crazy enough to be a truly good dog breeder and why should we buy from them? Because the puppies that are produced are guaranteed to be healthier. The genetic tests will limit the chances of the dog developing hereditary disease. Some breeds like King Cavaliers have such pervasive genetic disease it is almost certain that they will have at least one of many genetic problems. It also guarantees that the dogs had the best start at life and were properly taken care of. You get what you pay for. A properly priced puppy is the best investment one can make; of course make sure the dog is worth the price. Most good breeders will also have a contract that guarantees against any life threatening congenital disease. Also great breeders help to perpetuate the proper breed type and personality.

Beware pet store puppies. No puppy sold from a pet store was bred by a conscientious breeder. The sellers at pet stores are completely willing to sell you a sickly dog for exorbitant prices. They have no qualms selling dogs with obvious physical defects for over a thousand dollars. Pet store puppies are truly a poor investment.

Don't get me wrong. While I would be willing to pay up to $4000 dollars for an amazing dog, I would only cough up that much dough if I were certain that this puppy is worth it. I mean, there is some basic economics involved. People want puny dogs so they command a higher price, etc. Small dogs have more whelping expenses per pup; huge dogs cost more to raise and perform c-sections on. There is a purpose to purchasing dogs and it is to guarantee that your dog will be as healthy as it could ever have been. And in the end whose business is it if people breed or sell dogs, it is each of our choices to only buy or breed the healthiest dogs or not.