how much was your dog?

[anna_66]

Before I answer, I'd like to say, before I joined Pet Talk I never knew what a puppy mill was, or a backyard breeder. I was ignorant

That being said:
Angus, we paid $400 for. I guess you'd say we got him from a backyard breeder. They wanted $300 for all his other siblings, but since he was the pick of the litter they wanted more. We would have gladly given more, now knowing what a wonderful dog we have! There's no price we could put on him, he's given us so much in the last 11 1/2 years!

Roxey, well, she came from a pet store. We paid $600 for her. I wish like Wof_Q we would have researched the breed, and known all there is to know about the husky personality. But at the time we were in mourning of our Keisha & we seen Roxey's face & knew she was destined to be with us. She doesn't exactly fit our lifestyle, but I've made changes for her

Huney.....FREE! We'd never had a dog that wasn't a puppy, it really was a big difference for us. She came with her own baggage & her own mind. This was the first time we didn't have a part in the molding of one of our dogs. It has been fun though, a little weird at times, but fun none the less! I'd never part with my little Huney Bun!

I would just like to say, I don't think it matters if you buy from a breeder or adopt. All these dogs need our love. What's good for one isn't always what's good for another.

[lovemyshiba]

Very well said Anna. When we went for Kito, we had researched the breed, and decided we really wanted a Shiba. After much searching, we realized we probably couldn't get one (there aren't any breeders in the area). When we went to the dog show last summer, we saw a couple who were showing Shibas, talked to them, and they happened to have 2 for sale. End of story. We met them the following weekend, and brought our boy home. This was our first dog (I had dogs growing up, but he is MY dog), and we knew what we wanted.
I also didn't know about petfinder when we got Kito, or I probably would have searched there first.

I can't put a price on how much I love the dogs or how much love they give me in return--they are truly priceless.

[Cataholic]

Binx, who will be a registered AKC St. B, once I get the paperwork in order, was purchased, originally, from the breeder. You only need to look at the threds I posted here on the dog side recently to understand that the following:

Breeder = purebred='good' dog

is inaccurate, untrue, and meaningless to those of us that don't intend to either show, breed, or brag.

Fact is Binx came from a backyard breeder. His line, should I search it, probably has no 'champions' in it at all. ALL Binx is in 100% St. Bernard. Big deal. He has the health problems of the most 'common' mutt times ten. His comparison to the standard is sorely lacking, while his personality it tops. That is really more of a commentary on the breed, rather than the line.

Buy/get/adopt whatever you want. I personally feel that unless you are in comformation, and really involved in the breeding aspects, your pup should be spayed/nuetered. That you live with a doggie/kitty/pet of any kind is what matters. You are being caring, responsible, and hopefully educating the population about your pet.

[RubyMutt]

We got Ruby from the HS, so her adoption fee was only $90

[ozzlou]

hi all...

my greyhound- screwy louie's adoption fees were $250.
that included his initial vet bill for getting fixed, vaccinated,repair injuries and all that stuff after he retired fom the track.

their special needs hounds- seniors, health problems...at that time were available free to a home that already had a hound.

best money i ever spent.
ozzlou

[Tom&Pam]

When I met Tom, 22 years ago, he had 2 male dalmatians, Smokey, and Dandy. Smokey, was from a breeder, and Dandy was from the dog shelter. Smokey was fairly hyper, (and stayed that way until he was much older, when he was a total appreciative sweetheart), and Dandy, the younger of the 2 by a couple years, was very shy and skitterish, (who was raised in a cage for over a year, before coming to Tom, and later proved to be partially deaf). (Both had "papers".) Neither of us know their original costs. Both of them were priceless to us!
We paid $300-$400 each for our more recent dogs:
Tom & I have since, adopted 2 dalmatians from 'backyard breeders'. While we were searching for them, via newspaper ads, etc., we visited several 'undesirable backyard breeders'.
Somehow, if you meet the owners, and their other dogs; 'siblings' and 'parents', and feel good about the situation, you seem to know if the dogs have come from a good home', and are right for you.
We did join the Dalmatian Club, as we were considering breeding 'Sugar'. We sent for her papers and registered her official name, then took her to the nearest vet that did "Baer" hearing tests on dals, which was not close to home, (because dals have a fairly high incidence of deafness,) and we didn't want to breed deaf dogs. We eventually had her fixed as we could never set up a "mating" as she was not on 'our' schedule.
Buddy is the 4th great puppy in our married lives. We had to have Sugar put down last July. We have considered getting him a new playmate, and have considered all breeds, (especially smaller).
But if we get another, it will probably be a dal as we are 'stuck' on them.
We have gone to the local 'dal' rescue, but: Their requirements of filling out forms asks more information than we are willing to give in these times of "stolen identity", etc. (and we have had problems with this in the past.) Therefore, we will continue to seek the local shelters and newspaper ads, and possibly "buy another puppy" (not necessarily a dal).

[primabella]

Thanks for understanding everyone. And just so you guys know, I am not trying to put down the ones who are into rescueing. You guys are great for what you do and I am nto trying to separate us or anything. It's just that I sometimes feel out of place with Mickey. I was only ranting too and also angry for other reasons. (not relating to Mickey or dogs in general) I just had to let it out

I wanted a puppy. Having 2 older dogs that didn't really like other dogs, I didn't want to bring in an adult dog (3 times larger then them mind you) and risk them getting hurt....I thought they would get along better with a pup. Plus this was really *MY* first dog, and well, I was excited to get a puppy.

That is also another reason we choose breeder. I was afraid to mention it, but I can totally relate. My dad also thought it would be amazing to be growing up with our new puppy (and 1st) from the very start. And I would also love to rescue my future Sheltie. (I already know I'm getting another )

I would just like to say, I don't think it matters if you buy from a breeder or adopt. All these dogs need our love. What's good for one isn't always what's good for another.

Agreed 100%


WolfChan - Yes, I agree. Knowing I could meet the parents and have all the information on them certainly helps! It was also great to know the breeder was responsible enough to give me additional info on the breed, puppy training and their medical history. She also made us sign a contract swearing to never breed or show Mickey. We had to have him neuteured.

I understand both views to this and I just have to say I am sorry for maybe offending people or their dogs. All dogs are wonderful and they all need a home and some love.

That being said, I think we can return to the original point of the thread if that's okay with everyone.

[babolaypo65]

I researched breeds, and knew I wanted a scottish terrier (for many reasons). I signed up with a scotty rescue, and waited about six months. no scottys for me. (which is both sad, but good!)

Then I researched breeders and found a great one not too far from me. i think i paid 300.

Clive the cat was free. (he was homeless) and then cost about $1000 (lol, or sob out loud) in vet bills.

I wouldn't trade either one of them for anything in the world!

[cali]

I think it does not matter where you get your dog I got happy from a breeder, see, when you think about it if I did not get happy we would not have gotten into flyball, if we did not get into flyball my mom would not have rescued perky for her own flyball dog if we did not rescued perky we would not have rescued Ripley, and if happy did not end up a dud for flyball I would not have gotten misty the way I see it is its all one big chain, that is set out for you, shadow was the begining of our chain, reseaching her background got me into border collies, so 1 dog from a breeder led us to rescue 2 dogs, so they could find their forever home, perky ran a way from several homes before she found us, now she wont go anywhere, all our dogs have had a choice and they chose to stay here its just all part of a plan.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

$800.--

But it was way worth it. I talk about how she's a little terror all the time, but she's my baby.

[lute]

we payed 85$ for beanie at the shelter after my yorkie died. we payed 200$ for my yorkie....his breeders daughter was my best friend.....and i would come over all the time,and finally fell deeply in love with him.....he was 2 weeks old when i first saw him......finally when he was 7 weeks old.nobody wanted him because he was much bigger then any other yorkie anyone had ever seen.i took him....when he was 9 months old he weighed 15 lbs. he was not fat he was just a very big yorkie!

the 200$ was the most i have ever paid for a dog....i have had over 12 dogs in my life....and i found them either dumped somewhere,or in the newspaper,or from someone that didn't love them any longer.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Daisy, my golden was $500 and Molly, my collie, was $250.

[Cincy'sMom]

I have to agree with what many ihave said, it doesn't matter how or where or why you got your pet. What matters is how you care for it.

That being said I don't ever see myself going to a breeder for a purebred dog. There are excellent, responsible breeders out there and that is good. I hope that people who do wish to seek out a particular breed will use thsese people. I also know that all dogs, regardless of how they came to be, need homes. I can't fault any person for fallingin love with a "puppy mill" puppy...and that dog certainly deserves a greathome. I just don't think my particular interests need a specific breed of dog.

Sadie was free, from the brother of a friend of a friend. This person took her Sadie's purebred Dalmatian mom when her owner was going to put her down becuase she was pregnant. ( The family taking her in did not know this). They then gave away the puppies to friends.

Cincy was a "free lab mix puppies" ad in the paper. We had been thinking about getting Sadie a playmate, and had been looking at shelters/rescue groups, but just had not found what we were looking for. Cincy was on eth one that needed us, as she had many health problems when we got her.

Spot wast he only one of our 3 I paid for...he was $30 (although I gave them $40) They didn't even ask for the adoption fee went I went to get him (he was on borrowed time), but I gave themoney anyway. I don't normally "donate" to kill shleters, but Jessica, the girl there went out of her way to save Spot's life and if that money heled save even one more dog it was worth it

[gkristian]

We paid $500 for Foxy from a breeder

[marysmerrycats]

I have only read the first page of the thread so far, and I am not aiming this at anyone in particular. its just my opinion...

I think there are so many homeless dogs, that if you want a dog, you should go to the shelters and see what is available.. there are so many cute ones, would they really not be good enough?
after that, I would try a rescue group for a certain breed. I guess if you are a true dog lover, and really want a certain breed, there are legitimate breeders out there that are not in it just for the money. just remember, for every new dog that is born to breeders, a homeless one stays in the shelter.

I wonder, do any of these breeders ever go to any shelters and see those dogs, do they ever donate money to them?
it is a difficult subject, because I also have certain breeds in mind that I would love to have someday, but..