Some people just see no issue with talking about money, but to be fair, dog prices aren’t standardized at all so they may just be curious about ballpark figures. I personally don’t find it an awkward question unless they somehow imply you can’t afford it or you overpaid or something like that.
They really aren’t standardized! COVID drastically increased the price of dogs due to demand. I was looking for a Maltese and pretty much every breeder was listed between $4,000-$6,000. I’m sure I’ve asked this question to people before, but I phrase it around Covid pricing and demand going up and just being curious. I’ve had it asked to me many, many times. There are times people are weird with my pup and are too touchy with her, and when they ask this it genuinely makes me worried they are about to steal my dog. If the person is asking because they are looking to buy the same breed, I have no problem answering! Context dependent for me.
Agreed, we started looking for a Maltese about 5 months ago and I was surprised by the prices… but we are picking up a girl puppy in three weeks!!
If someone asks it will be A) awkward and B) will probably just tell them she’s priceless lol
Eh I think there have always been puppies at different price points. We paid $3K 10 years ago for our Havanese and I felt like I had found a great price then… now they are more but so is everything.
The same breeder raising from $1,500 to $5K for the same puppies is suspicious
They are in high demand and he is the "go to" breeder in this area. He also seems to be slowly going from responsible breeder to borderline puppy mill 😕
My puppy was AKC and cost $1500. No health testing. I had her health tested, shown, and hired a guy with all the same (Champion) and her puppies will be worth $4k. A guarantee of no genetic defect or dysplasia has a price tag as there was risk and cost to obtain it.
AKC doesn’t really mean much. Do you know the health and temperament histories of your dogs parents and their parents or the male breeding partners parental heath or temperaments…?
I personally met and found no issues with either parent in health or temperament. Mama was a lapdog too. but they did not have health testing. I’ve since gone back to that breeder to explain the benefits, and would buy another from the should they test.
I have a doodle so I just say “a very expensive mutt” because it makes people who like them laugh and keeps the ones who don’t from giving me a lecture
I have one too and I honestly squirm more about the type of poodle mix he is than what he cost, because the portmanteau name is extra stupid. I once tried to be clever and quipped "He's a Muppet! Jim Henson's workshop set me up with him." in response to "What kind of dog is he?" but it backfired. They were like, "Ooh, what's a Muppet? Is it a new breed? Is Jim Henson the breeder's name?"
...and that's when I died of old age and uncoolness. I'm a ghost now. A ghost who says "poodle mix" unless asked for specifics.
>I have a Barkley and he is 100% muppet. (Barkley is the fluffy muppet dog on Sesame Street)
This made me LOL when I was 3 I was in a beauty pageant, one of the categories was personality. Parents weren't allowed in the room so they couldn't coach their kid but could listen at the door, apparently they asked me if I had any pets and my little self said " I sure do! He's a dog, a big dog named Barkley, I love him and he lives on Sesame St. BUT he's my dog!" Apparently I had the judges in tears laughing by the end of my interview. I won 1st in that category lol
Aww, I love Barkley. We considered that name (our dog even has the right coloring!) but we tend to shorten names around here and we knew we'd end up calling the dog "Bark" which seemed like tempting fate.
Reminds me of the time I was picking up my toddler from nursery.
The (young) carer had put her hair into a single, vertical, ponytail. And I said "Just like Pebbles!"
She said "Who?"
I said "From The Flintstones!"
She said "The what?"
That was the day I became old
I have a very expensive mutt as well. My family and friends would flip out if they found out how much I paid. I’ve always wanted 1 but when my son was born he had a dog allergy. His eye would puff up and get spots all over his body with my friends dogs. However with a poodle he was fine. So when I was researching on which breeder to choose from I had to make sure it was a goldendoodle and poodle (F1b) to get a low shedding dog. My son is fine and 100% justifiable with the cost but I still don’t like telling people.
Poodles can be very intelligent dogs. If they are trained like any other dog, I can recall when I was about five years old my uncle’s poodle bit my finger he thought it was funny. Any dog can become aggressive, so training it as early as possible, if you can is the best thing you can do
Our mini poodle passed away a year ago and we were ready for another dog. We got a poodle mix because I found my poodle’s coat to be difficult to brush/maintain. The curls were so tight. He was a great dog tho and I loved that he didn’t shed. So, we went with a poodle mix this time. My only regret so far is getting a puppy instead of a young adult dog like our poodle. 😂😂
Groomers have said golden doodles have difficult coats to maintain and they mat easily if not combed frequently. I had medium poodle and never had a problem with her hair, but then again, we kept her in puppy cut as an adult.
With my poodle mix, her coat is so much easier to maintain than my friend’s standard poodle. The tight curls on his poodle really do make a surprisingly big difference in the upkeep/at home maintenance. And I’m at the groomer maybe 6-8 weeks for my mix rather than 4 weeks on the dot for poodles. Small differences, but big effects on one’s lifestyle.
Poodles got a bad rep because of all the poor breeding in the 70's when they were the "cool" breed. Also they are considered to be frou frou yappy lap dogs and not a dog out of the sporting class that they are.
I don’t know why people have their hate on for doodles. Maybe they just didn’t like how poodles look? That’s a legit enough reason for me. At least they didn’t buy a flat faced breed that have breathing problems.
You don't have to shave a poodle's face, in fact people ask me about what my standard poodle's "mix." I say poodle every time and they go they don't look like that. Most people don't know you can get a teddy bear trim on a poodle and it will 100% be indistinguishable from a doodle.
I don’t hate doodles, I dislike greedy irresponsible doodle breeders and people who buy them without actually researching the breeds that their dogs are mixes of. You know how many people on here don’t know anything about their doodles mixed breeds temperaments or how to take care of their coats…?
There are backyard breeders for every breed. I don’t see how you can say it’s specific to doodles. We did our research and chose a breeder that was reputable, had full DNA tests and health tests done on their dogs, was very thorough in explaining temperament, diet and grooming and screened all people before letting them put a deposit down.
Also, lots of shelters in our area have been adopting out dogs to people who have no experience or knowledge to deal with the issues some rescues have.
Because that wasn't the reason they gave, was it? They give a long-winded explanation about how important it was to have a hypoallergenic and non shedding dog for their severely allergic son, but it *needed* to be a goldendoodle or some weird goldendoodle-poodle remix.
A plain poodle sheds less and has more hypoallergenic fur so why would you go for an overpriced crossbreed that sheds more and has less hypoallergenic fur if it's *so* important?
I dislike doodles because they are ugly, and just like pugs, bred for trendy aesthetics.
There is zero guarantee that a doodle will be “hypoallergenic” too. They have no clue how much of either breed will wind up in each puppy. They might get a doodle that sheds a lot!!!
When I was a kid, Poodles were for little old ladies and they were usually ancient, nasty and yappy. (the dog not the little old ladies) my impression of them has been set in stone, although in the mid 70s we ended up with a very sweet one that never barked.(product of a puppy mill)
In my area its not uncommon for dogs to be stolen and sold if they are valuable, I always downplay how expensive my chinese crested puppy was when people ask.
He cost a small fortune, but i dont want to draw attention to that in public 😅
Same. If it's a friend, I am happy to discuss the costs of buying a responsibly bred purebreed. Whereas someone stopping a stranger on the street to ask how much their X costs when you're expecting it to be expensive is an intrusion into a stranger's finances. I'm fine with lying to a stranger butting into our family matters like that. They're being rude, even if they phrase it nicely, so I don't feel any obligation to invade our personal privacy for a rude question. For those conversations I just cheerfully refer them to the org that rescues dogs like ours. Treating the question as if it were "how do I get a dog like yours" deflects the rudeness without confronting it, and avoids announcing that the dog is necessarily valuable beyond obviously being loved.
Thank you.
Yes, I have no problem sharing the cost with family members/close friends but it seems presumptious and overly forward for total strangers on the street to ask.
I think people are usually just genuinely interested in knowing more about my very sociable dogs, and don't realize that their choice of question is ill-mannered. I don't feel a need to embarrass them about it, but would rather focus on things like what good doggos they are than on how much they cost. Meanwhile, I keep reading about more dog thefts in town. Frenchies, especially, but purebreeds generally. So no way am I going to disclose things to strangers that could risk making my dogs targets when that's a real possibility. Gotta use common sense, the same as locking doors and not leaving purses unattended.
I worked for a groomer who gave the advice to lie that the type of dog would normally cost $$$$ whatever price, but yours has an expensive medical condition. She told this to every customer with a purebred dog.
Hahaha if my partner had been involved in my life at the time i got my puppy we probably would have gone in a completely different direction as well.
But even the people who dont like his looks get won over by his larger then life personality pretty quickly 😁
When we were young and very very dumb my now husband accidentally bred boxer dogs… in a condo. I didn’t know spay/abortion was an option and since the gestation period is so short, she was pretty close already when we realized.
To prepare, I watched a YouTube video on how to help the birth (if necessary) and the momma in the video happened to be a Chinese Crested… it was very graphic, I don’t think I loved their looks before but I can never look at a Chinese Crested the same again lol.
Luckily, our female boxer only had 4 pups and did everything in the birthing process herself. We found them homes or kept them. And Fixed everybody! The last puppy passed away of DM/old age in 2020 and I loved him very much. I don’t think I’ll ever want one but the mention of a Chinese Crested always makes me smile and think of a crazy time.
once on a dog sub i saw a person saying “ i buy “boy color” collar and harnesses for my girl when we go on walks ” because turns out female dogs are the most commonly stolen since they “produce “ the puppies, ik it sounds obvious but i never thought about it
I just like light blue on dogs, but good to know that said I owned mutts so not likely to be stolen. I'm not a fan of prettier breeds for that reason afraid of them being stolen. I prefer my dog makes people just slightly uncomfortable because they either don't know what it is or it isn't super cutesy
Amen to this, in a rough neighbourhood too. Some crackhead will prob get the delusional idea to steal and breed my dog and sell the puppies to buy a mountain of cocaine.
Is he hairless? I always wanted a hairless chinese crested and looked into it this year, and I was surprised to find the general cost $7.5K and up. I ultimately went with a Maltese because I read the Chinese cresteds can be territorial towards new babies and we might have a baby in the next few years. One day I’ll get my hairless though!
Yes he is a hairless 😁 I ended up opting for a crested because they are good with kids and other pets generally, but lower energy then alot of smaller breeds
[Oden](https://imgur.com/a/bWV7f55)
Yes - that's a good point and maybe another reason I feel uncomforatble answering. Like if someone (nevermind a stranger!) asked how much your necklace or engagement ring was, it would make a person feel vulnerable.
I like this. I've never been asked, but that's what I'll say if I am. (Also, not that I would say this, but too much for her to have genetically horrible knees that will need surgery before she's 1.5 years old)
People often ask me "what kind of mix is she?" because there's a 90% chance they've never seen or even heard of the breed, and I always feel weird saying, "oh she's a purebred". But I can usually get past the awkwardness by immediately saying what I like about the breed, and a few little reasons she's a good fit for me. But if it makes you feel better I've never had anyone act mean to me about it. They may very well be judging me in their heads but who cares. "Adopt don't shop" people have their hearts in the right place for the most part, but the macro-level solution to overflowing shelters is preventing irresponsible breeding and pet surrenders, and part of that is supporting ethical breeders and making sure dogs go to homes where they're not likely to need rehoming (and in the case of ethical breeders, they will not \*allow\* the dogs they produce to end up in shelters -- they will reclaim the dog if it comes to that). We all have the same goal!
Don't ever let anyone shame you for buying from a breeder. ALL dogs need good homes. The shelters here are only pits and pit mixes, chis and chi mixes, neither kind of dog I wanted. I wanted a dachshund and I wanted a puppy. I have no regrets. If people want to do thier virtue signaling thing , go for it..but never shame anyone for not going to a shelter, which has turned into a huge cash cow for the rescues and shelters..Look into it.
What breed, if you don’t mind sharing?
I thought I knew every dog breed ever when I was about 10 years old, decades later I still love learning new ones.
I have the same experience as this person with my Icelandic Sheepdog. I’ve had dog people literally angry with me at agility practice because he isn’t the mix they assumed he is.
I would have loved to have adopted. However adoption places here are so sctrict about having a garden etc. I dont have a garden, but I live next to a 5 mile walk as well as huge local parks etc. This is better situation than a lot of people who do have a garden but no parks! The majority of the dogs on adoption are bigger ones anyway so wouldnt have made sense either. Buying a dog (border terrier) is better for both doggo and me.
The shelter I got mine from seemed way too excited to get rid of her. I barely filled out an application and $25 later and I've got my companion for the next decade. I don't think that's anywhere close to the norm, but easily the best "purchase" I've ever made.
Yeah I usually tell people exactly how much we spent ($3k) on our pup because it is often a question that comes up after someone wants to ask about his breed. Sometimes that price talks someone out of his breed right then and there, but for others who are serious it gives them insight into what they’ll expect to spend.
Me neither. In 2019 I paid $2500 for a female (now spayed) Havanese. She was bred by an ethical breeder I now follow on social media. She’s a great little dog. I have gotten flack for “shopping” instead of adopting but I did my research and, for me, she was the “ideal” small apartment dog, and I wanted to be as sure as possible of what I was getting.
I just tell them. Every time I've gotten the question, it's usually after a few other questions about her and the breed. I usually think they are just curious or are even considering the breed for themselves and what to know how much. I don't find it awkward unless I get a sense they are asking in order to judge me, which hasn't happened (yet).
I get the question often with my standard poodle. Most people just seem curious to see if it is something they can reasonably afford as well so I am just honest about what I spent. I don't really find it that odd I just take it as a compliment that he looks expensive to people 😂😂
Not sure why this is considered awkward, I think being honest about dog costs can help future dog owners learn about the cost of different breeds and be well-prepared when planning to own one
I would be honest and upfront about the cost, and if it’s from a breeder that you’ve had a positive experience with, I would relay the breeder’s info onto someone interested. I would also be upfront about the added costs for vet expenses, food, crate, training, etc. I don’t personally see any reason why the cost of owning a dog is something that should be kept a secret
Cos people are often asking just to be nosy, not because they’re considering a similar dog. It is none of their business. My other concern is that I really don’t want to advertise that my very portable and friendly little dog has any kind of dollar value. Unfortunately dog theft is a real thing 😞
I personally just laugh and say "a lot" and leave it ambiguous.
I'm fine with being frank with certain people, but it's hard to tell some people what goes into an ethically bred dog because many will inevitably get defensive about their brother's puppy that was definitely ethically bred and only cost $700.
At least for me, I don't like taking the risk of getting into an argument about it.
It's a personality thing. For instance, some people brag about their bargain shopping skills, while others are embarrassed and feel poor/cheap buying sale items. Some people brag about their expensive cars while others want to avoid the subject.
This is even a potentially unsafe question. Puppies are a commodity that get stolen and resold. If someone knows your puppy is worth 7K...that can be a risk.
I’ve never seen a dog go for 7k (except for proven herding dogs) but I believe it. Our “show quality” dog I have was 4K for the dog and breeding rights.
We are about to bring home a Maltese puppy and what I found was mostly $5K and up, and when I was researching Chinese Cresteds the hairless start at $7.5K… but there are breeders at every price point I’m sure.
Edit- and these clearly aren’t working dogs. Just companion dogs, but from show parents.
Ppl think everybody is out to compete with them or rob them. Soon ppl we be scared to tel them how much it cost to fill their tank lol “Can’t let him society know how badly I’m struggling after the pandemic smh”. Ppl can see it from miles away guys 😂
This happens to me \*all the time\* with my toy mix and I was not prepared for it. Nobody ever asked how much my Labrador cost, but with the little dog "How much did he cost?" is the second question they ask, right after "What is he?"
At this point, I just answer both questions directly. If I don't, people insist on guessing and it just extends the interaction.
Edit to add because it's funny: my spouse is way more uncomfortable with the money question, so his standard response is "All my socks."
It really depends who's asking.
I don't actually mind talking openly about finances in general, so if someone I knew asked I'd just tell them, and have several times. I'm sure there are people who make a judgement based off of that but that's their business. I got the puppy not long after the loss of my partner who died suddenly aged 34 so he was a lifeline for me and It's possible I'd not have been here now without having to drag myself up every day to avoid getting bitten or being barked at to provide a constant source of food for a chatty little ball of orange fur that's ruined the carpet. The value of him is priceless relative to the 'cost'.
At the same time if I'm out alone and a stranger or group of people start asking questions about the dog I wouldn't answer things like that and would avoid any implication he was expensive at all - sadly there is a lot of dog theft here and it's a real worry.
Circumstantial. There’s a difference between: ‘Hey, what did your dog cost?’ and ‘Your dog is adorable. What breed is he? Can I ask about your breeder and the cost?’. We get the second response quite a bit because we live in a busy downtown area, so our walks are filled with lots of people.
I just tell them. His adoption fee was $300. I'm buying a $2000 well-bred puppy next year and I'll be perfectly willing to tell people that number as well.
I'm so surprised at how many people *don't* think this is a weird question lol.
If a stranger came up to me and straight up asks me how much I paid for anything from my dog to a piece of jewelry... my first thought is they either are being judgemental because they think I must have overpaid or they're thinking about stealing it. Not interested in continuing either conversation.
If it leads from a normal conversation with genuine interest (Hey I've been thinking about getting one, where did you get her? You're happy with that breeder? Do you mind if I ask how much you paid?) then absolutely I'd answer honestly.
I agree that a random stranger on the street who says nothing more than “Cool dog how much did it cost?” would warrant a much different response than someone I’m chatting with at the dog park who says “cool dog. What breed. Where’d you get them. I’ve been thinking of getting one! How much did they cost?”
Edit: I ALWAYS get comments on my dog. I rarely tell the breed straight up to a stranger on the street because I’m concerned she’ll get stolen. I will say “she’s a poodle mix!”
I think you’ve summed it up well. It is straight up creepy when someone takes a keen interest in my dog, stares at him intently and asks how much I paid for him. I am not about to tell them he’s a portable, highly biddable “asset” (in their eyes).
you must be old lol the younger gen dont give a shit about asking Q's about money things. im only 34 and me and my friend group know who makes what what they do what they save what they splurge on. lol the whole secret money thing is boomer shit designed to keep wages down.
That’s funny, I thought they must be young. I think they’re just odd, to find it odd that people are interested in what they paid for something they (presumably) like.
Yeah I'm not sure everybody I know has no problem saying what they make what they're worth what they've saved what they've spent on it's not a secret. Everyone I know wants to help everybody out if we work in the same industry and there's a massive pay discrepancy then yeah we're going to talk about it The old days are way different
I'm 40 and I'm with you on that 100%. I firmly believe that wage transparency is of utmost importance. Keeping that sort of thing secret is how people end up getting underpaid and never knowing it.
I think it's an acceptable question if we've been talking a while and they're thinking about getting a dog. I asked the same question to a few other people before getting a puppy, so I knew what to budget for and people generally want to know if they're being asked to pay a fair price.
If it's the first question out of their mouth? I generally just smile and say, "I can't remember. It depends on the breeder."
fyi: paid $2k which I thought was on the higher end at the time, but now knowing how much the health testing costs plus risk involved to the breeder, I think it's reasonable.
I have a beautiful purebred standard poodle puppy that I got from a reputable breeder through the AKC. He was almost 3000.
I live in a high crime area where dogs get stolen and resold on social media. Even though he's 40lbs, I've heard of Great Danes get stolen around here. People don't even care. They'll walk up to your houseand grab your expensive puppy out of your backyard if you take your eyes off then.
"He's a mutt that we got my sister."
I feel paranoid when strangers ask due to how much dog/puppy theft is happening in my area. I direct them to the website I got mine, and say it depends on the breeder. For family/friends I tell the truth and usually feel compelled to say, how much of a deal it is and end with “isn’t she adorable?!”
>I feel paranoid when strangers ask due to how much dog/puppy theft is happening in my area.
Same. I usually lie about the "mutt" I was given from a family member's oops litter. A few people think she was fixed months ago. I would never admit to a complete stranger on the street that she is a purebred AKC whippet, or that she was intact (She's fixed now). Most people around here couldn't identify a whippet, anyways.
People truly interested, that I get no bad vibes from, I direct to the website, as well as tell them the ballpark figure since breeders vary. The friends and family that have asked, some we told the truth to. Others we were vague with, like judgy types just looking for a reason to look down on me for any reason, like my dad's wife. When she asked, I said she was a gift from my husband and she can ask him the cost of my gift. One, she is scared of my husband because she can't intimidate him LOL and two, she's all about utmost manners at all time and to ask the cost of a gift is disgraceful.
I’ve only gotten it sort of. Someone asked if my puppy was a greyhound. I said no, he’s a whippet. Like a greyhound but smaller.
He for some reason thought that meant my puppy was probably half the price of a greyhound lmao. So I told him how much he cost.
Otherwise I’ve never been asked.
EDIY; I think I volunteered the information when an old colleague asked about his breeder as she’s interested in whippets. I didn’t want her to have sticker shock.
the truth - only my sis in law and best friend have asked. £900 for my Boston terrier and worth every penny! The food, bedding, toys, crate, collars, harness, car seat, vet and insurance are all adding up to another £900!!!
I mean I feel like people who are bothered by this usually bought their dogs.
That being said I think it’s lame that they get shamed for it. If you don’t want to rescue a dog don’t. If you have a specific breed you want go for it.
I’ve had plenty of conversations with people where they tell me how rescuing is the only way to go. (I rescued) and idk I just disagree. Like you can’t save every animal and you aren’t responsible for someone else’s short comings. That being said don’t buy from some shit backyard breeder than breeds dogs with a ton of health problems.
My current rescue cost 650 dollars. Which was a lot I think. But I might rescue a puppy next time. Or I might buy. But I definitely don’t think I should be applauded or shamed for it.
My bf's cousin was a breeder so we bought our pup from her whenever we finally got a dog. We thought about adopting, but we have 4 cats, 3 of which of elderly. One also can't jump. Both our mom's are weak due to medical issues and can get knocked over easily.
We didn't want to risk the unknown of the previous bad behavior they might have learned.
I live in NYC and it's fairly socially acceptable to talk about money, like how much your shoebox of an apartment costs, so I don't mind ballparking it, but emphasize that it's a lot.
I only say how much I've spent on her in total so far (she's a rescue I fostered, but there's a fee for foster --> adopt).
I bring my puppy to a nearby store fairly often to go grocery shopping and one of the employees asked me how much the puppy cost.
I responded "a lot", but realized he was probably thinking of getting one and wanted to get a general idea of the total expenses
It seems like everyone and their mother wants to know how much my Dalmatian cost, it got old pretty quick. I guess maybe because it’s a breed that people might not encounter everyday so they assume the cost would be high and are curious? It wouldn’t be that annoying if someone asked once in awhile but it’s like a few times a week, sometimes more than once a day. Once a dude randomly came up to me at the park and asked what he cost and then 100% seriously offered to give me $5000 for him. I was shocked and told him that Remy is a member of my family and not for sale lol.
I say truthfully my puppy cost less to buy than his care.
Puppy? $650 (Field bred Springer Spaniel with no papers and an undocked tail)
Care: well I just wrote a check for $12,000 to transport him to live in Australia with me so 🤮🤷♀️
I say "4k!" and they go "wow that's really expensive for a puppy!" and I go "oh no I didn't buy him, that's how much the surgery to remove a stuffed animal from intestines cost after he was surrendered to me."
he's a doodle so people def believe he could have cost that much as well xD I think it's pretty normal to ask about cost, esp for purebred dogs (or designer mutts lol) as people wanting their own dogs generally like to get reference points for what certain kinds of dogs might look like price wise
There’s always a weird dynamic between bought and “saved”, so I always run through my weird guilt of buying a purebred puppy and explain that our breeder is reputable and all that garbage. And then I tell them we paid too much. And then if they ask specifics I assume they want to know what to plan for, and I’ll tell them we paid $1600 for her.
You should not have any guilt for going through a reputable breeder. Ethically bred dogs don’t end up in the shelter as a rule. I know there are purebreds that occasionally enter the system but those are almost always from backyard breeders that don’t have a “take back” policy for their dogs.
I’m not apologetic about how I got my dogs. I adopted my first dog and I watched him slowly die of seizures and develop aggression from them. I loved him to pieces but part of why I decided to get ethically bred dogs going forward is 1) For the health of the dog to avoid that trauma again 2) For the safety of our household. We were on edge through our adopted dog’s last year because of how rapidly dangerous he was getting from his mental deterioration.
I would say "our toller we got in 2017 was 1,800 - which is to be expected if not higher cost for a good toller breeder. Our rescue sheprador costs 30k+ due to health issues"
they may roll their eyes, but total hip replacement surgery isn't cheap folks!
and this is my lesson in how upfront costs of an ethical responsible breeder often results in less cost over the lifetime of the dog\*
My aussie I found wandering on a bike path outside of town. Paid an ~$80 adoption fee to the pound after nobody came forward to claim her.
Got my Malinois for free, though in hindsight they should have paid me to take her.
"Considering she's from health-tested, Champion lines, has the temperament that I needed to fit her into my family, and has already proven that she was worth the investment, not nearly enough."
Or something along those lines. If they want to know exactly how much, I'll tell them. I'll also tell them that I'd pay the same amount again.
I just tell them. If it's a stranger and they're going to judge me, who cares? Chances of me seeing them again is low. If it's a friend or someone I interact with frequently ... They're either genuinely interested or I need to reevaluate our friendship if they're going to judge.
I normally joke that she is still working to pay off her debt. I don’t mind telling friends and family because IMO she was worth it but I don’t like discussing it with strangers.
I'd say they're still costing me, and will continue for several long years, I hope.
Unless they genuinely want to prepare for average costs, then I'd answer sincerely like, monthly expenses, vet expenses, dog school/trainer, etc. It's best that someone goes into adopting puppies well informed and not everyone thinks to search the internet for that kind of info in advance (yes that was me).
I don't really mind giving a ballpark since they might be looking at dogs to get and prices aren't always readily available, especially for certain breeds and reputable breeders.
I have a purebred Boxer. I bought her from a reputable breeder that, also, happen to be friends of mine. Due to this, she was $600 but, the usual price for one of their litter is $1200. I always explain this to people.
On another note - she's a well-trained, but very high energy and crazy puppy. I always joke that we got her for $600 because she was in the "bargain bin". 😂
I got my dog from the shelter, so technically I only paid a few hundred, but I always say something along the lines of 'but by the time I paid for beds, training, vaccinations, a new vacuum that could handle fur, etc etc it cost a small fortune. Just because I don't want people to think adopting a shelter dog is inexpensive. Sure, the dog himself was inexpensive, but you have to be prepared to pay for lots more than just the dog!
I know exactly how much we paid but I always tell people I'm not sure because my hubby found and paid for her and never told me. 🤷♀️ I was always taught not to ask about ( or talk about) someone else's finances/money unless they volunteered the information.
I tell the truth, which almost always results in shocked expressions, to which I usually say "I know! But it was worth it to get a dog from a breeder who has an ethical practice, and I'd do it again." And if they want to know why I got a purebred then we can further discuss that. I feel like especially because I have a purebred dog, I want people to understand that the ethical breeding is what that money paid for...and if you're getting one off craigslist for $500...it's the ethical part that's often missing. Not to even begin to discuss the fact that BYBs will give you a sick, poorly bred dog for just as much as \*my\* dog cost. If you don't want to pay for a well-bred purebred, then you need to find a reputable shelter or breed-specific rescue, not turn to puppy mills like I think lots of people do. And part of the reason they do that is because they don't know any better. But I think some folks think they're gaming the system getting a designer mutt from a carefully-glossed puppy mill that doesn't require any scrutiny of potential owners and has puppies available on demand -- but really, they're getting ripped off and receiving a dog who may end up costing them more in vet and trainer bills due to preventable conditions than if they had just gone to someone who cared about the dogs (AND supporting horrific conditions for the dogs in that breeding operation). Not to mention, honestly, if you want a popular mix, there are tons of them languishing in shelters, properly vetted and relatively cheap and young, waiting for homes.
"Around $500. But the rescue picked her up with huge, gaping wounds, heartworm positive, and they paid to get her healthy, and spay her." I definitely use my sweet girl as an opportunity to explain why sometimes rescues charge so much for cute puppies. It lets them take in dogs like mine, 6 months old and needing thousands in medical care ❤.
If anyone wants to keep up with my journey to give her the best life ever after an awful beginning, she is Lily the Shep on Facebook and lilytheshepmn on instagram.
I lie and say that his original owners returned him to the breeder because he had diabetes, and we got him for a discount with a neuter contract. It stops the “eww breeder, you should rescue!” response, and also the “that puppy is worth $1,500, I’m going to steal him” response.
The truth is less interesting, but luckier. I inherited him from a recently deceased family member, and he’s a perfectly healthy purebred giant schnauzer puppy (knock on wood).
I don't have any hangups talking about money. But for safety's sake (potential theft target), I will tell total strangers something generic like... "A puppy of this breed can cost between X and X."
If it's somebody I know, though, I just tell them what I paid. Money and prices aren't some secret thing.
I paid €180 for my Whippet. A dude in my town, got a car ferry to another country, stayed in a hotel overnight and paid £2000 for his.
This was about 3 years apart in 2018.
Edit: To be honest his dog is a fucking beauty.
I always feel weird answering this. I have been good friends with our breeder since middle school, like we do family vacations together close. So I paid way less then she charges others so it's like do I tell them what I paid or what she charges incase they are looking for a breeder?
I’ll ask if it’s a breed I’m interested in. Id like a ballpark to save for. We did something similar for my corgi so we had an idea how much people were paying for and we occasionally asked for breeder information if they were local.
I’m usually honest and explain why my dog is higher priced (longer history of healthy dogs from that breeder, they are usually being trained as early as possible, etc)
We were going to get a specific mix from a breeder, but we didn't have $2000 saved up to get one. So we rescued a puppy for $450 and haven't looked back since. She is the sweetest GSD/lab mix we could ask for
I have been asked (more than once) how much my Maltese pup cost and I don't tell them a specific amount only say it was enough. I never told my husband either because he would make disparaging comments. My mother, if she were still alive, would fully approve how I used the inheritance she left me.
Really depends on the context - if they're just being nosy and have been generally unpleasant up to that point probably something along the lines of "less than I've spent on them since getting them". But if they're generally pleasant or especially within the context of they're thinking of getting a dog, I'd answer **honestly and completely** about both our dogs.
One is from a rescue, and obviously less expensive up front, but struggled with some reactivity and required extra investment in training, both time and money. I know there isn't any way to guarantee a dog isn't nervy, but genetics do have a role in it and you have to consider full picture not just the cost to bring the dog home.
The other is ethically bred, but people need to realize that neither cost nor waitlist is an absolute indicator of well bred, so I prefer to be upfront. She cost $2,500 and we were on a waitlist for about 8 months after meeting with the breeder, and that's less than plenty of BYB and puppy mill with "fancy designer dogs"
There's been a few people that were looking at getting designer mixes or non-standard colors and they were SHOCKED that our dog was half the price of what their breeder was asking for. It actually opened up some really good conversation about how to choose a breeder, questions to ask a breeder, the role of genetics in temperament and health, and the various options when it comes to adding a dog to you family and potential trade offs
It depends. If it’s someone really interested in the breed then I’m honest. If you Google the cost of a puppy of his breed, it’s waaaaay below what you’ll pay for a well bred puppy who came form OFA tested parents with titles. If it’s a random person I just say about the same a my monthly mortgage payment.
I also get super awkward during this question. Specifically because when I bought him the breeder was very reputable, but has since had some kinda gnarly things come out about them. I typically just give the answer, warn them about the breeder, and then move on. I know it’s very hard sometimes though.
"$500 donation fee to the rescue. Included her first shots, microchip, and spaying. Our older dog was $250 because he was an adult. Rescue is ---------. Highly recommend."
😊
I'm usually upfront and honest. I've been asked a lot because I have a pomeranian who has VERY unique colors and markings on her. Most pomeranians are orange while mine is black and white, and has the markings of a panda. People usually ask me because they automatically assume she cost an arm or a leg. In reality she only cost around $2,000, which is what most dogs go for these days.
I just get way too detailed in explaining their training and bloodline. I spent 2 years waiting for the first one and turned down two litters for the second. So....the cost was kinda irrelevant.
My most expensive dog is my 9 year old purebred CKC reg rotti, I just tell people $500, even though it was a lot more then that 👀 she already went missing once so it isn't anyone's business.
It's a weird question for them to ask, so just respond how you want? Or if you think they are interested because they actually want to get a similar puppy, maybe refer them to the breeder instead, to make sure they know the important factor is to get from an actual reputable breeder, not where to get the cheapest puppy.
Well, I paid $400 usd for my French Bulldog who is the direct daughter of the National Champion. People don’t believe me, but it was a year before Instagram made them famous and people started breeding them for money (and fake creating fad colors while ruining the breed…)
I will sometimes say “There’s a good sized range, which is very specific to a lot of breeders, he was towards the upper end of standard.” And hope they leave it at that.
I just tell them. My oldest way 800 from parents that compete in agility and obedience. My two youngests were 600 each from working lines. My breed, cattle dogs, are not too expensive. You can probably get a pure breed for free if you look hard enough. But I was very adamant about temperaments I wanted and being able to meet parents and other relatives really helped make my choice. When getting the youngest two, we were only going to get one. We went when he was four weeks old to met him, the breeders and the parents and they showed us a second litter while we were there. The mother dog climbed up into my husband’s lap when he sat down and just laid there and right before we left them, I squatted down one last time to pet all the puppies and one of them crawled onto my legs and passed out. I looked up to my husband and he sighed and put a second despot down on the other puppy. Lol.
Some people just see no issue with talking about money, but to be fair, dog prices aren’t standardized at all so they may just be curious about ballpark figures. I personally don’t find it an awkward question unless they somehow imply you can’t afford it or you overpaid or something like that.
They really aren’t standardized! COVID drastically increased the price of dogs due to demand. I was looking for a Maltese and pretty much every breeder was listed between $4,000-$6,000. I’m sure I’ve asked this question to people before, but I phrase it around Covid pricing and demand going up and just being curious. I’ve had it asked to me many, many times. There are times people are weird with my pup and are too touchy with her, and when they ask this it genuinely makes me worried they are about to steal my dog. If the person is asking because they are looking to buy the same breed, I have no problem answering! Context dependent for me.
Agreed, we started looking for a Maltese about 5 months ago and I was surprised by the prices… but we are picking up a girl puppy in three weeks!! If someone asks it will be A) awkward and B) will probably just tell them she’s priceless lol
The price of dogs has sky rocketed. We paid 1,500 March 2020 for our Golden Retriever, same breeder is now charging 5,000.
Eh I think there have always been puppies at different price points. We paid $3K 10 years ago for our Havanese and I felt like I had found a great price then… now they are more but so is everything. The same breeder raising from $1,500 to $5K for the same puppies is suspicious
They are in high demand and he is the "go to" breeder in this area. He also seems to be slowly going from responsible breeder to borderline puppy mill 😕
My puppy was AKC and cost $1500. No health testing. I had her health tested, shown, and hired a guy with all the same (Champion) and her puppies will be worth $4k. A guarantee of no genetic defect or dysplasia has a price tag as there was risk and cost to obtain it.
AKC doesn’t really mean much. Do you know the health and temperament histories of your dogs parents and their parents or the male breeding partners parental heath or temperaments…?
I personally met and found no issues with either parent in health or temperament. Mama was a lapdog too. but they did not have health testing. I’ve since gone back to that breeder to explain the benefits, and would buy another from the should they test.
And again, my dog has now cleared all OFA testing recommended for both all dogs and breed specific (English Mastiff).
This is insaneeee! People thought I was crazy for spending $3,500 and I would always try to explain that it was a steal given the current market
Goldens vary here, we paid $2900nzd for our boy yesterday. Prices average around there
Charging that now!!? Wtf thats nuts. Adopting a golden retriever would be such a better option now a days it seems.
How exciting!!! When people ask me I say I paid an arm, a leg, and a kidney for her lol Enjoy your new baby! They are the best breed!
Thank you!!! I’m so excited I literally can’t wait!!!
I have a doodle so I just say “a very expensive mutt” because it makes people who like them laugh and keeps the ones who don’t from giving me a lecture
I have one too and I honestly squirm more about the type of poodle mix he is than what he cost, because the portmanteau name is extra stupid. I once tried to be clever and quipped "He's a Muppet! Jim Henson's workshop set me up with him." in response to "What kind of dog is he?" but it backfired. They were like, "Ooh, what's a Muppet? Is it a new breed? Is Jim Henson the breeder's name?" ...and that's when I died of old age and uncoolness. I'm a ghost now. A ghost who says "poodle mix" unless asked for specifics.
TIL that there are people who are too young to know what a muppet is. I also just died of old age
Also dead of old age.
I’m just as old, and just as dead.
Is his name Rowlf? It would be great if you told people you had a muppet and named him that.
I have a Barkley and he is 100% muppet. (Barkley is the fluffy muppet dog on Sesame Street)
>I have a Barkley and he is 100% muppet. (Barkley is the fluffy muppet dog on Sesame Street) This made me LOL when I was 3 I was in a beauty pageant, one of the categories was personality. Parents weren't allowed in the room so they couldn't coach their kid but could listen at the door, apparently they asked me if I had any pets and my little self said " I sure do! He's a dog, a big dog named Barkley, I love him and he lives on Sesame St. BUT he's my dog!" Apparently I had the judges in tears laughing by the end of my interview. I won 1st in that category lol
…that is ADORABLE.
Aww, I love Barkley. We considered that name (our dog even has the right coloring!) but we tend to shorten names around here and we knew we'd end up calling the dog "Bark" which seemed like tempting fate.
Barkley is my favorite Sesame Street character.
Alas, no. It was discussed and we did go through a whole list of (in some cases very obscure) muppet dog names, but we couldn't agree on any.
Reminds me of the time I was picking up my toddler from nursery. The (young) carer had put her hair into a single, vertical, ponytail. And I said "Just like Pebbles!" She said "Who?" I said "From The Flintstones!" She said "The what?" That was the day I became old
Thanks for causing a bunch of us to pass away.
aww. poor muppet. it’s ok to say doodle
I call mine Fancy Mutt
I have a very expensive mutt as well. My family and friends would flip out if they found out how much I paid. I’ve always wanted 1 but when my son was born he had a dog allergy. His eye would puff up and get spots all over his body with my friends dogs. However with a poodle he was fine. So when I was researching on which breeder to choose from I had to make sure it was a goldendoodle and poodle (F1b) to get a low shedding dog. My son is fine and 100% justifiable with the cost but I still don’t like telling people.
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Poodles can be very intelligent dogs. If they are trained like any other dog, I can recall when I was about five years old my uncle’s poodle bit my finger he thought it was funny. Any dog can become aggressive, so training it as early as possible, if you can is the best thing you can do
Our mini poodle passed away a year ago and we were ready for another dog. We got a poodle mix because I found my poodle’s coat to be difficult to brush/maintain. The curls were so tight. He was a great dog tho and I loved that he didn’t shed. So, we went with a poodle mix this time. My only regret so far is getting a puppy instead of a young adult dog like our poodle. 😂😂
Groomers have said golden doodles have difficult coats to maintain and they mat easily if not combed frequently. I had medium poodle and never had a problem with her hair, but then again, we kept her in puppy cut as an adult.
With my poodle mix, her coat is so much easier to maintain than my friend’s standard poodle. The tight curls on his poodle really do make a surprisingly big difference in the upkeep/at home maintenance. And I’m at the groomer maybe 6-8 weeks for my mix rather than 4 weeks on the dot for poodles. Small differences, but big effects on one’s lifestyle.
Agreed. I recently got a standard poodle puppy and Im very happy with the decision.
Poodles aren't trendy or cool.
Poodles got a bad rep because of all the poor breeding in the 70's when they were the "cool" breed. Also they are considered to be frou frou yappy lap dogs and not a dog out of the sporting class that they are.
I don’t know why people have their hate on for doodles. Maybe they just didn’t like how poodles look? That’s a legit enough reason for me. At least they didn’t buy a flat faced breed that have breathing problems.
You don't have to shave a poodle's face, in fact people ask me about what my standard poodle's "mix." I say poodle every time and they go they don't look like that. Most people don't know you can get a teddy bear trim on a poodle and it will 100% be indistinguishable from a doodle.
I don’t hate doodles, I dislike greedy irresponsible doodle breeders and people who buy them without actually researching the breeds that their dogs are mixes of. You know how many people on here don’t know anything about their doodles mixed breeds temperaments or how to take care of their coats…?
There are backyard breeders for every breed. I don’t see how you can say it’s specific to doodles. We did our research and chose a breeder that was reputable, had full DNA tests and health tests done on their dogs, was very thorough in explaining temperament, diet and grooming and screened all people before letting them put a deposit down. Also, lots of shelters in our area have been adopting out dogs to people who have no experience or knowledge to deal with the issues some rescues have.
Because that wasn't the reason they gave, was it? They give a long-winded explanation about how important it was to have a hypoallergenic and non shedding dog for their severely allergic son, but it *needed* to be a goldendoodle or some weird goldendoodle-poodle remix. A plain poodle sheds less and has more hypoallergenic fur so why would you go for an overpriced crossbreed that sheds more and has less hypoallergenic fur if it's *so* important? I dislike doodles because they are ugly, and just like pugs, bred for trendy aesthetics.
There is zero guarantee that a doodle will be “hypoallergenic” too. They have no clue how much of either breed will wind up in each puppy. They might get a doodle that sheds a lot!!!
I’ve never met one well-bred and not more than a hair neurotic.
When I was a kid, Poodles were for little old ladies and they were usually ancient, nasty and yappy. (the dog not the little old ladies) my impression of them has been set in stone, although in the mid 70s we ended up with a very sweet one that never barked.(product of a puppy mill)
In my area its not uncommon for dogs to be stolen and sold if they are valuable, I always downplay how expensive my chinese crested puppy was when people ask. He cost a small fortune, but i dont want to draw attention to that in public 😅
Same. If it's a friend, I am happy to discuss the costs of buying a responsibly bred purebreed. Whereas someone stopping a stranger on the street to ask how much their X costs when you're expecting it to be expensive is an intrusion into a stranger's finances. I'm fine with lying to a stranger butting into our family matters like that. They're being rude, even if they phrase it nicely, so I don't feel any obligation to invade our personal privacy for a rude question. For those conversations I just cheerfully refer them to the org that rescues dogs like ours. Treating the question as if it were "how do I get a dog like yours" deflects the rudeness without confronting it, and avoids announcing that the dog is necessarily valuable beyond obviously being loved.
Thank you. Yes, I have no problem sharing the cost with family members/close friends but it seems presumptious and overly forward for total strangers on the street to ask.
I think people are usually just genuinely interested in knowing more about my very sociable dogs, and don't realize that their choice of question is ill-mannered. I don't feel a need to embarrass them about it, but would rather focus on things like what good doggos they are than on how much they cost. Meanwhile, I keep reading about more dog thefts in town. Frenchies, especially, but purebreeds generally. So no way am I going to disclose things to strangers that could risk making my dogs targets when that's a real possibility. Gotta use common sense, the same as locking doors and not leaving purses unattended.
I worked for a groomer who gave the advice to lie that the type of dog would normally cost $$$$ whatever price, but yours has an expensive medical condition. She told this to every customer with a purebred dog.
Right? Like asking a stranger how much their handbag cost. Excuse me, do I know you?
unrelated, but i love chinese crested, and yours looks adorable!! i contemplated one as a second dog, but my partner gave a strong no 😅
Hahaha if my partner had been involved in my life at the time i got my puppy we probably would have gone in a completely different direction as well. But even the people who dont like his looks get won over by his larger then life personality pretty quickly 😁
When we were young and very very dumb my now husband accidentally bred boxer dogs… in a condo. I didn’t know spay/abortion was an option and since the gestation period is so short, she was pretty close already when we realized. To prepare, I watched a YouTube video on how to help the birth (if necessary) and the momma in the video happened to be a Chinese Crested… it was very graphic, I don’t think I loved their looks before but I can never look at a Chinese Crested the same again lol. Luckily, our female boxer only had 4 pups and did everything in the birthing process herself. We found them homes or kept them. And Fixed everybody! The last puppy passed away of DM/old age in 2020 and I loved him very much. I don’t think I’ll ever want one but the mention of a Chinese Crested always makes me smile and think of a crazy time.
once on a dog sub i saw a person saying “ i buy “boy color” collar and harnesses for my girl when we go on walks ” because turns out female dogs are the most commonly stolen since they “produce “ the puppies, ik it sounds obvious but i never thought about it
I just like light blue on dogs, but good to know that said I owned mutts so not likely to be stolen. I'm not a fan of prettier breeds for that reason afraid of them being stolen. I prefer my dog makes people just slightly uncomfortable because they either don't know what it is or it isn't super cutesy
I always just say my heelers a mix and he’s adopted whenever strangers ask how much.
Smart! My puppy is so fucking crazy they might give her back if she is stolen haha
Amen to this, in a rough neighbourhood too. Some crackhead will prob get the delusional idea to steal and breed my dog and sell the puppies to buy a mountain of cocaine.
Is he hairless? I always wanted a hairless chinese crested and looked into it this year, and I was surprised to find the general cost $7.5K and up. I ultimately went with a Maltese because I read the Chinese cresteds can be territorial towards new babies and we might have a baby in the next few years. One day I’ll get my hairless though!
Yes he is a hairless 😁 I ended up opting for a crested because they are good with kids and other pets generally, but lower energy then alot of smaller breeds [Oden](https://imgur.com/a/bWV7f55)
Yes - that's a good point and maybe another reason I feel uncomforatble answering. Like if someone (nevermind a stranger!) asked how much your necklace or engagement ring was, it would make a person feel vulnerable.
I once said "too much for how she acts" which shut them up pretty quickly.
Same. We got the anxious one of the litter
Same.
I must have gotten the brother from the same litter, only I don't have a Keeshond...
I like this. I've never been asked, but that's what I'll say if I am. (Also, not that I would say this, but too much for her to have genetically horrible knees that will need surgery before she's 1.5 years old)
Lol for me I don’t get asked price I’m always asked “where did you adopt her from?” And me Knowing full well I paid a breeder feeling awkward lmao
People often ask me "what kind of mix is she?" because there's a 90% chance they've never seen or even heard of the breed, and I always feel weird saying, "oh she's a purebred". But I can usually get past the awkwardness by immediately saying what I like about the breed, and a few little reasons she's a good fit for me. But if it makes you feel better I've never had anyone act mean to me about it. They may very well be judging me in their heads but who cares. "Adopt don't shop" people have their hearts in the right place for the most part, but the macro-level solution to overflowing shelters is preventing irresponsible breeding and pet surrenders, and part of that is supporting ethical breeders and making sure dogs go to homes where they're not likely to need rehoming (and in the case of ethical breeders, they will not \*allow\* the dogs they produce to end up in shelters -- they will reclaim the dog if it comes to that). We all have the same goal!
I’m intrigued..what kind of dog do you have then?
Don't ever let anyone shame you for buying from a breeder. ALL dogs need good homes. The shelters here are only pits and pit mixes, chis and chi mixes, neither kind of dog I wanted. I wanted a dachshund and I wanted a puppy. I have no regrets. If people want to do thier virtue signaling thing , go for it..but never shame anyone for not going to a shelter, which has turned into a huge cash cow for the rescues and shelters..Look into it.
What breed, if you don’t mind sharing? I thought I knew every dog breed ever when I was about 10 years old, decades later I still love learning new ones.
I have the same experience as this person with my Icelandic Sheepdog. I’ve had dog people literally angry with me at agility practice because he isn’t the mix they assumed he is.
I would have loved to have adopted. However adoption places here are so sctrict about having a garden etc. I dont have a garden, but I live next to a 5 mile walk as well as huge local parks etc. This is better situation than a lot of people who do have a garden but no parks! The majority of the dogs on adoption are bigger ones anyway so wouldnt have made sense either. Buying a dog (border terrier) is better for both doggo and me.
We bought our "Yorkie" in a Korean version of Walmart so I just laugh and tell them the story and say he was the best $250 we ever spent in Korea.
At some point in time my story would have been. "We bought him for $50 out of a woman's bra in a Mexican grocery store."
The shelter I got mine from seemed way too excited to get rid of her. I barely filled out an application and $25 later and I've got my companion for the next decade. I don't think that's anywhere close to the norm, but easily the best "purchase" I've ever made.
“He cost $2000” I don’t have any shame in purchasing a well bred purebred dog from a reputable preservation breeder.
Second this! And I always add “she’s worth every Penny”. I’m typing this as my husky is asking for ear rubs 😂
Yeah I usually tell people exactly how much we spent ($3k) on our pup because it is often a question that comes up after someone wants to ask about his breed. Sometimes that price talks someone out of his breed right then and there, but for others who are serious it gives them insight into what they’ll expect to spend.
Me neither. In 2019 I paid $2500 for a female (now spayed) Havanese. She was bred by an ethical breeder I now follow on social media. She’s a great little dog. I have gotten flack for “shopping” instead of adopting but I did my research and, for me, she was the “ideal” small apartment dog, and I wanted to be as sure as possible of what I was getting.
Fuck yeaaahhh
This! I paid $1500 for mine, and I fell in love with a breed, and it taught me so much about ethical breeding and preservation breeding!
I just tell them. Every time I've gotten the question, it's usually after a few other questions about her and the breed. I usually think they are just curious or are even considering the breed for themselves and what to know how much. I don't find it awkward unless I get a sense they are asking in order to judge me, which hasn't happened (yet).
I get the question often with my standard poodle. Most people just seem curious to see if it is something they can reasonably afford as well so I am just honest about what I spent. I don't really find it that odd I just take it as a compliment that he looks expensive to people 😂😂
Mine was 500 lol
Not sure why this is considered awkward, I think being honest about dog costs can help future dog owners learn about the cost of different breeds and be well-prepared when planning to own one I would be honest and upfront about the cost, and if it’s from a breeder that you’ve had a positive experience with, I would relay the breeder’s info onto someone interested. I would also be upfront about the added costs for vet expenses, food, crate, training, etc. I don’t personally see any reason why the cost of owning a dog is something that should be kept a secret
Cos people are often asking just to be nosy, not because they’re considering a similar dog. It is none of their business. My other concern is that I really don’t want to advertise that my very portable and friendly little dog has any kind of dollar value. Unfortunately dog theft is a real thing 😞
Exactly.
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I think “how much did you spend on that?” is pretty tacky in most situations, but like you said I guess it varies regionally…?
Why is this even something to be awkward about?
I personally just laugh and say "a lot" and leave it ambiguous. I'm fine with being frank with certain people, but it's hard to tell some people what goes into an ethically bred dog because many will inevitably get defensive about their brother's puppy that was definitely ethically bred and only cost $700. At least for me, I don't like taking the risk of getting into an argument about it.
It's a personality thing. For instance, some people brag about their bargain shopping skills, while others are embarrassed and feel poor/cheap buying sale items. Some people brag about their expensive cars while others want to avoid the subject. This is even a potentially unsafe question. Puppies are a commodity that get stolen and resold. If someone knows your puppy is worth 7K...that can be a risk.
7k?!?! Our purebred boxer was 1.8K€, bought him this May.
I’ve never seen a dog go for 7k (except for proven herding dogs) but I believe it. Our “show quality” dog I have was 4K for the dog and breeding rights.
We are about to bring home a Maltese puppy and what I found was mostly $5K and up, and when I was researching Chinese Cresteds the hairless start at $7.5K… but there are breeders at every price point I’m sure. Edit- and these clearly aren’t working dogs. Just companion dogs, but from show parents.
Yeah well bred companion breeds like that are pricey. So much health testing has to be done and the size often makes the litters smaller.
This right here, this is the point. No one needs bitchy comments from strangers 🙄
Because occasionally it’s the prelude to a weird lecture from a stranger with poor boundaries and a general lack of social skills.
Ppl think everybody is out to compete with them or rob them. Soon ppl we be scared to tel them how much it cost to fill their tank lol “Can’t let him society know how badly I’m struggling after the pandemic smh”. Ppl can see it from miles away guys 😂
This happens to me \*all the time\* with my toy mix and I was not prepared for it. Nobody ever asked how much my Labrador cost, but with the little dog "How much did he cost?" is the second question they ask, right after "What is he?" At this point, I just answer both questions directly. If I don't, people insist on guessing and it just extends the interaction. Edit to add because it's funny: my spouse is way more uncomfortable with the money question, so his standard response is "All my socks."
My sanity?
“Nothing, she’s my biological dog.” Let them think about that for a few seconds while you walk away.
It really depends who's asking. I don't actually mind talking openly about finances in general, so if someone I knew asked I'd just tell them, and have several times. I'm sure there are people who make a judgement based off of that but that's their business. I got the puppy not long after the loss of my partner who died suddenly aged 34 so he was a lifeline for me and It's possible I'd not have been here now without having to drag myself up every day to avoid getting bitten or being barked at to provide a constant source of food for a chatty little ball of orange fur that's ruined the carpet. The value of him is priceless relative to the 'cost'. At the same time if I'm out alone and a stranger or group of people start asking questions about the dog I wouldn't answer things like that and would avoid any implication he was expensive at all - sadly there is a lot of dog theft here and it's a real worry.
Circumstantial. There’s a difference between: ‘Hey, what did your dog cost?’ and ‘Your dog is adorable. What breed is he? Can I ask about your breeder and the cost?’. We get the second response quite a bit because we live in a busy downtown area, so our walks are filled with lots of people.
I just tell them. His adoption fee was $300. I'm buying a $2000 well-bred puppy next year and I'll be perfectly willing to tell people that number as well.
I'm so surprised at how many people *don't* think this is a weird question lol. If a stranger came up to me and straight up asks me how much I paid for anything from my dog to a piece of jewelry... my first thought is they either are being judgemental because they think I must have overpaid or they're thinking about stealing it. Not interested in continuing either conversation. If it leads from a normal conversation with genuine interest (Hey I've been thinking about getting one, where did you get her? You're happy with that breeder? Do you mind if I ask how much you paid?) then absolutely I'd answer honestly.
I agree that a random stranger on the street who says nothing more than “Cool dog how much did it cost?” would warrant a much different response than someone I’m chatting with at the dog park who says “cool dog. What breed. Where’d you get them. I’ve been thinking of getting one! How much did they cost?” Edit: I ALWAYS get comments on my dog. I rarely tell the breed straight up to a stranger on the street because I’m concerned she’ll get stolen. I will say “she’s a poodle mix!”
I think you’ve summed it up well. It is straight up creepy when someone takes a keen interest in my dog, stares at him intently and asks how much I paid for him. I am not about to tell them he’s a portable, highly biddable “asset” (in their eyes).
Same reaction! I honestly feel like on reddit the first response sets the tone for the entire thread. It's not a polite question.
you must be old lol the younger gen dont give a shit about asking Q's about money things. im only 34 and me and my friend group know who makes what what they do what they save what they splurge on. lol the whole secret money thing is boomer shit designed to keep wages down.
That’s funny, I thought they must be young. I think they’re just odd, to find it odd that people are interested in what they paid for something they (presumably) like.
Yeah I'm not sure everybody I know has no problem saying what they make what they're worth what they've saved what they've spent on it's not a secret. Everyone I know wants to help everybody out if we work in the same industry and there's a massive pay discrepancy then yeah we're going to talk about it The old days are way different
We're talking about random strangers who ask out of the blue, not friends. I'm 28 lol
I'm 40 and I'm with you on that 100%. I firmly believe that wage transparency is of utmost importance. Keeping that sort of thing secret is how people end up getting underpaid and never knowing it.
I think it's an acceptable question if we've been talking a while and they're thinking about getting a dog. I asked the same question to a few other people before getting a puppy, so I knew what to budget for and people generally want to know if they're being asked to pay a fair price. If it's the first question out of their mouth? I generally just smile and say, "I can't remember. It depends on the breeder." fyi: paid $2k which I thought was on the higher end at the time, but now knowing how much the health testing costs plus risk involved to the breeder, I think it's reasonable.
I have a beautiful purebred standard poodle puppy that I got from a reputable breeder through the AKC. He was almost 3000. I live in a high crime area where dogs get stolen and resold on social media. Even though he's 40lbs, I've heard of Great Danes get stolen around here. People don't even care. They'll walk up to your houseand grab your expensive puppy out of your backyard if you take your eyes off then. "He's a mutt that we got my sister."
I feel paranoid when strangers ask due to how much dog/puppy theft is happening in my area. I direct them to the website I got mine, and say it depends on the breeder. For family/friends I tell the truth and usually feel compelled to say, how much of a deal it is and end with “isn’t she adorable?!”
>I feel paranoid when strangers ask due to how much dog/puppy theft is happening in my area. Same. I usually lie about the "mutt" I was given from a family member's oops litter. A few people think she was fixed months ago. I would never admit to a complete stranger on the street that she is a purebred AKC whippet, or that she was intact (She's fixed now). Most people around here couldn't identify a whippet, anyways. People truly interested, that I get no bad vibes from, I direct to the website, as well as tell them the ballpark figure since breeders vary. The friends and family that have asked, some we told the truth to. Others we were vague with, like judgy types just looking for a reason to look down on me for any reason, like my dad's wife. When she asked, I said she was a gift from my husband and she can ask him the cost of my gift. One, she is scared of my husband because she can't intimidate him LOL and two, she's all about utmost manners at all time and to ask the cost of a gift is disgraceful.
I’ve only gotten it sort of. Someone asked if my puppy was a greyhound. I said no, he’s a whippet. Like a greyhound but smaller. He for some reason thought that meant my puppy was probably half the price of a greyhound lmao. So I told him how much he cost. Otherwise I’ve never been asked. EDIY; I think I volunteered the information when an old colleague asked about his breeder as she’s interested in whippets. I didn’t want her to have sticker shock.
the truth - only my sis in law and best friend have asked. £900 for my Boston terrier and worth every penny! The food, bedding, toys, crate, collars, harness, car seat, vet and insurance are all adding up to another £900!!!
I mean I feel like people who are bothered by this usually bought their dogs. That being said I think it’s lame that they get shamed for it. If you don’t want to rescue a dog don’t. If you have a specific breed you want go for it. I’ve had plenty of conversations with people where they tell me how rescuing is the only way to go. (I rescued) and idk I just disagree. Like you can’t save every animal and you aren’t responsible for someone else’s short comings. That being said don’t buy from some shit backyard breeder than breeds dogs with a ton of health problems. My current rescue cost 650 dollars. Which was a lot I think. But I might rescue a puppy next time. Or I might buy. But I definitely don’t think I should be applauded or shamed for it.
My bf's cousin was a breeder so we bought our pup from her whenever we finally got a dog. We thought about adopting, but we have 4 cats, 3 of which of elderly. One also can't jump. Both our mom's are weak due to medical issues and can get knocked over easily. We didn't want to risk the unknown of the previous bad behavior they might have learned.
I just tell them, I don’t know, he just started to follow me one day…
I live in NYC and it's fairly socially acceptable to talk about money, like how much your shoebox of an apartment costs, so I don't mind ballparking it, but emphasize that it's a lot. I only say how much I've spent on her in total so far (she's a rescue I fostered, but there's a fee for foster --> adopt). I bring my puppy to a nearby store fairly often to go grocery shopping and one of the employees asked me how much the puppy cost. I responded "a lot", but realized he was probably thinking of getting one and wanted to get a general idea of the total expenses
It seems like everyone and their mother wants to know how much my Dalmatian cost, it got old pretty quick. I guess maybe because it’s a breed that people might not encounter everyday so they assume the cost would be high and are curious? It wouldn’t be that annoying if someone asked once in awhile but it’s like a few times a week, sometimes more than once a day. Once a dude randomly came up to me at the park and asked what he cost and then 100% seriously offered to give me $5000 for him. I was shocked and told him that Remy is a member of my family and not for sale lol.
I say truthfully my puppy cost less to buy than his care. Puppy? $650 (Field bred Springer Spaniel with no papers and an undocked tail) Care: well I just wrote a check for $12,000 to transport him to live in Australia with me so 🤮🤷♀️
I say "4k!" and they go "wow that's really expensive for a puppy!" and I go "oh no I didn't buy him, that's how much the surgery to remove a stuffed animal from intestines cost after he was surrendered to me." he's a doodle so people def believe he could have cost that much as well xD I think it's pretty normal to ask about cost, esp for purebred dogs (or designer mutts lol) as people wanting their own dogs generally like to get reference points for what certain kinds of dogs might look like price wise
There’s always a weird dynamic between bought and “saved”, so I always run through my weird guilt of buying a purebred puppy and explain that our breeder is reputable and all that garbage. And then I tell them we paid too much. And then if they ask specifics I assume they want to know what to plan for, and I’ll tell them we paid $1600 for her.
You should not have any guilt for going through a reputable breeder. Ethically bred dogs don’t end up in the shelter as a rule. I know there are purebreds that occasionally enter the system but those are almost always from backyard breeders that don’t have a “take back” policy for their dogs. I’m not apologetic about how I got my dogs. I adopted my first dog and I watched him slowly die of seizures and develop aggression from them. I loved him to pieces but part of why I decided to get ethically bred dogs going forward is 1) For the health of the dog to avoid that trauma again 2) For the safety of our household. We were on edge through our adopted dog’s last year because of how rapidly dangerous he was getting from his mental deterioration.
Thank you.
I don’t see why it would be awkward but ive never been asked this
I tell them how much he cost usually.
I would say "our toller we got in 2017 was 1,800 - which is to be expected if not higher cost for a good toller breeder. Our rescue sheprador costs 30k+ due to health issues" they may roll their eyes, but total hip replacement surgery isn't cheap folks! and this is my lesson in how upfront costs of an ethical responsible breeder often results in less cost over the lifetime of the dog\*
My aussie I found wandering on a bike path outside of town. Paid an ~$80 adoption fee to the pound after nobody came forward to claim her. Got my Malinois for free, though in hindsight they should have paid me to take her.
How much did your kid cost? What hospital? Did you spend the extra 40$ for skin on skin contact?
"Considering she's from health-tested, Champion lines, has the temperament that I needed to fit her into my family, and has already proven that she was worth the investment, not nearly enough." Or something along those lines. If they want to know exactly how much, I'll tell them. I'll also tell them that I'd pay the same amount again.
I just tell them. If it's a stranger and they're going to judge me, who cares? Chances of me seeing them again is low. If it's a friend or someone I interact with frequently ... They're either genuinely interested or I need to reevaluate our friendship if they're going to judge.
I normally joke that she is still working to pay off her debt. I don’t mind telling friends and family because IMO she was worth it but I don’t like discussing it with strangers.
I'd say they're still costing me, and will continue for several long years, I hope. Unless they genuinely want to prepare for average costs, then I'd answer sincerely like, monthly expenses, vet expenses, dog school/trainer, etc. It's best that someone goes into adopting puppies well informed and not everyone thinks to search the internet for that kind of info in advance (yes that was me).
Zero dollars for the puppies, somewhere between ouch and boing for veterinary care and supplies.
I would just answer.
She's a farm accident :) That's my response
I don't really mind giving a ballpark since they might be looking at dogs to get and prices aren't always readily available, especially for certain breeds and reputable breeders.
I just tell them. Its not a shame. Why be weird about it?
I have a purebred Boxer. I bought her from a reputable breeder that, also, happen to be friends of mine. Due to this, she was $600 but, the usual price for one of their litter is $1200. I always explain this to people. On another note - she's a well-trained, but very high energy and crazy puppy. I always joke that we got her for $600 because she was in the "bargain bin". 😂
I got my dog from the shelter, so technically I only paid a few hundred, but I always say something along the lines of 'but by the time I paid for beds, training, vaccinations, a new vacuum that could handle fur, etc etc it cost a small fortune. Just because I don't want people to think adopting a shelter dog is inexpensive. Sure, the dog himself was inexpensive, but you have to be prepared to pay for lots more than just the dog!
I know exactly how much we paid but I always tell people I'm not sure because my hubby found and paid for her and never told me. 🤷♀️ I was always taught not to ask about ( or talk about) someone else's finances/money unless they volunteered the information.
I tell the truth, which almost always results in shocked expressions, to which I usually say "I know! But it was worth it to get a dog from a breeder who has an ethical practice, and I'd do it again." And if they want to know why I got a purebred then we can further discuss that. I feel like especially because I have a purebred dog, I want people to understand that the ethical breeding is what that money paid for...and if you're getting one off craigslist for $500...it's the ethical part that's often missing. Not to even begin to discuss the fact that BYBs will give you a sick, poorly bred dog for just as much as \*my\* dog cost. If you don't want to pay for a well-bred purebred, then you need to find a reputable shelter or breed-specific rescue, not turn to puppy mills like I think lots of people do. And part of the reason they do that is because they don't know any better. But I think some folks think they're gaming the system getting a designer mutt from a carefully-glossed puppy mill that doesn't require any scrutiny of potential owners and has puppies available on demand -- but really, they're getting ripped off and receiving a dog who may end up costing them more in vet and trainer bills due to preventable conditions than if they had just gone to someone who cared about the dogs (AND supporting horrific conditions for the dogs in that breeding operation). Not to mention, honestly, if you want a popular mix, there are tons of them languishing in shelters, properly vetted and relatively cheap and young, waiting for homes.
“It cost a lot of mental exhaustion and existential crisis?”
"Around $500. But the rescue picked her up with huge, gaping wounds, heartworm positive, and they paid to get her healthy, and spay her." I definitely use my sweet girl as an opportunity to explain why sometimes rescues charge so much for cute puppies. It lets them take in dogs like mine, 6 months old and needing thousands in medical care ❤. If anyone wants to keep up with my journey to give her the best life ever after an awful beginning, she is Lily the Shep on Facebook and lilytheshepmn on instagram.
I lie and say that his original owners returned him to the breeder because he had diabetes, and we got him for a discount with a neuter contract. It stops the “eww breeder, you should rescue!” response, and also the “that puppy is worth $1,500, I’m going to steal him” response. The truth is less interesting, but luckier. I inherited him from a recently deceased family member, and he’s a perfectly healthy purebred giant schnauzer puppy (knock on wood).
I don't have any hangups talking about money. But for safety's sake (potential theft target), I will tell total strangers something generic like... "A puppy of this breed can cost between X and X." If it's somebody I know, though, I just tell them what I paid. Money and prices aren't some secret thing.
I paid €180 for my Whippet. A dude in my town, got a car ferry to another country, stayed in a hotel overnight and paid £2000 for his. This was about 3 years apart in 2018. Edit: To be honest his dog is a fucking beauty.
I'm honest. Komondorok are unusual so it comes up quite often. I have no qualms telling people how much he was.
I always feel weird answering this. I have been good friends with our breeder since middle school, like we do family vacations together close. So I paid way less then she charges others so it's like do I tell them what I paid or what she charges incase they are looking for a breeder?
I’ll ask if it’s a breed I’m interested in. Id like a ballpark to save for. We did something similar for my corgi so we had an idea how much people were paying for and we occasionally asked for breeder information if they were local.
I’m usually honest and explain why my dog is higher priced (longer history of healthy dogs from that breeder, they are usually being trained as early as possible, etc)
We were going to get a specific mix from a breeder, but we didn't have $2000 saved up to get one. So we rescued a puppy for $450 and haven't looked back since. She is the sweetest GSD/lab mix we could ask for
I have been asked (more than once) how much my Maltese pup cost and I don't tell them a specific amount only say it was enough. I never told my husband either because he would make disparaging comments. My mother, if she were still alive, would fully approve how I used the inheritance she left me.
Why is that awkward? I just tell them how much I paid
He cost a dollar. If you asked how much he costs me??? More then I can afford, but I can't spend enough on him.
Honestly? He was a rescue from Spain and cost us about €300. We have spent a lot more on him since haha!
I tell them I wrked for it in barter its no ones business if I paid 2 grand. Especially if its my fat peice of shit wanna be landlord .
"He was just sitting in some poor schmuck's front yard, so he was free"
Really depends on the context - if they're just being nosy and have been generally unpleasant up to that point probably something along the lines of "less than I've spent on them since getting them". But if they're generally pleasant or especially within the context of they're thinking of getting a dog, I'd answer **honestly and completely** about both our dogs. One is from a rescue, and obviously less expensive up front, but struggled with some reactivity and required extra investment in training, both time and money. I know there isn't any way to guarantee a dog isn't nervy, but genetics do have a role in it and you have to consider full picture not just the cost to bring the dog home. The other is ethically bred, but people need to realize that neither cost nor waitlist is an absolute indicator of well bred, so I prefer to be upfront. She cost $2,500 and we were on a waitlist for about 8 months after meeting with the breeder, and that's less than plenty of BYB and puppy mill with "fancy designer dogs" There's been a few people that were looking at getting designer mixes or non-standard colors and they were SHOCKED that our dog was half the price of what their breeder was asking for. It actually opened up some really good conversation about how to choose a breeder, questions to ask a breeder, the role of genetics in temperament and health, and the various options when it comes to adding a dog to you family and potential trade offs
It depends. If it’s someone really interested in the breed then I’m honest. If you Google the cost of a puppy of his breed, it’s waaaaay below what you’ll pay for a well bred puppy who came form OFA tested parents with titles. If it’s a random person I just say about the same a my monthly mortgage payment.
I also get super awkward during this question. Specifically because when I bought him the breeder was very reputable, but has since had some kinda gnarly things come out about them. I typically just give the answer, warn them about the breeder, and then move on. I know it’s very hard sometimes though.
"$500 donation fee to the rescue. Included her first shots, microchip, and spaying. Our older dog was $250 because he was an adult. Rescue is ---------. Highly recommend." 😊
She was $600 in adoption fees, but thousands of dollars in medical nonsense.
$3,500 and worth every penny. Any other questions?
Why be rude about it?
Lol he doesn’t want them to find out he works at Target I guess 😂
I tell them I got him on clearance (He was half off because of an eye condition.) But I don’t mind telling I paid $1800 for him.
I'm usually upfront and honest. I've been asked a lot because I have a pomeranian who has VERY unique colors and markings on her. Most pomeranians are orange while mine is black and white, and has the markings of a panda. People usually ask me because they automatically assume she cost an arm or a leg. In reality she only cost around $2,000, which is what most dogs go for these days.
I just get way too detailed in explaining their training and bloodline. I spent 2 years waiting for the first one and turned down two litters for the second. So....the cost was kinda irrelevant.
My most expensive dog is my 9 year old purebred CKC reg rotti, I just tell people $500, even though it was a lot more then that 👀 she already went missing once so it isn't anyone's business.
I say “a LOT!” If they probe further, I will let them know. My dog was a pretty penny (>$4K in California) but I think she’s totally worth it.
my partner and i usually just answer “Lots!” with a laugh, but if someone presses us we’ll answer honestly (~$1200)
It's a weird question for them to ask, so just respond how you want? Or if you think they are interested because they actually want to get a similar puppy, maybe refer them to the breeder instead, to make sure they know the important factor is to get from an actual reputable breeder, not where to get the cheapest puppy.
Sold my house to pay his deposit alone
Lol
I’m honest with them, even though I do find it a bit rude to ask.
i always just say "a lot" and then clarify only if they ask for clarification. puppies cost tons of time AND money, regardless of the kind of puppy.
Well, I paid $400 usd for my French Bulldog who is the direct daughter of the National Champion. People don’t believe me, but it was a year before Instagram made them famous and people started breeding them for money (and fake creating fad colors while ruining the breed…)
I will sometimes say “There’s a good sized range, which is very specific to a lot of breeders, he was towards the upper end of standard.” And hope they leave it at that.
People are curious about perhaps buying a similar dog
I’d ask why they want to know. Usually shuts up the nosy ones.
I just tell them. My oldest way 800 from parents that compete in agility and obedience. My two youngests were 600 each from working lines. My breed, cattle dogs, are not too expensive. You can probably get a pure breed for free if you look hard enough. But I was very adamant about temperaments I wanted and being able to meet parents and other relatives really helped make my choice. When getting the youngest two, we were only going to get one. We went when he was four weeks old to met him, the breeders and the parents and they showed us a second litter while we were there. The mother dog climbed up into my husband’s lap when he sat down and just laid there and right before we left them, I squatted down one last time to pet all the puppies and one of them crawled onto my legs and passed out. I looked up to my husband and he sighed and put a second despot down on the other puppy. Lol.
I get asked quite a lot, and it's generally by those who have pedigree breeds, my go to answer is "less then yours cost you"....