|
How much does a Shorthair cost? Well, how much you got?
That might sound like a flippant answer but if you are not a wise consumer it
just might be true for you! Prices can vary and for a lot of very good reasons.
I'm going to quote you some prices and tell you all about it..........
Shorthairs can vary in price at 8 weeks from $500-800 for a quality pet puppy,
depending on why it is classified as a pet, to $2000 for the pick show
puppy from a litter. A show potential puppy will run from $800 and up. Prices
vary from region to region, depending on the cost of living in that area. People
have to pay veterinary bills, buy dog food, pay for housing, licensing, etc. All
these things must be taken into account. In addition, the litter owner may have
had to pay a large stud fee, fly the bitch to the dog, pay veterinary services
for artificial insemination, feed bills for the puppies and take in to account
the amount of money they have in the dam of the litter.....like showing costs if
she's a champion, feed, housing, veterinary care.
The quality of the sire and dam and of the puppies also play a role in the
litter
owner's prices. Which would you expect to pay more for.....puppies from 2 Best
in Show winners or Ole Blue and Bessie? I don't think I've got to point that
out! That brings up a point, too. Why should you get a pup from the best litter
and not just anybody's two dogs? Simple. Shorthairs have a variety of genetic
problems - hip dysplasia, heart murmurs, thyroid problems, etc. Someone who is
"into" Shorthairs, like showing and striving to produce the best and
healthiest dogs are going to be aware of these problems and will have tested
their dogs and should something happen ( and it does! Dog breeding is like a
roll of the dice...you never know what might show up!) A reputable breeder will
either take the puppy back, replace it or refund part of the price. Backyard
breeders are rarely aware, nor do they care if their dogs are affected or will
pass problems on to the owners and forget about getting your money back or
taking the dog back. YOU must be aware, otherwise you may have a big veterinary
bill and a lot of heartache for the life of that dog!
You should expect a quality litter to have a least one parent that is a
champion of record. ( This will be indicated on the blue slip that you would get
from the breeder.) That would be a minimum requirement! If the litter is AKC
registered, the newest ones will have the OFA numbers of the sire and dam also
on the blue slip......this would also be a minimum requirement before purchasing
a puppy. ( An OFA number means the dog has been certified free of hip dysplasia
by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. A dog must be a minimum of 24 months
to be certified.....don't be taken in by folks who say the puppies are
certified....they are too young!) The pedigree ( You should be able to see
a three generation pedigree) given with the puppy should also indicate the OFA
numbers of the parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Most breeders are
quite proud of the OFA lineage and display these numbers under each dog's name.
You should expect lots of questions about you and your situation.....after
living with these precious babies for 8 weeks, a litter owner wants to be
assured the puppy gets the best home and is matched with a family that suits the
puppy's personality. That way, everybody's happy!
The initial cost of a puppy is small compared to what you'll spend over its
lifetime. It's important that you won't be spending money on unnecessary
veterinary bills.
|
