FloriDachs Miniature Dachshunds
How Much Does a Puppy from a Reputable Breeder Really Cost??
Please read the following information...
The purchase price of a puppy is just about the last question you should ask a breeder when making discussing your new companion. Yes, we all like to save money, but the time to do it is not when you buy your puppy. You'll almost certainly regret it later.
A friend of mine compares buying puppies to buying clothes. You can go to a good store and buy a quality shirt, well-constructed of good fabric. You'll have that shirt for years. Or you can go to a discount store and buy a factory second of a cheaper line. Trouble is, the seams aren't always even, the hem comes out the first time you wear it, and the whole thing falls apart after about four good washings. You may love that shirt just as much as you would have loved the good quality one, but you're going to spend money having it repaired, or maybe having it hand washed in order to keep it from falling apart...and chances are, it's not going to last as long as the better quality one.
A responsible breeder put the best genetic material possible into building your puppy when she chose the sire and dam. She didn't just breed your pup's mother to the dog down the street because he was handy. She studied pedigrees and temperaments and virtues as well as faults and chose the best particular sire who would produce the best possible puppies when bred to that particular dam.
A good breeder cannot absolutely guarantee against all genetic defects, but has chosen as carefully as possible to minimize the possibility of your puppy having breed specific defects. Before you buy a puppy, you should study the breed carefully and find out what the breed's problems are and how your breeder chose the parents of your puppy.
The mother receives the absolute best prenatal care possible. When the puppies arrive, they are treated the same way. They not only are physically healthy, but are properly socialized and checked for sound temperaments. They receive recommended vaccinations and are checked and treated for worms and other parasites. Show prospects and pets from the litter receive exactly the same care.
When you take your puppy home, it's with a health guarantee and your most valuable resource – the breeder and his/her instructions to “Call the Breeder” with any questions.
Having problems housebreaking? “Call the Breeder”. Wonder if a behavior is normal?
“Call the Breeder”. Puppy is off his/her feed? “Call the Breeder”. There is no question so trivial that your breeder is not interested in helping you find the answer!
Seldom does a good breeder make a huge profit on a litter of puppies. What may seem like a large purchase price to you is only a drop in the bucket of expenses the breeder faces in planning a litter and keeping her dogs healthy. You aren't lining the breeder's pockets when you buy a quality puppy. You are simply helping her continue to afford to breed. Reputable breeders do not breed just for the money, many of them could not afford to breed at all if they didn't cover at least part of the expenses through pet sales.
Then why do I sometimes see puppies in the paper for $100 or less?
The people who sell those puppies in all probability have good intentions, it's just not possible to cover even the most minimal costs for the dam and/or her pups at that price. The person who sells at this price is not likely to have spent the hours/days/weeks and possibly years of time, research and money necessary to be sure their puppies are being bred properly. I am sure this is not always the case, but it is a consideration you must be mindful of when selecting your new companion.
Is there any way to get a good purebred dog if I can't afford the price?
Maybe so. You can contact breed rescue. Many good dogs are re-homed every year when for one reason or another their original homes did not work out. An adoption fee is required for these dogs, but it is usually less than the price of a puppy of the same breed.
You can also talk to breeders about giving a home to a retired dog. Sometimes breeders place these adult animals in private homes so they can receive more individual attention than they would in the breeder's multi-dog household.
Sometimes breeders have puppies returned for one reason or another, and occasionally these older pups are available for a little less than a young pup.
Breeders who are well-established and have waiting lists for their puppies may charge more. You are paying for a track record and a reputation for excellence. Sometimes a beginning breeder has good quality dogs for prices a bit lower, but be sure you are dealing with a newer breeder, not just a less careful one!
If you are willing to put some time into your search and establish a relationship with a breeder, sometimes you can find just what you want at a price you can afford. Some well-known and reputable breeders do sell below the average for reasons of their own.
Breeders also often make "special deals" for people they know will provide a good home.
Just as a high price does not guarantee quality, a lower price does not mean a cut-rate dog, either. Just do your research and ask the right questions. Ultimately, you will know when it feels right.
So if I do want a puppy, exactly how much are we talking about here?
Pet puppy prices vary somewhat from region to region, though those differences are slowly disappearing. The internet is bringing people closer together and more people are willing to travel quite some distance to buy the right puppy. Still, prices may vary...
The average purchase price from a reputable, established breeder for a miniature dachshund is in the range of $850.00-$2200.00 (updated December 2018). Pet store puppies can average $2500.00 - $4000.00 or more, depending on the store. These actual figures were computed by collecting a sampling of prices online, reading blogs and Facebook business pages, communicating with multiple dachshund breeders, calling pet stores and checking online newspaper ads locally and throughout the surrounding states.
The prices referenced were calculated by discarding the highest and lowest prices and averaging the rest. The accuracy depends on the number of responses received on the investigative inquiry (usually 8 or more) and how typical these responses are industry wide.
Formula used: Average = total sum of all the numbers (prices) collected / the number of items in the set - In other words, to find the average, add up all of the numbers (prices) in the set, and then divide by however many items (responses collected) you have.
As noted before, there are some geographic differences in pricing, some breeds (dachshunds included) charge different prices for males and females, or for other factors such as coat, size or the colors their breed produces. This is intended only to provide some idea of the price range to expect when buying a purebred dachshund puppy.
Finally…
Just remember to do your homework, talk to people honestly about your wants and needs and ultimately be comfortable with your choice in breeder before committing to the puppy and you will do fine…
Good luck and please remember whether you buy from us or another reputable breeder, we are always happy to answer questions and hopefully help you to make an informed decision about your next companion.
Sincerely,
FloriDachs Miniature Dachshunds
Home of Quality Miniature Dachshunds