Should I ask the breeder to lower the price?

So I understand that puppies are expensive--and I completely accept that (to pay for food, vet, housing, etc). But I was going through a local breeder who had a lot of great reviews, and the boy I had my heart set on is not of show quality. I don't plan on going to shows at all or doing any of that stuff (honestly I am clueluess), but just for pet quality she was asking $1,000 for the pup.

Is that reasonable? I thought that show dogs were in the thousands range, while pet pups are significantly lower. Would it be offensive to ask the breeder to lower the price? :(

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by iulia on November 30, 2011 at 3:17pm

My personal experience with Western WA breeders is that most of them seem to know one another so the typical price for a Corgi going to a new home as a pet was the same across the boarder. I ended up getting my puppy for $900. Even if the pups are not show quality, they are still purebred which makes a difference. Also, keep in mind, that when you buy a puppy from a breeder you have the opportunity to go see where the puppies live, observe their temperaments, possibly meet the mom, get a sense of how devoted the breeder is, having the ability to ask all the questions you might have.

From what I was told, it is also no easy task breeding Corgis and there can be pretty expensive vet bills and health complications for the mother, so the breeder does incur serious costs.

Most breeders I've met have been incredibly helpful and some (that I didn't even buy a puppy from) have offered their support in the future in case I did have any questions or needed help. Knowing your puppy comes from a healthy, happy home and that they have been bred by someone with experience and dedication is priceless. I have heard horror stories about puppy mills that breed Corgis by the dozens, disregarding health issues, genetic aspects, etc. Those puppies would be significantly cheaper but is it really worth it?

I think I know how you feel. When I initially started looking for a puppy months ago, I was hoping that $400 or a little over would be what I would end up paying. I believe that it's a worthwhile investment to know that you're getting a healthy puppy from a good breeder.