| Selecting a Dog » Putting a Price on Happiness |
| Just as dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so does the price of puppies. Of course, you may find puppies being given away for free by some kind soul. These will very likely be mixed breeds, of course, but there?s no harm in sharing your home with a mutt. (Many argue that a mixed bred dog may have a better personality and/or better health, because they avoid the risks produced through the inbreeding of some breeds.) If you prefer a pure bred dog, however, be prepared to pay. And if you insist that the puppy comes with ?papers,? you may need to pay a lot! The price of a puppy depends on a number of factors. One obvious factor is the breed of the puppy; the more common breeds tend to be less expensive and the rare breeds are more expensive. This is easy to understand. However, a more complex factor determining puppy price is the origin of the pup. You may purchase a puppy from an advertisement in the newspaper (low cost), a pet shop (medium cost), or a specialized breeder (high cost). Although all of these may involve some people who care deeply about the dogs they sell, there are distinct differences in their breeding practices. A ?backyard breeder? may charge less because he is less reliant on the income of the business and probably does not offer specific guarantees about the puppy?s bloodline. He has not taken care to reduce the ill effects of inbreeding and this is why his puppies may be free or cost as little as $50 each. Pet stores often sell puppies that were born at a commercial kennel or ?puppy mill.? Because these facilities are set up to make money off large quantities of dogs, their standards may not be up to par. Although you will find many sweet puppies coming from these conditions, don?t count on these puppies to grow up to be show dogs. If having a show dog is not your thing, however, then a puppy from an advertisement or a pet store may suit you just fine. If, however, you seek a show dog ? or a dog that has been bred for sports or hunting, then you need to find a ?specialized breeder.? These breeders charge more, because their puppies are part of a carefully controlled breeding business aimed at producing puppies with specific traits. To produce high quality dogs, they must take care to guard against the ill-effects caused by too much inbreeding. Show Breeders produce puppies with traits that match the standards established by the industry for the breed. Likewise, Working and Sport Breeders produce puppies that have the right temperament and behavioral traits seen in hunting dogs. In the end, you may find the right puppy for free ? or you may have to pay $50- $1800 for your puppy. Of course, whatever the price of the puppy, the cost doesn?t stop there. Health care, food, bedding, leashes, collars, etc., for the rest of the dog?s life ?.all add up. Dog ownership can be an expensive responsibility! However, if you?ve selected the right puppy, the expense will pale in comparison to the lifelong affection and companionship of a good dog. |
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