Introduction
The question of whether dog breeders are willing to negotiate the price of their puppies is an important one for potential buyers to consider. When looking to purchase a new puppy from a breeder, price is often a major factor in the decision-making process. Determining if there is any flexibility or room to negotiate on the asking price can impact the financial accessibility of purchasing from a particular breeder. In this article, we will explore the key factors that influence breeders’ pricing, look at when and how to negotiate prices, and provide tips for achieving successful outcomes when negotiating with breeders.
Factors That Influence Price
There are several key factors that influence the price a breeder will charge for a puppy, including:
Supply and demand – Popular breeds that are in high demand allow breeders to charge more. Limited supply for a popular breed leads buyers to pay higher prices.
Puppy quality – Health testing of parents, pedigree, show potential, temperament predictability, and breeder reputation impact pricing. Top quality pups from proven lines cost more.
Breed popularity – The more popular the breed, the higher the typical pricing, as demand outpaces supply. Rare breeds tend to be more affordable.
According to this source, responsible breeding is expensive due to veterinary costs, so pricing must cover expenses. Breeders must invest substantially in their dogs.
Starting Price Points
The starting price for a dog from a breeder can vary significantly depending on the breed. According to Brownsburg Animal Clinic, popular purebreds like Labrador Retrievers range from $650 to $4,000, while French Bulldogs are $3,000 to $6,500. A-Z Animals reports purebred puppy prices typically fall between $1,100 to $3,500.
Some of the most expensive breeds, with average prices of $2,500 or more, include Chow Chows, Tibetan Mastiffs, Pharaoh Hounds, Samoyeds, Rottweilers, and Bulldogs. More moderately priced breeds in the $1,000 to $2,000 range include Beagles, Boxers, Dachshunds, and Poodles. On the lower end, breeds like Chihuahuas and Jack Russell Terriers often range from $500 to $1,500.
Mutts purchased from breeders tend to be less expensive, with an average price of $500 to $1,000. However shelter adoption fees for mixed breed puppies are much lower, usually $50 to $400. Location and breed popularity impact prices as well, with breeders in high demand areas charging premium rates. Doing research on typical costs for desired breeds and breeders is advised to set realistic expectations before getting a new puppy.
When to Negotiate
The most common time to negotiate price with a breeder is after you have met the puppies in person. Seeing the puppies can give you a better sense of their quality and if the asking price seems too high. According to this Quora thread, it’s best to establish a relationship with the breeder first before bringing up negotiating the price. If you’ve met the puppies and done your research on pricing, you’ll have justification for negotiating the price down after inspecting the litter.
However, some experts argue that responsible breeders invest a lot in properly raising litters and pricing is usually fair and fixed. Negotiation could be seen as insulting. According to PawHavenPuppies.com, the price of a well-bred puppy is rarely negotiable, as it reflects the breeder’s costs. So gauge the situation carefully before negotiating.
Negotiation Tactics
When negotiating with a breeder on puppy price, it’s important to first research comparable prices so you have a sense of fair market value. Checking sites like the AKC Marketplace can give you an idea of average prices for the breed you want based on location, pedigree, etc. Going in armed with this knowledge puts you in a stronger position.
It’s also wise to clarify upfront any extra costs the breeder may charge on top of the puppy price, like flight fees if shipping, microchipping, vaccinations, health testing of the parents, etc. Getting a complete cost breakdown makes it easier to negotiate on the core price of the puppy. Being aware of these extra fees also allows you to demonstrate your diligence.
Establishing rapport with the breeder is key. Show a genuine interest in their breeding program and dogs. Breeders invest significant time, money and care into responsibly raising puppies. If they feel you’ll provide a good home, they may be more flexible on price. However, if they sense you just want the cheapest puppy, negotiation will likely fail. Come from a collaborative place and appeal to the breeder’s priorities, not just price.
What to Avoid
When negotiating with a breeder, it’s important to avoid ultimatums or aggressive tactics. Ultimatums like “If you don’t lower your price, I’ll go to another breeder” generally backfire. As one Reddit user explains, “Trying to negotiate price would be incredibly insulting to a responsible breeder, to be honest. That gives the impression that to you, their years of work and expertise breeding amazing dogs is worthless.”
A Quora post advises approaching negotiations from a place of respect: “If you are interested in negotiating the price of a puppy, it’s best to first establish a good relationship with the breeder. Show genuine interest in their dogs and breeding program.” Aggressive negotiations or demands are unlikely to get you anywhere.
The key is to avoid treating the negotiation like a typical business transaction. You’re seeking to join a breeder’s community and mission of caring for the breed. Frame negotiations around your ability to provide an excellent home, not just the puppy’s price tag.
Successful Outcomes
Most reputable breeders are open to some negotiation on price, especially for older puppies. According to discussions on Reddit and Quora, many buyers are able to get a discount of 10-30% off the original asking price for an older puppy or adult dog, compared to a 12-week old puppy (source). However, the exact discount will depend on the individual breeder.
For the breeder, offering a discount allows them to place puppies that have been harder to find homes for, while still covering their costs. For buyers, a discounted older puppy can be a great way to get a purebred dog from a reputable source while staying within their budget. With some polite negotiation, both parties can potentially walk away happy with a fair deal.
When Not to Negotiate
There are certain situations when trying to negotiate a lower price with a breeder is not advised. This includes when purchasing rare or in-demand breeds that have long waitlists.
For rare breeds like the Caucasian Shepherd or the Norwegian Lundehund, breeders may have very limited litters. The limited supply and high demand means breeders do not have to negotiate. Attempting to haggle over price could result in losing your spot on the waitlist.
Additionally, popular breeds like French Bulldogs and Poodles often have long waitlists. Breeders with waitlists have customers lined up willing to pay the asking price. Trying to negotiate in these cases is unlikely to work and may jeopardize your place in line.
Alternatives
There are a few alternative options for obtaining a dog that are typically cheaper than buying from a breeder.
One alternative is to adopt from an animal shelter or rescue group. Shelters and rescues often have puppies and dogs available for much lower adoption fees than buying from a breeder. Fees are usually $50-$150 for shelter adoptions. This allows you to provide a home for a dog in need. Check sites like Petfinder.com to find rescue groups and see available dogs in your area (Source).
Looking on classified ads and community boards is another option. Sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor frequently have people rehoming puppies or young dogs, sometimes for free or a small rehoming fee. Just be sure to meet the dog and owners first to ensure it’s a good fit (Source).
Consider less popular breeds. Some breeds like mutts, beagles, terriers can often be found for under $500 from individuals compared to $1000+ for trendy breeds. Let your lifestyle needs versus specific breed drive your search.
Conclusion
In summary, there are opportunities to potentially negotiate price with reputable dog breeders, but knowing when and how to approach negotiations tactfully is key. Dog breeders invest significant time, care and expenses into responsible breeding, so automatically expecting haggling could sour the relationship. Yet a bit of friendly negotiation may be possible, especially if you have an ongoing relationship with the breeder or can make a case why your situation warrants a price adjustment. Being informed on typical price ranges, avoiding overly aggressive tactics, and emphasizing why you’re a good fit can help. With reasonable expectations and polite persistence, you may be surprised what discounts are possible. But even if no deal can be reached, responsible breeders prioritize placing pups in loving homes. If the original asking price truly exceeds your budget, don’t be afraid to keep communications open about your constraints or look into adoption alternatives that need you. Where there’s a will, there’s often a way. The right dog for you is out there.