Discussions

Just wondering if someone can explain the reason behind such high prices for mixed breed dogs?  
If it's two breeds I'd understand a 300+ price tag with their first vet check and needle.  
But when an ad says ( example only) shepherd/ rottie mix mom and husky/ blue tick dad I'm astounded at a 300+ price. To me that's just a regular "heinz 57".  
Not judging just wondering why so much?

Because they can. If people are willing to pay the prices, people will keep asking them.  
 
Personally, I would rather pay an adoption fee and get a mutt from a rescue, rather than supporting backyard breeders or people who are not responsible and who don't get their pets spayed or neutered.

curlysister said "Because they can. If people are willing to pay the prices, people will keep asking them.     Personally, I would rather pay an adoption fee and get a mutt from a rescue, rather than supporting backyard breeders or people who are not responsible and who don't get their pets spayed or neutered. "

and the $300 rescue mutt comes complete with vet check, shots and spay/neuter.  
That's the way to go.

As far as I am concerned, unless it comes with papers it's a hienz 57 born to a back yard breeder. Anyone can claim a dog is a certain breed, but without papers that t can't be proven. Spend your money at a rescue. There have been some swap and shop pages that do not allow ads for pets unless they come with papers or are free. I wish all would follow suit.

I raise and sell puppies. I am not a puppy mill or even a "backyard breeder". I have 2 females and a male, all of the same breed. They are not registered and I never claim that they are purebred.  
 
My dogs live in my home. Puppies are born in my home. If the weather is nice they have playtime outside but are always brought in for night,  
 
They receive proper and excellent vet care. They are well socialized with people. They eat quality feed products. I spend a lot of time cleaning. My pups are not dragged out from under a shed and sold indiscriminately.  
 
Why do I do it? Because I truly enjoy it and there is a market for them. Registered animals (which often, by the way, come from real puppy mills) are sold for 2-3 times the amount I charge. I don't sell for a low amount but enough to cover my labor, vet expenses, feed, etc. I also enjoy meeting the people who buy my pups and many have become friends. Many people who buy my pups are replacing an old long term pet of the same breed. I like making them happy.  
 
I completely agree if one wants a rescue animal that is a great choice. But, not everyone does and that is also a choice.

You get what you're willing to pay for. We have a mixed breed, a blend between a poodle and a yorkie. Some same designer dog. We just wanted a small dog that could benefit from the poodle. A rescue dog would have been fine but no guarantee if it was a pup it would stay small. If people wouldnt pay for the dog the breeder regardless if registered or not wouldn't be able to sell it and price would drop. They would then reconsider having another batch. If they sell quickly, they may choose to do it again for same price or increase price due to demand. That is how free markets work. Price reflects demand. U may not like the price and so dont pay it... or do. Choice is always with the consumer and with what they are willing to pay. This is basic supply and demand. Buyers willing to pay and sellers willing to sell that sets the price.

Cappie said "I raise and sell puppies. I am not a puppy mill or even a "backyard breeder". I have 2 females and a male, all of the same breed. They are not registered and I never claim that they are purebred.     My dogs live in my home. Puppies are born in my home. If the weather is nice they have playtime outside but are always brought in for night,     They receive proper and excellent vet care. They are well socialized with people. They eat quality feed products. I spend a lot of time cleaning. My pups are not dragged out from under a shed and sold indiscriminately.     Why do I do it? Because I truly enjoy it and there is a market for them. Registered animals (which often, by the way, come from real puppy mills) are sold for 2-3 times the amount I charge. I don't sell for a low amount but enough to cover my labor, vet expenses, feed, etc. I also enjoy meeting the people who buy my pups and many have become friends. Many people who buy my pups are replacing an old long term pet of the same breed. I like making them happy.     I completely agree if one wants a rescue animal that is a great choice. But, not everyone does and that is also a choice. "

Maybe you fall into the "hobby breeder" category? Here's a good chart that compares the two: http://www.ktcampbell.com/taji/rbvsbyb.htm  
 
On the same token, I found this when I was reading up on the definition "backyard breeder":  
 
"Back yard breeders usually bring two breeding animals together regardless of their quality. They are not interested in scientific breeding. Their aim is to fulfill a personal need or goal, not to improve the breed and bring excellent quality dogs to the world. Since breed excellence is generally unimportant, the breeding dogs generally will not have been tested for genetic and health problems.  
 
Back yard breeders are not necessarily bad people, they often come from middle to upper income families, and their dogs can be well loved and kept. " (http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/byb.htm)  
 
I have to ask, are you looking to improve the breed? It seems like you're doing it primarily for personal satisfaction, but unless you're engaging in "scientific breeding" it's possible you're doing more harm than good in the long run.  
 
I also found on another site that responsible breeders "breed their female dog to the best male, not the most convenient one. [They] breed only dogs over 2 years old, and breeds the dog only a limited number of times: not every year." (http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_breedersandpetshops.php)  
 
Are you breeding your animals with each other other? Are your females having litters every year? Because that's going beyond the realm of "responsible hobby breeder".  
 
Now, I'm not accusing you of anything, but these are questions that I, as a buyer, would ask myself before getting a puppy from you, knowing that you bred non-registered, non-purebred dogs.

you are the type of breeder I prefer to buy from. My last two dogs came from breeders just like you. My digs are single breed but not registered. I have no need for ponies-they mean nothing. My breed of choice is German Shepherd-i have no interest in so many of the registered Shepherds that have been bred to supposedly better the breed. so many of those have ruined the breed with their permanently crouched rear ends. I prefer a well built dog with no pedigree. I also have no interest in dealing with a rescue, for several reasons

eph2-8 said "You get what you're willing to pay for. We have a mixed breed, a blend between a poodle and a yorkie. Some same designer dog. We just wanted a small dog that could benefit from the poodle. A rescue dog would have been fine but no guarantee if it was a pup it would stay small. If people wouldnt pay for the dog the breeder regardless if registered or not wouldn't be able to sell it and price would drop. They would then reconsider having another batch. If they sell quickly, they may choose to do it again for same price or increase price due to demand. That is how free markets work. Price reflects demand. U may not like the price and so dont pay it... or do. Choice is always with the consumer and with what they are willing to pay. This is basic supply and demand. Buyers willing to pay and sellers willing to sell that sets the price. "

So this as well as the rest of the comments do not answer the question i had. The question is there because i wanted an answer to it, why else would someone post a question?

papers.. ..not ponies. PAPERS is the word I wanted in my earlier post. Silly phone.

You get what you're willing to pay for. We have a mixed breed, a blend between a poodle and a yorkie. Some same designer dog. We just wanted a small dog that could benefit from the poodle. A rescue dog would have been fine but no guarantee if it was a pup it would stay small. If people wouldnt pay for the dog the breeder regardless if registered or not wouldn't be able to sell it and price would drop. They would then reconsider having another batch. If they sell quickly, they may choose to do it again for same price or increase price due to demand. That is how free markets work. Price reflects demand. U may not like the price and so dont pay it... or do. Choice is always with the consumer and with what they are willing to pay. This is basic supply and demand. Buyers willing to pay and sellers willing to sell that sets the price.

is based on what someone is willing to pay. It all depends on the demand within the market. With the warm weather people are looking for puppies as they can be trained to go outside. Because of this demand breeders will attempt to get as much as possible for their puppies. Its just human nature to attempt to get as much as you can for a product that you have for sale. If you think puppy prices here are to expensive you should check out what puppies are being sold for in Vancouver, Toronto or Calgary.