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| Typical costs: | - Adopting a dog from a shelter or breed rescue typically costs between $70 and $300, with breed rescues usually at the higher end.
- Purchasing a pet quality puppy usually costs between $300 and $1,500, depending on the breed, sex, and quality. Pet quality puppies are considered lower in quality because they have some aesthetic flaw not noticeable to the average person -- such as a tail kink or an underbite -- that causes them not to meet written breed standards.
- Purchasing a show quality puppy usually costs between $1,500 and $5,000 -- but can go up to $15,000 or more, depending on the breed, sex and quality. A top show quality puppy should be able to be used for breeding or shows.
- Common, hardy breeds that are popular as pets and tend to have medium to large-sized litters tend to be at the lower end of the cost spectrum. Examples include Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and cocker spaniels.
- Rare breeds and breeds that tend to require artificial insemination or have very small litters, and teacup or toy breeds usually are at the middle to higher end of the cost spectrum. Examples include French bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers, miniature bull terriers, teacup poodles and Ibizan hounds.
- The coat color of a puppy can cause the price to vary greatly at the same breeder and among similar-quality dogs; prices can triple for puppies with very rare coat colors. For example, a merle poodle -- a lighter colored dog with darker spots -- can cost double the price of a solid-colored poodle.
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| What should be included: | - Shelters and rescue groups usually include neutering or spaying -- which is almost always a requirement of adoption -- and initial vaccinations, de-worming and a veterinary check-up.
- Breeders usually include a health certificate from a veterinarian, the first several rounds of vaccinations and a fecal exam with de-worming if necessary. Some include a sample bag of the food the puppy has been eating. Puppies should come with a health guarantee, in which the breeder agrees to take back the puppy and refund the purchase price if a health defect is found in a limited time period.
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| Additional costs: | - If a dog is purchased from a non-local breeder, the dog will have to be picked up or shipped by ground or by air, which usually costs about $150 to $250 for a puppy, depending on the distance, but could cost up to $1,000 for a very large dog. The Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International provides a search for pet shipping services.
- If purchasing a puppy from a breeder, the owner usually needs to get several rounds of additional vaccinations.
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| Discounts: | - Tip: Purebred dogs are available from breed rescues, usually for much less than it would cost to purchase a puppy of the same breed. The American Kennel Club provides a by-breed list of rescue resources.
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| Shopping for buying a dog: | - Tip: Before beginning to search for a good rescue or breeder, think about the size, age and breed of dog that fits your household. PetEducation.com has an article on how to choose a dog, and CanisMajor.com has a breakdown of dog breeds and their general characteristics.
- After deciding on a breed, contact a club dedicated to that breed for a list of reputable breeders. The American Kennel Club has a list of breed clubs that provide referrals.
- The Humane Society of the United States has a primer on how to recognize a good breeder.
- When visiting a breeder or rescue group, ask about adult size, grooming needs, temperament and potential health problems -- and ask a breeder to show you at least one of the parents. VeterinaryPartner.com has a list of questions to ask, and PetEducation.com has a primer on bringing a puppy into a new home.
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Article updated October 2007 |
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