Three Reasons why an Ethical Puppy Costs More
There are many things to consider when marketing a litter of puppies. It’s a complex campaign as we reach out to clients we’ve spoken to before and determine whether they’re ready to add to their families yet. Next, we start advertising on places like Facebook to let potential new clients know we have a litter available.
One of the most common questions we get is, how much?
How much is the puppy in the window?
But like an electrician or plumber, you aren’t paying for the hour of work they perform, but the years of experience they bring with them.
When it comes to your new puppy, you have to understand the reasons why a reputable breeder sets their prices higher than the backyard breeder comes down to value, not price.
The guarantee
It really isn’t the guarantee, but what goes into it. To stand behind the health of a dog, we need to know that it’s clear of genetic disorders. The hips and elbow exams, as well as those done on the heart and eyes, tell us they don’t have any deformities that may cause issues with their puppies. By choosing a stud with similar health checks, we know we can be confident in offering a guarantee.
Quality workmanship
Looking at Hera, many people without show experience wouldn’t know what is exemplary in a German shorthaired pointer and what could be bettered. To a breeder, however, we know where our dogs could improve. The conformation ring is a sounding-board with qualified judges who continuously show us where any shortfalls may come from. The shortfalls that a dog has are singled out to be overridden by pairing with a stud, the goal being that the next generation turns out better than the last.
To weed out those who aren’t serious.
For many backyard breeders, there is a cost analysis. Setting a puppy with a low price would invite people who don’t take the conversation seriously. Whether it’s someone who looks at it as a transaction or one who won’t provide the puppy with the respect and love it deserves, we must be mindful of value over price.
A lot goes into the pricing decision for a puppy. Showing and health tests cost thousands, and deworming and vaccinations add to those costs. When compared to a puppy from parents who haven’t been tested or conform to breed standards, an ethical puppy has more value. You are simply getting more for your money.
