"How much is your dog?"

Great point Kate!! ... I just knew i was uncomfortable.  If there is a chance that they could see him as a bargaining chip... or something that could be profitable, whoa. Scary. 

I also realize they aren't trying to be mean or rude. But for whatever reason, it just makes me so uncomfortable. 

Thanks again for your suggestions! :)

Sera_J

How do you answer this question?  Do you have people ask you this often, too?

I tell them.

The only time people ask is at the dog park and the vet. I believe they ask because they are genuinely curious or they're considering one.

If they want to try to come in and kidnap one of them... good luck.

If someone asked me how much my specific dog was I'd probably be suspicious and make sure not to leave my dog unattended for awhile. If they asked how much say the breed was I'd let them know.  

I've heard of thieves stealing dogs and then returning them for the reward money.

 I don't know whether to be relieved or offended that no one ever asks me that! 

Then again, most people around here don't know that Marlowe's purebred. I get asked if he's part bloodhound a lot though. Or doberman. 

I always go the other way and tell them mine's worthless. Next one needs opposable thumbs so he can get me beers from the fridge.

I get asked that alot.  My favorite response is :"Do you mean how much he cost me as a puppy or how much it costs to keep him?"  And from there I start talking about food costs and all that....

 As far as leaving him unattended...NEVER.  He's only alone inside the house and the house is secured. 
 

No one asks me about Rocky.  He's not purebred.  Now Brownie and Dipper on the other hand, everyone want to know about them.  Not just how much I paid but what they are really like.  I guess since they are Pits people just want to know how I have these to "monsters" living with me and a 3 year old.  It tickles me when people freak out  about the breed of dog I have.  These people go into panic attacks!  They usually say something like "Oh my goodness, you have those dogs around your child?"  I just smile and say yes but they are great dogs and they are always supervised.  When asked how much they cost, I tell them, "Just for the dog I paid $$$.  That's not including all the vet bills and food and toys."  People are usually floored at how much people are willing to pay for a dog.  I say, if you can afford it, go for it.  You cannot put a price on the love and affection that a dog will give you. 

I get that question a lot too!   I think that dogs that are somewhat unique to most people make them curious.  I answer kinda like Ed.

It ususally goes like this;

curious:  Wholly cow, what kind of dog is that?

reply: "He's a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog"

curious:  A what?

reply: He is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog part of the Mastiff family

curious: Oh..  is it a boy or a girl?  (Drive's me nuts because I just referred to him twice as HE ( "He's" and "He is";)

reply: Male

curious: How much does a dog like that cost?

reply:  I paid 1,500 but he's costed me 4X's that since I got him 3 years.

curious:  How much does he weigh?

reply: 140lbs

curious:  Does he eat a lot? 

reply:  Not really

curious:  Does he bite?

reply: YES

This way no one try's to steal him.  I try and discourage people for having to much interest.  The Greater Swiss has gained popularity in the last couple of years and people are buying becasue of their beauty and don't know what it is like to own a large powerful dog.  Our rescues when from having few to many in the last years.  Speads on dog fancy and there was a Animal Plant Special on what a great family pet they are.  With that press people are catching on to them.  So I always point out his negatives, his size, his expenses,  I let people know he is moody (although not common in his breed).  I try to keep the Macho man's interest in them real low - they are always the people who think he is so big and so cool!! 

 I haven't been asked that one yet. But what really peeves me is this one -

 " Wow he's a nice looking dog, you should breed him. I have this female..."

 
I get that one ALL the time. I guess it's since he isn't a common looking dog around here. I have only seen one dog that looks somewhat like him. When I was in college I brought him with me twice a week, I would get bombarded by people who asked me to breed him. I even had a girl in my class that was willing to pay me a stud fee.

Come on people, He's a mixed breed!
 

I usually say "Well, if you go through Basenji Rescue, they're usually around $200 or so.  And that's a great deal considering the dog has been vetted, neutered, fostered, etc.   And the foster home is usually really good about knowing if the dog has any issues with kids, cats or other dogs . . ." 

I don't mind people asking how much a dogs like mine would cost. I tell them "pretty expensive, the next one I'm getting will be a rescue"

 This is a question that I don't necessarily mind answering, but am getting tired of.  Everybody always wants to know what breed Honor is, if she's going to get any bigger (which usually comes after I explain that AKKs are essentially miniature Alaskan Huskies), and how much did I pay for her.  Most of the time, I'll answer them truthfully, but sometimes I get irked about it.  Like others have said, I wouldn't run around asking how much people's children or car cost them.

 I have only been asked once, and it was by someone I know.  If more people asked me, I wouldn't mind.  I'd see it as an opportunity to explain why dogs cost what they do, either from a breeder, shelter, rescue, pet store, etc. and what you are getting for the price.  A lot of people honestly think that it's cheaper to get "good purebreds" from a "breeder" than go to a rescue or shelter.  Cheaper?  Sometimes.  Is that a good breeder?  NO!

When people ask how much Gypsy cost, I just smile and say, "A lot". I then tell them it's not the initial cost, it's the UPKEEP that gets you! As for her being friendly, I always say the same thing:"She loves everyone when out on the street.  She takes her guarding job seriously, so you will get a completely different reception if you climb in my window at two o'clock in the morning!" People always chuckle at that, but it gets the point across.  She can and WILL guard her home and loved ones, even if she's a silly goof ball out on the street.

I get asked this alot- "How much did he cost," and "where did you get him?" Most of my dogs are rescues, but even the ones that aren't...I straight up lie. Going into a spiel about buying from a responsible breeder would take too long, so I just say "I got him from the shelter. They have so many amazing, purebred dogs there that need homes!"

I always want to encourage people to adopt. Most of them are genuinely surprised to hear that I got such a nice dog from a (gasp) shelter!