How much is that doggy in the window?

    • Gold Top Dog

    How much is that doggy in the window?

    Lately, I've gotten really annoyed at people asking how much I paid for my dog. It's none of their business! Yes, she's an unusual breed. No, they aren't cheap. What does it matter, though? The purchase price of a dog is *nothing* compared to the cost of keeping dogs.

     

    This week, I've spent just over $700 on vet care. Emma hurt her leg, and that was $326. Ena needed two baby teeth pulled, and a urine culture done (so they pulled sterile urine while she was under). That was $401. That does NOT include the $45 worth of dog food I bought this week, or the cost of classes we've been to. It doesn't include the gas driving back and forth to all of the places I've taken them.  

     

    I still haven't even sent in the brat's papers.... *sigh* I *just* came up with her name, LOL. The purchase price of the dog should *not* matter! Dogs cost money, period.... 

    • Gold Top Dog

    I'm sorry that people have been bugging you about that.  It's very frustrating, and pretty rude in my opinion.  People are forever asking how much Honor cost me, and I'm so sick of it.  Lately I've taken to answering "Within my budget"...it seems to pretty much stop that line of conversation.

    I hope that the weekend goes better for you, and Emma and Ena are lucky to have you!
     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Luckily, the only people who have asked me lately are people who are honestly looking.  There's several BYB (or just really crappy, greedy, unethical) GSD breeders around here and I've met several people who ARE seriously looking.  Generally it's easy to tell because if they are not serious it'll be the first question they ask, and often in a very tactless way.

    • Gold Top Dog

    LOL, no one asks me how much I paid for Sequoyah!  I suspect that's because they hope it's so much that they wouldn't even be tempted:-))))

    They do always ask what kind of dog Sioux is.  Maybe I should make up a new designer dog name and tell them she cost $4000.

    • Gold Top Dog

    I have never asked a person what they bought their dog for and I have never been asked what I paid for my dogs either. I agree with you the cost of the dog when you get it is nothing. It`s the cost after you get the dog a person should be concerned with and if you can provide for it. Yes it can get costly too. When we got Bella at a shelter we were talking dogs and I said my daughter has a Basenji they said wow that is a expensive dog. Ya maybe around here but they are also in shelters too for a much cheaper price and fixed to boot.

    We have two dogs right now and I don`t see us adding another one because of the added expense. I would love to add more dogs into our household but we just can`t afford it nor have the space even thou the ones we have are both small dogs.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Just say "Now ... is that with or without the skin care regimen?  and ... with or without the surgery to remove the baby teeth and treat the UTI? .... huh?  You *meant* JUST the dog?  But ... I wouldn't know.  I've never calculated the cost without all the living expenses.  It's part OF it!"

    Be sure you give them a very very wide-eyed SERIOUS look!

    **DO NOT CHOKE** It would ruin the effect!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Now, I would NEVER ask someone that, but I don't think the intention is always to be rude.  There are times I see a rare breed and I am just curious about where they got it and how much they paid, like I said I would never ask though.  I think for some it's the ignorance of looking for a certain breed cheap, but for some it's just plain curiosity.  I'll admit, I have ben tempted to ask, but I realize people see that as personal.

     

    I hate when people brag about it though. I had a lady at the park once who had a Cottansomethingorother, who she claimed is directly from a line in Africa or something and she said she paid $2000.  I have no problem with that, but the dog as a status symbol part annoys me.  My mutt was free and she's just as awesome as her 2k one!

    • Gold Top Dog

    calliecritturs

    Just say "Now ... is that with or without the skin care regimen?  and ... with or without the surgery to remove the baby teeth and treat the UTI? .... huh?  You *meant* JUST the dog?  But ... I wouldn't know.  I've never calculated the cost without all the living expenses.  It's part OF it!"

    Be sure you give them a very very wide-eyed SERIOUS look!

    **DO NOT CHOKE** It would ruin the effect!

     

     

    Callie that is simply beautiful!

    • Gold Top Dog

     I love to tell people how much Lynn cost.  Because of course it's in line with what Callie said - she's easily a $1200 dog now between her adoption, first vet visit, the parvo, spay, another little stomach bug, and then diet plan consultation. 

    A purebred Leonberger pup would have cost me about that.  But that doesn't include vet care, etc. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    I get this ALL the time, especially on campus with Summer.  They hear her breed and I can almost guarantee that's the next question.  It's so weird.  I'd never dream of asking a complete stranger that unless I was really really interested in their breed/breeder.  

     One thing that also makes me LOL HARD is when people find out Beau's a show dog.  I always get asked "How much money has he won you?"  If you're in showing, you'll know just how incredibly funny that question is.  They never understand why we show after I've explained you don't win money, that you actually PAY to enter.  ;)

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Laurelin_429
      I always get asked "How much money has he won you?" 

     

    *coughchokedie* I haven't heard that one, yet! LOL! My dad did ask me, once, when I would start winning "the big money". I think the hysterical laughter turned him off. He hasn't asked me much about showing them, since...  

     

    One lady that was asking what they cost wanted me to breed Ena to her Poodle! With an undescended testicle (I groomed him, I'm not a pervert, LOL). And a terrible bite. Ena is SIX MONTHS OLD! Please....

     

    I love your response, Callie. That is where the money's at. The skin care, vet care, show entries, diet for BOTH dogs, not just the "fancy" one.  

    • Gold Top Dog

    LillianD
    I had a lady at the park once who had a Cottansomethingorother, who she claimed is directly from a line in Africa or something and she said she paid $2000. 

    That is a Coton de Tulear from Madagascar.   http://www.members.aol.com/cotonnews/

    The breeding of one group is strictly controlled by the MCTCA (the link above).  Many European Cotons are mixed with Maltese and Bichon Frise.