peacefulboy Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) Hi, my partner and I are seeking some advice on the topic of purchasing a puppy. Our current family is the two of us and our 5 year old boy, who is a mixed breed, (desexed) rescue dog (3 years ago). Our dream in the future is to add a 'little sister' to our family in the form of a bull terrier female (a partner of mine many years ago owned one and I fell madly in love with his goofy personality.. oh the bully that is not the ex lol). We are hoping maybe later this year or early next year so we have begun our research now. We are positive we would like a female puppy (she will be desexed also). We currently share the care of our parents 2 year old Jack Russell female who our boy adores and nurtures so we hope he will be the same with another female puppy also. We did look into the avenue of another rescue dog, and while we love our boy with all our hearts, it has been a long road dealing with the after affects of the abuse he suffered before he came to us. We would dearly love to just start afresh the next time around and experience the joys of having a bouncing little happy puppy in our home. We also feel it would be less confronting for our boy as well then to bring an older dog into the family. So that lead us to researching breeders.. we are aware of avoiding back yard breeders and also pet shops to purchase a puppy. But having looked into registered breeders that option seems in another league entirely to what we are looking for. The puppy descriptions read quite technical and seemed to be focused on bloodlines and confirmation and show wins, and the puppy pricing because of this is very high. This option also seems quite complicated with contracts to sign and shared ownerships/probations etc..which is a little scary for us. We really just want to purchase a puppy responsibly, but only as a pet/family member. Is there a middle of the path option we are missing where there are breeders offering family/pet puppies at all? Thanks so much for listening :) Edited June 10, 2015 by peacefulboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Registered breeders typically sell most of their puppies to 'pet homes' (which just means to families that aren't interested in showing or breeding) all the time :) I'm sure if you give some breeders a ring they will be more than happy to have a chat to you. It is a good idea to get knowledgeable about the health issues that can affect the breed and the appropriate health assessments that should be done (and the results of them) before you go much further. It's not too difficult usually and will really assist you to choose a pup that has the best chances of being healthy :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jemmy Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 A lot of the descriptions will be quite technical as good registered breeders are health testing, and working on improving their breed. They show or work their dogs so they can ensure their stock are sound and do what they say they'll do. Someone else will phrase it a lot better than I can I'm sure. My Luna is not a show dog, she's our pet. But she is from excellent lines, and her parents had the appropriate health tests and had been showed. We could have bought a cheaper dog from a backyard breeder, but I have the support of my breeder if I have any concerns. I know that the health testing has been done. And I know that she's a good example of her breed, and her parents have been judged to be excellent examples of their breed. To me those extras justify the additional cost... Her registration paper says so much more to me than that she's pure bred. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Contact the Bull Terrier club in your state and start from there. They should have a clear and simple explanation of the essential health testing and will probably be able to point you in the direction of a couple of local breeders so you can visit them as a starting point and get the feel for what's available, who you like or don't like, what you need to research more, what lines actually look and act like the dog you want etc etc etc. If you are perfectly clear from the start that you are only looking for the moment any good breeder will be happy to have a chat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 All puppies in a litter cost the same to raise whether they end up in a show home or a pet home. The price may seem high but add up all the costs it takes to get a well bred, well raised pup who is from health tested parents and possibly has already had some health tests themselves and you can see breeders rarely make much money at all. I've had 3 litters, only one "made a profit", pity about the other two who cost me several thousand between them. You have had some good responses here, follow them :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 What the others have said. While the price may seem high, if you choose the right registered breeder, you are getting not only the cost of a well bred, carefully raised puppy and on-going support. You also have the fun of knowing the background of the puppy's family through several generations. I don't know about Bull Terriers, but in my breed, people will often be charged more than the going ANKC breeder rate for a pup without any of the background tests or support. I see you're in WA ... there is a Bull Terrier Club there Link which may have some useful information. I would say don't necessarily discount getting a pup from an interstate breeder if you find one you 'click' with. Another thing that's worth doing is to go to a couple of dog shows and have a look at the dogs there, and if/when the exhibitors have time, make yourself known. Many exhibitors love to meet people interested in their breed and are happy to chat in down time. In fact, I see there's a Bull Terrier Specialty in Perth this Sunday (June 14th) :) WA dog event calendar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stressmagnet Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 (edited) When I first started researching Labradors - I couldn't believe the wide range in price! I mean, it's one of the most popular dog breeds around - how hard could it be to raise a litter? Especially for 'just' a pet home! Just greed, surely? Then I started noticing the differences in the levels of testing given; and the amount of support given. I started reading the testimonials and guestbook entries from folks who already owned pups from some of the more expensive breeders. And compared them to Gumtree ads (the ones where it was obviously an oops mating) or even the Trading Post. The differences in the looks was startling and the commitment to caring for the pup AFTER it left the 'seller' - the more expensive breeders seemed to actually CARE that the dog fit in with our family and had a long and happy life with us. And they would help us make that happen. In the end, I chose a small breeder who didn't have many litters but whose dogs went on to have seemingly great lives as pets and as service dogs. She was not the cheapest and even now, I hesitate to tell folks how much Ernie cost 'for a lab'. It truly was the best decision I've made. There's so much more that goes behind a pup than 'just' price. It's years if breeding for the right reasons; it's caring about the dog past the sell point and it's carefully matching temperament to buyer. I do not regret the months of Ranen Noodles Ernie cost me - not one mouthful. Edited June 11, 2015 by Stressmagnet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 This sunday the Bull Terrier club of WA have there champ show at the Canine grounds starting at 12.30 ,maybe head down & just see what is out there .Bullies aren't shown alot so this would be your chance to see them in large numbers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacefulboy Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 Thanks everyone for the suggestions :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tor Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 (edited) I will be buying a purebred Boxer puppy next year, right now I am saving up the purchase price - we have budgeted for insurance, training, feeding etc. I'm sure I could get a puppy more cheaply, but I want a pup who's parents have been health tested for the diseases Boxers are prone to - heart conditions mostly. I also trust my breeder to help me choose the right puppy, given that I am a less-experienced dog person. I want a dog that can run with me, so she has already said two of her breeding bitches would be more suitable than the one from more European lines who is heavier and less leggy. I also want an excellent temperament, on the calmer side of Boxer exuberance, as I intend to train for Delta therapy work, and this particular breeder has experience in that area also. I am also paying for a 36 month health guarantee, providing I follow the late/no de sexing contract and feed the recommended food. The puppies are very carefully raised and well socialised, and the information pack they come with is very extensive. The breeder is explicit about offering lifetime support and is a very experienced breeder and shower of Boxers, which is very important in a breed where the consequences for getting it wrong are pretty severe. I would say the same goes for Bull Terriers. ETA: realise that's unclear, I'm not paying extra for the health guarantee, that's just part of the puppy purchase price. Edited June 15, 2015 by Tor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I will be buying a purebred Boxer puppy next year, right now I am saving up the purchase price - we have budgeted for insurance, training, feeding etc. I'm sure I could get a puppy more cheaply, but I want a pup who's parents have been health tested for the diseases Boxers are prone to - heart conditions mostly. I also trust my breeder to help me choose the right puppy, given that I am a less-experienced dog person. I want a dog that can run with me, so she has already said two of her breeding bitches would be more suitable than the one from more European lines who is heavier and less leggy. I also want an excellent temperament, on the calmer side of Boxer exuberance, as I intend to train for Delta therapy work, and this particular breeder has experience in that area also. I am also paying for a 36 month health guarantee, providing I follow the late/no de sexing contract and feed the recommended food. The breeder is explicit about offering lifetime support and is a very experienced breeder and shower of Boxers, which is very important in a breed where the consequences for getting it wrong are pretty severe. I would say the same goes for Bull Terriers. A 36 month health guarantee? Is that through the breeder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tor Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Yes I just re read your post. I thought you were being charged extra for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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