What's reasonable to pay for SCWT?

Myles45

Hi all,

We are looking into getting a Soft coated wheaten terrier & would really prefer to get one from somewhere reputable if possible. just wondering what would be considered a reasonable price to pay?

We have found somewhere but the price seemed to be way over the top especially as we are not looking to show the dog, just to have a nice pet dog.

Regards

Cherry Blossom

'Somewhere reputable' to me means someone who has put in the time, effort and money to thoroughly research and educate themselves on the breed, its genetics and what exactly is involved in pairing dogs for breeding purposes. 'Someone reputable' will also have put a lo t of money into having all necessary genetic testing done on both dogs, it is likely they do not own the sire and so will have had to pay a hefty stud fee as the owner of the stud has to cover the costs of their share of testing etc.
'Someone reputable' has taken 3-4 months out their own life to ensure that your future dog has had the very best start in life, has invested heavily in all the necessary whelping equipment and put the time and effort into beginning to toilet train and socialise the pups before they go to their new home. They have covered the costs of registration, micro-chipping and first vaccinations. So it is completely up to you if you decide to support 'somewhere reputable' or line the greedy pockets of 'somewhere reasonable'.

If you are looking for 'somewhere reasonable' as you simply can't afford the costs incurred in producing a well bred healthy dog I would suggest keeping an eye out for one of the hundreds of pups that go 'free to good home' or try the rescue route and get good insurance with excellent veterinary cover because if you can't afford the cost of a well-bred healthy dog, you definitely can't afford the cost of a poorly bred with no thought as to the outcome dog .

ISDW

I don't know what, if any, genetic health problems wheaten's can have, has this breeder that you have found done all of the relevent tests for these issues, and shown you proof that they have been done and the parents are free of any issues? If so, then the price probably reflects that, and the health care etc for the dam during her pregnancy and whelping and the pups since they've been born.

Can I ask how much the pups are, maybe others wouldn't think its actually too high, knowing how much other, well bred, health tested pups cost.

Myles45

WOW!!

I wasn't expecting that reply Adrenalin Junkie!! All I asked was WHAT would a reasonable price be to expect to have to pay, I did NOT!! say I wanted or expected to get it for next to nothing!!

We had 3yr old, Old English Sheep Dog 3 years ago which was given to us by good friends who had rescued her from an unwanted situation, she was a fantastic dog, but unfortunately had a congenital heart disease & also we did not have insurance for her so as the disease progressed we had to pay for all her medication at approx €200 a month, until eventually we had to get our vet to put her down at the age of 5!!! So we are fully aware thank you very much of what can be involved.

ISDW, Thanks for your reply. From what research so far that we have done, they only suffer from Protein Wasting Desease (Which I am currently researching) & flea allergies. Not sure yet what the breeder has done as we are due to meet today & will obviously get all details then, but the puppies have come from multi award winning parents apparently.

They are asking 800

Regards

ISDW

I wouldn't say €800 is particularly expensive for a pedigree dog.

Myles45

Ok, Thanks ISDW.

As I said to AJ, that was all I was asking really, becasue we also have an 11 yr old Cairn Terrier whom we paid £350 for & who is also a great dog, so it just seemed 800 was a good bit more, but if that is a fair price then all good & well

ISDW

Definitely make sure you talk to them about genetic health issues though, and see the proof that they've had tests done etc.

Did you find the breeder through the breed club? Might be a good idea to contact them anyway, ask what they think is a fair price for a well bred, healthy pup. I'm going on prices for siberian huskies and alaskan malamutes:)

Cherry Blossom

OP I don't own a soft coated wheaten terrier so I think I answered your question to the best of my ability. I am currently looking into getting a Sheltie however and am having some difficulty finding one that tests the knee joints which is important as it will be an agility dog. If I find a breeder I would expect to pay in excess of £1,000 as the likelyhood is if I want one enough to continue looking I'll have to go to Scotland for it :rolleyes:

I guess what I'm saying is that it's all relative to the breed, it's purpose etc ...

Myles45

Thanks all for your replies, got to go now to see breeder, will let you know how we get on