The president of Dogs Queensland is urging prospective buyers to be wary of puppy scams and ‘back-yard breeders’ as prices soar.
There’s been a high demand for pets around Australia and Ulla Greenwood warns buyers to be wary when it comes to selecting one.
“Dogs have been popular over this period of COVID, when people have been more confined,” she said.
“And the price increase has happened because it’s a market-place situation.”
She said some puppies were selling for more than $10,000.
“There are ridiculous prices out there.”
She estimated the starting price for a French bulldog was about $3000.
“If someone is asking for more than $4000 for a puppy the (potential) buyer should get in touch with Dogs Queensland and get some advice,” she said.
“It’s a real case of buyers beware and it’s important they do their research. It’s an important decision adding a puppy to your household. It’s a long-term commitment to get the right puppy for your situation.”
Puppy scams and ‘back-yard breeders’
Mrs Greenwood warned of puppy scammers, taking advantage of desperate buyers.
“The puppies some people are advertising are non-existent,” she said.
“People are paying good money for them … sight unseen.”
She said scams were up five-fold in 2020, from 2019.
“It’s been hard for people to source a puppy (during COVID) so scamsters lift a photo of a puppy from the internet and put it forward as a puppy they are selling. People get sucked into that (and buy) sight unseen.”
Mrs Greenwood said one recent example was a woman in Victoria who was about to buy a poodle from someone in Tasmania, for more than $3000. The breeder said the dog would be flown across the strait with Jetstar.
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The buyer realised she was being scammed after it was pointed out to her that dogs can’t travel with that airline carrier.
Mrs Greenwood (pictured) also warned of “backyard breeders” and puppy farms.
“There’s real concern for the lack of thought that’s gone into the breeding of the litters,” she said.
“It’s all about the welfare of the pups. As a breeder you’ve got a real responsibility about what you’re bringing into the world.
“It’s really important for buyers to go to the property where the litter of puppies is, ideally meet the father and mother and certainly see what the set-up is, to see whether it is a quality situation those puppies have been reared in.”
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She said puppies with health issues have been bought without the buyer realising.
“It might be a pure-bred dog, but it might be from someone very inexperienced in breeding and it comes come with all sorts of health issues. You could pay $4000 and that’s just the start of a very expensive situation, with ongoing vet bills.”
And Mrs Greenwood said it was too easy for people to be registered as breeders.
“If you have a couple of potential breeding dogs in your backyard, you can just go online and within 10 minutes get a breeder identification number.
“That makes for a different dynamic in the market-place where consumers aren’t sure about the experience of the people they are buying from, and at some ridiculous prices.”
Happy to help
Mrs Greenwood said Dogs Queensland had more than 6000 members, including about 4000 legitimate breeders who complied with a breeders’ code of conduct.
The 72-year-old organisation operates under the Australian National Kennel Council.
Dogs Queensland breeders registered 300 more litters of puppies in 2020 compared to 2019, as they try to meet the increased demand.
“Our breeders are listed on our website dogsqueensland.org.au. There’s plenty of information there and all the breeds listed as well, and we also have breeders under our umbrella listed.”
She said Dogs Queensland could help people buy the right puppy for their circumstance.
“We’ve got people who are always happy to liaise with members of the public and give advice about choice of breed and also breeders they could contact.”
Mrs Greenwood has seven whippets and enjoys taking them to the beach on the Sunshine Coast, where she has a residence.
“I want to get the message out (to buyers) that there are pit-falls but there are ways to counter that and to make sure you get a quality puppy to suit your situation,” she said.
“Some dogs live for up to 15 years and it’s a long-term impact on your family … so you want to make a wise decision with choice of breed and breeder.”
Top 10 most popular breeds and estimated average prices via Dogs Queensland breeders.
1. French bulldog ($5000)
2. Staffordshire bull terrier ($2500)
3. Labrador retriever ($3500)
4. Border collie ($3000)
5. Golden retriever ($4000)
6. German shepherd ($3000)
7. Miniature schnauzer ($5000)
8. Cocker spaniel ($5000)
9. Rottweiler ($3500)
10. Boxer ($3000)
11. Pug ($4000)
