Is It Better To Buy From A Pet Store Or A Private Breeder
How much is that doggie in the window?
You may save money and trouble by doing your homework and finding a puppy outside a pet shop.
People buy dogs from pet stores because they are uninformed or making an emotional decision, said Barry Wyerman, secretary of the Oakland County Kennel Club. People say they cant go into a pet store it tugs at their heart strings to see puppies living in these 2-by-2 crates. They cant even go in, because they know where those dogs come from, see how cute they are and its an extremely emotional conflict.
But on a recent Friday evening, Petland Novi was full of people cooing over the puppies behind glass in those crates.
One woman said she brought her daughter and some of her fellow Girl Scouts, just to look.
Employees brought out a Yorkie and a peke-a-poo, a mix of a Pekingese and poodle, and the puppies romped in a pen while the humans gathered around to lean in and pet them.
A miniature poodle recently purchased at Petland Novi sold for $4,000, and Gage Liberati, a store manager, said some dogs there sell for as much as $6,000.
What Is The Price Range Of Their Puppies
Now if youre considering buying a puppy from Petland, you most likely want to know what the price range is.
The prices for different breeds of puppy can vary widely, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to $9,000.
If youre looking for a puppy on the cheaper end of the price range, you may want to go for terrier varieties, beagles, or chihuahuas, which are all typically less pricey breeds.
If youre okay with paying on the high end, take a look at the eskimo or doodle breeds, which are known to run a little higher.
If youve heard of Petland before, you may have heard of the puppy mill scandal surrounding their name.
It was thought for a long period of time that Petland sourced its puppies from puppy mills, which are generally thought of to be harmful and unhealthy for puppies.
However, the company has since told reporters and investigators many times that they source their puppies from USDA licensed breeders only, and do not deal with puppy mills whatsoever.
Despite Petlands statements to the contrary, investigators from Humane Society have concluded that they do still source their puppies from puppy mills.
While many pet stores throughout the country have transitioned to more humane means of purchasing their puppies, it seems that Petland still sources from controversial puppy mills.
Does Petland Kill Dogs
As with our previous investigations of the national pet store chain, we again found animals at Petland stores with illnesses ranging from seizures to respiratory infections, diarrhea and vomiting. At some stores, puppies died without being taken promptly to a veterinary hospital for severe illnesses.
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Should I Buy A Puppy From Petland
Petland stores boast being one of the most reputable breeders in the industry and one of the safest places to buy a puppy. The company standards go well above and beyond government and industry standards, and Petland doesnt mind paying additional costs to maintain the highest-quality care for its animals.
Cost Of Adopting A Golden Retriever
Buying a golden retriever versus adopting one is a common debate for aspiring dog owners. Adopting a dog usually means finding your future pet at a rescue or shelter. Conversely, when you choose to buy a golden retriever you typically purchase the dog directly from their owner or breeder.
Adoption is typically cheaper than buying a golden retriever since starting adoption fees tend to be around $250 to $500. Please note that depending on the shelter, you may have to pay additional golden retriever costs for certain shots and procedures.
Unfortunately, at shelters and rescues, you may not have a wide selection of dogs to choose from especially if youre looking for a specific gender, breed, age, or health level.
Its also important to remember that, sometimes, adopted golden retrievers have behavior or health issues, which could make things harder for you in the future. You simply dont know as much about your new dogs history as you would if you purchased directly from a trusted breeder.
On the other hand, when you buy from a reputable breeder, youll have a higher chance of bringing home a happy and healthy golden retriever that will cost you less in the long run.
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Breeders Vs Pet Stores
Wyerman, a Novi resident, said although prices vary depending on popularity of breeds and number of pups in a litter, most people can purchase a purebred dog from a private seller for between $600 and $1,500. Besides offering lower prices, reputable breeders strive to maintain healthy bloodlines in dogs, he added.
There are three levels of dog breeders, said Wyerman. The first level are people who are very committed to the breeds, they know everything about that breed. They can look at a puppy and know what that dog is going to do. Its like trying to pick Miss America out of a baby, but they are conscious about breeding a healthy dog, they test the health of dogs before they breed them, they look for genetic markers.
The second level of breeders are ones that breed dogs based on what the dog looks like, or with personality and temperament in mind.
The third level, or the one Wyerman said people dont like to talk about, are the commercial breeders, who own large kennels and are in it for the money, some of whom sell to pet stores. A litter of six or seven puppies selling for $4,000 each equals more than some people make in an annual salary, he added.
Dogs end up in pet stores, and its a ready market, said Wyerman. What is cuter than an 8-week-old puppy? The downside is you pay a premium. And what goes along with that is you dont have a health history or know the temperament the parents had.
Its a trend that Wyerman doesnt particularly like.
Pros And Cons Of Adopting From An Animal Rescue Center
There are naturally going to be a few pros and cons that come along with adopting a dog from a shelter.
Thankfully for many, the pros outweigh the cons.
First, if you choose to adopt a puppy instead of buy one, youll be saving one of the millions of dogs that are euthanized in shelters every year.
Youll also be paying much less for your new canine friend, which can be a huge plus if youre working with a tighter budget.
And finally, you can feel good about helping to alleviate the strain placed on animal shelters from overpopulation. Sounds like a good deal, right?
Of course there are some cons to consider as well.
To start, youll have to settle for whatever breed of dog they currently have available at the shelter.
You may also have to fill out a lot of paperwork to finalize the adoption.
And on top of this, the dog you adopt may have serious behavioral issues or even emotional trauma for you to deal with.
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Health Care And Veterinary Bills
Whilst Golden Retrievers are generally a healthy breed they may run into some health complications along the way.
Unfortunately cancer is the most common ailment that Goldens face. If your pup develops any sort of cancer it can be extremely expensive to treat. Cancer treatments can often cost $8,000-$15,000, so many Golden Retriever owners opt to purchase pet insurance in the event of these unexpected health concerns.
In addition Goldens may develop hip dysplasia , entropion , cataracts and ichthyosis .
The best way to combat these complications is to keep your pup at a healthy weight, watch closely for any unusual symptoms, and stay on top of regular vet check-ups.
Vaccinations and early health screenings will also further help ensure the health of your beloved family member.
Remember too that as puppies they will need a series of vaccines.
In total you can expect to pay $350-$650 in medical expenses during the first year, in addition to any spay/neuter charges which typically cost $250-$500.
Insurance
Given these huge expenses, lots of people purchase insurance for their dog. This type of insurance works very similarly to human insurance, you pay a premium each month and in return, the insurance company will help cover any unexpected medical expenses your pet may run into.
You can expect to pay around $50 each month for pet insurance for a Golden.
PetPlan covers injury and disease in every adult tooth not just the canines.
Golden Retrievers Are Very Family
Saying that Golden Retrievers love their families is an understatement. If you own a Golden Retriever, you will forever have an affectionate companion by your side. Goldens see their loved ones as members of their pack, and will always be loyal to them, no matter what. Their friendliness also extends to other people and pets. You will rarely see a Golden thats aggressive towards others.
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How Much Is A Golden Retriever
As we covered above, the Golden Retriever price for you is going to depend on whether or not you go through a breeder for a show quality or companion puppy, or if you go through a rescue.
On average, a purebred Golden Retriever can cost from $500 to $3,000 when sold through a breeder.
Adoption fees for a Golden Retriever through a shelter are usually lower, around $50 to $300.
After that, the overall cost of a Golden Retriever is between $14,480 and $15,782.
And while this may seem like quite a bit of change to fork over for a pooch, most dog owners will agree that you cant put a price on the love of a dog.
Do you have a Golden? Tell us all about your lovable furball in the comments!
Read about the beautiful female Golden Retriever here!
Do Petland Puppies Come From Puppy Mills
Those of you who are familiar with Petland may be aware of the puppy mill scandal surrounding their name.
Until recently, it was assumed that Petland sourced its puppies from puppy mills, which are generally thought to be harmful and unhealthy for puppies.
The company has since told reporters and investigators that they only purchase their puppies from USDA-licensed breeders, and do not deal with puppy mills.
Humane Society investigators concluded, despite Petlands claims to the contrary, that the company still sources puppies from puppy mills.
Petland sources their puppies from controversial puppy mills, even though many pet stores have transferred to more humane methods of purchasing puppies.
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Calculating The Cost For A Golden Retriever Puppy
Yes, it is true that purebred puppies can cost quite a bit, especially when coming from reputable breeders.
Still, your safest bet when looking to bring a new puppy into your home is to do your research and either go through a responsible breeder or a local rescue shelter.
Lets talk about breeders.
Golden Retriever Cost Breakdown:
Now that you know the price range to buy a golden retriever, we need to examine the additional golden retriever costs that you can expect when you bring your new puppy home like veterinary care, food, toys, and more. Its important to remember that when you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder, you are more likely to encounter lower golden retriever costs over the lifetime of your pet.
Its important to give your golden retriever the health checks they need in order to grow strong and healthy. According to the American Kennel Club, there are some essential steps and vet bills youll need to take care of before your golden retrievers first birthday:
- Full physical exam: $50 $100
- Recommended vaccines : $100 $200
- Rabies vaccine: $10 $20
- Heartworm preventatives: $70 $200
- Total price of veterinary expenses: $335 $665
To ensure you get a healthy dog, its generally better to buy a golden retriever that has already had its first round of health checks, vaccines, and paperwork. This will ultimately save you time and money on your golden retriever price because breeders often pay lower veterinary rates than individuals do.
Distemper, for example, is a highly contagious disease that attacks the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous systems of dogs. Unfortunately, there is no cure just a lot of expenses and stress which really adds to your overall golden retriever cost.
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Are Puppies From Puppy Mills Healthy
This question is hotly debated between huge pet stores like Petland and human societies and animal rights advocates.
Petland claims that their puppies are healthy in a vast majority, even if they get them from puppy mills.
However, the Humane Societys investigations into the conditions at puppy mills would argue otherwise.
The Humane Society found that many of the puppies coming from puppy mills and being sold at Petland had infections, diseases, or other health issues.
Petland also refused to compensate buyers for puppies who died of such a health complication only a few weeks after buying them.
Since the people who run puppy mills only have one concern, that being selling as many puppies to vendors and fast as possible, health and cleanliness are not a priority.
This has been found to lead to a filthy, disease-ridden environment for the puppies that come from puppy mills.
Oftentimes, puppies that come from such environments are not healthy at all.
Goldens Are Super Easy To Train
Golden Retrievers are often featured in TV shows and movies. The reason for this is simple: Goldens are incredibly easy to train! These beautiful dogs are intelligent and eager to please, so training is usually a breeze with them. Goldens also feel a strong loyalty towards their owners, which keeps them from being stubborn or exhibiting aggressive behavior. Like all dogs, make sure to socialize your Golden Retriever puppy early and use positive training.
Golden Retrievers are such amazing dogs. Remember to note that this breed is high-energy and active so they need constant activity to prevent boredom. Their kind and loyal nature will definitely win over your heart. With the right family, they can thrive and be their happy, goofy selves!
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Golden Retrievers Love Water
Many dogs arent exactly fans of water. They may not enjoy getting wet or associate water with bathtime. Golden Retrievers are an exception to this common canine trait! Goldens love water, and especially swimming. Their athletic build and energetic nature make this breed a perfect partner for all kinds of water games and sports. Just make sure the water is clean and safe for your Golden to swim in!
How Much Are Puppies At Petland Novi
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Unit 106 novi, mi 48377 phone: Filmed as part of hsuss initial investigation the store received puppies directly from
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Where Is The Best Place To Buy A Puppy From
If youre currently looking for a puppy, it can be hard to find a place that offers options that are ethical and varied.
The best option is to buy from puppy breeders who are licensed by the USDA.
Breeders who have such licenses have proven that they are ethical in their breeding practices and provide a healthy and clen environment for the puppies they breed.
Many of these breeders can charge high sums for their high-quality puppies, so if youre working with a tight budget, you may want to look at other options.
Other options include adopting from pet adoption agencies or even from local animal shelters.
Adopting a dog can help alleviate strain on local animal services who keep stray animals off the street.
Many dogs each year get euthanized for lack of space in such shelters, so if youre looking for a dog and what an ethical option that helps cut back on puppy overpopulation, it may be best to try to adopt.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy Food For A Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are large breed dogs that require plenty of food and exercise.
Generally, basic dry golden retriever food can cost about $100 $250 per year for a 30-pound bag every 1 2 months. High quality dry food might go between $200 $400 per year for the same quantity and frequency.
Wet dog food will cost a bit more and range between $400 $1,000 per year for 1 3 cases of 13-ounce cans per month. The cost for food will depend on the size, age, and activity level of your companion.
When you buy dog food, always check the labels and make sure they meet the standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials while they dont regulate, test, or certify pet foods in any way, they do establish the nutritional standards for complete and balanced pet foods. Fortunately, the cheaper brands of dog food can be just as good as the more premium brands as long as they meet the standards of AAFCO and are made with minimal processing. When making your decision, make sure to avoid artificial ingredients and preservatives where you can, since they could cause health problems for your dog.
Here is a list of prices for some popular golden retriever food brands:
If you want to give your new dog the best, happiest, and most-loving home possible, its important to have a few key essentials ready for your new family member! Heres a quick list of things to get and their average expenses:
- Dental Products: $10 $30
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Golden Retriever Service Dog Price
Golden Retrievers are a common choice for service dogs because of their dependable nature and willingness to learn.
This breed is used for guide-dog work or for individuals who are deaf. These beautiful dogs can also be great therapy dogs because of their affectionate nature.
A well trained Golden Retriever service dog can cost up to $25,000.
This hefty price is a result of the rigorous training that these dogs need to go through to perform their job and the highquality care that they receive.