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Puppies on CL

3K views 45 replies 25 participants last post by  tiffanysgallery 
#1 ·
Now that Christmas is just around the corner, I'm seeing a lot of puppies on Craigslist. Seems like the prices start at around $400 and go up higher. Is that the going price for a dog these days, or is it just the Christmas bubble? Rescue/shelter dogs seem to be about $300, but that's with shots, a vet exam, and neutering.

geo
 
#3 ·
I've seen Goldendoodles advertized for $1500.
Makes me want to go into the mutt raising business.

Of the two dogs I have now, Daisy (Golden Retriever) was $450 and a gift from my daughter to replace my beloved English Setter I had to put down.
My other dog Elli, a combination of four different herding breeds and without a doubt the smartest dog I have ever seen, cost me nothing.
 
#4 ·
I've got two dogs from CL, one was $100 because the woman was pregnant and didn't want to tackle a toddler, pregnancy and a puppy. She had gotten her from a friend and included everything she had gotten for the pup and just wanted her money back. The second one was in exchange for donations to a toy drive. Both happy and healthy dogs but total mutts and not bred just to be sold.
If you want a specific breed skip CL, true breeders don't need really have trouble finding people that want their puppies. The people on CL asking $300-$500 for a 'purebred' just seem to be aspiring puppy mill owners.
 
#5 ·
A pound dog runs just a bump over $100 here, including everything. If you want a purebred, they won't have papers, but you'll often find those at the pound, too. Especially the most popular breeds. But mostly they are just lovable mutts, most of which make good dogs with a bit of training.

A good breeder doesn't have to put their puppies on CL. If you are looking for a working dog, talk to people who use those dogs as part of their everyday living and ask about who raised the best dogs... You'll eventually find the common thread. If you are looking for a well-bred pet, look at the guys who are breeding and competing for the love of the breed, and talk to them about the health of their dogs and how much they want for pet quality animals. My daughter got her Sheltie that way...Great dog.
 
#7 ·
Seems the best way around here to get a good dog is to "know a guy." It's localese for word of mouth. We've had incredibly good luck with both a purebred and mutts on the farm. There's lots of good people on CL but I wouldn't risk buying an animal off there. But to each his own.
 
#11 ·
I bought my dog off CL as a puppy.

It's a cute story. We got a house with a backyard finally, so for my older son's 10th birthday we wanted a PUPPY. All the shelters only had pit bulls and Chihuahuas. We were pretty open to the breed, except those. So I found someone selling golden retriever/ lab mix, super cute. We drove 2 hours one way to meet them, told the kid we were going to buy some car parts, and the lady pulls two black fur balls from her car. Totally surprised. Ended up paying $125, for him. He was healthy but covered in fleas.

Nearly 7 years later. He's THE BEST dog.

Would never do it again. Next dog, we're getting from a shelter.
 
#12 ·
I've had purebreds and I've had mutts. I've had strays that showed up at the front door and stayed for 12 years. They were all incredible and I loved them all. You get out of a dog what you put into it, sorta. They all had distinctive personalities. Had a couple with an incredible sense of humor, a prima donna, a couple of lovable sweethearts that were dumber than a rock. Once they call my place home they are family, like it or not.
 
#13 ·
I had always got pound pups and loved every one of them. But ther prices started going up riveling the cost of a pup with papers.
My last 2 pound pups cost me more than a pure breed pup would have.
Pound pup # 1 was from a Ohio shelder found her on Pet finder dot com and was supposed to be a Vizla with out papers because she was the runt and the breeder would not sell her him self with papers. Get her home Saturday afternoon, Sunday she was one sick puppy who wouldn't eat or drink and was pukeing. Monday morning took her to the vet who was really mad because they had spade her at 6 weeks and she had also picked up a virus. She stayed at the vets clinic for 3 days she was so sick. the vet bill and what we paid the shelter for her added up to almost $700.00. She was one great hunting dog how ever and a lovable pet.

Last pound pup was also found thru pet finder she is supposed to be Shir Pei. Got her from the Saginaw Michigan county shelter.
We got her home then all of a sudden she is sick and breaking out in pimples. she had PUPPY STRANGLES. We didn't have to leave her at the vets just take her back every couple days for shots and we were giving her meds 2 times a day at home.
she isn't much of a hunting dog but a smart lovable girl. Her cost with the 100 fee the county shelter charged and the vet bill and meds added up to $553.00.
She was my only dog and Kare knew I was wanting a hunting dog.

After searching pet finder, looking at a bunch of breeders web sites we found my Stormy, born during one of the worst 2016 snow storms Michigan had that winter. she is a Ryman style english setter.
We paid 700.00 for her Have papers with all the linage back to her great great grand dad and mom. she came with a warrenty of health for 2 years. She is smart as a whip and never did bite down with neddle teeth. she has one of the softest mouths I have ever had in a dog. I have had Brittanys, Springers and a Lab all with papers when I was younger but Stormy is as good as they were but the softest mouth.

No more pound pups for me.

Stormy at 8 months.





No way I would buy off CL. If the4 breeder is worth a hoot they have a Web site for their breed and farm.
Like this one.
english-setters


:D Al
 
#14 ·
Both dogs we have now were strays my daughter brought home. We tried to adopt from the local shelter and they gave us a puppy with parvo. $80 adoption fee, $75 vet visit just to know it was going to die. No refunds but we could select another dog from the shelter in a month, yeah no thanks. I know there are good shelters but our local isnt. Im dying to have a bird dog again and was about to get one when "Coco" was brought home without permission (oh the joys of parenting). If you want a good sporting or working dog it pays to get a purebred from a reputable place. If you just want a companion dog, find a poor little guy in a bad spot and give him a home. Like my horses, why buy a roper or cutter to trail ride when grade will do ;)
 
#16 ·
We bought our dog off CL. We weren't even looking for a dog.

But I was perusing and stopped on this pic of 3 yellow lab pups all piled on top of each other....then a few feet away and looking in the opposite direction was a little black pup. I knew right then he was mine and we went and got him that night.


The owners only charged us a $20 rehoming fee. He's a mutt. Mom is golden retriever dad unknown. Now a 5 yo 100 lb lap dog.

I love him so much.
 

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#17 · (Edited)
Vertebrate Dog breed Dog Canidae Puppy
Dog Vertebrate Dog breed Canidae Mammal


my silver dapple dachshund, ms spot pucci, has had two litters so far. purebred, but undocumented. each time i have put the pups on craigslist for $250.00 i do a lot of my own vet work. puppy shots and wormer are available at the feed store. the first litter, spot got eclampsia, and we did have to take her to the vet for that (weekend, vet emergency room - that was expensive!). all in all, it has been just barely cash positive.
 
#19 ·
In Michigan there are no regulations on "rescues", so often they pose as an animal shelter, but are really the retail outlet for a puppy mill.
The Craigs List puppies are often drop off points for puppy mills. Jay's Sporting Goods has puppy sales in their parking lot every Sunday. Another retail outlet for puppy mills. Pet Stores get their puppies from puppy mills and retail for an 8 week purebred Boxer, $1995.00. The Appalachian breeder gets a third that amount.
Some puppy mill retailers post on Petfinder.com, pose as a rescue. When they tell you they are a 501.c3, that is just a non-tax status for IRS and says nothing about their rescue status.
Tens of thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized each year for lack of a home. Maany thousands more spend a long time in a cage at a Protection Shelter for lack of a home.
But people love puppies and kittens and are too lazy to get them spade or neutered. For every puppy you buy, a puppy mill prospers and an animal shelter dog dies.
 
#20 ·
It kinda bothers me that the first place anyone looks these days... is CL....?
I really don't trust CL...especially for a big purchase.....or in this case...a live purchase.

I more of a "Know a guy".....or if looking for something...."Do YOU know a guy"

Purebreds have been from kennels....that have websites, linage and past awards.
Several (3) were Ducks Unlimited Auction dogs.
THese days I have to agree NOT the buy the dog at the dinner...so others can have a chance.
I have put in my "dibbs" on dogs that were not born yet....

Mixes have come from friends or neighbors that' "just couldn't keep them...."
Few have come from shelters...as older dogs...and were alway the best behaved..."I'll be good honest...I don't what to go back to the pound.

My best hunting dog was an undocumented pure bred lab (or so they said) from my BIL

BIL got divorced and couldn't keep the dog....He came to live with us
...and hunted with both of us....
He wasn't "my dog" just a heck of a hunter.... then let us hunt with him...
Another lab was from another BIL that had passed...but we have always agreed to care for her...

Purebreds are not cheap....but are guaranteed for hips and health.
Nothing tears your heart out to come home with a pup, that has serious health, problem...fight for them, spend the money and then lose them anyway.

As I don't hunt as hard as I used to....if and when time does comp.....older pound dog(?) for us.
 
#22 ·
My niece is saying, I just want a puppy that stays small. She's graduating HS in six months and wants something to cuddle, like a specialty dog that we don't normally see at the animal shelter.
I imagine if you keep looking you can find a small mutt at a shelter.
Maybe if she volunteered at a shelter she could get dibs when one comes in.
Paying exorbitant prices for crossbreeds just encourages puppy mills.
 
#25 ·
Our vet maintains a listing of dogs available for adoption...and are listed several ways...
Breed, sizes and ages...
They also have a list or rescue organizations .....
These are not "pounds",.......

One of my labs was an 18 month old "puppy" that hadn't been sold by a kennel breeder.
He needed a home, and I needed a new friend....
 
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#26 ·
Our vet maintains a listing of dogs available for adoption...and are listed several ways...
Breed, sizes and ages...
They also have a list or rescue organizations .....
These are not "pounds",.......

One of my labs was an 18 month old "puppy" that hadn't been sold by a kennel breeder.
He needed a home, and I needed a new friend....
Different states do it differently, according to individual state laws. In Michigan, "pounds" evolved into Animal Control Shelters. These are run by the city or county. aggressive or otherwise unwanted pets are euthanized after a hold time. Then, there are Animal Protection Shelters. These shelters accept owner surrendered pets and take/transfer pets from Animal Control Shelters. Both types are inspected by the state and have to maintain high standards.
Animal Rescues, in Michigan, are unregulated, uninspected and can be anything: illegally imported dogs, stolen dogs, puppy mills, whatever. But they can also be animal lovers trying to find homes for unwanted pets. Both will look the same to someone buying a pet. Rest assured that if they have 8 week old puppies every week, they are a puppy mill or an outlet for a puppy mill.
 
#28 ·
My niece is saying, I just want a puppy that stays small. She's graduating HS in six months and wants something to cuddle, like a specialty dog that we don't normally see at the animal shelter. She's looking on CL, but hasn't found one that isn't too expensive for her waitress income.
Not to be Dougie downer....doesn't seem she wants a DOG, she want's a toy.....
I question her maturity id "cuddling is the major goal...

When you bring one home.....it is your responsibility.
Sorry
 
#30 ·
A woman just leaving High School should not be getting a cuddle buddy. She needs to be focused on getting an education, a trade or a job. If the parenting attempts were successful, she'll soon be in her own place. Generally that means a rental. The puppy will stand in the way to many housing situations.
Too often this type of situation leads to an untrained dog, left alone too often, develops bad habits out of boredom, grows up, not so cute, and gets dropped off at the Animal Shelter. Many 18 year olds cannot commit to who they are sleeping with month to month, they sure can't make a decade long commitment.
 
#29 ·
My niece is saying, I just want a puppy that stays small.
From that one statement I foresee nothing but trouble here. I don't think your neice understands that puppies become dogs and once you take on an animal, its for life -- for good or bad. For the sake of the dog, I hope someone sits her down and explains things to her.
 
#33 ·
I spoke with my niece to clarify and she wants a Pomeranian, but she's open to a dog that stays small, LIKE a Pomeranian or Chihuahua. I guess I should apologize for my initial post as to what size dog. And, I don't want to take up a lot of time here bragging about my niece, but to say... she's a really good kid. :) I appreciate everyone's comments!
 
#37 ·
My experience with CL had been great. Bought and sold a lot of stuff including live stock. Trust worthy rural folks. ******** are even better. I am not a local so I don't know that many people do I often go to CL.

Perhaps when I decide to get a dog I better talk to the folks I know so far... Because they all know tons of people here
 
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