how do you handle this question?
 I was always taught it's not polite to ask but it happens frequently when I have Fred out in public. I was just wondering if that happens to anyone else and how you choose to answer that question  thanks |
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| Never had that happen to me. I guess my response might vary depending on my mood dejour... We had yet another woman ask if our Sheepies were golden-doodles... I politely replied that there was nothing golden about them  Vance |
| Instead of telling how much I paid, I talk about what makes a good breeder and a well bred dog. Then I tell them the range they should expect to pay. On the one hand, it's none of their business what I actually paid. On the other, it is a good opportunity to educate them. And of course, my little girl is absolutely priceless!  |
| I've had many annoying people ask that very question and it is uncomfortable. I like the answers that they are indeed priceless and a good opportunity to educate about breeding. Usually, I can't answer because I'm so appalled by the question. I did tell one nosy parent that its not the price as much as the care and costs to maintain ANY pet. Probably went over his head |
auntybren wrote: Usually, I can't answer because I'm so appalled by the question. Oh jeeze, maybe I should not have offered you 500 bucks for Charm at the Shindig!   |
Most people that try to ask me start with "Where did you get him?" When I say, "He came from a great breeder in Canada," they never seem to be able to ask anything else.  Of course, most of those people think getting a puppy from the back of a pickup in the Walmart parking lot is a great idea. |
| It depends on the person and my mood how I answer. Lily was a gift after my first dog died. So she was free for me. (Best gift ever! My bday is in august just so everyone knows.... ) If its just a general question I answer honestly (free) and go into how much it is to maintain her even though she is was free (as with any free pet it cost money to maintain them) and go into what owning a sheepie is like etc etc etc. If they are being rude, overly pushy/in my space I have fun with it.  |
| I always say something like: "A quality [insert breed name here] from a quality breeder will cost around [insert dollar amount here]. A show quality [insert breed name here] from a quality breeder will cost around [insert dollar amount here]. This way, I'm not telling anyone how much I paid for the dog and that let's them know what they can expect to pay. I might also add that they could maybe find a better price but the dog will probably be sub-standard in quality. On a related note, we once had Brick on the patio of a bar/restaurant on a local lake. The other party on the patio said after looking at Brick, "that's one of those $1,500 dogs". They didn't say that to us, just amongst themselves, but we could hear it. We chuckled. |
| I think if the person was asking just to find out how much you paid, I would say something like every dime was well worth it, but they are alot of work keeping up their coats and leave it like that. If the person was asking like they were thinking of purchasing one I would give a ball park figure of what to expect to pay from a good breeder...and remind them about the additional cost once they get home. They are worth everydime we do pay for them. |
| This thread reminded me - last year we were walking down the street in a local village (Cazenovia, for Mark's info) when this car made a quick u-turn, pulled up next to us, and a woman came flying out of it. "I heard there was a sheepdog around here, and I've been dying to talk to you!" She was looking for a puppy, loved sheepies, and asked tons of questions about care (especially grooming), temperament, health issues, etc. We talked for probably half an hour, with Benson just chilling in the midst of the group. I don't even remember talking about how much we paid for her, though it may have come up toward the very end of the conversation. (If a person is serious about getting a dog, price is not usually the conversation starter.) Funny thing is, my breeder had just e-mailed the day before to say she had some puppies available, and did we know anyone interested. I gave the woman her contact information - and she brought home Benson's half brother! With all of my family health issues, we didn't get to meet Milton until just a couple of weeks ago - and he is great! Clearly well-loved, well cared for, and Kathleen and her family are ecstatic to have Milton as part of their family. Of course, we took pictures!  (There's a squirrel in that tree!!) |
| The other day This woman I had never met stopped me on the street and told me: "This must be an expensive dog" To which I replied "Priceless" Never met her again! Since then Anne and I make jokes and sometime refer to Mao as our "expensive dog" Thierry |
Hmmm, I can always say "the dog itself wasn't that expensive, the nice turbo car I bought for the dog was a fair bit more."  |
| I ALWAYS get that question! I understand... and am never offended. I get they're doing it because the dog has peaked their interest and nothing more... Like many others, my answer changes depending on WHO is asking and my mood. If I don't see them owning an OES for whatever reason, I probably say a crap load. If it's someone who I feel would make a good owner and is serious... I generally just give them a range of what I hear is normal. With my new breed which is VERY rare... it's usually the first question asked once they know what it's called. Two people at the airport...in the 5 min I had him came up to my breeder and me and asked as well. TWO... |
| hmmm, another answer I thought of which sadly, has a ring of truth to it: "oh about half the price of the average golden-doodle"... |
When asked "how much", we could be jerks and answer, "too much for you".  |
Baba wrote: auntybren wrote: Usually, I can't answer because I'm so appalled by the question. Oh jeeze, maybe I should not have offered you 500 bucks for Charm at the Shindig! oh pleeeeeze, you said $50!!! |
| Funny all the mentions about people asking if your dog is a sheepiedoodle or a golden doodle. I got that one today for the first time at that same park!! Maybe I need to find a new park lol. Honestly thanks for all the advice. I'm not good at what to say when put on the spot about things like that. |
| I always say $10,00 to $15,000 and that it depends on what the markings are . Get some horrified looks when all three are with me! |
| Love all the responses. Will use them. |
| Simple answer to that! "Oh I don't know, he was a present to me!" |
| I say I have no idea, they run the house, so I just write the checks they tell me to . . . then start on a dissertation about my "investment", sitting on the living room floor for 1/2 hour a day (each) with a comb, sitting on a footstool for haircuts until my legs go numb, the training . . . then, I explain how they give so much more to me, whatever I invest . . . I am the lucky one, because, I get so much more from them. But, if they are concerned about the investment, Walmart has one for $15. |
| Ok Gee what's wrong with just being honest, I had always wanted one for years and when I saw another one out in the park last year I asked the man how much he paid for him and if he knew where I could find a good breeder. I thank god for his honest answers cause now I have Max. The rest of you seem to think anything else but the truth is funny or makes you feel so superior cause you have one and they don't. Some of you sound horrible and full of your selves. |
| Oh please. Your question was different from the others and would illicit a serious response........."good breeder." You just elevated yourself above the 1. I ain't spending more than $500 for a dog, 2. People who are looking to go into byb and make a "fortune" perhaps by stealing your dog. A serious question will result in serious answers. The rest can be brushed off with humor. |
| I always just say "A lot." Often having to repeat it until they get the point. Complete strangers ask more often how much our RV cost! I use the same answer there. |
| Being a breeder, I always say "in this part of the country you can expect to pay between $$$$$ & $$$$$ for a well bred OES from a reputable breeder. I follow up with letting them know if they have other questions about the breed I'll be happy to answer their questions. Most of the time tho', the 1st question I get is "Do you breed these?" |
| With some of your answers to that question , its really easy to see why the Old English Sheepdog is a dying breed, We are privileged to have these dogs in our lives, Max has taught me way more about being a good owner than any human could ever do. Why not be truthful with that maybe future OES owner, it has no reflection on you to tell them the truth. Im so glad the person I asked didn't feel as most of you do. |
| I think it is rude to ask someone, especially a stranger what they paid for anything; house, car, boat, RV, dog, etc. To me it is the same as asking someone what their salary is or how big their investment portfolio is. I have had people, includng complete strangers, ask me all those. I chose not to respond to their rudeness, but that is my opinion and choice. If someone is interested in getting an OES I will give them a price range ($800-2,500 or more), also adding they are high maintenance dogs and not for everyone. You can tell when someone is interested in getting a dog or just rudely nosy. |
| When someone asks me that, I usually go with a lot. If they really want to know the exact amount, I'll tell them, which usually will shock people, and then I explain exactly why they are (and should be) so expensive. It's a good opportunity to educate people. |
Max and Hank wrote: With some of your answers to that question , its really easy to see why the Old English Sheepdog is a dying breed, We are privileged to have these dogs in our lives, Max has taught me way more about being a good owner than any human could ever do. Why not be truthful with that maybe future OES owner, it has no reflection on you to tell them the truth. Im so glad the person I asked didn't feel as most of you do. I am not trying to be a jerk when I don't want to answer the question. Dogs get stolen, I don't want to give some random stranger information that might make them want to steal one of my dogs. I also tell people who ask if my dogs are neutered that they are, even though one of them is not. I also don't need some puppymill person thinking that they can add to their supply of breeding bitches. But, even though I don't give the price of my dogs, I do give out the website of the Old English Sheepdog and Owners's Club of Canada and this website. If they are really truly interested in getting an OES or learning more, they can go there. Or if they specifically ask who my breeder was, I will tell them. And I will and do answer many questions about grooming, temperament, exercise, what activities I do with my dogs etc. I always feel that I am being an ambassador to the breed, so I am always patient and polite. I completely agree with you, we are privileged to have these dogs and I am never shy about telling people how fantastic they are! It just feels wrong when someone approaches you and the first thing they ask is 'How much did you pay for your dog'. That, and the few times I did answer truthfully I got an earful as to why I should have donated that money to rescue instead of getting a purebred dog and, frankly, when I am just out walking my dogs I don't feel like I should have to defend myself for having these girls. As to your Max and what he has taught you, post some pictures! I enjoy getting to know other sheepies!!  |
| Really, some of you think that a little levity is killing our breed? That renders me almost speechless, get over yourselves . Ask a rude question, expect a rude answer! |
| I've always been honest when people ask: "I paid $600 a dog to a back yard breeder, instead of the $2,000 I should have spent to get a well bred and healthy dog. The cost of the dog doesn't matter if you then spend years with big vet bills and the cost of high end trainers and training supplies". Of course, it depends on who is asking. If it's someone that looks a bit shady, then no, I don't want them viewing my dog as something they could steal and re-sell. When people I don't like the look of ask what I spent on my dogs, I say; "More than I thought I would. The cost of training an aggressive dog is really high! Oh, and the vet bills after the dogs fights- I was never prepared for that!!!" That usually shuts the conversation down. |
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