Commentary on Breeding, Puppy Farming and choosing your source Kennel.

Regarding Puppy Prices in NZ

The Swedish Vallhund is still a rare breed - you will pay for the effort it takes to keep dogs from being overly in-bred but you do not have to pay for:


Exorbitant 'rare breed' PET prices: While we as breeders are all free to set our own prices, you will find most reputable breeders in New Zealand price their puppies at about the $1000 mark. If you are being encouraged to stump up more than this please evaluate exactly what 'extra' you are getting for the extra money you are paying. Don't get sucked into 'marketing gimmicks'.  Pets will be marketed differently from breeding dogs and as such should not attract as high a price - Kennels need to maintain their reputations and by grading (and pricing) some dogs as pets this maintains both the breed and breeder's integrity.

"more dog"due to parentage being imported:

ALL blood lines lead directly back to Sweden and all lines are traceable back to the same original group saved from extinction in the early 1940's. There are no genes or blood lines that are any more or less special due to the location of where a dog was born.

Dogs that are third, fourth or fifth generation NZ Bred are no less 'Swedish' in origin.

Show titles!  You do not get "more dog" for their parents being show titled:

It is nice to have 'NZCH' on pedigree papers, but until we have sufficient competition in New Zealand, it is impossible to establish superior dogs by their titles alone.   It is GROUP and IN SHOW titles which should command higher respect.

If you are being told that a NZ championship certificate is why you are paying much higher puppy prices, I would question if the love of the breed is the motivating factor behind the arrival of a litter.


 

What you should be paying for is health-tested, vaccinated, sound puppies with great temperaments, good breeder advice and on-going support.


The reason many Swedish Vallhund breeders are choosing to set their prices around $1000 or under is due to a desire to see this versatile breed remain affordable for the average Kiwi family.

It is not an indication of inferior dogs or inferior breeding.

Hobby breeding should be a passion, not a profit making business. Many breeders in New Zealand co-operate with each other,  working to widen the gene pool, to keep the breed healthy and of quality. 

  However we all remain independent in our pricing determination and invite the public to do their own research on the matter.


This is an edited extract from a breeder's overview, added and edited with her permission.  I think it is important to bear in mind, you are looking to add a family member, whether your focus is showing, breeding, agility or just a great pet - and as such it is important NOT to be bamboozled away from your dog.  Discerning breeders will match puppies to their future homes with care.