calvinandmommy Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Ok since the husband and I are buying a house soon we have decided we want a second dog and we have decided that it be a husky. We would really like a puppy. Only problem? They are expensive!! We got Calvin for $500 (about 315 GBP). I am wondering if we got him for cheap. Most puppies I am seeing are $1000 and up with AKC registration. Is it better to get a puppy that is AKC registered? We don't plan to show the dog or anything like that. I just honestly can't see paying so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgainsbrough Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 That's what I found but I watched for about a month and found someone selling their puppies without any papers for $350. That's the lowest I've seen (here in ohio). The papers are for showing only, they have separate papers for breeding rights. All pointless if you spay/neuter like I do. So it depends on what you want to do but I like $350 versus $1000 any day. She was selling for $700 with AKC papers and $750 with breeding rights. (this was in may) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #2 Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Have you considered rescue ? They often have puppies ...and it's not going to cost you $1,000, the rewards are priceless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCouture Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 I have heard all the CO breeders are horrible. So honestly if you're going to go puppy route, try to buy out of state. $500 is cheap for a husky, I'm assuming Calvin's parents didn't have their OFA and CERF testing done? If he didn't that would be the cheaper price. The OFA and CERF testing plus Champion parents is what will raise your price. You can still usually get a puppy between $700-$900 on a limited AKC registration.. You'd need to talk to the breeder though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osinn11 Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Have you considered rescue ? it's not going to cost you $1,000, the rewards are priceless! I agree...my new best friend was a rescue....and I know my next one will be too! Just my 2 cents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvinandmommy Posted August 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Since I am not 100% sure what OFA or CERF is I am going to assume Calvin did not have them. And he is not of champion blood. I think is grandfather or great-grandfather was a champion and that is it. We are looking at rescues but the rescues around here sadly only have dogs that have special needs. If we did not have Calvin I would have no problem getting an older dog with needs but we really want another husky so Calvin can have a play mate. But we are keeping an eye on the rescues. It probably won't be till this time next year before we actually get another husky but I like to do my research lol. Haha husband just said that he wants a red husky so we can name is Hobbs....Calvin and Hobbs. Hahaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCouture Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 OFA is hip testing, and CERF is eye testing. When looking for a good breeder, you want to make sure that the parents are OFA and CERF tested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICE & SHADOW Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 That's a high price.....and in Colorado, I'm sure that they are inflated prices because they are "Huskies"....like a name brand lol.... Anyways, the average price here is $500-550.... I went the rescue route twice (three times if you count my foster) and I'm looking to get another one......although we do want a puppy to expereince the "puppy years" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvinandmommy Posted August 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 OFA is hip testing, and CERF is eye testing. When looking for a good breeder, you want to make sure that the parents are OFA and CERF tested. Ah good to know. As far as I know then Calvin has none of that. Dang it *shrugs* oh well can't do anything about it now. We are probably going to go the rescue route because we decided we really don't want a puppy puppy we really want a 4-6 month old puppy. Or we will look for people wanting to get rid of their husky. I already found a 3 month old husky that somebody "couldn't take care of anymore" but it is too soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutsibe Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 NOT all breeders in Colorado are bad - I know of quite a few who are wonderful breeders and have wonderful dogs! Check out the Rocky Mountain Siberian Husky Club... A responsible breeder will check all breeding stock for genetic diseases. They will have the prospective parents' eyes checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and certified to be normal - and generally will register the paperwork that says their eyes are normal with a registry called CERF (Canine Eye Research Foundation). They will also test their hips for hip dysplasia - here in the US, we generally have one x-ray taken (it has to be a very good one, with the dog positioned just right, and usually sedated, or the pic is no good - not all vets can get good shots!) which is submitted to the OFA, or Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Three (I believe it is) Board Certified experts will look at the x-ray and grade it - no dog that doesn't have hips that are graded as Fair, Good, or Excellent (and I personally wouldn't breed a dog with hips that were only Fair) should be bred. That the parents eyes and hips are normal does not guarantee that the puppies will not have hip dysplasia or a genetic eye disease, but it does greatly reduce the likelihood of them having such a problem. Either type of genetic disease can be painful - anywhere from simply uncomfortable all the way to excruciating pain of a level that makes euthanasia the most humane option. Eye diseases (Juvenile cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Glaucoma are among the most common) can fall anywhere along a continuum of severity, such that the dog may simply not see very well - or it may go completely blind. In many cases, a Veterinary Specialist may be able to at least mitigate these problems, but when they can, it usually involves surgery, and is usually very, very expensive! Responsible breeders have done a great job, overall, of testing for these diseases - particularly Canine Hip Dysplasia. I haven't ever heard of a dog from a breeder who routinely tests and OFA Certifies all breeding stock being dysplastic, although other factors, especially diet and exercise, are also major factors in determining the health of a dog's hips. Puppies raised on formula, rather than their mother's milk, are more likely to develop Juvenile Cataracts - these aren't hereditary, and a veterinary ophthalmologist should be able to tell this type of cataracts from the genetic type - Juvenile cataracts usually are apparent by around 9 months to a year of age, but hips cannot be tested and registered until a dog turns 2 years of age... Additionally, a reputable breeder will generally try to "prove" his or her breeding stock as being worthy of being bred - healthy and sound - by showing, sledding, or both. They take great pride (or if not, run far and fast in the opposite direction!) in producing healthy, outgoing puppies - and often will have their litters "Temperament Tested" (harder to do in more rural areas, as there are usually fewer people certified to do them!). Mom and other relatives will usually be available to meet, so that you can see what they are like - for looks and personality/temperament. A good breeder will grill you to try to ascertain that you will take good care of their baby for life, and that you and the puppy are a good "fit" for each other - and will be a resource to you for the life of that dog! They will also have a clause in their contract that states that if you cannot EVER keep that dog, for whatever reason, they will take the dog back!!! While there may be reasons at some point where a person may not be able to do so (loss of job and the financial stress that comes with it comes to mind!), they will at least want to know where that puppy/dog goes. They truly care about the dogs they have bred, and want them to go to the best homes they can possibly find! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 $1000 seems normal to me. You'd easily pay $1000-$1500 for a sibe from a good reputable breeder here. I'd spend more on a puppy if it was exactly what I wanted and the lines were good. This is a dog you will be living with for the next 12-15 years, even if you don't plan to breed or show, you should still want a healthy pup from a reputable breeder and good consistent lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kech Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 I was never interested in either showing or breeding my Huskies. I purchased Macy as a pup for $200.00 and Ally (newest addition to the pack) for $260.00. Sure, they're not registered or have their hips/eyes certified, but they're wonderfull dogs with a good temperment and social skills. My vet has given them both a clean bill of health. That's all I can ask for!! My family loves them both to death... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboysmum Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 My blue eyed boy Kobi was a rescue - RSPCA rang me to take him as they only give to people who already have or have had one - which is a brilliant idea - more and more rescues coming through cos young boys get them thinking they look "sick" and then discover they are just daft!!!! - please consider a rescue Kobi is the love of my life!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 We always say to people that getting a husky is a commitment similar to that of having/adopting a child. The dog will be dependent upon you for 15 years or more, and, like having a child, it will change your life. Given that it is such a huge commitment, why would you go for a cheap option. To me there would only ever be two options - 1: adopt a rescue dog from a reputable breed welfare organisation; or 2: buy the best quality puppy you can from a reputable, ethical, responsible breeder. A reputable, ethical, responsible breeder is one that never breeds for money, but to improve their kennel; who always hip scores and eye tests both parents before breeding; who knows the pedigrees of the parents inside out so that there is no possibility of any genetic issues lurking a few generations back; who never has more than 1 litter each year; who works and shows their dogs so that they know that they are excellent examples of the breed and still maintain the working characteristics which make our breed so special; who always homechecks prospective owners to ensure that they are suitable; who insists on a binding puppy contract before sale; and who insists that the dog always comes back to them if for any reason the new owner cannot keep it. In the UK at the moment, we are overwhelmed by floods of what I call ignorant/stupid/greedy "pet" breeders - 99% of the dogs coming into welfare are bred by such people. They have little knowledge of the breed, their dogs have never been shown at Championship level (or at all), their dogs have never been seriously worked, the parents of their pups have never been eye-tested or hip scored, they neither know nor care whether pedigrees are compatible (or even what the pedigrees are!). Already we are seeing a much higher proportion of sick, bad tempered dogs with genetic problems coming through rescue than we ever have before - simply because they have been bred by morons and sold to naive punters who are attracted to the dogs simply for their looks. I don't know about the US and Canada, but here in the UK the breed is in serious trouble! Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kech Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Already we are seeing a much higher proportion of sick, bad tempered dogs with genetic problems coming through rescue than we ever have before - simply because they have been bred by morons and sold to naive punters who are attracted to the dogs simply for their looks. I don't know about the US and Canada, but here in the UK the breed is in serious trouble! Mick If my intensions were to show or breed Huskies then I would have taken the breeder route, but I chose to have huskies as pets/companions/recreational sledding/ etc... whether you like it or not irresponsible breeders are out there...It's better me to retrieve one of the pups than someone who will just end up tying it up to a tree all day!! A high percentage of owners on this forum don't have registered Huskies. Are you calling all of them naive punters?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 (edited) A high percentage of owners on this forum don't have registered Huskies. Are you calling all of them naive punters?? Many of them - definitely! - a great many of them have said in the past that when they bought their first pup, they really didn't know what they were doing and that if they were to do it again they wouldn't buy a pup from the same breeder. Unless people research the breed thoroughly before purchasing a puppy, they are bound to be naive about things. That's not a criticism, merely a fact! It is the unscrupulous, money oriented "pet" breeders who take advantage of their naivety. The simple fact is, buying a pup from a puppy farmer, backyard breeder or "pet" breeder - whether to "save" them or out of simple naivety, simply encourages them to breed more and more - exacerbating the rescue problem. Mick Edited August 23, 2012 by raindog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kech Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 (edited) Many of them - definitely! - a great many of them have said in the past that when they bought their first pup, they really didn't know what they were doing and that if they were to do it again they wouldn't buy a pup from the same breeder. Unless people research the breed thoroughly before purchasing a puppy, they are bound to be naive about things. That's not a criticism, merely a fact! It is the unscrupulous, money oriented "pet" breeders who take advantage of their naivety. The simple fact is, buying a pup from a puppy farmer, backyard breeder or "pet" breeder - whether to "save" them or out of simple naivety, simply encourages them to breed more and more - exacerbating the rescue problem. Mick Guess I'll go home and euthanize the two I have since they're not genetically proper (sarcasm). judgemental idiots!! Edited August 23, 2012 by Kech to add photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Guess I'll go home and euthanize the two I have since they're not genetically proper (sarcasm). judgemental idiots!! Of course I'm judgemental (though I don't think that I am the idiot!!) - I spend most of my life picking up the pieces after these scumbag breeders that you appear to be happy to fund. In five years, our rescue has taken in and rehomed almost 600 unwanted Siberian Huskies - probably 95% of which were bred by naive/stupid/greedy "pet" breeders and sold to naive new owners who, for a variety of largely ridiculous reasons, decided they couldn't keep them. Of these, my wife and I have fostered almost 100 ourselves and amongst our pack are two badly abused girls who we adopted. I think I've got a perfect right to be judgemental!!!!!! Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kells xx Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 ok guys this is getting a bit heated..... yes @Kech you want another dog and thats great..... i would say if going the puppy route then spend the extra money and get a health tested quality puppy if going the rescue route then great @mick is very passionate about what he does, as are anyone who has rescued/fostered abandoned or unwanted dogs we are all here and we are trying to give you advice... buying a byb puppy will not help anyone other than the breeder.... rescuing is a great idea as it saves a dog being put down due to lack of space.. lets keep this thread helpful and not get too angry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosemary Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 We got Ozzy from a backyard breeder, and re-homed Micah at 5 months and am 100% certain she was also bred by a backyard breeder. If I knew then, what I know now, I would not have gone that route - I was ignorant about what was going on and never gave it a thought. Being on HO has educated me, and most of us agree the breed is in trouble - because of irresponsible BYBs. I love Ozzy & Micah more than I can say, and would never give them up for any reason, BUT I agree with Mick, we need to be very careful about who we buy our puppies from and not make the problem worse than it already is. Kevin, your huskies are gorgeous, but your remarks are uncalled for. Mick, more than anyone, knows what he is talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s200rey Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Of course I'm judgemental (though I don't think that I am the idiot!!) - I spend most of my life picking up the pieces after these scumbag breeders that you appear to be happy to fund. In five years, our rescue has taken in and rehomed almost 600 unwanted Siberian Huskies - probably 95% of which were bred by naive/stupid/greedy "pet" breeders and sold to naive new owners who, for a variety of largely ridiculous reasons, decided they couldn't keep them. Of these, my wife and I have fostered almost 100 ourselves and amongst our pack are two badly abused girls who we adopted. I think I've got a perfect right to be judgemental!!!!!! Mick Yeah, you have every right in the world to be judgmental Mick. Seeing what you see and doing what you do - everyday - although rewarding (sometimes?) will make you see things in a very different light to most on here who have bought a Husky for other reasons than it having the 'best of the best genetics' and nothing less. But personally, I don't think your 100% in what you say, I mean, I got Bowe (my, now, 10week old puppy) from a full on puppy farmer. However, MY ACTIONS resulted in him getting a slap for been such a crank, and the RSPCA taking the remaining pups from him, and all 7 of his dogs - 5 Sibes & 2 Akitas, which he was keeping & breeding whilst under a court order from 2010 that said he wasn't allowed due to animal cruelty & neglect. So if it wasn't for me, regardless of funding the man, he would still have all his dogs!! Instead what he got from me, was a puppy 'taken' from him, a slap, a lecture, then the consequences. So he didn't get a penny from me, I never funded anything, I stopped the man - in his tracks. Every situation is different Mick, every situation. I do agree with some of what you say, but not all. Coming across all angry, on a nice husky owners forum where regardless of papers/pedigree/background etc. everyone loves there pets/animals/huskies (HENCE been on a forum) ...is something I dont agree with, like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 [MENTION=3591]calvinandmommy[/MENTION], back to your original question, I don’t think whether it is AKC registered really matters unless you plan on showing or breeding them. I bought Nikko at a pet store for $900 and he was ACA registered, and he is healthy and has a great temperament. I got Yukon from a breeder for $550 and he is AKC registered. I would say the average price around here is about $600-700 from a breeder. My advice to you is to research the breeder and make sure you can meet the parents and get references. You should be able to visit their facility, and if they seem shady, then walk away. Those are just my opinions, it depends on your situation and what works best for you. Before I got Yukon I was looking at rescues and even went to meet a few of them, but in the end decided that getting another puppy was the right thing for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kech Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 First thing, I never claimed he was wrong about what was being said, but the degrading tone to those who have non-registered Huskies threw me off. My wife and I help create and worked for 10 years at a non-profitable organization that helped lower income women with children 0-5 years of age with food and a place to bring their kids for planned activities. Never once have we judged these women especially on a forum of this magnitude. It's the law that has to become stricter to remove or at lease reduce the problem... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine0925 Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 The breeding and off leash topics get beat to death. Everyone has different opinions. Clearly if you joined a dog forum then you love your dog and I understand people want to educate others and give them 'advice' but to be honost it comes off elitist and the name calling onn both sides is just silly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Coming across all angry, on a nice husky owners forum where regardless of papers/pedigree/background etc. everyone loves there pets/animals/huskies (HENCE been on a forum) ...is something I dont agree with, like. I'm sorry if you thought I came across as angry! That wasn't me being angry - simply a little miffed at being called an idiot. No-one on here has ever seen me angry and isn't likely to. I save my anger for the breeders like the one you got your puppy from - the breeders that are slowly but surely destroying our wonderful breed. I understand completely why people like Kevin get defensive and think I am having a go at their much loved dogs, but I'm really not. Most of my energy goes into rescuing and rehoming such dogs - I'd hardly do that if I thought they were worthless! Similarly my Tahnee and Mia (both serious daddy's girls) would hardly have pride of place in our pack if I thought such a thing about them. Put simply - it's not the dogs, it's the irresponsible, unethical breeders that I despise. It's the law that has to become stricter to remove or at lease reduce the problem... Unfortunately Kevin, the law will never make much difference. There will always be immoral chancers out there who will ignore the law to make a quick buck. The only way to make a lasting change (to anything) is education and if we can educate people away from irresponsible, unethical commercial breeders, their market (and they) would disappear. Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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