Lockdown generated “ Perfect Storm” as Puppy prices are doubled

Late March 2020, after lockdown, interest in taking a puppy home soared due to high demand prompting several breeders to raise their price and cash-in.

Pets4Homes, based on 150, 000 adverts, showed average price being asked from March to September was £1, 883 compared to the same period last year the average price was £888.

Over a  lifetime the price of caring for a designer dog can add up to a whopping £33, 000, with Brits spending an average of £172 per month on their dogs.

The intelligent, sociable, extroverted active, playful, friendly Pomeranian dog breed the Spitz type that is named for the Pomerania region in north-west Poland and north-east Germany in central Europe weighs between 3 to 7 pounds and grow about 7 to 12 inches tall with a life expectancy of 12-16 years.

 Chihuahua, one of the tiniest breeds out there can weigh as little as 2 pounds  is considered to be the 18 most expensive dogs to buy and own.

Popular breeds have seen even sharper price rises and designer puppies are often selling for £3, 000 or more.

Animal welfare charities have warned high prices could encourage puppy farming, smuggling, or dog thefts and also could lead to a dog welfare crisis as people return to work away from the home.

Cocker spaniels saw the highest year-on-year inflation (184 per cent) followed by Jack Russells (180 per cent), cockapoos (168 per cent), and border collies (163 per cent).

Cavapoos – a cavalier spaniel and poodle crossbreed was selling for £3, 000 while English or American bulldogs were selling for about £2, 800. More than 1, 600 dogs on the website are currently posted in excess of £3, 000.

Pets4Home’s website visits peaked at 20 million a month  double last year’s figure.

Claire Calder, from the Dogs Trust rescue charity, said the lockdown had created a perfect storm for puppy sales with several thinking this is the ideal time to take on a pet.

Puppy farming reports increases five-fold. Six puppies found in the back of a van which arrived in Dover from Romania had to be shaved because they were covered in oil. It was business as usual for puppy smugglers amid lockdown. Smuggled puppies are often in poor health or poorly socialised because of their early life experiences.