Typical cost of a pet-quality puppy (and when to ask that question)

I think $4k or so is pretty standard these days. What all is included in that seems to vary, though. For example, my puppy came with all testing done that could be (vWD, DCM1 & DCM2 (not necessary but I like knowing all info)), she was microchipped already, etc. Not all breeders include that, and the testing can add up. Of course the puppy should already be cropped and my breeder does the first couple weeks of ear aftercare, so my pup came home already in posts and partly crate trained. I appreciate the time and effort that takes, and factor that into cost, too.
All that said, I didn't ask cost until the week before we were going to get her because I have an excellent relationship with our breeder and knew the pup was worth whatever she cost.
If I was new to the breeder, I'd likely get a good conversation going and then ask what I should budget for the puppy and all supplies when he/she comes home. There's no shame in wanting to know that.
Good luck in your search! Feel free to ask about any breeders you're considering here, there are many excellent ones in TX!

I think you can probably expect to pay at least $3500 these days, and Kristen is right that $4K isn't out of the question. It does vary from breeder to breeder and it seems a bit higher in some parts of the country than others. I think that's due to the cost of vet care and other expenses.

I also think there's nothing wrong with asking what to expect to pay in the context of a larger conversation. I know some breeders get touchy about it, but I think it's a bit silly to be so weird about cost - people DO need to know what they should plan on paying for a puppy! I know it wears on them to get inquiries over and over where people simply ask "how much?", so I do get that, but serious people truly do need to know what puppies cost. And we've gotten to this weird place where people are now afraid to ask!

For reference, I paid $3000 for my 10 month old last year, up here in the midwest. I appreciate that my breeder posts her price right on her website, along with the general costs associated with what goes into a litter! (Of course, I hadn't really noticed or seen that at all until long after I was well-committed to a pup from her, because for me, it wasn't really an issue, but it's really a great practice, IMO).

KristenC said:

I think $4k or so is pretty standard these days. What all is included in that seems to vary, though. For example, my puppy came with all testing done that could be (vWD, DCM1 & DCM2 (not necessary but I like knowing all info)), she was microchipped already, etc. Not all breeders include that, and the testing can add up. Of course the puppy should already be cropped and my breeder does the first couple weeks of ear aftercare, so my pup came home already in posts and partly crate trained. I appreciate the time and effort that takes, and factor that into cost, too.
All that said, I didn't ask cost until the week before we were going to get her because I have an excellent relationship with our breeder and knew the pup was worth whatever she cost.
If I was new to the breeder, I'd likely get a good conversation going and then ask what I should budget for the puppy and all supplies when he/she comes home. There's no shame in wanting to know that.
Good luck in your search! Feel free to ask about any breeders you're considering here, there are many excellent ones in TX!

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Thank you!

As of right now, I've got a list of about 7 I've reached out to based on recommendations here & my own research. If anyone has any input on any of them, I'm all ears!

Von Koepsel (Luci Stubbs)
Mariah Dobermans
Wyldwood Dobermans
Cambria Dobermans
Merrimac Dobermans
Siria Dobermans
Van Orman Dobermans

I figured this would be a good baseline to start out with & kind of weed down from there.

AaronL, you seem to have done your research and know what you want, so my post is a little more for others who maybe aren't as knowledgeable and might read your thread. I paid $4000 for my recent puppy. As a contrast, a friend of mine bought a "Euro" byb puppy last fall for $2900. He had to get the puppy cropped. The byb's dogs are Embark tested, but no echos, no holters done on any of them. No titles, no nothing, no proof of quality in their breeding dogs.
The breeder I bought my puppy from has been active in the breed for 40 years, is very well-respected, shows and titles her dogs, has very high standards, and health tests (echos and holters), breeding above all for health, longevity and temperament. Our puppy was cropped and microchipped. She also sent us home with a bag of food, supplements, vitamins, chews and toys. Given all that, $4K is a damn bargain.

AaronL said:

Thank you!

As of right now, I've got a list of about 7 I've reached out to based on recommendations here & my own research. If anyone has any input on any of them, I'm all ears!

Von Koepsel (Luci Stubbs)
Mariah Dobermans
Wyldwood Dobermans
Cambria Dobermans
Merrimac Dobermans
Siria Dobermans
Van Orman Dobermans

I figured this would be a good baseline to start out with & kind of weed down from there.

Click to expand...

Others have already provided good feedback on price. I just want to say that I think this is a great list to work from and I like several of those breeders/lines. One of my previous bitches was out of a Mariah-Von Koepsel bitch and I really like those lines. I tend to follow dogs from both and I personally really like what they produce. I can't speak to what every breeder on that list is like to interact with, as I haven't had a dog from most.

However, I currently have a bitch from Sirai Dobermans (the Bono x Cessna breeding) and I'm very happy with her. She's smart as a whip, beautiful, and has a solid Doberman temperament. I'm currently showing her in conformation. We've also been training in AKC obedience and I'm preparing to start competing with her this summer if I can successfully organize my work travel schedule around her typical July heat cycle with the schedule of shows. It currently feels like playing Tetris. 🙃

I wanted a dog for competitive obedience - that was a big deal for me when I reached out to Charlene for a puppy. We had many conversations on temperament and what kind of dog I want to live with, as well as the kind of dog I want to train with, and expectations of Doberman temperament. Charlene definitely delivered on what I wanted. I'm a newbie in the world of competitive obedience and Cypress (my Sirai bitch) makes me look good, like I really know what I'm doing. hahaha (What's that saying? I have a Doberman to make me look good and a terrier to make me good. 😆) She's been described as an exceptional obedience dog by trainers with decades of experience and I'm just trying not to f**k her up or hold her back too much!

Charlene (i.e., Sirai Dobermans) is an honest and good breeder. She does all health testing, she titles, and she's been a great resource for me. She's building great longevity in her lines through the pedigrees she combines, which was one of my primary factors of interest when I was looking at different lines and possible breedings. As a person, Charlene is very approachable, helpful, and honest. I live ~14 hours from her and I've never shown in conformation before but Charlene answers my questions and provides guidance anytime I need. She is dedicated to her dogs and very thoughtful in her breeding program. She's a breeder who I think is working hard to build her lines and I believe she is/will contribute to shaping the future of the breed.

Charlene just had a litter last fall, so I don't know when she might be planning to breed again in the future. But she's worth contacting and I don't hesitate to recommend her or her dogs.

Hi AL.

I am not sure about your neck of the woods... But if it is anything like the West Coast, the price of a quality puppy from a reputable breeder has jumped considerably in the last few years. This makes sense when one considers that the cost of everything in the veterinary world had skyrocketed. Food, healthcare, emergency service, pet supplies. You name it. In 2014, I paid $2500 for a very nice pup from a very reputable breeder. This pup was conceived via artificial insemination using frozen semen, incurring all the additional incumbent expenses. This breeder sends their pups home cropped and docked and older (currently 11 1/2 weeks) than many other breeders. To me, getting a puppy at that age gives me a real advantage. The difference between an 8 week old Doberman pup and an almost 12 week old one is night and day.

My most recent girl, from the same breeder, came to me at almost 6 months old. She had initially been held back by the breeder as a show prospect, but was eventually let go to me as a pet/companion. However, had I gotten her at 11 1/2 weeks, the cost to me would have been $4000.

Honestly... I really am surprised that the price is not higher.

John L
Portland OR

I paid 3500. Pet and show homes should run the same costs as the same work went into them. The way my breeders put it was rather than charge more for show prospects, they would rather see me have extra money to spend ON my show prospect once home. Healthy, structurally correct, and solid temperaments are the byproduct of breeding to the standard and to breed striving to improve upon the breed. I think you're doing a wonderful thing doing all your research and the list you have looks great. I don't think you can go wrong with anyone on that list, but I am not nearly as familiar as others here.

I researched for 5 years and looked into a lot/most of the breeders on your list and did not find any issues that would have prevented me going with any of them. Others here have actual experience with the owners/breeders personally as you see. My puppy now is my first Doberman and first show prospect. I'm starting a little late following my dreams. I only wanted a pet but all the research and data on the breeds health led me to wanting health first and foremost like you from an ethical breeder. That led me into learning about titles and remembering my love of watching Westminster every year. Then I realized nothing was stopping me from doing what all these amazing breeders do to better the breed. So here we are. Maybe you too, will find a hidden passion and end up as a show home. If not, that's okay too. Not all litters can be an all champion litter, and what sets a dog apart from show quality to pet quality has a very little to no impact on their life with you as a companion.

I wish you the best with your search. I hope you can find some joy and excitement on the journey to bring your pup home. I was mostly just overwhelmed and ready to have my boy. I blame my tendency to over think and over plan, even when things are out of my control. I hope that is not the case for you. Can't wait for your introductory post when you get the pup.