"What did you pay for your dog?"

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

WTD?  Why do people think that asking what I paid for Rooney o.k.?  I would never ask what you paid for your house, car, purse OR dog - it is rude.  And yet, as we get to know the "dog group" here in our development - I'm asked this question several times a day.  I've been nice and actually told them, only to have eyebrows raised or a sticker shock comment made.  One lady drove over to my house to see Rooney (in her Mercedes) and asked what I paid, I told her and she was all shocked.  I try to explain about Australian Doodles, what the difference is, factor the price over 12-15 yrs, excellent breeder, etc, etc.  I'm worn out.  What is a good comeback - not too rude - that takes care of this problem? 

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Excellent response!  I was thinking of something sarcastic, like "all the money I would otherwise have spent on liquor, cigarettes and candy" for five years.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jane, you're right! That's so RUDE! I used to try to explain too...but now I just smile and say, "they are expensive, but I got a GREAT deal on this pup and he's been worth every penny!" If they keep pushing...I say "well, when you subtract the neutering, the shots, and all the health  & temperament testing that went into this little guy-- probably a couple hundred bucks!  That usually ends it.  Then I move on.  My groomer (who I now love!) breeds dobermans and the first time I brought Finney in (at the suggestion of a friend), this groomer vented all about designer "mutts" and the people who pay so much.

I would not have gone back except I felt I owed it to my friend to try her out.  Well, long story short, she has fallen in love with Finnegan and he gets the run of the shop when he's there.  Plus she does a great job with him.  After meeting him, she researched ALDs online and now she proudly tells everyone all about ALDs.  LOL!   

[Amber (with Maggie)]

I have one cautionary note to the price responses. Right now, in California, "expensive" dogs are being seen as a commodity that can and currently are being stolen at very high rate. I am very cautious about letting people know my dog is expensive, and if the person is a stranger who stops me on the street (it happens a lot),  I just say she was a gift. If it is someone at the dog park who is really interested in the breed's personality, etc. I will gush on and on about the breed but I refer them to the breeder for the cost and say that they vary in price and I she was not full price.

 

I know this is not a very friendly way to handle it. But I do not want doodles on the "steal" list as a hot commodity, so I tend to downplay her cost. :\