[deonk1]

Originally Posted by Palmerck

A lot of my friends or people I know have asked me how much I paid for Dolly, especially when they see how sweet and entertaining she is. If it's someone who I think is asking because they're starting to want a cute small dog to put in their purse, I tell them she cost me more than $5,000 in the 1st 6 months, including vet bills, good food to prevent health problems, toys, treats, puppy school, gas money to go home at lunch every day to let her out since she's so small, etc etc etc. And I make sure to include that I keep at least $1,000 in savings for an emergency vet bill because small dogs get hurt so easily.
I think a lot of people ask because they want a cute little purse dog, more like an accessory than a pet. I hope to give them a dose of reality by always including the cost of owning the dog, not just the initial purchase price. A lot of my friends have asked but once they hear all that they change their minds!

OMG parents used to have me do that to thier children who wanted horses (I'm a riding instructor) and that totally works, never thought of using it when people ask me about price. Another thing I always add in when I'm asked is that I don't feel comfortable telling a price because price is subject to change. I don't feel it's my place to quote the breeders price if she doesn't display it online. One day she may have a rescue for sale at cost (obviously to a good home) and the next she may have pups from champion parents.