Coronavirus inflates pedigree puppy prices by thousands
The coronavirus lockdown has led to an “unprecedented demand” for designer dogs, with on-trend breeds like French bulldogs and cavoodles selling for at least $6000 each. LIST: MOST EXPENSIVE BREEDS
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Massive demand for designer puppies has driven prices to more than double as people cooped up at home by COVID-19 crave companionship.
Wanted ads are clogging social media and classified ad sites, pleading for on-trend breeds like French bulldogs, cavoodles (cavalier King Charles spaniel cross poodle), moodles (Maltese cross Shih tzu) and cockaliers (cocker spaniel cross King Charles spaniel).
Pet shops have had to dramatically increase their prices, passing on breeders’ newly hefty charges.
Bondi Junction’s Room 4 Pets, said it had increased its prices of puppies to cater to “unprecedented demand”.
“(There are) so many people at home deciding the pet they’ve been thinking about for the last year or two, they should adopt right now,” a text to prospective dog owners from the store said.
“As a result, we are having to pay much higher prices to our breeders. Pups we were paying $1200 for two months, are now $3500.
Blacktown breeder and French bulldog enthusiast Jennifer Sturgeon said that the drive in demand is due to people working from home and their need for friendship and company.
“I think people really need the companionship at times like this, they’re cooped up inside and they don’t have a regular routine,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“Because of their nature dogs just make you feel happy and especially French bulldogs because they’re really good with the kids and I think that’s something that adds to their popularity. And they make you smile.”
Ms Sturgeon’s latest litter of French bulldogs sell for between $6000 to $8500, making the six cuties worth a potential $51,000.
A Dubbo based breeder is charging $49,000 for a litter of seven chocolate cocker spaniels, while another has listed a litter of cavoodles for $6500 each.
A breeder on Gumtree is charging $54,000 for a litter of six “pedigree fluffy longhaired French bulldogs”.
But there are growing concerns over a “pet surrender boom” post COVID-19.