Money doesn't come into it for me. We bought Loki for £500 with money we had saved for a holiday, and the OH worked lots of overtime to pay for Rio, who cost £850. I don't feel that it's a lot to pay for a pup and I know we would pay over £1000 for the right pup, and Rio was actually cheaper than we thought she might be. Food doesn't cost a fortune, and instead of insurance, I'm paying into an ISA for them, as we have been burned with the insurance jobbie.

Lifestyle is very important though. I wanted dogs that fit in with the kids and cats, and love the outdoors. I can take mine anywhere and they are calm. I didn't want a dog that would be boisterous throughout it's younger years. We like camping so they have to be able to cope with that too. I also wanted a guarding breed the second time round, because last time I went camping with the kids some drunk lads were shaking the tent at night. OH wasn't with me and Loki slept through it, so I wanted a dog that would be more protective and vigilant.

Well I am going to say NO here. From a small child I have always been round BC's (farming faimly), but as I grew older I soon realised that some farmers give them a real raw deal when they don't match up.
Taking Reah alone as a rescue, intially cost me (out of my wages) £800.00 as her previous owner of 3 weeks couldn't pay the vets. Then the operations cost over £2,000 to get her legs put right (I was a single parent at that time divorced from my ex) I practically sold everything I owned, begged and raised money for her...nearly had to sell my body hun bearing in mind I already owned a Bc (Meg) too, that needed feeding, since then Reah has had an obstruction which I am still paying Pat off for(won't except payment in kind) and she has been back to the specialist about her legs. We also paid £110.00 plus vaccinations to get Skye away from that breeding farm, and took on Bruce at £200 plus vaccinations, no counting the neutering costs and thier insurances. Plus I have 5 rescued cats....all neautered, One which had to have a deformed leg removed £400, and another who had his tail ampitated £200 and three rescued chickens, plus guinea pigs............Nayyyyyyy it's nothing to do with money/lifestyle here.....just plain stupidity for the love of animals I'll be working till the day I die hun

I think for the most part no, people get the dog they want and one that fits there lifestyle rather then wallet.

But on saying that in our area there is a very viewable difference relating with income/soical standing and breed. The middle class more well off all have Westies (there must be hundreds of them in Telford) and the Chavs/ council house type all seem to have staffys . .

I think the type of dog you own should reflect your lifestyle, not your income. I hate to see border collies, german shepherds etc being driven crazy by lack of exercise and mental stimulation. However, it costs as much to feed an expensive dog as it does a freebie. If people on a lower income are prepared to save in order to buy the breed of their choice then thumbs up to them

I think there are some people who think the more they pay for a dog the better it makes them look. (not having a go at people who love a particular breed just at the idiots who want an expensive breed for the sake of appearances).

Personally cost has never come into it for me, I chose the dogs because I love the breeds and they suit my lifestyle (bcs and a spaniel x bc).

If I wanted a dog from a particular line and it was expensive I would save up until I could afford it.

What people pay for their dog is up to them, I would only hope that the dog was chosen to suit their lifestyle and not as a fashion statement. (Im sure no one on here would be guilty of that!)

Intentionally, no. Unintentionally, yes!

I decided on Border Collies ages ago, because I'd had a BC when I was growing up: the price wasn't a consideration, really. However, I was incredibly lucky with Kali (£25) and my dear, late Snorri (£35), paying "Orkney Farmer" prices for the Boys. An additional factor was the farmer himself, who'd "disposed of" the first litter he'd had (he had no idea what to do with them), and was now determined that he'd go to any length to find homes for future pups. I had expected to pay a lot more (a good BC can fetch £1000-odd up here!), but, having met the wee chaps, I grabbed them at the asking price!

As to the lifestyle, well, I could walk back then, so they fitted in OK with living out in the country, and walks to the pub

Also, as will be the case in a couple of months,when I want to find another, I won't have too far to look, as there are so many farms in the area.

Now, I hope that makes sense, as I've lost my thread completely.......

Snorri

Thanks everyone, its great reading your experiences and the legnths you have all went to for your beloved pets...

The well to do folks all have Lhasas round here. The chavs still have Staffies though (not very good examples mostly!).

To a certain extent perhaps people do choose a breed depending on their income.

Firstly perhaps the cost of the dog itself, some breeds are rarer and cost a lot more. Some may be put off by a breed they like because of hefty price tag - bit like myself, I adore Frenchies and Bostons and although could literally afford to buy one, am totally put off at the thought of paying up £1500 to £2000 for a dog.

Also, some breeds are costly to feed because of size, some are more prone to illnesses and need the vet more - I guess all this comes into it.

Me? Does a large, daft as a brush, soft as grease, hefty furball of energy who adores his country walks suit my lifestyle - absolutely!!

Yes when we chose what sort of dog to have we made sure that we took into account our lifestyle, home, future and our income.

We wanted a medium sized dog as we live in a small flat with a garden but my partner wanted a real doggy dog and i wanted one who would enjoy training, thinking for themselves, agility adn long walks. We needed a dog that would likely to be good with children and who we could afford to feed, insure and not have to expect massive vets bills.

We got what we wanted and Tonks is perfect!