Is It Rude to Ask a Breeder the Price First? Why Ego Gets in the Way

By Rev. T. Stringer, Lead Researcher, SIPGS

"How much is the puppy?"

It is one of the simplest questions in the world.

Yet many buyers are afraid to ask it.

And some breeders bristle when they hear it.

Most of the time, the problem is not the question.

It is ego, on one side or both.

The breeder's side

Why some breeders get offended

A good breeder pours years into a program.

Health testing, showing, sleepless nights, heartbreak.

When the first message is "How much?", it can feel like all of that was skipped.

That feeling is real.

But it is the breeder's feeling, not the buyer's fault.

When ego takes over

Sometimes the reaction goes further:

• deleting or ignoring the message
• a lecture about "real" buyers
• "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."
• making buyers "earn" the right to know the price

That is gatekeeping.

It treats a normal question like an insult.

And it pushes good families away, often toward breeders who will happily give a low price and skip the health testing.

Hidden prices

Some breeders keep prices private.

Sometimes there is a fair reason, like pricing each puppy one at a time.

But a price that changes depending on who asks is not fair to anyone.

What a confident breeder does

A breeder who believes in their program can name the price and explain it.

Every breeder should know their own numbers:

• what health testing costs for each parent
• what vet care, food, and supplies cost for each litter
• what it costs to raise each puppy to go-home day

A breeder who knows their accounting does not need to feel defensive about price.

The price is not a guess, and it is not about pride.

It is based on what it actually costs to do the job right.

The price is not the whole story.

But it is part of the story, and it should be easy to find.

The buyer's side

Why buyers are afraid to ask

Many buyers worry that:

• they will look like they only care about money
• the breeder will judge them as not "good enough"
• they are supposed to prove themselves before asking

So they hide their budget, or fall in love with a puppy before they know if they can afford it.

That ends in disappointment on both sides.

When ego shows up on the buyer side

Sometimes it goes the other way:

• "I can get one cheaper down the road."
• treating the breeder as a store, not a person
• assuming a breeder's price is inflated, without asking what it includes

Most buyers are not like this.

But breeders who have dealt with it a few times can get defensive with everyone.

Pet stores are not cheaper.

Pet store puppies are often priced as high as, or higher than, a show-quality puppy from a health-testing breeder.

And they rarely come with health-tested parents, a family history, or a breeder you can call.

What a confident buyer does

A good buyer can say, "This is my budget," without shame.

Knowing your budget is responsible.

It means you are planning for the puppy's whole life, not just the day you bring it home.

Compare what is included, not just the price

Two puppies with the same price can be very different.

Ask every breeder what the price includes.

What comes with our puppies:

• Embark DNA testing on the puppy
• Parents with OFA CHIC health screening (heart, patella, eyes, BOAS) plus an advanced cardiac echocardiogram
• AKC registration
• Microchip, registered with AKC Reunite
• Vaccines current to age, deworming, and a full vet exam at 8 weeks
• A lifetime health guarantee against congenital conditions
• A free Trupanion pet insurance offer that starts right away
• Lifetime breeder support and a no-questions return policy
• Our Chihuahua Handbook, in PDF and hardcopy

A cheaper puppy with none of this can cost far more over its life.

See our post on the true cost of a dog.

A price that seems too good

Asking the price first also protects you.

A price far below other breeders is a common sign of a scam.

The Better Business Bureau gets thousands of pet scam reports each year, with a median loss of about $600 to $750.

A real breeder will show you the puppy on live video and give you a written contract.

How to ask about price

You do not need to apologize.

Just be clear and polite.

Example:

"Hi, I am interested in your puppies. Before we go further, could you tell me your price range and what it includes? I would also love to hear about your health testing and how you raise your puppies."

That tells the breeder you are serious, and you care about more than price.

Can you ask for a lower price?

Yes, if you ask with respect.

A breeder who knows their costs knows how much room they have.

We do not mind it.

If we feel it is a great home and the full price is a stretch, we will work with a family on a few hundred dollars.

If a breeder responds with a lecture, or no answer at all, that tells you something too.

How a breeder treats you before the sale is a preview of how they will treat you after it.

Quick answers

Is it rude to ask a breeder the price first?

No.

It is a practical question. A confident breeder will answer it.

Why do some breeders get offended?

They put years into their program, and "How much?" can feel like it skips all of that. Sometimes it is pride. Sometimes they have dealt with hagglers.

Should I tell a breeder my budget?

Yes.

It saves time for both of you, and it shows you are planning ahead.

Is it okay to ask a breeder for a lower price?

It depends on the breeder.

Ask politely, and be honest about your budget.

We know our costs, so if a family is a great home and needs a few hundred dollars off, we will work with them.

Is a cheap puppy a red flag?

It can be.

A price far below other breeders is a common sign of a scam, or of skipped health testing.

Key takeaways

• Asking the price first is not rude.
• When it goes wrong, it is usually ego, on the breeder's side, the buyer's side, or both.
• A confident breeder knows what each puppy costs to raise, and can name the price and explain it.
• A confident buyer can name a budget without shame.
• Compare what is included, not just the number.
• How a breeder treats your first question is a preview of how they will treat you later.

Sources

• Better Business Bureau. Pet scam reports and median losses, 2022 to 2025 (via WECT/NewsChannel 6, Nov. 2025).
• A & A's Chihuahuas. Price & Process.

© 2026 A & A's Chihuahuas and Rev. T. Stringer. All rights reserved.

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