Why are Dogs on PuppySpot So Expensive?

PuppySpot is an online pet broker that acts as a bridge between dog buyers and breeders. It was established in 2006 in Los Angeles, California.

PuppySpot stands out from other major similar businesses such as Lancaster Puppies in that it is purely a business set on maximizing profits.

Puppies on PuppySpot cost an average of $1,000 to $3,000. But why are dogs on this site so expensive?

PuppySpot only partners with reputable breeders who are licensed by USDA. This requires extensive medical health checks on puppies as well as criminal and background checks on the breeders.  In case the breeder fails the screening test, these processes cost money without the guarantee of business. PuppySpot dogs are therefore expensive because of the stringent measures taken by the company to ensure the dogs are in good medical condition and the breeders follow ethical and legal procedures.

Read on to learn more about this highly successful puppy broker company.

Is PuppySpot a puppy mill? 

Puppy mills breed dogs in inhumane conditions for the sole purpose of selling them off. There are several ways to check whether a pet breeder is a puppy mill in disguise.

The dogs are usually abused and malnourished. Other puppy mills’ characteristics include breeding female dogs as quickly as possible and ignoring the needs of the mother and puppies.

Puppy Spot is not a breeder but rather a brokerage firm. It does not breed dogs but facilitates the sale of puppies from breeders to owners. PuppySpot is heavily involved in helping government agencies regulate the industry and stop puppy mills.

Time and again, PuppySpot has called on the public to report any fraudulent behavior from breeders. 

Where is PuppySpot Located? 

Since its inception in 2006, PuppySpot is located in Culver City, California, United States.

Why is PuppySpot So Expensive? 

Some of the factors that make PuppySpot puppies so expensive include;

1. Mandatory Health Checks

PuppySpot insists on mandatory health checks of the dogs they have to sell. These checks are monitored through the Veterinary Health Report.

This is an internal company medical report that is certified by a third-party licensed veterinarian. It documents the health of puppies just before they are released to their owners. This extra step to ensure the safety of all pups adds an extra expense to the company.

To mitigate this, the business passes the cost on to the consumer, i.e the pet buyers, raising the price of puppies.

2. Costly USDA License 

PuppySpot has a USDA license and requires breeders looking to work with them to also have a USDA license. This license is meant to help curb the ongoing problem of puppy mills in the country.

This license reassures PuppySpot customers that the company is abiding by government laws and regulations in breeding dogs.

Staying ahead of these regulations and enforcing them with partnering breeders costs time and money. The cost is reflected in the prices of the puppies sold from PuppySpot.

3. Strict Screening for Breeders

Since PuppySpot does not breed its own dogs, its business model is to liaise with breeders. To ensure healthy puppies and humane breeding conditions, the company conducts extensive background checks on breeders.

These include criminal history, licenses, etc. This is an ongoing exercise to ensure legal requirements are met and that PuppySpot is selling ethically bred dogs.

Since the breeders do not pay for the screening, PuppySpot has to offset this cost by passing it on to the pet buyers.

4. AKC Registration 

PuppySpot has partnered with the American Kennel Club. This partnership has yielded great benefits for puppy owners.

PuppySpot automatically enrolls all its pets to AKC. This enrollment comes with lifetime access to online AKC dog training materials and full access to all future shows and field events. 

Another added benefit of the partnership is the automatic membership to AKC Reunite. This is a service set up to help owners locate their furry pets if they ever get lost. 

With all these benefits, it is no wonder that PuppySpot dogs tend to be so expensive.

5. PuppySpot Health Commitment 

PuppySpot has a heath commitment that ensures that any dogs bought off their site have access to medical care. The commitment covers all dogs bought from PuppySpot.

From day 1 to 14 from the purchase date. If the puppy or dog is found to have hereditary or congenital conditions one year from purchase, the commitment further covers the vet costs incurred up to the purchase price of the puppy. 

The congenital and hereditary conditions are furthered up to the 10th year of your dog’s life. This health commitment is one of its kind and translates to a certain level of risk for the company.

To recoup the expenses, PuppySpot has to price its puppies at higher rates compared to similar businesses. 

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Will puppy prices go down? 

PuppySpot has not made any indications as far as puppy prices are concerned. As a for-profit business, it would seem that the high prices will stay that way at least for a while.

The main purpose of their business is to make a profit from the sale of puppies, which has not been sitting well with most people.

However, this has not deterred the company from maintaining the high costs of dogs on its site. It seems more likely that the prices may go up in the future rather than the other way down.

PuppySpot Alternatives 

PuppySpot may be a bit too pricy for some prospective pet owners. Some other similar businesses sell puppies at a much more affordable rate. Online sites include Uptown Puppies, Good dog, akc.org, and Greenfieldpuppies. 
Alternatively, you can buy a dog directly from a reputable breeder. Be careful not to fall prey to puppy mills. Here are some tips on how to identify a responsible breeder.

Another great alternative to PuppySpot is to adopt. There are many rescues and abandoned dogs looking for a new home.

Sites such as Adopt-a-Pet.com  and The Shelter Pet Project offer an easy step-by-step guide on how to adopt one of their many pets.