New statistics show prices for some of the UK’s most desirable dog breeds reached record levels, as some sellers exploited demand for puppies during lockdown. Dogs Trust can reveal these breeds are among those most likely to be illegally imported into the country via puppy smuggling, a cruel practice the charity have fought against for several years.
Dogs Trust’s research has revealed that the asking price for five of the UK’s most sought after breeds and the five breeds most often smuggled into the country – Dachshunds, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs and Chow Chows – shot up between March 2020, when lockdown was announced, and the end of June 2020, when lockdown started easing.
The charity has reviewed advertisements from the last three years on some of the UK’s largest classified advertising websites, and prices for Pugs, Dachshunds and Chow Chows have never been higher, whilst English and French Bulldogs have also seen significant price hikes.
The most expensive of the breeds, English Bulldogs, advertised for as much as £2,140 on average in June 2020 compared to an average of £1,637 in March 2020 – although some listings reached as high as £9,000.
The data reveals the average price increased by:
- 89 percent for Dachshunds – £1,838 in June 2020 compared to £973 in March 2020
- 67 percent for Chow Chows – £1,872 in June 2020 compared to £1,119 in March 2020
- 31 percent for English Bulldogs – £2,140 in June 2020 compared to £1,637 in March 2020
- 52 percent for French Bulldogs – £1,905 in June 2020 compared to £1,251 in March 2020
- 56 percent for Pugs – £1,064 in June 2020 compared to £684 in March 2020
Millions of people have been working from home and demand for puppies has soared during lockdown, with Google searches for “buy a puppy” increasing by 166 percent since lockdown was announced on 23 March 2020.
Sadly, since the beginning of lockdown, the increase in demand for puppies has meant Dogs Trust’s Puppy Pilot scheme, which rescues smuggled pups at the UK border, has continued to be busy, despite restrictions on movement being in place. Between the beginning of lockdown and the end of June 2020, the charity rescued 43 puppies that were illegally imported into the country from Central and Eastern Europe.
These dogs were destined to be advertised online for extortionate prices, sold to unsuspecting buyers, while cruel puppy smugglers make huge profits. If sold, they could have fetched an estimated £80,000 for their puppy smugglers.
The charity – which has been campaigning to raise awareness of puppy smuggling since 2014 – also saved 12 heavily pregnant mums during lockdown, who have given birth to 56 puppies worth around an additional £100,000 to cruel smugglers.
Dogs Trust is urging people to be alert to the perils of buying via online adverts, to avoid being duped, or Dogfished, and to remind potential new owners to never hand over a deposit before seeing the dog in person. This comes against the backdrop of people contacting Dogs Trust to say they have been victims of scams during Coronavirus lockdown.
Experts from the UK’s leading dog welfare charity say that experience tells them that in the coming months, and years, more dogs than ever will face the risk of relinquishment. Dogs Trust estimates that up to 40,000 more dogs could be at risk of abandonment in the fallout of the Coronavirus crisis.
Together, with the support of the public, the charity says the UK public can help “Change the Tale” for smuggled pups when they need it most. They urge people to give what they can.
Dogs Trust’s Veterinary Director and Chair of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group, Paula Boyden said:
“It’s shocking to see how much dogs are being advertised for sale online and in particular how prices for some of the most popular smuggled breeds have increased during the Coronavirus lockdown. While there are many responsible sellers out there, sadly there are plenty who are just looking to tug on the heartstrings and exploit the situation for their own profit.
“With puppies in such high demand, and selling for such high prices, it’s creating a lucrative market for cruel puppy smugglers and, sadly, we have rescued many dogs illegally imported into the country, destined to be sold during lockdown. It’s also creating a perfect storm for people to be Dogfished and scammed out of their hard-earned money.
“That is why it is so important to always see a pup with and interacting with their mum and to go and see them more than once. Never pay a deposit without seeing the puppy in person first and check all paperwork carefully. If something doesn’t seem right, as hard as it may be, walk away and report the seller.”
What to do to avoid being Dogfished:
Sadly, it is all too easy to buy a dog which may not be what it seems. Dogs Trust calls this Dogfishing.
Remember:
- Always see puppy and their mum together at their home and make sure to visit more than once, even if it is via video call due to coronavirus restrictions.
- Never pay a deposit up front without seeing the puppy in person.
- Ask lots of questions and make sure you see all vital paperwork, such as a puppy contract – which gives lots of information about their parents, breed, health, diet, the puppy’s experiences and more.
- If you have any doubts or feel pressured to buy, as hard as it may be, walk away and report the seller to Trading Standards.
For more information and advice about how to avoid being misled when buying a puppy advertised for sale online, search ‘Dogfished’ or head to Dogs Trust website.
