Galathiel said: Frankly, if someone tried to haggle the price of the pup, I would wonder, as the breeder, what other shortcuts would they take in the future to save money. No vetting? Lowest grade food? Etc. I wouldn't sell them a pup personally.
I guess that is possible, however, using my life as an example... I am on a fixed income, I am SAR (certified) which is very expensive in constant training and gear, let alone deployment. My dogs are fed the best and very well cared for (somebody's life depends on it (besides they are my babies)), every 'free' dollar goes to their well being often sacrificing things I need for them.. Saving for a dog takes years and the pup is bought with the mind and purpose of SAR (trailing and HRD).. If a breeder is willing to knock any bit of price down to aid in the purchase, it is considered a donation into someone else's life who will be saved when the pup finds the lost soul... It isn't to be disrespectful to the breeder, especially as many breeders give discounts to military (who get paid for what they do (and many thanks to them for their service) unlike SAR), so asking if a discount is given is a question that has good reason to be asked, imho...
If a breeder took offense at the question and didn't want to sell me a pup after meeting with me, knowing what I do and why I ask.. Well then I probably don't want to deal with the breeder ... Now, that being said, I wouldn't ask every breeder, this would be well after I had narrowed down bloodlines, breeders breeding what I was looking for, telephone conversation, email, meeting in person (if able) and I felt that the question was appropriate because it would be received well as they would know my background... It would never be my first question etc... Just my thoughts