During our extended break at home our demand for dogs has risen. Despite warnings from various charities about not adopting a dog solely for company, the number of adoptions is soaring. And in turn, that means breeders and dealers are increasing their costs per head.
Since the beginning of the lockdown in late Marchm the Kennel Club has logged almost three times more adoptions than last year. And pet shops such as Pets4Homes have seen a huge increase in the number of dogs being advertised for sale.
Puppy thievery
The trend has seen the price of a puppy leap to unprecedented levels, and an unfortunate rise in puppy thievery. According to The Guardian, a French Bulldog now costs as much as £7,500, and rare or exclusive breeds cost even more. In calmer times, the Bulldog pedigree would have cost between £800 and £2000.
Given this hike in value, the commensurate rise in the number of puppies being stolen from UK owners is hardly surprising.