A pup is only worth what someone will pay for it IMO!

You couldn't *give* me the pick pup out of the best 'such-a bloodline' .. or whatever, LOL.. but on the other hand, I would pay I fortune for the *right* pup/dog, even if the dog had no papers and was a mix LOL

If the dog fits what I want, I will pay...

... hmm.. I know what I am talking about LOL!

 Quote:

Originally posted by Jacob McCloud:
It seems like the bigger well known breeders want that buck and will tell you exactly what you want to hear to get it.

I have seen a lot of this, both with small and large breeding programs. Show lines advertised as "suitable for any working endeavor" come to mind. Most of these claims come from breeders that haven't even trained a dog!

You can ask about specific breeders, or search the archives. Generally, few responses means that the responses had to be sent via PM because they were negative.

The ones with the better reputations are going to have the higher prices a lot of times, but that's just simple business. I would just make sure you go and look at the dog before putting your chips on the table, so that YOU know what you're getting. Or get referrals and look and look at their feedback, just like you would on eBay... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

l think buying a pup here, you kinda no what your getting, l mean if you pay for the #2 pup your pretty much going to get the # 2 pup, overseas you pay for #2 pup you may end up with the last pup in the litter, so $1500 for a pup from a breeder here in the states, with the same bloodlines or better is money well spent, i also think the better breeders here in the states should get more money for the top 3 pups in a litter,jmo

More money doesnt always mean better as Im sure alot of people on this board including me have learned the hard way. I personally have a $1300 pet german shepherd running around here that would make a great handicap assistance dog but could never be a shutzhund dog :rolleyes: . To the original poster you say $1000 isnt bad but $1500 is crazy. Your looking at it all wrong. To spend $1000 dollars on a pup that is just so so is crazy, to spend $2000 on a great pup is worth every penny.Its not about the money its about the dog. Ill say it one more, its not about the money its about the dog. Ive seen $600 pups better than $1500 pups, Ive seen $1200 dogs not worth $50 and Ive seen $1800 dogs that were a steal at that price. Its all about the dog not the money. If you find the right stuff for $600 then buy it and if you find the right stuff for $1800 then save up some more money and buy it. Its all about the dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

>>i also think the better breeders here in the states should get more money for the top 3 pups in a litter

Tony I have a different opinion on so called 'pick puppies'. I personally can't see a justification for paying more for 'picks'. The reason being that I've seen too many instances and from other well known experienced breeders as well, who have had great potential pups at 6-8 weeks; only to be disapointed with the pups at 6 months. I won't go as far as to say that puppies are a 'total crap shoot' but they are a 'gamble'. Some see this 'gamble' as a bit less with a 'promising pup' but it's still doesn't justify higher prices IMO--as there are no 'guarantees'.

However aside from that, I personally have no problem paying 1500 for a pup if it has the lines, temperament, drives, and health that I am looking for. When one considers the risk, the expense of the brood bitch, AI (if applicable), or flying the bitch to be bred to some stud, in Europe, stud fees, and then vet costs, tattoos, registration, time spent caring and imprinting, worming, vaccinations, health guarantees (replacements) etc...not to mention the companionship of an animal for the next 12-14 years....when one thinks about it...1500 is not unreasonable.

Anyways just my .02

>>Its all about the dog.

David completely agree. It comes down to what it's worth to YOU.

I too have seen 500 dollar pups outdo 1500 dollar pups. I've also seen dogs bought for a lot of money (thousands) and worth every penny (to me). And I've seen some expensive pups that amounted to 'nothing' or anywhere close to what the buyer wanted for a specific program.

Again the pup/dog will 'tell you' if its worth it.

I agree with other people that 1000-1500 or even up to 2000 when you add in shipping and other expenses isn't that much to spend for a quality puppy. That is no guarantee that the dog will be great, but that should be a good range for a breeder who wants to test and title breeding stock from good lines and care for them with the right medical attention, etc.

As a beginner, I would be VERY cautious about paying more than that. While I have heard/seen of people who have paid a lot of money for a pup 3000+ and been happy, I have seen a lot of new people sharked by breeders who seem to look for newbies. If you have a person who is very experienced and who you trust implicitly, it might then be OK to spend more for a pup that they deemed to be perfect for competition.

My experience is that I have a good (but not great pup) by serious working line standards. The limitations in his training don't come from his drive or lack or drive, but usually come from my limitations as a trainer/handler. He would be much more advanced if I knew more about obedience and tracking when I started, but I'm learning and so is he.

My general advice is to get some of the videos here (bite training for puppies especially), learn about picking the pup you want from a litter, get someone you trust and who has a lot of experience, then pay the 1000-1500 to get a pup from a breeder that you really trust.

Another option is getting involved in breed rescue. I do foster and behavior evaluations for a German Shepherd rescue group and in the year I have been a member I have seen several dogs capable of doing solid protection and tracking work. If you know what you are looking for, are a little patient and are involved in the group so you get first shot at the 'good ones', you can get a good dog for next to nothing.

I just had a six month old puppy turned over to me. He was scaring the crap out of the family who had him. Dog had the best of everything, toys, huge crate (about 4 times the size he needed) and NO leadership in the home. He was pinning the owners against the walls of their own home. I squared him away in a week behaviorally and he's now doing the first stages of detection and protection work now with a trainer friend of mine. He hit the jackpot with this dog, all for a $300 donation.

Oh, for what it's worth, I bought a dog from Leerburg in 1997 and it was the best $ I ever spent.