Thanks guys. I am really happy with my dog as he is. Honestly I feel he is a great dog. We have had a couple of experiences in which he has really impressed me. If we do get involed in any activity or job and he is not an abosolute champion it will not bother me at all. Nor would it diminish my opion of him. I was asking pretty much because I want to work professionally with dogs and I am hoping I can work with him or my second choice would be another Dobermann. Since Im such a novice in the field I just wanted to know what you guys thought was a fair price. Thanks again for your help.

I think it always comes out to a statistic thing. You get what you pay for, and even though many times things can go wrong you have a better chance statistically if you pay top dollar.

Also it's true there's dogs for cheap prices that can probably do great work, there's always exceptions or luck. The thing that would worry me personally is how much care can they provide and how many resources do they have when selling their dogs for such a cheap price?

I'm sure many of the big guns make a decent amount doing what they do and pay their bills BUT I'm sure they spend quite a bit of money taking care of the dogs, going to matches, traveling, getting new studs or finding a good female etc. which I'm sure many will agree costs LOTS of money.

So I agree with one wanting to go with something cheapier IF they want to risk tougher odds. From a statistical stance I would say odds are better for the money. JMO

At least $1,500 or MORE I say this because Dobermans up to snuff will possibly be more. I'd pay whatever I could finanical risk with this breed. If I could find a Doberman that was as good as any GSD, DS or Malinois I'd pay $5k for it. lol

I think it all depends on what you are looking for.

I wouldn't pay a whole bunch of money unless I knew exactly what I want and what I'm exactly getting; that is, the characteristics of the lines the dog comes from.

A dog from top working lines costs a lot, but if you are just starting in the sport maybe a rescue is just what you need and will be a perfect dog for you.

Just my opinion.

Best regards from sunny Spain,
Pedro.

It also depends on if you know people in Germany to get a dog for you. They inflate the price exponetionaly for us Americans. They sell them to people from their clubs or other residents much cheaper. They know we can afford it. A few years ago breeders in the Czech were selling SchIII titled adults for $1000 or less to the US. This was like a years salary for them. They thought they were really making good money. Until someone told them that people in the US would pay 10 times that! Damn them who ever they are! Look hard you can find good dogs at a reasonable cost. I know of a few kennels in Hungary and Yugoslavia that sell some puppies from good older working line dogs that they now show for around $800. Keep lookin

Psisapper, you're enrolling in the Tom Rose school in St. Louis? It looks like an intensive training program! Haven't heard from anyone how good it is, but have been very interested in hearing about it. I'm originally from St.Louis and would love to have the time and resources to attend his program. It's like 6 or 9 months long (full time), right?

More to the point of your post, I purchased a working bloodline German Boxer last year for $1500. I can't comment on how good the lines were, but both the sire and dam are good workers (both are in the US). Had I imported a dog, I'm sure the cost would have gone up considerably and I wouldn't have been able to see the parents work. I think German Boxers and Dobermanns are kind of in the same boat... much more difficult to find good working kennels than say the GSD or Mal. With Boxers, if you don't speak German, it's very hard to research working bloodlines. I would guess it's a little easier with Dobermanns?

I intend to take my bitch as far as she and I are able to go (title or no title) and hopefully learn a great deal along the way (I'm also new to Schutzhund and working dogs). When the timing is right, and if I find a line I'm very confident in, I will pay big $$$ for a really good dog (import or domestic). To me the higher probabilities of getting a good dog are worth it.

Honestly, I think that if you REALLY want to be sure that you are going to get a dog you can work with, it would be best to go to Germany with someone who knows their stuff (if you don't) and pick up a 12 month old, intitled dog. You will be able to see that all the basic drives are there, natural bite, nerves, health -- Xray hips, elbows, spine, check heart, etc. Yes, it will be pricey but it will probably be worth the time and money spent raising a puppy and worth the worry over health issues. Generally, in Germany the price of dogs to foreigners is $1,000 for every month of age. If you have a TRUSTWORTHY German friend who can buy the dog for you, then all the better. Just a thought.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I was Canadian... Canadian FUNDS.

$1000 per month? What the hell is the exchange rate for US to Canadian?

2 american dollars will get you 3 in Canada (or so the commercials always say....

So that is $666