This is all very true, thanks Andres! I wish I could leave the farm/kennel long enough to take a trip to Europe to see the dogs myself, that would be awesome! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> However not so likley unfortunatley.
We do see this as a full time business and not a hobby, but we are still relatively new to the game compared to many of the people on this forum. Its fantastic to have such an opprotunity to access other's experience... and hopefully not have to learn all lessons the 'hard way' if you know what I mean <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
I liked the look of this dog. However was thinking that perhaps there is something that I don't know about. Why would such a dog be available. I believe Ed has a dog who is a by Pike von der Schafbachmuhle
in his breeding program... Illo vd Abfuhr is by a littermate of Pike so I'd thought perhaps he may be familiar with him.
What would you say is a reasonable price for such a dog. Would I be paying more for the name?
We are not dealing with the bank. It would be an outright purchase. Outside of the GSDs we also breed Paints and Quarter Horses, however we are finding it a bit much to do both on a grand scale and are in the process of selling off our horse herd. Once we have cash in hand from the horse sales we will purchase a new stud (and maybe a new bitch also) with those funds. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Currently we have only 2 or 3 litters per year, however we are hoping that once we have sold the horeses we will be able to dedicate more time to whelping. Still not to many, but maybe increase to 4 or 5 litters per year. We have an awesome young stud prospect at the moment, however he is not even 2 years old yet and of course he is not proven.
The intention of our program is really more for the production of law enforcement dogs rather than the sport dogs, but we do raise both (just no show dogs). Most of our bloodlines are Czech and Slovak, but we have two young bitches with some German breeding too. I have been very impressed with them, which was another reason I had been considering Illo.
I appreciate all of the advise everyone has given. From what I gather... I may be wiser to search out a younger dog for this price, or else see how 'flexible' the price is on this animal. Certainly, there will be many more questions asked with a firm purchase agreement in place before any deal is signed.
Its very difficult to know who to trust when you are looking to spend such an amount for a stud dog, and I certainly appreciate all of the support I have recieved here. Thank you to all.
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