PT Barnum - Page 1

He was right a sucker born every minute. Dogs for sale with basic obedience for $3500, SVV 1 dogs for $5000 and up who have so little training ,  lol pups from untitled parents $2000 and up. DDR lines (all same gene pool since all the good ones left before the wall came down) from untitled parents $1200-$2000. Where will all of this insanity end. Will the $ be the demise of the breed, hell maybe it already has been. I am sure the people in Europe get a great laugh when they look at these prices, no they rub their hands together and say uhmmmmmmmmmmm I need to sale to these people. Well maybe the Socialist in Chief will give all of us a dog buy out so we can buy high priced pound puppies.

Unfortunately Mr. Barnum never said that  and you will never be able to pin it on him! No the dollar will not be the breeds demise ! I fear it will be the euro or amero!But the breeders will tell us the market fixes the price and that the more one pays for an animal only means the buyer is able to care for it! I have heard those statements several times! But when you mention untitled parents ; suddenly you become a leper!

Titles schmitels. Give me a physical brake!
Let me tell you what I think about titles. Yes; there is a limited use for titles. BUT> Titles or  should I say titling of dogs as a sport are also demise of the breed. Max V Stephanitz is spinning in the grave. Titles are only for sport any more and not for evaluation of the dog for suitability to be bred. Some of my dogs are not titled. and my none titled dogs are purchased by police for good money, because they (the police) are looking for "real" dogs. S&R people do not care about titles also. Why if it is such an attribute to a working dog?! For the same reason why German police is not buying GSD in Germany any more. It is because Schutzhund destroyed it for such purpose. They rather buy flying squirrels also known as Belgian Malinois. Thus German national treasure GSD which used to be called "German Police Dog" all over the world in olden days is a sport joke now. Prey monkeys. On top of it SV is trying to control the breed so that they can ruin it all. Promotion of a prey drive above all other mental (Like courage) and physical (like HD and longevity) attributes sickens me.  Bundesiegers with mediocre hips because nobody cares if the dog walks after he is 5 as long as he wins BSP.
   What matters is who you are buying/getting the dog from.  Lets get back to the basics. Not sport, not show, but work.
 Yes P.T Barnum said (Or may be not.):"There is a sucker born every day and bought a dog because of his titles."

Have a nice day.

Prager Hans
http://www.alpinek9.com

www.historybuff.com/library/refbarnum.html   Read about the origin of the quote. The message however still rings true no matter who said it.

There is a problem with the economics because the buyers (professional) vs. (pet) are not treated equal. Most pet people haven't a clue how to begin a relationship with a breeder that will enable them to get a better price, all they know is they want a dog to become part of their family, and how do you place a price on family?

Buying a dog is not like buying a Big Mack. It is amazing how many people come to me to  buy a dog  with aggressively adversary attitude and expect that they will get a better dog that way.
PragerHans

Not sure what you mean? Like a hamburger? or the Truck? Could you give an example?

If you are buying a dog you should learn about the person who is selling you the dog. Remember if you want a good dog from a breeder then you want a favor. Thus learn about the person. What is his philosophy on dogs, is he a truthful person, what dogs he produces, what is his cultural personality as far as what kind of a dogs he likes and how long is he doing it.  Does he like tough,sport, work, show, police S&R, all above, none aggressive dogs, neutered dogs, sisi dogs, big , small, driven, calm, courageous, smart , easy to train. Talk to him be a friend. Have a beer with him. And be loyal to the original breeder if you are buying another one.  He will appreciate it. Then if you like his philosophy and dogs tell him what you need or want. Ask for help. Listen to him, let him help you and ask him to help you.
I have encountered breeder in Germany many years ago, recluse, cranky, stiff lipped guy of rigid principles and a few words.  But
if you tuck a time to know him he would bend backwards for you and get you great dog.
Prager Hans
http://www.alpinek9.com

Hans  I think it curious that you stated ! people coming to you with an adversarial attitude hoping it will get tham a better price. Do you think it is an isolated incident ! No reflection on you specifically. Is it just a conclusion based upon a broad spectrum of observation? Or has the gsd purchaser been conditioned from prior experiences!  My experience was I knew nothing about purebred gsd either showline or working!  I fear most purchasers are first time gsd buyers and walk away with less than pleasurable memories!  If and when I purchase a second gsd I fear I will automatically be cautious and perhaps suspicous of whom ever I shop with1 I think that is why the buyer must be well informed about the gsd and the breeder! Perhaps a little more transparancy among breeders will improve the marketing of thier dogs!  will say i value the way you have conducted yourself in your posts

Just as a side note. The quote "There's a sucker born every minute." was actually stated by a Syracuse New York man named Mr.David Hannum.

thanks for the info! That quote is one that a person hears many times and for some strange reason is attributted to PT Barnum. Untill watching a special on PT I too attributted the remark to him! So it goes to prove that a person must verify what they hear  and verify the verification!