AmTrak Scent Dogs - Page 1

If you ever wondered how much a good scent dog cost, hold on
to you chair. The going rate  for a golden lab scent dog for
trains and air ports is a cool $20,000.00 Twenty big ones.

The breeders say it is because they can only use less than 2%
of the dogs they breed. And sale only those dogs.

Do you say Bullshit, or is this a very good marketing spill
for their buyers?

Or does anyone actually believe that they can only use
less than 2% of what they breed. If so, I have some nice parcels
of land on Mars you may be interested in.

Is the dog trained already? Cause if so no that amount isn't far fetched.To train a service dog for the handi capped is more then that.You have to figure in all the cost of feeding,caring, training,vet cost and time it takes to put in to the dog. In fact...that is not that much considering the dog if trained for many different scents.

I've heard similar numbers for trained assistance dogs, but that calculation takes into account the cost of the dog, raising it, vet care and the extensive training put into the dog.   The closest group to me gets dogs donated by the breeders, has volunteer puppy raisers but has paid trainers on staff.  The dollar amount is an estimate based on what it would cost to pay someone for all of that even though that much money never changes hands.  So while the dog may theoretically be worth $15,000-20,000 based on the cost of everything that's gone into it, I don't know that anyone pays that much for the dog.

Of course I've also seen those website with "super elite" protection trained GSDs going for $35,000 which is really a marketing ploy for people who don't know any better.  I know that titled dogs with superior pedigrees and health certifications that are proven producers certainly go for premium prices, but I don't think that's what they're talking about.


Opal

I don't know about the breeding program....it does take a certain temperament to train a dog for sent detection just like anything else. If they had the right breeding program though I would hope that there would be more puppies from a litter that would have the right temperament.

I would think there would be more training on Search and Rescue dogs, but I don't
know. If you came to me and ask for a good scent dog that is trained and how much?
I would say because I like you, and I know you are on a budget, $ 7,000.00
but I guarantee this dog, bring him back if the dog does not satisfy you. But
If Am Track ask me for a dog I would say $20,000. 00 and that comes
with a weeks worth of Handler training.
 I had a friend who bought a Junior Klubsieger for Germany for  $18,000.00.
The dog was easily worth $35,000. 000 when got him over here. He made enough
money off that dog to buy a $180,000.00 House.

There are some  very good trainers I know who moved to India to train there dogs,
because the price of labor is low. You could buy a really nice Building
with land and have 3 or 4 people working for you, for almost the price of one of those dogs.

At least I know what to ask if I do business with AMTrak.

They have to have VERY high drive, excellent focus, easy to handle and train, sociable, well habituated to environments, and have really the best physical qualifications and natural aptitude. This is not an easy combination to get. You could coach lesser dogs to do the work, but they may break down in training, especially since so many handlers are inexperienced and maybe not even dog people at heart, so the dogs won't get any help, there.

Like the best racehorses.. most horses (Thoroughbreds) can run, but they can't all win... at least not with any consistency. The best winning racehorses have something upstairs that most other horses lack. Same with good dogs. It's really something deeper than raw ability. It can't be trained in, at least to the degree that you need it to be there. Great dogs, like great horses.. and great humans.. are born, THEN made.

And yes, it is true.. Even in a well bred litter.. a special breeding, really.. you may get only one or two of the highest calibre in a litter. If the dog will do the work, but breaks down and loses interest easily out on assignment, then the dog is a failure. It's not just a matter of training. The dog has to WANT to do this, more than anything else in the whole world. I have a little bitch I'm training, like this right now and she is a joy! she works for food or toy, and she believes that she is totally in control, so far. What a little dynamo! Very methodical and thorough searching.. She won't stop searching until she's found what she's looking for, and she keeps restarting herself to recheck for something new. She takes maybe a few minutes rest and a drink of water, and then she's off, again.. I just have to sit back and watch (grinning). She works completely on her own, but she is starting to work under direction, now. It's really fun to watch them progress!

This whole bloodline is like this, really, with only the occasional "dud"... about 15% with little / no aptitude, 15-30% extremely high aptitude, and the rest all good otherwise and can do at least average good sport or PPD type work. These dogs DO know how to focus and to go calm, can settle down and rest when put up, but when they are taken out to work they are in drive they are definitely wanting to work. Nerves are very good, overall. Excellent noses and work well for food or toy.  Some of them actually snort like a pig when they are sniffing / searching intensely.

I'm not promoting them for sale. There are a few in good hands, now, and no more available. I think it is maybe the father's last litter and maybe the mother has one more, next year.. That's it.. Sorry..