puppy price - Page 2

Hi,

Think you got some helpful info but I hope this is as well...My 3 y.o.neutered male(he was a crypt) is out of a sch111 sire and the dam was sch2. Cost 1700.00 pink-papered.at the time I was not healthy enough to do anything besides obedience,Besides I just lovr this guy. My female that I have deposit on and will be 8 weeks middle of month is out of titled parents both shown in Germany and both sire and dam have sch3's. $2500.00! I did my homework, went to several shows and sought out owner of bitch that won her class, even then I didn't act on it. I waited. I have pick with that price and trust the breeder. If at 8 mos the hip and elbow prelims don't look good,I will sell her and purchase another.BTW,showlines that have plenty of provenpedigree that can actually work.Having worked with another breeder for many years,they would import pups from Germany in between breedings to, of course, supplement income. It is my experience the dogs being shipped to US are simply pups they just don't want, for any reason.I am certainly not saying this is what all breeders do,just my experience.

Best Regards,

Ravenhawk

What should my homework be?

If your goal is to compete and title in schutzhund and you are looking for a working line dog, consider going to as many schutzhund clubs as you can.  Talk to and get to know the members, watch the training, ask questions.  Also go to as many trials as you can.  Get to know the locals.  Once they feel comfortable with you, they might point you in the direction of some reputable breeders.  Go to many, talk to many, take your time and don't buy the first pup you see!

Mikee,

Check out  schutzhund clubs and trials.  See which dogs you like (working ability, TEMPERAMENT, sociability, health, etc) and find out their bloodlines. ( People LOVE to talk about their dogs and you would be surprised how many folks have copies of  their dogs' pedigrees in the vehicle!).  Once you determine what lines you seem drawn to, find out who the dogs' breeders were/are. 

PLEASE look for breeders who are ACTIVELY TRAINING THEIR OWN DOGS AND BREEDING STOCK.  If they are not, walk on.

Check out how many people in the area (region) have dogs from the breeder that they are working.  If NO ONE, or only one of two newbies own dogs from a particular, large scale breeder in the area, walk on.

Check out their contracts and guarantees.   If they won't guarantee health and hips, walk on.   No one can guarantee the temperament, because environment does play a part.  But, heredity plays a part, too.  That is why checking out the temperments of the parents is so important.  If one or both parents are dog-aggressive, nervy, etc.  and tend to produce it, walk on.

As Sue indicated, prices may come down in this current economic enviorment.  But,  $2 -3 for a show line puppy is normal.  I know one breeder who charges as much as $3500 for a show line coat.   Working line pups are cheaper, at $800-1500.  I paid $1000 for my last one a few months ago.  The one before that was a gift, and the first schutzhund puppy was $450 (1992)

Are you planning to attend the WUSV?  I would not be at all surprised if a few enterprising Europeans have the sense to bring over a few puppies to finance their trip.

i guess im not keeping up with the times,  not as greedy, or just not trying to live off my dogs.

pups from 500-1000,,,depending on titles of parents.

older pups around 1000

once they reach a year or so, or have been showing good promise they range from 1000 and up.

at least thats what we charge.

john

A puppy is not a guaranteed SchH 3 prospect even if all of the ancestry on paper achieved that mark...of many

yeah, that's why everyone calls'em a ...."crapshoot".  All you can do it try to stack the deck in your favor or buy a started dog, but there are no guarantees that a started dog will be a podium dog either.  For that matter, there are no guarantees a new owner would be able to do anything with an already titled schHIII dog!