Expensive dogs - Page 2

Hello all, I reallly add my to cents in on any of these boards because most people already say what i was thinking i feel on this post it is neccesary before i was educated in the way of dogs i bought a female german shepherd puppy for $75 from a (you guessed it) backyard breeder only later to find out from a complete stranger that the Dam had all kinds of tempermant problems and the Sire had bone cancer and a truckload of other problems as well, long story short m female is now 6 and has a BH and is looking good for a SCHH1 in december(we've only been in schutzhund for the last couple of years)we did akc before schutzhund she also has a CGC,Cd,CDX and does a utility(spelling) routine but does not have a title. Realizing Anne (my bitch) would have to retire soon about a 11/2 ago i bought another female german shepherd(12wks) from a very nice man with good dogs for $750 the original price was 1500 but since i was going to go and do schutzhund with her he lowered it for me, even a well known SV judge thought she would be a good dog for schutzhund. Anyways (some of you might see whats coming) know at 21 months i have finally accepted the fact that this female will not do schutzhund she doesn't have the correct tempermant nor the desire to. Sorry for writing a book everyone, i tend to do that also another reason why i don't post often here's my opinion on the subject. i personally would never pay more then 1500 for a puppy but i also buy working line puppies because to me it's a crap shot the puppy hopefully will grown into a schutzhund dog but there's no garentee which i found out with my latest dog. i think echomeadows made a very good piont it's what YOU see as a good value. i appricate very much what the man who sold me my last puppy and the faith he took in me and i hold no malice toward him because the dog didn't work out. In the end it's up to the buyer, if don't want to pay that much for the pup then polite tell the breeder your not enterested but DO NOT come here and make a big deal over the price of puppies, i personally am rather tired of it there are plenty of reputable breeders out there that sell their puppies for 1000-1500. Ok im going to end on that before i really do write a book.

jdh well said i think censorship is mainly to opress people, i thought the old communist ways were long removed ( well except in a few countries).but please tell me why cannot a non show breeder not produce equally good dogs as a " name kennel ", they would have the same access to top stud dogs and all the other facilities ?

jdh-- I completely agree. There was absolutely nothing wrong with simonb's original post. He offered another view about pricing---one, that deserves as much exposure as any other. Deletion---What is that all about? .................................................... As to the puppy prices---People can charge whatever they want. But everyone has a different figure when they say expensive. Personally, I have always paid a great amount for a puppy. Before people make a judgment on what is too high, prices should be clarified. Is that puppy $800, $1200, $1500, $1800, $2200, $2500, $3000, $3400, $4000, $5000, etc....? I love beautiful dogs---I love beautiful things---I've always bought the best. But I am saying quite simply that prices for puppies are jumping too high. Just my opinion. One, made by someone, who by no means, could ever be considered a cheapskate. If I make lasagna---the finest cheeses go into it. The highest grade of meat, vine ripened tomatoes, and best olive oils are used. I don't scimp. My artwork has only linen canvases, best blocked watercolor paper, Unison, Sennelier and Schmincke pastels, Old Holland oils--gold leaf frames, etc... I do what I feel is right for me--highest quality. My point is breeders should do the same--wth no exception. I don't expect a bigger return in payment for my paintings---honestly, most people are idiots and wouldn't know a higher quality painting if they saw one---I create with better materials because I care that my work holds up better later on. I have given artwork away to people I knew would really appreciate it. My point again--Breeders should breed healthy puppies and find them the best homes. These are living, breathing animals with feelings. Yes, feelings--they deserve good homes. High pricetags don't ensure a good home. Lately, I've seen some decent, loving homes go to different breeds--usually, labs---because when a price was quoted to a potential buyer, it seemed ridiculous. .................................................. jdh--I just finished typing and remembered something you said in your last post about 'pet breeders' breeding 'pet quality' animals. You said "These animals largely populate the shelters until they are destroyed because they simply do not have a place in society." I don't know if that's really true. I walk around and see the ugliest, worst bred dogs possible that have good homes. Truthfully, what keeps pets out of the shelters isn't the quality of the dog, but the quality of the owner. Sunshine wrote on another thread about placing a VA1 Siegershow winner that was found in a shelter. ................................................... If breeders want big money for a puppy and can get it, it is their right---but they also have a responsibility to that puppy's well being--both mentally and physically. If a loving, responsible buyer came along and wanted to spend $1800, I hope they wouldn't be turned away for a new show or schutzhund wannabee willing to fork over $3000 on a whim.

LMH, You hit the nail on the head with me! What type of home is my puppy going too? That is my bottom line! By the way, do you do paintings/portraits of GSDs? Stephen

Thanks Stephen. I knew some would understand, you being one. I always respected that you wanted to check up on the health of your puppies in later years. Most breeders seem to shy away from this attitude---somewhat understandable, but sad, really. I've seen so much over the years in my own neighborhood. Take for example the last ten years. I run my dogs a couple of blocks from my house--2 large fields and a wooded area with a stream. Over the years, I've watched obedience training for therapy work, and many schutzhund enthusiasts. One man in particular (actually a nice guy, who appears quite responsible) has gone through three dogs in a two yr span. It's been very hard to watch. One day, they're there--the next, they're turned in for another model. Good dogs---never really given a chance. After all's said and done, I'm still the only who is always there, every day with my boys meeting the new turnovers. I don't envy you--trying to weed out puppy buyers. The only thing I can suggest is find out a person's veterinary records. Anyone concerned with judging for color or asking questions like "Which is the best" would be ushered right out the door. People who are looking for a companion (for life) are concerned with a potential bond, and will know when they see it. When you love something, you'll move heaven and earth to make it work. As to the GSD portraits---I have done a couple of my own dogs, and, of course, I'll slip one in a large landscape every once in awhile--can't resist. By the way, I love your website.

Folks on this site are getting way too bent out of shape on the prices of puppies. I must be borne in mind that the price you pay for a puppy, whether is is 1,000 or 3,500, when you consider all the expenses incurred for that dog over the expected lifetime, it is a small amount averaged out. Consider 12 to 14 years of feed, vet bills, toys, bedding, crates; and if you are showing, the money literally flies out the door faster than you can count it! Hopefully, anyone buying a puppy for any price will place more emphasis on general health and the health record of the parents so that they have at least half a chance of spending even more money for the next 12 or more years and having the enjoyment of a beautiful, temperamentful and healthy German Shepherd.

Just another thread on the price of puppies: I own a small pet dog training business in which I go to the owners home. I occasionally get" $$$ dollars, but I already paid $500 for the puppy". He only a pet, and anyway I plan to breed him to get some money back" OH PLEASE!!!!!!