Puppy Pricing - Page 1

I was wondering about puppy prices. I know that usually the lower the price the more likely the pup is from a puppy mill or backyard breeder. I am curious as to why some breeders chose their prices. I have heard that some decide on the parents, pedigree, lines....but how do you know if a pup is overpriced? What if a person is just looking for a pet? I do not really see someone paying $800 for pet without any guarantees. I paid about $600 for my girl for full AKC and that included gas price in 2006 to go from Michigan to Indiana. I do not want to name any names as to the breeder, but this was their prices:

Quality companion/ German Shepherd Puppies with super temperament for companion/pet/protection: $2000 - $2800

Select show quality/ German Shepherd Puppies for pet/companion/breeding potential show/schutzhund potential: $2800 - $3800.

Excellent Select Show Quality/German Shepherd Puppies/Breed potential/Show potential/schutzhund potential : $3800 - $5800.

Special Order super show quality /Breed potential/schutzhund potential/ : $4500 - $7500.

The fathers all have SchH3 and mothers either have a SchH1 or SchH3. German Show and Working Lines.

Thanks
Nikki

That sounds to me like it is moreshow line than working. I try to visit as mny websites o breeders as i can get my eyes on and most of the time the show line breeders are the ones charging crazy numbers like that. A good puppy with good genetics is in my opinion worth anywere from 800 to 1500 and in some cases even 2000 but no more than that would i pay. You never know what you are getting with a puppy so it isnt fare to charge over 2000 dollars for a shot in the dark. Yes there are ways to tell if a pup is going to be better than others but sometimes the last pick in the litter comes out full force in a few months and the poor person who paid 3500-4500 for top pick gets the short end of the stick. not rite at all.

There is no problem finding a nice working line puppy with good structure from titled parents for $1000-$1500

Pricing is totally up to the individual.  You can find kennels that charge $3000 for a "pick puppy" and another kennel that will charge $1800 for the same thing.  A lot of breeders have this select, companion, super categories, but I would be wary of those who would charge over $3000 for a puppy.  To charge $2000-$2800 for a "companion" or "pet" dog usually means the dog has some kind of flaw (i.e. long coat, one testicle, etc).  That kind of price is totally outrageous. 

My first GSD cost $500 back in 1993.  My mother got a referral from a well-known GSD person which ultimately led to my first male.  While he had German lines, they were back about 3-4 generations.  My mother got her GSD from a newspaper ad in the paper.  We hadn't really been aware of the big differences between American lines and German lines and just so happened that our second GSD was 100% West German showlines.  My mom paid $500 for her first shepherd and we actually found this database when she died in 2006 and were trying to find related dogs from her pedigree as she was such a great dog. 

A lot of times you pay for the dogs that are in the pedigrees, their titles, etc.  Kennels sometimes also charge more if they've imported a parent pregnant as they want to recoup the cost of the mother (who is pregnant by "X" dog who may be a big wig), shipping, and all the other costs involved. 

As some posters here will tell you, paying several thousand dollars for a puppy, be it "pick" or not is a dicey game as you have no way of knowing if the dog will OFA, get the titles you want, be able to breed, etc.  For the prices some people charge for puppies, you can get an adult dog that is a proven producer.

My family has imported two puppies (one from the Kirschental kennel) and didn't pay anywhere near the thousands that this U.S. kennel is charging.  It comes down to the fact that if people can charge that high a price and find people that are willing to pay for it, then they'll go ahead and keep doing it.

If I were you, I'd do a bit more searching as there are kennels out there that are producing nice dogs, but charging way less.

Those prices are ridiculous.

Thanks everyone.

I am not looking for a puppy though. I was just wondering why people would ask $2000 for a pet. I couldn't image paying that price for just a pet. I also think that it is outrageous!!! I was just wondering who would actually paid that much for just a pet. So everyone would probably agree that these pups are highly overpriced, right?  I was looking at German Shepherd breeders in Michigan, trying to find someone I can look up to as a mentor, when I start breeding, but I am not really sure. There seems to be tons of back yard breeders here. Then there are some great people that I have meet on here from Michigan (MI GSD, Spernagsds, etc) who want to improve the breed.

Thanks
Nikki

 Myself I dont ponder over such things. as what does everyone else think? I feel that if I decide to purchase anything I will find what I need, desire and want. Then I will decide what I feel I can afford and find the dog of my choice from the breeder of my choice.

If you wer just wonderng what the average going rate for pups in the what USA are going for... I think it has been discussed over and over on other posts.. you may check those out for indications to cure your curiosity.

I dont feel higher prices are always an indication of Quality or good breeders. I feel people should take time and talk with each other and not base decisions on what everyone else has to say or what an internet chat board says. Some is good and some is bad .

Cheers,

Debi

Debi,

I understand your point and views. I looked on the web before posting. It said the usual price range for a GSD is between 500-1000. I was not trying to say anything bad about anyone who sells their pups for a higher price, I was just trying to figure out the reason behind it. I know lines, parents, and titles usually are the factors in pricing. I was just wondering what everyone's opinions where on pet prices. What is too high and what is too low. Everyone is different, but usually there are some people that think a like. I also buy want I need, want and desire to have. I just have to usually fight with myself over anything I buy. Like is it good for my family? Is it really worth that price? I think I spend more time wondering than actually shopping and I love to shop.

Any who, I was just wondering. I am told and I know that my mind wonders all the time, and when I find I need to ask a perpendicular question, I jump at it.

Hopefully that made some cents. I feel like I am rambling on and on....so I will end it like that.

Thanks you Debi,
Nikki

Rocky mud,

I agree with KCzaja, those price's are ridiculas.  

You could import a gsd from Germany from excellent bloodline's shipping and all for under two grand.   

You can buy a great dog in the usa for as little as $350.00 or you can pay as much as your gullable enough to pay.

Price is what the market will bear, and a scam is a scam.  Also a fool is born every minute.

If you want a champion bred fully trained and titled dog then yes it will cost a lot.

A little common sense come's in real handy when buying anything.

Moi.

You might not want to leave the link "live" if you don't intend to "name any names as to the breeder." 

Just a little heads up for the next posting.

KG