Puppy prices - Page 1

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GSDfan

by GSDfan on 09 June 2005 - 12:06

I ocassionally see puppies for sale at VERY reasonable prices from titled parents (under $1,000) and was just wondering how there could be such a wide range for what seems to be consistant quality with very expensive puppies. Granted I am just looking at titles and don't have very good knowledge of bloodlines, but what may seem like a steal to me would also make me wonder why they are so cheap. There is so much work involved in training and titling if I were selling puppies from titled parents there's no way I would sell them for under $1,000 for all the blood sweat and tears I put into it. Now I don't think it fair to charge an arm and a leg either and I think there are some big name kennels that significantly overcharge, I guess you are paying for the kennel name, but still. Thanks in advance for sharing your opinions.

by Vikram on 09 June 2005 - 12:06

Very good question. I think it will help a lot of first timers regards Vikram

by LuvCzechDawgz on 09 June 2005 - 13:06

I think it varies based on the kennel and the individual selling the puppies. While some say I put "Blood sweat and tears" in this litter with titling, stud fees, etc, the truth of the matter is a litter or two takes care of that (I know some would rather than hear it). On another note, I think quality will cost you more since you can find an American bred GSD in pet stores these days for $500-$700. Or perhaps in the local newspaper and most times the person selling them has little or no knowledge of lineage, dogs, breeding or anything else. With that said, I think most $1,000-$1,500 puppy prices are warranted. Now there are what some call extreme. $2,500 puppies coming from the "bigger name" kennels that have the same lineage (maybe slightly better) than some of the smaller kennels who have just as much knowledge of breeding. My thoughts on that is if you have the money to spend it and want it, then get it. Screw what anyone else says. Also never discount a quality puppy simply because the seller does not have some outlandish price on the pup (i.e $1k). Some have the belief (including myself) that despite the fact there may be absolutely no profit made out of a litter or little profit, the more important thing is trying to save the "piece" of German Shepherd we still have out there. I'm ending on that note before I get on a tangent. :-)

by justde on 09 June 2005 - 14:06

It can depend to a certain degree on location. Folks in our area think $500 is a tremendous amount of money for a puppy. And if you don't have close access to an airport and just want good homes, I guess a lower price would move the puppies. I personally would rather give my puppies to good working homes instead of selling for a minimal price to someone who will lose interest or get frustrated with a dog that wants a job. Sue

by Blitzen on 09 June 2005 - 16:06

Justde, If more breeders would have your attitude, this breed would be in far better shape. Once any breed attains the status of "money breed", all hope is lost when it comes to keeping it from being corrupted by those looking only to make money. That is where the GSD is today, sad to say, and it's all due to the fact that many are breeding only for profit with absolutely no experience or knowledge that would contrubute to moving the breed forward. When a "breeder" has to get on a board such as this one and ask stupid, basic questions about litters he or she has already bred, it's not a good commentary on where we are heading. No one should even think about breeding a litter without basic knowledge of genetics and canine anatomy, yet it happens every day. The price some ask for adults would feed a thrid world country for a year. It's nuts. I'm certainly not advocating that breeders should not ask what the market will bear, it's far too late now to be worrying about that. The die has already been cast.

by MNGSDLUVR on 09 June 2005 - 17:06

Justde, I totally agree with you! I'm a small breeder and I just got my first showline bitch. I went out and spent good money to buy a quality titled bitch who is out of 2 VA parents, and I bred her to a top VA stud. I have a super litter on the ground, that I've put a lot into and I can't sell them! I'm only asking $1000-1500 but people around here think that's an absolutely outrageous price. I even had someone offer me half the price, for the nicest pup in the litter! I've had several breeders tell me I'm selling my pups for way less than they are worth, but I'm not in this to make alot of money. I'm just trying to produce some nice quality pups, that people can afford! Spending $3500 for an unproven pup is quite an investment, especially when that pup might not live up to it's potential! Everyone knows pups are a crap shoot anyways. Robin

by Blitzen on 09 June 2005 - 18:06

You have taken what I said out of context, Saoa. First ask the questions, then breed the litters.

by Brandoggy on 09 June 2005 - 18:06

I know what you mean about the prices....I have been looking for a puppy for months now and the price ranges are amazing....you see one for $500 and you think something must be wrong with this litter, only because some charge so much more...so what it comes down to is research....bloodlines etc..

by LuvCzechDawgz on 09 June 2005 - 22:06

Okay back to GSDfan's topic. :: Fans at the flies::

VomFelsenHof

by VomFelsenHof on 09 June 2005 - 23:06

I have pups on the way now, which I charge $1000-$1500 for. With these prices, I have determined that only people who are serious about the breed USUALLY end up purchasing a pup. This weeds out most of the "back yard puppy mill" type breeders and leaves typically only good homes for the pups, which is my main concern. The money made is spent training the dogs further, new supplies, food/treats/medication/etc, better facilities for my dogs (i.e., they each now have a central heat/air conditioned 8'x8' room in addition to their large grassed & gravel runs so they have a place to cool off in the summer and get warm in during the winter. I admire those people who can have 6 dogs (or more!) in their house at the same time, but one or two in the house at a time is all my house can take! I can't keep up with the fur otherwise! *laugh* ) I am not making money off of pups, nor will that EVER be my main goal. If I wanted to make money, I could indiscriminately sell the pups for $500 each to buyers with dreams of breeding and selling and "making a fortune for no work!" or a pet home where the pup gets neglected after it's puppy fuzz wears off! This is not the case. You must know genetics, you must spend the time, effort and CA$H learning what traits compliment what, what to avoid, traits your dogs pass on (and when to spay or neuter a dog if it's passing on bad traits, even if you paid a lot for the dog, and must take a loss!) also, god forbid you ever have a medical issue and don't know what to do (or the money to do what needs to be done!), end up losing your bitch and the pups at the same time? I have only a few dogs, so that I can spend the quality time with the adult dogs who will stamp their characters on the pups, and time with the pups that they need to grow up properly socialized. This takes time, and time is money. If you break it down, after all costs, I'm lucky to be ahead a few dollars. This doesn't concern me, because I'm not breeding to make money. I'm breeding only German bred dogs (and do occasionally keep a pup from my own litters)to try to do my small part in correcting the American bred German Shepherd Dog. Just my two cents. :)





 


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