Comparing show and Working line prices - Page 1

We are looking at getting a working dog pup/young adult out of titled parents, most likely a import. The price of a working pup seems much higher than a pup out of titled show lines. Just wondering everyone's thoughts on why this is? Most show lines still have working titles after their names so I imagine the same amount of time is put into both types.

Interesting observation - ( and welcome back - it´s been a long time )

Normally working line puppies are slightly cheaper than show lines, at least over here.
Only show lines out of untitled, not breed surveyed, not DNA tested parents are "cheaper" no SV pedigrees ).

There are some really good working line breeders in the States, training and titling their own stock.
I´d check out the clubs...

Working Line German Shepherds are normally less expensive then Show Lines in the United States too...But everything depends on what you want and who you get them from...
There are now very good Working Lines in the U.S....because there have been very good dogs that have been imported from Europe...
Know what you want and do your homework before going and buying something...
Ask questions but be careful and know what it is your looking for...

~Bob~

The highest priced working line puppy I've seen were $3,500.

The highest priced show line puppy I've seen was $9,000.

I'm speaking of two kennels in the United States, by the way.

The usual price I've seen for working puppies is $1,500, and the usual price I've seen for show puppies is $3,000.

 

What type of dog are you looking for?

We are looking for a working line pup. Have Showlines now and love them however have always wanted to go a little further with a dog than I feel we will get with ours now. We have a Quoran son and he is our house dog. Goes to work with me as a therapy dog and just a all around great dog. But he isn't a working dog, doesn't have the focus I would need for the sporting ring. I am looking at a Ibon Jippo Me daughter that I really like.  However she is much more than I have paid for my Showlines.  And hate to say it but already in love with the idea of her and imagine she will be coming home to us.   excited to start on a new avenue in the breed we all love.

Average working line puppies out of titled and surveyed parents are $1800ish. I'm seeing more and more from good breeders going between $1800-$2500. Pups a generation or two away from titles seem to be in the $1500 range. Showlines around $2500-3500. I, personally, would not pay more than $2500 for ANY puppy, especially if I had to pay shipping on top of it. The last import puppy I bought was 800 euros plus shipping. Both parents top notch, V rated, breed surveyed, SchH3/IPO3.

That said, 6+ months is a whole 'nother price range and rightfully so, imo. A whole lot of the guesswork is done.

How old is this pup?

Puppy 8 weeks + bought in West Europe ( East Europe way cheaper as long as they stay in the country )
€ 800 - € 1000 ( in some seldom cases € 1200, but working lines very seldom more than € 800 )

Jenni is right - the older the dog, the more expensive ( but only in case it´s a good dog ).

Prior to buying any dog 6 months or older I´d like to see pre x-rays of hips and elbows, and I´d like to see in the contract that teeth ond bite are okay, in case of a male both testicles.

There is always a reason why someone sells a young dog - either this dog was a "keeper" and the breeder/owner found something he doesn´t like in the dog, or it´s really a good dog, and it´s worth the extra money.

The pup we really like is 9 weeks old. Have looked at several litters online and this one just seems to have a sparkle to her, lol. I know working dogs shouldn't sparkle but she is the one to catch my eye and I like the build of her dam and the sire is a great dog according to research. I do believe the contract will reflect correct bite along with hip/elbow.

I say, if you like a dog, go for it. Go see her in person if you can. Look at the sire and dam if they're on site. If you can't go in person, make sure to ask plenty of questions, and if something seems off to you, it is - and you should run the other way!

I was searching for a puppy, and I found the one I liked, but I was unable to take the trip to see the dog in person. This breeder took forever to respond to me, so I decided to go elsewhere, and she got very nasty with me and demanded I pay her for "wasting her time." But she was the one that wasted my time.... I didn't get the deposit back for that pup, either (not that I bothered asking - I knew the answer would be no).

The puppy I got instead is a better pup anyway. :)