Estimating cost - Page 1

What is a reasonable (total) cost for a top working line puppy, gsd, imported to US?  What would you all consider really expensive and average?

Importing from where?  Let's figure Germany.  If the breeder is near Frankfurt (sp?) airport and is experienced doing everything soup to nuts it will work out cheaper.  Now for the variables if the breeder is not close to the airport.  You can use a broker / shipper to pick up the dog, transport and house the dog overnight.  You will have to pay for mileage and the overnight stay.  Once the pup arrives in the USA you will have to navigate customs.  I've done this several times for dogs and equipment.  Its not that difficult.  So you are talking approximately 300 to 600 shipping.  Quality bloodline WORKING  pup  will run approximately 800 to 1500.  So if you can get the pup including shipping in the 1100 to 1500 dollar range you made out okay.  Your other option for the same price range is to go over there and pick up the pup yourself and check it as part of your luggage.  I would bring my own empty crate so you do not have to buy one in Germany.You just have to make sure that the airline you travel transports animals. You should also confirm that there is space for your live cargo.  Of course adult dogs cost more because of crate size and weight.  Time of year is also a factor they will not ship if it is too hot or too cold.  I have used Grenalyn (sp?) as a transporter, Barthco is an american based company.

Kyle

There are too many excellent working dogs bred here in the US to import any.

Within the last week I've gotten prices of 400 eu to 1000eu for quality pups! Shipping has been anywhere from 427eu to 600eu.....one pup 1100eu= 1398.US....another 1627eu=2068.US...both with shipping! Good Luck!

There are a lot of TOP working line pups available in Canada and the USA.

Thanks for the posts.  I'm asking because I was told theres a import surcharge of 13-16% plus shipping is $900 - all us.  I'm not sure that's why I'm asking. 

Bob - quick ?  I saw some of your other posts, noticed you have Troll bloodlines.  Would you pay $3,000 us for imported Troll bloodlines dog and/or pup?

Pup is worth what anybody is willing to pay for it and be happy. It is an philosophical question. You need to know your budget and your self and what you are looking for. When you find what you are looking for, you either pay the price or not. I would suggest that you figure out how much you are willing and able to spend on a dog and what kind of a dog you want and then look for one in that price range.
You should not cut corners on what you want or how much you are willing to pay  or you are not going to be happy. 
 Pups will usually cost anywhere form nothing  to about $3500.  Somewhere in the middle is the market. But if there is a pup you just got that special feeling in your stomach, mind and heart and you can afford it. Go for it. 
 You are not a fool if you pay for a pup which you want $3000. I think you are a fool if you pay for the pup you do not really want but is cheaper $800.  

 It all about you and not about what someone charges.
Prager Hans
http://www.alpinek9.com

Prager, I can't agree with you on this one. Spending 3k on a special feeling?  We all know pups are a crap shoot.  There are no guarentees when it comes to hips.  We all no this.  We can minimize risk with hip scores but there is nothing 100 pct about natural selection.  3k on an import pup which is basically sight unseen, really?  Working line folks don't do such things.  Now the "pretty gsd folks" would do that on pedigree alone!  Now 3k on a young dog 8 months or older that could SHOW you something to give you that feeling in your stomache is a different story.  JMO

Kyle

Kyle 
you need to read again what I have said.  Nowhere have I said that pup should or ought to or suppose to  cost $3000!
 And you just made my point. You would not pay it and someone else would.
(FYI show may go for much more then $3000.)
I sell pups for $1600. But I know people who sell them on regular basis more pups then I do for $2500.
 So you are not a I am not a measure of all things . People must do what make them happy and not what you or I think will make them happy or should make them happy.
Prager Hans
http://www.alpinek9.cm