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Thread: Puppy pricing

  1. #1
    Senior Dog arentspowell's Avatar
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    Puppy pricing

    We’re looking into getting our next lab in the near future and I’ve started reaching out to breeders. We’ve always talked about getting a puppy from a reputable breeder and knew that comes at a higher cost, however, my husband is having a little bit of sticker shock at the price being higher than her expected. What’s the going rate these days?

    Thanks!


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  2. #2
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    I would say around $2300-$2500 for a well bred Labrador puppy in my area. (New York)

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    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    All depends on the area. $1500-$1800 around here (Colorado). Impeccable working pedigrees in the $2k's.....

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    Yes...I meant to add that location may affect the price.

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  7. #5
    Senior Dog arentspowell's Avatar
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    Puppy pricing

    The price I was given was a little higher than Lovemylabby’s range and we’re in the southeast. My husband was thinking more along the lines of Jen’s pricing.

    I’m having a hard time because while we don’t have a hard and fast budget, it’s hard to tell at what point we would be paying for more than we need, if that makes sense. And I’ve noticed that not a lot of breeders have their prices listed and we don’t want to waste people’s times.

    This is harder than I thought it would be!


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  8. #6
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Sadly, you will have to weed through the pet breeders that mimic the good breeder websites. Clearances are mostly done. Dogs don't have any accomplishments yet the breeders tout "champion pedigrees" and then want the "champion" prices.

    You may just need to pick a price range you are OK with and then just file that away. Then focus on the breeder. When I bought my new griff, I knew what I paid for my first one (Ok breeder but not great one) and when I picked my new breeder, I just knew I'd have to pay more. So when they told me $2k, I just sucked it up for the pedigree and breeder.

    You are welcome to PM me with breeder names if you need a little screening...

  9. #7
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    In VA-MD-NC, they were usually $2000-2500 if near a city, $1500-1800 for rural areas.
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  10. #8
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    In Oregon & Washington, conformation Labs go for $1,000 - $2,500. Usually in a litter of say, 10 puppies, you'll get one or two keepers and the rest are pets, so when I say conformation Labs, what I mean are well-bred pet Labs. It's interesting because most of the dogs have very similar pedigrees and they all do the same tests. I don't see a huge difference in the type of socialization they receive and no Lab breeder around here (that I am aware of -- and I have purposefully searched) is on a socialization program. They do bits and pieces of Avidog or Puppy Culture, but they don't follow the program. I find that the breeders who live more rural areas are less expensive.

    I'd spend $2,000+ on a puppy, but only if he were a performance puppy. I spent that on my newest pup and the value was incredible. Long-time breeder that has placed some of the most successful Labradors in today's competitive environment (which tells me she knows what to breed for and how to place pups). Proven parents and grandparents in conformation AND very high level performance venues with proven offspring as well, Avidog program followed to the T (he was co-raised with a litter of Goldens and their breeder is the owner of Avidog), tons of socialization (cars, new farms, swimming, kids, older people, men, cats, chickens, new pens, puppy playtime with other puppies and adults of different breeds), crate training, potty training, raised exclusively in a home (many Lab breeders kick puppies out into barns, garages, outside type pens when they are around four weeks old). The parents had all tests, even those that are not required, and annual tests. The puppies were all DNA tested and visited the ophthalmologist. Probably more that I am missing. Also, I got this pup in New York.

    So, what I'm getting at is that I, personally, would look for what you're getting for your money. More $$$ does not always mean more socialization or tests or anything. I know plenty of puppies that cost more than my puppy but received less from the breeder and have good pedigrees, but nothing better than the next conformation breeder that sells their puppies for $1,000 less.

  11. #9
    Senior Dog arentspowell's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Labradorks View Post
    In Oregon & Washington, conformation Labs go for $1,000 - $2,500. Usually in a litter of say, 10 puppies, you'll get one or two keepers and the rest are pets, so when I say conformation Labs, what I mean are well-bred pet Labs. It's interesting because most of the dogs have very similar pedigrees and they all do the same tests. I don't see a huge difference in the type of socialization they receive and no Lab breeder around here (that I am aware of -- and I have purposefully searched) is on a socialization program. They do bits and pieces of Avidog or Puppy Culture, but they don't follow the program. I find that the breeders who live more rural areas are less expensive.

    I'd spend $2,000+ on a puppy, but only if he were a performance puppy. I spent that on my newest pup and the value was incredible. Long-time breeder that has placed some of the most successful Labradors in today's competitive environment (which tells me she knows what to breed for and how to place pups). Proven parents and grandparents in conformation AND very high level performance venues with proven offspring as well, Avidog program followed to the T (he was co-raised with a litter of Goldens and their breeder is the owner of Avidog), tons of socialization (cars, new farms, swimming, kids, older people, men, cats, chickens, new pens, puppy playtime with other puppies and adults of different breeds), crate training, potty training, raised exclusively in a home (many Lab breeders kick puppies out into barns, garages, outside type pens when they are around four weeks old). The parents had all tests, even those that are not required, and annual tests. The puppies were all DNA tested and visited the ophthalmologist. Probably more that I am missing. Also, I got this pup in New York.

    So, what I'm getting at is that I, personally, would look for what you're getting for your money. More $$$ does not always mean more socialization or tests or anything. I know plenty of puppies that cost more than my puppy but received less from the breeder and have good pedigrees, but nothing better than the next conformation breeder that sells their puppies for $1,000 less.
    Thanks for this explanation, makes a lot of sense. We were trying to understand what the higher price meant.




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  12. #10
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arentspowell View Post
    Thanks for this explanation, makes a lot of sense. We were trying to understand what the higher price meant.

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    I would think that you could find a breeder and ask (to start):

    What kind of socialization do your puppies receive?
    Where are the puppies raised?
    How are the puppies raised?
    Do you do any training (potty & crate, specifically)?
    Parental tests?
    Puppy tests?

    Then, of course, pedigrees, once you find a breeder or breeders you like. Looking up OFAs as far back as you can go. Looking at their offspring as well.

    Then preferences (sex, color, general size, energy, drive, other traits).

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