just curious breeder question

[windycanyon]

Okay, so *I* personally wouldn't mind a Mercedes. But I don't need one, and in fact, it's not all that practical for me, whereas my Sienna van is. So why would I expect to be sold a Mercedes for $35,000 just because it might be there and available?? Does that make sense?

And no, I'm not saying that buying dogs are like buying cars, but yes, pet homes that don't "need" a show dog, an obedience or hunt test dog whatever, should not expect just to pay untrained puppy pricing "just because" that's all they really want. And it's really amazing to me as a breeder, how many times I hear people say things like that. Even long time family friends that tell me if I ever have a "runt" or a pup that isnt' quite perfect, they'd love to be considered but they just can't fathom paying teh full ticket price for one of my labs. It's a bit unsettling....

[Charlotte K.]

I can Def see why she would charge that much if he was going to a home that was going to either continue showing him in hunting/field titles. It just took me by surprise the cost knowing he would be just a pet. If I was looking for an adult dog for hunting would have no prob paying that price. I wouldn't expect him for free either. I'm not taking him regardless even if she was giving him to me bc he's not the dog I really want. He's a great dog but I love my labs and when the right dog comes along I will know either a rescued one or one bought from a breeder.

He is a Champion with a JH, has been shown in obedience, and is sound, if I understand you correctly. Believe it or not, she may have given you a deal on him, asking a puppy or "grown out" price instead of the thousands more she could have asked from a hunting home or a stud home, or someone who just wanted to be able to say that they own a champion. It is the difference between having an original painting from a good artist who has won competitions versus owning a print from Walmart.

Meanwhile, go with your heart and desire. Get the dog you want, whether it is the same breed, a different breed, or a mutt, rescue or purchased dog. Just please don't feel insulted by the offer you got, and please don't insult the breeder/owner of this prime of life Champion JH Pointer with manners, maybe an outgoing personality who can handle many situations, and some training, plus expensive titles. Gosh, I hope the breeder is not reading this thread.

[fidgetyknees]

I say either go for a rescue or a puppy - I love training my dogs from puppy up, spending time with them, bonding in trials and training .... but the titles wouldn't feel like ours if we didn't earn them together hence getting a dog with titles already is a mute point with me, so getting a dog fully trained is not the route I would choose except if I was helping out a dog which needed a new home .... and then I wouldn't expect to pay extra for it as I love the training and putting on titles part and that has been taken away.

And because of the fact I love the training from the ground up - I just wouldn't want to pay full price for a dog over 1 years old.

PACH 2 Cedar
MACH Solar Flare BN CD MXS MJS (and when we get around to it some hunting titles)

[fidgetyknees]

Maybe one day I will get to meet some of you on this board, skipping out on Lab Nationals again this year, but next year at Purina Farms is a lot closer and easy to get to. Hopefully my opinion on thinking full price on a 3 year old no matter how sweet and a beautiful they are and how many titles they have is just not something I would consider.

[sheltieluver]

I was just asking if it was normal to charge the same price for a puppy as an adult bc my sheltie breeder I delt with placed both dogs with me and didn't charge me a thing and had them spayed. I just though this is what breeders did when placing older dogs retired from show or thier breeding program bc this is what happened to me. That's why I didn't know if it just depended on the breeder. I didn't mean to insult anyone.

[windycanyon]

I think the difference between a Sheltie and a Pointer (or lab or other hunting or working breed) is the point. Most people that buy Shelties probably are just wanting a pet, and not a herding/working dog anymore. I could be wrong there though.... the only times I see Shelties are in the obed or agility ring and they are mostly yappers.....

[sheltieluver]

Haha yeah mine are quite noisy at times. You do have a point tho that maybe that's the reason. I can understand why you would charge more or the same as a puppy price then if your getting them fully trained to work and your buying them for that reason.

[Sam I Am]

I know a breeder that takes back dogs when the owners can't keep it for whatever reason (actually, she insists on it, even if the owner has found a good home for the dog) then turns around and immediately sells it for almost the same price as she did when she sold it the first time. These are generally house pets (spayed/neutered) with no particular training. It doesn't feel right to me, because I'm sure she's just trying to get more money out of the dog.
I've rehomed show/breeding prospects that didn't pan out, but it never occurred to me to charge money (though I very thoroughly screen the home).

[windycanyon]

I know a breeder that takes back dogs when the owners can't keep it for whatever reason (actually, she insists on it, even if the owner has found a good home for the dog) then turns around and immediately sells it for almost the same price as she did when she sold it the first time. These are generally house pets (spayed/neutered) with no particular training. It doesn't feel right to me, because I'm sure she's just trying to get more money out of the dog.
I've rehomed show/breeding prospects that didn't pan out, but it never occurred to me to charge money (though I very thoroughly screen the home).

I take back mine and rehome most of the time it's been necessary (3 of 4) but as stated above, the one time I placed a dog for money, I returned every penny of that to the original owner because he was only with me 3 days, so not like I had any out of pocket to speak of. That hardly seems right to sell a pup twice.

[Sue]

You know, I'd be a little curious as to why she wants to sell him, but have him neutered. If he has a CH and JH, there might be a health problem, as she obviously doesn't want him bred. If she was going to sell the dog, if there weren't any issues, I'd think it would be on a co-ownership. Just something to ponder.