OMG !! 2200.00 :o

[TwoDogs]

Everything that you are saying - can STILL happen to a 'breeder' born pup. They can still have issues and end up breaking their legs, they can swallow/eat stuff, they can have horrible temperments and aggressive behavior. I really feel like your dog ends up the way you raise it, period. Obvoiusly you can't control genetic things in your dog - so I understand why getting the pup from a breeder can 'guarantee' a healthy pup. But even then...you never know.

Oh, the chance absolutely exists that you end up with a horrible temperment dog with bad health issues even if you do get one from a breeder. It is still a gamble, but what I wrote was that you can SWAY the odds more in your favor by choosing a pup from adults of sound temperment who have passed all health checks. You don't have the ability to do this with an adopted dog so it is more of a gamble.

I absolutely agree that how you raise a dog has a huge impact on its future behavior. But I have also had the opportunity to see genetically fearful and aggressive pups (exhibiting fear and aggressive behaviors FAR exceeding those of normal responses and at extremely early ages). I have also seen how different pups that don't have the benefit of proper socialization (during the critical developmental phase from 3-16 weeks) are from pups who have. These dogs could not become normal, stable dogs no matter how they were raised after adoption. Would they get better? Yes, but it would never be the same as if they had been genetically stable and properly socialized from the start. Were these extreme cases? Absolutely, but they do clearly illustrate that "the way you raise it up" once you get it isn't the only thing affecting the temperment of a dog.

And when I was talking about health costs, I was referring to those costs associated with inherited health issues such as surgery for hip dysplasia, medication to treat heart conditions, etc. not costs associated with issues like broken legs, or obstruction surgery which can occur with any dog.

 

[larrygs]

Without going into specifics, both Layla and Jack are flashy and come from very strong backgrounds, so we have some relatively recent experience. Keeping strictly to your question on price, $2200 does seem high. Unfortunately your desire for 6/7 hundred is low. I would expect double that. We encountered breeders selling at the high range, and passed on them. We were patient and it took us awhile but happily found ours. Basically waited for the right situation. Persistent networking and building a relationship with some of the breeders helped.

One of the difficulties is that we did not plan to show. Many of the top breeders will be reluctant to give up a pup to a nonshow home regardless of price.

BTW, while the pricing seems high, you need to consider all of the expenses a top breeder with show history incurs. They are doing it for the love of the breed.

 

[dropzone]

My boy was $2000 from an incredible bloodline and absolutely outstanding breeder. This is expensive, yes, but I wanted proper health screenings and he rarely has a stranger walk by without a compliment. The white girl I'm suppose to pick up in 2 weeks is $600, she charges $1500 for a brindle, and is also a great breeder. Buying was really my only option since rescues want your current dogs neutered, which I'm not doing right away, and because I love to raise puppies. It also makes it easier to time a puppy since rescues can sometimes take a while (for good reasons of course). That being said, purchasing has simply been a better fit for me, but the absolute truth us, as you know, you'll love a rescue just the same as you'll love a beautiful expensive show quality dog. And they have every bit the chance of being equally well behaved.

 

[SherylM]

Three years ago I paid $1800 for my Boston terrier. Not only did I pay that much I drove eight hours one way to get him. He came from a very reputable show quality breeder and i had to wait a long time for a pet puppy. Yes, this was the price for a pet puppy! Having just gone through a harrowing time with jack my DM boxer who was a rescue, I had a very strong desire for a pup from sound breeding that I knew was being tested for all the health issues relating to bostons. While I am an advocate of rescue I completely understand your desire for the puppy you always wanted. Good luck with your search.

 

[MorganBaby]

We got our pup about a month ago from what I believe was a pretty good breeder in my opinion. Only the father was a champion show dog, the mother started a show career but as the breeder said the mother "wasn't really into doing it" so they are going to train her for being a Therapy dog instead. Both parents had all the testing done, along with heart monitoring. The breeder even offers giving the pup a heart monitor test when they are a year and she owns her own heart monitor and she will do the test so all we would pay for is having the test read. Our pup was listed for $1200 but we talked her down in price. So I'm not sure about different states how much of a difference to expect, but to give you an idea of what is out there. Oh the show pups (ours was a the cheaper pet pup) went for about $1800 or a little more. So just take the time to research different breeders, we spent a long time researching and calling. We found our breeder through AKC.org; breeders classifieds section will give you lists of different AKC registered breeders. And not to gloat, but just because our pup was a "pet" puppy she is still beautiful! We got stopped the other day at the park and complimented on how much of a beautiful dog she was. So unless you plan on showing the dog, ask for a pet puppy and remember prices are negotiable; you still get the good genetics and a great family member for cheaper! Best of luck in your search.

 

[dropzone]

Most pups from a show breeder are outstanding regardless of being a "pet" pup so long as the breeder is good. The reasons a pup doesn't get selected for show can be very slight, or the breeder may simply not be looking for another show pup at the time. Mine was being kept for show, but because his second testicle never dropped he was disqualified basically. The breeder was heartbroken because she thinks he's one of the best they've ever produced, but I've run into pups from the same breeder and from the same father and they don't look any less gorgeous in my untrained eye. So yes, ask for a pet pup, but I'm sure that probably was the price for a pet pup. You can definitely negotiate, though I didn't because I was too overwhelmed with excitement about my boy and wanting to take him home. There are definitely great breeders that don't charge $2000+ as well. I've met some amazing boxers that were $1000, though I think finding a great breeder for less than that may be unlikely or at least difficult. Whatever you get though, you know you'll love him/her. It's a boxer after all, what could be better than that?

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Now my boy is white, so I personally did not pay hardly anything for him, however he had 2 sisters in the same litter (so obviously same parents/breeder, etc) and they were both going for $1,800.00. Honestly I'm not sure $600 will get you anything more than a dog from a BYB. You may be able to find one "discounted" if you get a white one. My boy was a little over $300 compared to his $1,700 sisters simply because he's white.

 

[Draymia]

Prices vary greatly in different parts of the country. Around here, good quality pet pups go for around $1000.00 and "show potential" pups are usually $1800. and up.

Please keep in mind that the AKC.org site is only a classified advertising site. AKC does not do any checking into the quality of the breeder, but anyone registering a litter can pay to be listed in their classified section.

 

[vonsteinboxr]

Prices absolutely vary by state. In California expect to pay anywhere from $1000-$1800 for pet puppies and $2000-$2500 for show puppies. A white puppy should be no more than $800. All puppies should come with a 2 year health guarantee and proof the parents were health tested. What is the difference in pricing you might ask? Normally what a breeder wants to cover is what they spent and how much it would cost for the next litter to have that saved away. What's also incorporated is what was spent on the dog's show career, food, health testing, stud fees, etc. Puppies aren't cheap for breeders to raise so keep that in mind.