How much is too much to pay for a dog?

shootist16

shootist16

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My family would like a dog. I've been doing a lot of research and have found a breed that I believe fits our needs quite well, the wire haired pointing griffon. This isn't typically the dog that I am initially interested in, but it seems to be a perfect fit for what we want. The more research I do the more excited I get about the dog. They seem to be scarce though. I found one breeder that is due to have a litter ready in March. He wants $1,000. Another breeder is due to have some ready in Jan. He wants $1,200.

I have never paid that much for a dog. Is that a ridiculous amount to pay? Should I rethink the breed I want?

On the other hand I think them being scarce can be good in that they aren't overbreed like many breeds.
 
Usually the price charged is for the breed and it's lineage. If the parent/parents are championship show winners... the price goes up. If this is your family's first dog, take a drive to the pound and check out some of the mutts.
 
That's not a bad price for a certian bread you want. (IMO) I know alot of pepole that have paid $1,000 for their dogs.
 
No, I don't think that is a ridiculous price for a dog. I have a Shiba Inu, and they normally go for $1000 and up. But, the breeder I got him from said that since no one knows about these dogs, she sold us ours for $300. Fully AKC papered an all.
 
Dennis,

$1,000 is not unreasonable for a championship line in many breeds. My wife and I breed champion Weimaraners (field trial and hunt test champs that are awesome hunting companions and superb family pets). Our pups regularly go for $1,000. Our last major breeding produced the #1 and #2 dogs in the Weim nationals last year... never been done before.

It all depends on what you want. The mutts are awesome family dogs... and usually lousy hunters. Sometimes you get what you pay for. But, no matter what you decided and how much/how little you end up spending, you'll get a friend that showers you with unconditional love... the hardest part will be living up to your dog's expectations. I always tell folks my goal is to become the man my dogs think I am... and I mean that. :D

Good luck in finding your newest family member and friend. You'll kniw it in your heart when you see it.

AJ
 
I paid $1100 for my Chocolate Lab. He comes from championship lines and is fully papered with a line that dates back 60 years. I though it was too much initially but after I saw his lineage I was fine with it. Because of his lines I can easily stud him out for $600-$700 a pop which I have yet to do. He is a solid, muscular dog that can run for miles. I bought him as a hunting dog and he has not let me down once in the 5 years I've had him.
 
If you are looking for a family breed, and not a specialized breed that will be competing, I cannot help but think that is far too much to pay.

You can get a great dog that will be healthy, loyal, and lovable for between 1 and 300 with papers if you look.

Of course, if you have a grand to blow, and that is what everyone wants, go for it.
 
Something to consider as much as the line is how healthy the dog will be. I see labs in the newspaper all the time for well under $500, but their eyes and hips aren't certified. That doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get a bad or unhealthy dog, but it certainly increases the risk. I don't want to have to put my buddy down young because of health problems, so it is of great concern to me. AKC registration alone is meaningless; all it says is that it is not a mixed breed and that it is a canine.

An intangible of bloodline is temperament. Our first two labs came from backyard breeders (paid $225 and $400), and we loved them dearly. Still, they were wild in comparison with our current dogs, who even though they are as exhuberant as any other lab their age, are far more bidable.

I consider $1000 very reasonable for a dog with a championship line and verifiable health of the parents (and even grandparents or more). If it makes you feel better, we paid $1500 each for ours.
 
I've NEVER paid for a dog. At most, I'd pay the adoption fees at the Humane Society.
 
If having a specific breed / AKC papers is important to you, then go for it. But the best dog I ever had was $30 from the humane society, and I still miss her to this day. Just food for thought, good luck and let us know how it works out.

Chris
 
That is small change for a dog! The going rate on English Bulldogs with AKC papers is $3000.

I have seen hunters in Texas pay $15000 for one good trained bird dog.

$1000 is nothing!

I have two dogs-mutts. I paid for shots and speying-around $30 a dog. I have had better luck with the mixed breeds-less health problems and they seem to be smarter! Pound puppies are the greatest dogs!
 
Yes, I think it's ridiculous. But it's your money obviously.

Have you looked into breed rescue organizations? You can find beautiful purebred dogs for minimal adoption fees. Don't know if you'll find a rescue organization for a griffon though - as you said, they are rather uncommon.

Good Luck,
Bob
 
i don't think it's too much. Meet the parents make sure they represent what you want. Get a health guarantee, for example that the breeder takes or pays you back if the dog develops inherited health problems. ask to contact previous puppy buyers to see if there are any problems.
 
K.V. Collucci said:
I paid $1100 for my Chocolate Lab. He comes from championship lines and is fully papered with a line that dates back 60 years. I though it was too much initially but after I saw his lineage I was fine with it. Because of his lines I can easily stud him out for $600-$700 a pop which I have yet to do. He is a solid, muscular dog that can run for miles. I bought him as a hunting dog and he has not let me down once in the 5 years I've had him.
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If I may quote Mr. Colluccis' comments I'd do the same thing. I had a black lab for years and the best attitude, loyalty, guard dog, fun and happy. Big dog but a very safe around children I ever saw. I'll 2nd. that one. :)
 
If the dog is what you want and the parents have temperments that you like and the breeder you buy from has ethical breeding practices, then you are not paying too much for a dog.

I have a Newfoundland who I payed $1000 for. I do not at all regret paying it, because he's exactly what I wanted - huge but athletic, loving, sufficiently protective but still very friendly, and droopy! Yep, I researched breeds for a few years and repeatedly kept coming back to Newfs. Eventually, I found a breeder and I liked their breeding practices and my boy's parents. The rest is history that I am very happy about :)
 
I've never paid for a dog, that doesn't mean I haven't spent a fortune on them! I wouldn't pay that much for a dog, but its up to you. Certainly if you want a specialized breed for a special reason such as hunting, coursing, etc. it might be worth it. Make sure your breeder is reputable and ethical.

Also, make a big donation to your local humane society when you get the puppy so a couple of mutts can have a chance too.
 
I paid over $2000.00 for my Boxer and I had to be interviewed by the breeder to see If I was qualified to own one of his dogs. He acted like he was doing me a favor. That was a few yrs. ago. I imagine he gets a lot more now.
 
My little Australian Shepherd's father was a national agility champion, and he was a pretty penny....but he is a perfect, crazy little guy and worth every penny. Money is no object when it comes to a companion that might live 15 years.

lok5.jpg
 
The question is- Is dog X worth X number of dollars to you. Things are worth what people are willing to pay for them.. If you're new to dogdom, you might want to go with something a little cheaper. Having said that, dogs have a tremendous ability to be what you want them to be, and properly trained, any dog can be a loving pet.
I love Pugs.
 
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