How much can I expect to pay?

[cucciolone]

I hope this isn't a vulgar or offensive question, I know that it's not generally polite to discuss money , but-

Can anyone tell me how much I can expect to pay for a puppy from a top-quality, nationally renowned breeder?

Yesterday I contacted a major (in the sense of quality!) national breeder, always very active and successful in national conformation shows and Schutzhund trials. He has a litter arriving on Monday or Tuesday of next week, borne of beautiful, heavily-titled dogs (the sire was Ch. Italiano di Bellezza, to name one of them); he was very nice and forthcoming with background information, both about the dam and sire and about the kennel itself. He told me to recontact him next friday for details, after he has had time to evaluate the puppies.

I didn't feel comfortable broaching the price subject point-blank during our first conversation, but I really do have no idea if his prices will be accessible to me. And I can't wait until Friday to find out whether or not I will be able to afford a daughter of champions- I don't want to spend all of this coming week getting my heart set on a puppy that might be out of my range! Could any of you help me out? I don't know who else to ask- my trainer is out of town- and I don't want to rattle the breeder by calling again and mentioning lucre before the puppies are even born!

If it helps at all, in Italy one generally pays between 750 and 1000 Euros (about 750-1000 American dollars) for a Rottie pup from a lesser-known and less 'stellar' breeder. If that price doubles or even triples for the offspring of 'famous' dogs, then I should be fine. But if it multiplies by five or ten....!!!


Thanks as always,

Michela

[Carol Burke]

Interesting question. I feel it is difficult at 8 weeks of age to know which puppies in a litter will ultimately be championship material. You can tell at 8 weeks if any of the puppies have disqualifying faults at that point, however, bites can go off, testicles can not descend and potential can sometimes not be reached.

I am a small breeder, one or less litters a year. For pupies that have champion parents I charge between $1000 and $1500 at 8 weeks. I have heard of prices of $2500.00 and more at 8 weeks from large, well known breeders.

I guess you have to decide what a particular bloodline is worth to you.

[cucciolone]

Yikes!!!

I would still be willing to proceed, because what I am really looking for is guaranteed, rock-solid, no-doubts-about-it stability of temperament; and aside from being proven in the ring and on the field, the dogs that I'm looking at are of very sound character, and the puppies will be whelped and raised in a family environment-- factors that I think will be harder to find in a smaller Italian breeder.

But convincing my husband to unload that sum on what will essentially be a family pet is an entirely different matter!

He also raised this question: does it make any real sense to invest that heavily in a female that we fully intend to spay? Are females from such champion bloodlines normally left with their reproductive capabilities intact?

Thanks for answering so quickly Carol, I was dying of curiosity!!!

Michela

[LORHEL]

I know some breeders charge differently for a show puppy than a "companion pet". We found that out when searching recently. I would also be concerned with health guarantees and all the other background information, as well as price. Sometimes it is worth it to pay extra for piece of mind. ;)

[cooltimw]

I paid $600 for mine. Both of her parents were champions, and so the breeder said. She has a great temperment and great hips. Though, when I get a house with a big back yard and buy another rottie, I'm going to use more scrutiny. You can buy out of the paper usually for $350 or so, but beware. You never know what you will get? Bad hips, bad personality. Ask many questions.

[cucciolone]

Sometimes it is worth it to pay extra for piece of mind.

Amen!!!!!!

I just went to visit a small local breeder and it was a nightmare. The breeder voluntarily offered us the following information: the bitch that he uses most heavily in the production of puppies is a 'very mean' dog, 'you cannot get anywhere near her', 'she has the character of a devil'!!!!

I'm definitely going to restrict my choice to the puppy of the most reputable breeder I can find: the man I saw today scared the living h*** out of me. And he convinced me to either pay for the very best, or to not get another Rottie at all!

[cooltimw]

well there still might be one or two in that litter that have great temperments. They may get the genes from the father. It's very random in mieosis. But I would go to several places checking out many pups before desciding. Rott pups are everywhere so do feel obligated.

[Judi W]

The only way to know what your breeder of choice is going to charge is to ask. You might be surprised. Not all breeders of quality stock over-charge as they are looking for good quality homes first and foremost and if knowledgeable, know that any pup is still just potential.

The only way to guarantee champion conformation and for-sure working ability is to buy an adult who will be the product of inheritance as well as the skill of the person who raised and trained the dog.

[cucciolone]

The only way to know what your breeder of choice is going to charge is to ask.

Practical as ever, Judi- I did finally ask, and I was surprised!

I found that here in Italy, the difference in price between a puppy of a high quality bloodline (with all due guarantees), and a puppy of unknown and possibly unproven parents (with little or no guarantee), is not nearly as much as one might expect-- less than one third more.

So all that remains to do now is to make a final decision on the breeder, wait for my girl to reach 8 weeks, and then bring her home!:) :)

My trainer has offered to go along with me to help choose from among the litter, which will be wonderful-- I feel that I do know how to select a puppy on the basis of character (steer clear of timid or overly excitable puppies), but in terms of aesthetics, I'm not sure what to look for.

Although I do realize that a good breeder will be honest in his appraisal of the potential of his pups, it will be nice to have an expert eye along with me as well-- I don't think that I could tell a 'show quality' puppy from the homeliest little guy in the litter. They all look so cute to me in their own way!

Michela

[Judi W]

Price. I thought that might be the case!

Best luck to you.