Cappuchino
Forums Regular
is 1600 dollars for a show-quality sheltie too much?
Pricing
- Thread starter Cappuchino
- Start date
tofu pup
Moderator
Hi there! As we open this thread, I'll put on my Moderator Hat and gently remind everyone to only discuss puppy pricing in general terms. This is in keeping with our Forum Rules.
OK, now I'll put on my Breeder and Handler Hat. I am going to assume that this is your first show puppy; if it isn't and you already know this stuff, I apologize in advance.
Here's the thing about buying a show-quality puppy: there are many, many factors that go into a show contract. Because show-quality puppies are relatively rare in this breed, breeders don't tend to let good ones go easily. The purchase price should take into account the quality of the puppy, the breeder's contractual responsibilities, and your contractual responsibilities. You can add in geographical factors, because the cost of breeding a puppy varies widely from place to place.
To make your head spin even more, I will let you know that, because of the scarcity of "really good ones" and a breeder's motivation to be selective, the "really good ones" often change hands for no money at all (but with a high degree of responsibility between all human parties).
Rather than focusing on the purchase price, here are the things that I would think about, if I were a novice looking to buy a show-quality puppy:
- What kind of relationship do I have with the puppy's breeder? Is s/he my mentor? How long have I known him/her? How much have I invested in learning from this person? How much has this person invested in me?
- What kind of relationship do I plan to have with the puppy's breeder? Likewise, what kind of relationship does this breeder plan to have with me? Am I going to mail the check, pick the puppy up from the airport, and never hear from the breeder again?
- This sounds funny, but: How far away does this breeder live from my house? Will s/he see me and my dog every weekend at the dog shows, or does s/he live on the opposite side of the country?
Buying a show-quality puppy is a rather more complex undertaking than the purchase of a pet-quality puppy. There is so much for you to learn about raising, conditioning, grooming, choosing judges, handling, hiring handlers, making connections... and that's even before you consider breeding your first litter!
Your most valuable "purchase" is not the puppy itself, but the care of a solid mentor who can walk you through your dog-show education. And the best way to get a mentor to invest in you is to invest in your mentor - by purchasing your first show-quality puppy from him/her. That way, you have a mentor who has a firm personal interest in helping you (and your little dog) succeed.
This is, of course, just my personal opinion. That said, I have spent 25 years - and I'm only 30! - in, around, and involved with the Sheltie community, and I have seem many newcomers get their start (and succeed) by having a mutually-invested mentor relationship.
Your first show-quality puppy may not - in fact, probably will not - be a world-beater. But that puppy will be your gateway to learning a tremendous amount of information, and to forming relationships that will be vital to your future success.
In light of all that, I think the specific dollar amount of the purchase price is a smaller consideration.
OK, now I'll put on my Breeder and Handler Hat. I am going to assume that this is your first show puppy; if it isn't and you already know this stuff, I apologize in advance.
Here's the thing about buying a show-quality puppy: there are many, many factors that go into a show contract. Because show-quality puppies are relatively rare in this breed, breeders don't tend to let good ones go easily. The purchase price should take into account the quality of the puppy, the breeder's contractual responsibilities, and your contractual responsibilities. You can add in geographical factors, because the cost of breeding a puppy varies widely from place to place.
To make your head spin even more, I will let you know that, because of the scarcity of "really good ones" and a breeder's motivation to be selective, the "really good ones" often change hands for no money at all (but with a high degree of responsibility between all human parties).
Rather than focusing on the purchase price, here are the things that I would think about, if I were a novice looking to buy a show-quality puppy:
- What kind of relationship do I have with the puppy's breeder? Is s/he my mentor? How long have I known him/her? How much have I invested in learning from this person? How much has this person invested in me?
- What kind of relationship do I plan to have with the puppy's breeder? Likewise, what kind of relationship does this breeder plan to have with me? Am I going to mail the check, pick the puppy up from the airport, and never hear from the breeder again?
- This sounds funny, but: How far away does this breeder live from my house? Will s/he see me and my dog every weekend at the dog shows, or does s/he live on the opposite side of the country?
Buying a show-quality puppy is a rather more complex undertaking than the purchase of a pet-quality puppy. There is so much for you to learn about raising, conditioning, grooming, choosing judges, handling, hiring handlers, making connections... and that's even before you consider breeding your first litter!
Your most valuable "purchase" is not the puppy itself, but the care of a solid mentor who can walk you through your dog-show education. And the best way to get a mentor to invest in you is to invest in your mentor - by purchasing your first show-quality puppy from him/her. That way, you have a mentor who has a firm personal interest in helping you (and your little dog) succeed.
This is, of course, just my personal opinion. That said, I have spent 25 years - and I'm only 30! - in, around, and involved with the Sheltie community, and I have seem many newcomers get their start (and succeed) by having a mutually-invested mentor relationship.
Your first show-quality puppy may not - in fact, probably will not - be a world-beater. But that puppy will be your gateway to learning a tremendous amount of information, and to forming relationships that will be vital to your future success.
In light of all that, I think the specific dollar amount of the purchase price is a smaller consideration.
big spread
I wasn't searching for a show pup...I just wanted a quality pup, and I hadn't gotten one in years. Things had REALLY changed from when I got my last one. I found ALL kinds of pricing-from low to high. I wanted a relationship with my breeder, and I wanted to be able to see the environment they were raised in. That was the deciding factor for me. I wanted to meet the parents.
I wasn't searching for a show pup...I just wanted a quality pup, and I hadn't gotten one in years. Things had REALLY changed from when I got my last one. I found ALL kinds of pricing-from low to high. I wanted a relationship with my breeder, and I wanted to be able to see the environment they were raised in. That was the deciding factor for me. I wanted to meet the parents.
corbinam
Moderator
Megan shared some great information. The key is to find a breeder that you trust. Do your research and the price won't be a driving factor. I've seen online puppy mills charging way more than a reputable breeder.
posiepurrs
Forums Regular
While we haven't bought a Sheltie (or any dog) to show) as a person who has bred and shown cats I agree with what was said above. The relationship between the buyer and breeder/mentor is the most important thing.
That is SO true, that is what my search uncovered. I think you need to be very careful of many of the internet ads. Internet posting is wonderful and highly convenient, but it has lots of flaws as well. A great webpage doesn't mean great breeding conditions or practices.
Ann
Moderator
I could not have said it better than Megan has! There are so many factors involved in acquiring a show puppy that are important, and every breeder is different. The initial cost can vary widely depending on the other contractual requirements.
It's important to be aware that most breeders who will sell you a show puppy include in their requirements a pick puppy or puppies back from the first breeding if you buy a bitch, or stud use if your dog is a male. This is in addition to the dollar amount you'll pay.
It's important to be aware that most breeders who will sell you a show puppy include in their requirements a pick puppy or puppies back from the first breeding if you buy a bitch, or stud use if your dog is a male. This is in addition to the dollar amount you'll pay.
Chris
Premium Member
Tesslyn, it sounds as if you're looking for a healthy, pet-quality Sheltie. That's what I sought out when I started in 2005 -- and I knew nothing! It was sheer dumb luck that I found my breeder, and what a gem she was!
I recommend going to the ASSA web site http://www.assa.org/breeders.html
and look for a breeder near you. It may take a while, but you'll be more likely to avoid problems. Right now, in the Mid-Atlantic area, a good pet Sheltie from a good breeder runs between $900-$1600. But it would have to be a pretty spectacular pet quality Sheltie for me to go over $1200.
I recommend going to the ASSA web site http://www.assa.org/breeders.html
and look for a breeder near you. It may take a while, but you'll be more likely to avoid problems. Right now, in the Mid-Atlantic area, a good pet Sheltie from a good breeder runs between $900-$1600. But it would have to be a pretty spectacular pet quality Sheltie for me to go over $1200.
Lanie
Forums Enthusiast
Mine was a show prospect that was eventually sold to me as a companion/pet. I paid more than $1,600 for her. I am under the impression that they are are a little more expensive where I am in California. When I was looking for a Sheltie in 2013, I found the range to be $900 to $2,800. $1,600 seems like a really good price for a show quality dog. My breeder told me that it costs a minimum of $1,000 to have a litter of puppies, no matter how many are in the litter and that's if nothing goes wrong. There were only 2 puppies in my dog's litter, 1 boy, 1 girl.