Price of a hunting dog?

goldenboy

goldenboy

Well-known member
Alright, now that we have some people talking on this site I want to bring up a question and see where the chatter goes! What is the top price you would be willing to pay for your next hunting dog? Maybe you run hunt tests and field trials and your price point is different than the guy looking for a dog to pick up a bird and provide 4 more feet on the ground when he is out hunting. I am just curious to what is the limit people will pay for a "good" dog. Your definition might be different than mine of a good dog. Things like health clearances, and titles all play into this equation but let me know your thoughts.
 
David0311

goldenboy said:
Alright, now that we have some people talking on this site I want to bring up a question and see where the chatter goes! What is the top price you would be willing to pay for your next hunting dog? Maybe you run hunt tests and field trials and your price point is different than the guy looking for a dog to pick up a bird and provide 4 more feet on the ground when he is out hunting. I am just curious to what is the limit people will pay for a "good" dog. Your definition might be different than mine of a good dog. Things like health clearances, and titles all play into this equation but let me know your thoughts.
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Joel—
Couple questions?
Pup
Started dog
Trial potential
Hunt test potential
Good Pedegree
Outstanding potential -Pedegree-

Good Pedegree—ex. Proven hunting parents -and having produced good pup ect.—$1000-1500
Trial potential-outstanding Pedegree—won’t find anything (pup) for less than $3000 very bottom-up to 1
$10000 or more—

$5000 probably near average. JMO and experience :)

NOTE—THIS IS ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT TO PAY-NOT EXACTLY WHAT JOELS QUESTION WAS-
BUT I DID CHECK RECENTLY ON A POSSIBLE UPCOMING BREEDING AT A FIELD TRAIL AND IT WAS OVER THE TOP END—AND THEY WILL ALL BE SOLD OUT BY DEPOSITE -WHEN THE THE BREEDING IS FINALIZED

Figured I would get this started—now i’m going to get pop darn and a drink and sit back and wait for it to hit the fan:rolleyes:
 
My feeling is that David is quite high on his prices but he is probably referring to Labs and other retriever breeds. I'm into hunting and NSTRA field trials which is all pointing dogs. I see some very good pups (English Setters, English Pointers, GSP's and Brittany's) in the $1,000 range. A started dog is in the $2,500-3,000 range but once in awhile you will see one for less. In fact I know where there is a very nice started GWP 9 month old for $1,500.
 
So I had a buddy that bought a high level retriever out of some good stock. Paid 2500.00 for the pup and after a couple months training at 600 a month, the trainer said he didn't feel right taking any more of his money. That dog was worthless in the field. I would say Zeb is right on. It really depends on the breed. Labs and other retrievers can go for insane money. My buddy had a Lab out of some great stock from some field lines. Paid 5k for it as a pup and was paid 1k a poke for a stud fee on it. It was a damned good dog but my that is a lot of grip. I paid 1500 for mine ( which is a lot of money for me) and after a couple months of training i have about 2600 in him. That would probably be my top end. I know most pointing breeds 800-1000 seems to be about right. Setters and some others seem to go a bit more. I do believe you buy the best blood you can afford or sneak by your wife :)
 
I paid 1500 for my lab, In the future I plan on staying near that price point. Like others have said it's all based on what you're looking for. My thought is come up with a price that works for you and do as much research before buying, so you're in a better position down the road with the dog.
 
I paid $900 for my lab 3 years ago when I picked her up, at least that's what my wife thinks. I did not report the initial $500 deposit. She has a good field trial pedigree and I have been pleased with her hunting ability. Very strong prey drive, good marking and good on picking up downed birds. Not as stylish and wears out faster than previous GSPs
 
Price has never been a deciding factor for me. It’s more about timing and a breeding I cannot live with out. Sorry I know this doesnt really answer your question but the cost of the pup is irrelevant compared to the time and energy I plan to invest. Let’s not even talk about the entrance fees I’ve paid the AKC, HRC, and NAHRA over the years $$$$$$
 
Dakotazeb said:
My feeling is that David is quite high on his prices but he is probably referring to Labs and other retriever breeds. I'm into hunting and NSTRA field trials which is all pointing dogs. I see some very good pups (English Setters, English Pointers, GSP's and Brittany's) in the $1,000 range. A started dog is in the $2,500-3,000 range but once in awhile you will see one for less. In fact I know where there is a very nice started GWP 9 month old for $1,500.
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George—

Send me a pm or give me a call on that WHP? Always have thought I would like to try training on of those from what I’ve seen of them—(IF I EVER WENT OVER TO THE DARK SIDE WITH ONE OF THOSE POINTY TYPE DOGS):)

And yes the high end estimates in my previous was for—Top level Retriever Field Trial prospects—with outstanding backround and potential—Prices are crazy but they have always been-:mad:
One of the issues a poor guy like me had to face in competition at that level—
 
david0311 said:
Joel—
Couple questions?
Pup
Started dog
Trial potential
Hunt test potential
Good Pedegree
Outstanding potential -Pedegree-

Good Pedegree—ex. Proven hunting parents -and having produced good pup ect.—$1000-1500
Trial potential-outstanding Pedegree—won’t find anything (pup) for less than $3000 very bottom-up to 1
$10000 or more—

$5000 probably near average. JMO and experience :)

NOTE—THIS IS ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT TO PAY-NOT EXACTLY WHAT JOELS QUESTION WAS-
BUT I DID CHECK RECENTLY ON A POSSIBLE UPCOMING BREEDING AT A FIELD TRAIL AND IT WAS OVER THE TOP END—AND THEY WILL ALL BE SOLD OUT BY DEPOSITE -WHEN THE THE BREEDING IS FINALIZED

Figured I would get this started—now i’m going to get pop darn and a drink and sit back and wait for it to hit the fan:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I've been eyeballing a litter on the ground. Randy Spanglers FC/AFC Crash and a MH bitch out of Mully (she may have an AM jam?). The problem is I'm not ready for a pup but for $1000 I might be. The reason I bring this up is really nice breeding's (probably not the next NFC) for reasonable prices exist.
 
Gatzby said:
I've been eyeballing a litter on the ground. Randy Spanglers FC/AFC Crash and a MH bitch out of Mully (she may have an AM jam?). The problem is I'm not ready for a pup but for $1000 I might be. The reason I bring this up is really nice breeding's (probably not the next NFC) for reasonable prices exist.
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That would be a very good buy especially if the bitch is competitive in trial and has a strong (Pedegree)
Good luck if you go with your instincts—because if the female starts placing or tittles before next that price will seem even better than now—
 
Gatzby said:
Price has never been a deciding factor for me. It’s more about timing and a breeding I cannot live with out. Sorry I know this doesnt really answer your question but the cost of the pup is irrelevant compared to the time and energy I plan to invest. Let’s not even talk about the entrance fees I’ve paid the AKC, HRC, and NAHRA over the years $$$$$$
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What this guy said... Price for the pup is just the tip of the iceberg and pales in comparison to what you will spend in time if you are training it or what you will pay someone else to train it.

You could get it for free or pay $2k - will not make that big of a difference when you have ~$10k into the dog in the long run. Think more about what you want to get out of it and the value of your time in the field - being stuck for 12 years with something you decided to compromise on to save a few hundred bucks is a high price to pay.

Having said all that, the price does not directly correlate with the quality of the pup and there is a lot of luck involved - more than most will admit. I have spent $1400 on a high-demand top of the line pup, picked early in the litter, and have struggled to make a responsive dog out of him and have many health issues (despite all the certifications). I have also gotten a pup that was the last one left for $400, and he has been a stud in a pack of high-priced, professionally trained dogs.
 
I don't think the local market is that high at least for hunting stock. I see a lot of 3x mpr mh labs going 1000 and under, health clearances I don't know. The peake market is limited, but nationally 14-1500 will get you a solid hunting/ huntest quality dog. With peakes the genepool is so limited you are looking at the dam more than anything. 2 winters ago I found a breeding I was really interested in. I just couldn't do it, 2000 out of an unproven bitch. 2000 and up I think your paying for confidence in the breeder as much if not more than confidence in the breeding.
 
Eight years ago, my Golden was $1200, now their puppy's are $1800. Chicago area breeder, well known for Golden's - around $2000.

My Max has been worth every penny! So far, have been blessed with few health issues...
 
The pro told me I could have the 6 month old pup for free, but there were conditions. Most expensive dog I ever owned, but also the most fun.
 
Never really thought about what I'd be "willing" to pay. Probably no more than $1,000. But I "want" to pay as little as possible for a good dog. I don't care about pedigrees & don't do field trials. I hunt pheasants about 25 times a year under the most demanding conditions & need a dog that will find them, flush them, retrieve them, follow basic obedience, be pretty cute, & be a great family member in the house. I'm a springer guy. I've owned 2 ESS's. Both are/were papered males, although the first one chewed up the paperwork before I could send it in & I never got around to dealing w/ it. He cost $200 in 2002. He was everything I wanted him to be and more. My second I paid $350 for in 2012. I never thought I'd say this, but he's even better! He's equally effective in the field, & I've NEVER met a dog with such a friendly, willing-to-please temperament. They may not have the statistical potential of a $1,500 ESS, but I've gotten to know the owners, parents & puppies to the point that I've felt confident they'd be healthy & end up fine. Plus, I hunt a lot more than a lot of people, which is where a dog learns much of what they need in the field anyway. I, personally, have probably shot around 700 roosters with my dogs over the past 16 seasons, the vast majority from SD public land that's the hardest hit around. As far as putting birds in the bag, I'd put them up against ANY other dog (Walt, past tense). Buzz is 6 now, so next spring or the following, I'll be in the market for a back-up springer. Pretty sure I'll be able to get by just great for under $500. I'm just confident enough in the dogs & in what ability I have that I don't need to spend another $1,000 or more simply to hedge my bet.
 
$1500 just isn't much money to give for puppy. It is only a weeks worth of pay. If you are worried about that then I would suggest a rescue dog.
 
westksbowhunter said:
$1500 just isn't much money to give for puppy. It is only a weeks worth of pay. If you are worried about that then I would suggest a rescue dog.
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Not a bad suggestion. And that's what plenty of people do. But there are responsible hobby breeders who DO know their stuff out there. They're having litters & their puppies need homes. Their pups can be "rescued" for a LOT less than a pro breeder. You just have to be willing to find them & they have to be able to win your trust that they know what they're doing. Question: If you were interested in a true rescue dog, do they often have much info about those dogs?
 
westksbowhunter said:
$1500 just isn't much money to give for puppy. It is only a weeks worth of pay. If you are worried about that then I would suggest a rescue dog.
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Bingo.... When you buy a puppy you are making (hopefully) a 12 or so year commitment. Who cares what they cost!
And to defend breeders. By the time you do all the necessary health testing you will likely have $1500 in to clearances. A MH title will cost over $1000 in entrance fees (assuming the dog has a 75% pass rate) Add in travel costs, training costs etc. Plus initial cost of pup..... Now factor in the risk of loosing your bitch during whelping, still born pups, parvo and other risks. Plus you give up 7-9 weeks of your lives caring for puppies.
I better quit typing I am starting to think $2500 is to damn cheap for a puppy!
 
There's no doubt people who make a living breeding dogs the right way need to be paid...a lot (to me). They've got costs to cover just like anyone else & deserve to make a profit on top of it. Part of my issue is that my WIFE knows you can get a really quality dog for a lot less than pro breeder price. Don't get me wrong. If I absolutely HAD to pay $3,000 for a great dog, I would. Luckily, I don't have to & can apply the difference to braces, cars, college, musical instruments, & other awesome stuff, like cases of bismuth (since 16 ga tungsten-matrix got discontinued). I know, "Who cares what they cost?" is said somewhat tongue-in-cheek. But the same very valid logic put forth by Gatzby and others above could be used for shotguns, trucks, clothing, & all the other gear a pheasant hunter wants to own. It all adds up. It's interesting to see where people's priorities lie. (Recall, I'm hunting only - no tests/trials or breeding. If I were doing those other things, maybe my price point would be vastly different.)
 
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