How much is too much?
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| Many people will tell you that's reasonable, but "I" do think you can get it lowered by several 100 personally.
I always tell people who are looking for dogs to do their research online. Look up dogs in their surrounding area, and find out what other people are charging, and what they are offering with that (how the history of the dog compares to others, show quality parents, health, bla bla bla bla), and then you'll know. Whether you agree with that price may be a different story, but I do think that's a good way to get an idea of how much you are charging. Ex: If one person is charging 1700, but you find the rest are charging 1000-1500, and then another set is charging 600, then I'd say 1700 was excessive, and your ballpark may be around 1200. Location does seem to make a difference. |
tayandlivsmommy wrote: We want to purchase our first OES. There couldn't be a more perfect fit our family. But I'm having a hard time finding a breeder in our area. The only breeder I could find wanted $1700 for a "pet quality" puppy. While I feel that our pet will be a family member and feel that it's worth spending more for a healthy happy puppy, I can't help but feel that the price seems very high. What is a reasonable price?
Where are you? The ones around my area, Ontario, Canada, go for about that much "from a reputable breeder". There are backyard breeders and breeders that I would not recommend, that let them go for much cheaper. You get what you pay for. |
| Hi, and WELCOME to the forum!!!
You'll find a TON of info about OES here, PLEASE read as much as you can, especially about getting a puppy! (Also please consider if a thoroughly evaluated adult rescue dog might be more suitable for your situation.) Selecting a breeder and a breeder selecting you is truly an important step in the process. Since you don't have the benefit of an adult evaluation, you need to know that your breeder has done everything possible to produce healthy, happy and well adjusted dogs. Remember that "cheap often becomes expensive in the end" as some recent posters have had the terrible misfortune of discovering going to an unknown breeder on the 'net with tragic and quite expensive results. They weren't lucky enough to have discovered this information before they made their purchase, but YOU have the benefit of knowing this in advance! Please take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and experience available here. I'm looking forward to following your quest for your family sheepie! |
Thank you all for your help. I read some of the other posts after asking my question and can see that the price is completely justified. And like I said before, I have no problem paying more for a healthy happy family member! You really can't put a price on how much joy a pet can bring to your family! Thanks again!  |
| Great!
One thing... just because the price is high doesn't mean everything is being done. You really need to ask the questions (and see the proof)! |
| Take that advice, make sure you sight parents health clearance certificates, that is eyes, hips and thyroid clearances.
Good luck in your search and I hope you find a lovely Sheepie soon, keep us posted on how you go and also ask plenty of questions, there is always someone here to help answer on anything and a reputable breeder should also be happy to answer any questions, no matter how big or small they are . |
| Everything everyone said above.
Also, ask which breed organizations the breeder belongs to; does the breeder show? Which shows? References? Speak with the vet, if possible, and with the owner of the stud, if the breeder doesn't own the stud. If possible, meet the parents. Pay attention to any concerns re: temperment, especially. I agree that charging a high price does not guarantee that the breeder has done a good job of making sure the best possible health care, and screenings have been done. It could mean only that the breeder has done a little research and discovered how much some puppies are going for. Trust your gut. I also wouldn't mention that price doesn't seem to be a major concern to you--just in case the breeder isn't as wonderful as s/he should be. Mind you, I'm in a skeptical mood tonight. |
| Just my opinion: at that price I would expect to see some recent champions in the blood line; make sure the parents both have hips and eyes certified; ask for a list of references - people you can talk to who have purchased their pups preferably from the same parents from a prior litter - call them and ask them about their temperament; were the breeders available for consultation after they got their pups? Read their guarantee. Ask about any restrictions regarding neutering, showing, etc. If they are willing to let you take the pup before the 8th week of age - watch out. Socialization take place between the 8th - 12th week.
Expect the breeder to ask as many questions about you - a good breeder is as much concerned about your care of the pup as you are. Visit their kennel, check for cleanliness, adequate facilities for pups and parents; grooming of the parents. Good luck. |
| Going rate in the Northeastern US is $1500-2000 for a "pet quality" or "show quality" puppy.
Here is a link to the breeder referral from the Old English Sheepdog Club of America organization for breeders in the US. All the breeders on this list must adhere to a strict code of breeding ethics in order to be listed. http://www.oldenglishsheepdogclubofamer ... ferral.htm Just like everyone else has stated here, please do not buy a puppy from someone who has not done all of the necessary health testing. |
| If you read the posts of what happened to poor baby Abbey and Elliot, that should give you all the incentive you need to purchase from a breeder off the breeder referral list for th OES Club. This breeder who sold the parvo puppies charges 1000....One of those puppies died after being home with the new parents a few days...
Please, please, ONLY use a breeder of the referral list... |
| Thank you so much for all of your advice! I really appreciate it! I'm new to this and would hate to brake any rules. Is it okay to ask if anyone's Sheepie is from a breeder in California off of the referral list? |
| Not many rules here! Go ahead. |
| Welcome to the forum !! In the long run paying a little more for a puppy that you KNOW to be from a good line, free of genetic problems and health tested from a breeder that stands behind their ofspring for the life of the dog will save you lots of money and heartbreak in the future.
This forum is full of sad sad stories of puppies with major health problems. There is no way to guarantee that your dog won't get sick but doing your homework sure minimizes the possibility. |
| Ron is right on the money. You MUST check the health screens yourself, even if the breeder is from OESCA and listed on the Breeder Referral site. (Read the disclaimer on the OESCA website. Bottom line is that it doesn't police its breeders.) Look for the dam and sire on the OFA website (www.offa.org) or ask the breeder for evidence of hip, eye, and thyroid screens, etc. Take the documents to your vet or someone you know who is knowledgable to verify authenticity. There are some high volume BYB's who claim to do screen hips, but the tests don't past muster to someone who understands how to do it properly (i.e. mature dog, Board certified veterinary radiologist, etc.)
Best of luck to you!   |
| Guest strikes again! You are always so helpful. When I see a thoughtful, knowledgable post from a "guest" like this one, I always wonder if it is the same guest who was helpful on a different thread. . . Won't you please log-in so that you can join chat, send PMs, etc? Your username can still be anonymous but having a username helps us keep track of the different personalities, experiences, etc. Maybe you could even sign up to have "guest" as your username? You always have such great input but there is this air of mystery about your posts. Pretty please? |
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