There's quite the price range for golden labs. Pray explain?

Question

We've been talking about getting a golden lab for a while now.

Price seems to have quite a range here -- CDN$350-$900.

The low end of course looks like a bad idea; if there're pictures, they're usually not living in the house. Not my idea of how to raise a puppy. But, at the high end, a lot of the cost seems to be going to 'showing' championship labs.

I grant that a responsible, professional breeder probably will 'show,' but...but I don't need a show dog. Just a healthy, friendly family member.

Or does 'healthy, friendly' invariably mean 'a costly puppy from parents who are show dogs'?

I am, obviously, pretty green about the whole thing and will be doing more research before bringing anybody home...

Given how much better I feel about supporting responsible breeders, I suspect I'll be going with one of the $$$ pups; just want to figure out if I'm on the right track.

Sorry -- yellow; you're quite right. It is the other half who is particularly interested in the breed.

A "for example" of what I've been looking at:

http://devonsleigh.com/

Answer 1

Well, you bring up an excellent point and I understand your situation fully. Many times, when you're looking for a purebred, healthy pup, you end up with show quality puppies who came from licensed, pedigree show dogs. And you think to yourself "I don't need a Show Queen, I just want a good pet!" but at the same time, the good, responsible breeders are going to have show dogs. For some reason, it just goes hand-in-hand. It's rare that you find purebred pups who are a result of an accidental breeding. It happens but it's rare... The cheaper, purebred pups that have pictures but no papers... Most likely puppy mill dogs who are going to be nothing but a health problem. So... As painful as it is on the pocket book, you're better of getting one of the pedigree pups from the show dogs. They're going to be healthy, strong, beautiful animals lacking in phsycological problems that lead to disobience and house training problems. Basically, you know they're going to come from a pampered lifestyle which instantly makes for a happy, well-behaved puppy. Good luck to you and your soon to be new pet! I would also like to say thank you for doing some hardy research before venturing out in to the world of pet ownership. It shows you're a responsible owner who cares and that's the best person for a pet! Your future puppy is going to be very lucky.

Answer 2

First high price does not guarantee a better pup. What you need to do is to physically go to the breeder you may be interested in and see the pups and their parents in person. Ask questions and weed out the ones you do and do not like.
All pups are very cute but you can't let that enter your mind when choosing a breeder or a pup.
Most really quality breeders will take the time to talk to you and ask you about the same amount of questions as you ask them. The pups parents should always be there for you to see and interact with. Whether the pups parents have show qualities and titles in the back ground I feel is neither here nor there if a family pet is what you want. The most important thing is the attitude of the pup and the health not to mention the temperament.
You sound like your on the right track, but I've always been of the mind that seeing is believing.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I have a yellow Lab that I spent months looking for. I know that I wanted an English male yellow Lab. There is a difference between the American and the English that I did not realize until I started my search. I did not want to pay thousands of dollars for a show dog because I had no desire to show but I did not want a healthy dog. I ended up paying $800.00 and that was after 5 months of looking. I wanted a reputable breeder but I without question wanted someone who loved the breed and that was breeding to better the breed and for the love of the breed. I also wanted the OFC certification on the hips and other common health issues of the Lab. I went to about 23 breeders in total and ended up with a breeder who raised show quality but did it for families more than the show ring. Both parents were present and the I got contact info on past people who received dogs from her. It took a while and alot of work but the end result was great. If you go the cheap way the vet bills in the long run way surpass the cost of the dogs. Labs are so popular they are over bred resulting in many health problems. It is worth paying for the OFC cert.

Answer 4

Asking a high price for a dog doesn't always make them a better breeder. The price depends mainly on the parents back ground. If you want to show your dog you will have to pay the price of one. If you just want a pet you can find good breeders at a reasonable price.

I sale my puppies as pets. My all means they don't look like the ones you see on the dog shows. I don't sale them as such. My puppies are well care for and they all live in my home.

Go to breeders home. Watch the puppies with the owner, how do they react to them. Check out the site where the puppies were born..Talk to the breeder she should be able and willing to answer every question you need to know.

Paying a high price doesn't always get you a good dog. You are on the right track though you are doing homework before you buy a puppy.

Answer 5

You need to research the temperament of both parents if you are just looking for a healthy, friendly, family member. I am assuming you have been looking online at breeders? Many breeders keep the pups they feel are "show Quality" for themselves, or have buyers ready long before the pups are even born. If you are not planning on starting your own breeding program explain this to the breeder and purchase the pup with a limited registration, that should bring the price down a little. I would try to find a breeder close enough to home so you can go and actually see and play with the pup before taking it home. Labs are generally wonderful companions and a wonderful addition to a family. Good luck

Answer 6

Are you seeking a Golden Retreiver/Labrador Retreiver cross, a "yellow" Lab or a Golden Retreiver??? There is no such thing as a Golden Lab unless you are talking a Golden/Lab Mix.

In answer to your question buying from a responsible breeder is as important if not more so when someone is purchasing a pet only puppy as it is a show potential puppy. A responsible breeder does health testing, doesn't breed under 2 years of age, researches pedigrees, breeds to the breed standard, breeds for health, temperament and longevity.They only breed dogs together taht compliment each other..they don't breed just because "they can"
Just because someone shows doesn't necassarily make them responsible breeders just as just because someone doesn't show makes them irresponsible. You need to look at the entire picture...if they don't show in conformation ..do they show in any other venue..Obedience, Rally, Hunt/Field, etc Do their dogs have their CGC/CGN awards? Do they have health tests on parents..OFA/PennHip, CERF/PRA, Thyroid, etc? Do they have good pedigrees or are they filled with dogs that have never done anything, haven't come from good recognizable kennels,or who have never been health tested? Does the breeder if he doesn't show conformation have his dogs evaluated by at least 3 unbiased, breed knowledgable judges to prove that the dogs meet or at least come very close to breed standard?
A very low price is a good indication that a dog has not been well bred and that the breeder hasn't bothered with important issues, however a real high price doesn't necassarily mean quality either. You need to ask questions and really do your homework before buying. Attend shows, hunt/field trails, obedience/rally trials..meet people who own the breed you are interested in. Also make sure that the puppy you are considering is registered with a legit registry CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), AKC or UKC (United Kennel Club) and not one of the fly by night scam registries.

Answer 7

It seems like just about everyone is saying the same thing. Price has nothing to do with the dog being a "healthy, friendly family member". I have paid more then I should have for a dog that needed to be put to sleep in its first year of life. I took a dog out of a ditch that had been shot in the head by it's owner and he stayed with me for eighteen years. Get a dog you can love, one that will love you back, anything else is bull****!!

Answer 8

You get what you pay for. It's a pity sometimes, but then again, it serves to keep the quality bloodlines in the hands of those who will care for them properly- a good breeder doesn't want to see the dogs she's dedicated her life to breeding and raising go to the home of someone who just wants a cheap dog and will tie it in the backyard all its life.

Have you looked into lab rescues? Labs are very common dogs, I'm sure you could find a beautiful adult dog who's already housebroken and partly trained, and adoption fees are substantially lower than puppy prices.

Answer 9

My advice is to check out your local pound or shelter, if you're looking for a new addition to the family. You'd be surprised at some of the pedigrees you may find there. Usually the adoption fee is only the cost of spaying/neutering the pet, and you know they will have a clean bill of health, and all their shots! Pounds and shelters house not only "mutts" but actually see quite a number of pure-bred pets for one reason or another, of all ages. You may find exactly what you're looking for, and you will have the option of the cute cuddly puppy, or skipping over things like potty training and house breaking, and waiting to see what kind of personality your new family member will have. (I also wouldn't count out those "mutts," lol, one may just be the best dog you've ever had!)

Answer 10

MAny times it depends on the sire and bitches proportions and the color of the dog. The more golden ones will fetch a much higher price than the orange or brass colors.