Should I spend $800 or $250 for a Golden Retriever?

Question

I am looking into getting a Golden retriever puppy and have been talking this very reputable breeder who's puppies are $800. They are certified on hip, eyes, heart, and elbows and come with a very good warranty, but my husband and friends tell me that I should just get one out of the local newspaper that cost about $250? What should I do?

Answer 1

http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi

Look at all the already homeless GR and GR mixes. Help them.

Answer 2

Really the money is not the issue, just because some ask $800. for a dog doesn't mean your getting what you are promised nor does it mean that a person asking $250. is selling you trash. The best thing to do is find several different breeders in your area and go to there place. See how there dogs are treated and cared for and what kind of people they are. See how there breeding stock are treated and react to people. Also do your research on the animal you are interested in so that you know what you are looking for. Don't be fooled by warranty's either alot of people use this as a way to get you to trust them. The fact is alot of States only make you guarantee an animal for 3 days because even if the breeder has taken the best care of this animal as possible, they have no control over where the new owner may take it and expose it to, and although it is great the these breeders and puppies have been checked for all these things there is no way to guarantee that nothing will ever happen to these dogs. It's just like people we may be born "perfect" but nobody ends up that way!

Answer 3

I would get the $800 dollar one....I spent that much on my Jack Russell. I wanted a dog from a breeder that I trusted and had healthy dogs. Make sure the breeder has dogs that have been shown --competitons/obedience, etc. The breeder should also have a pedigree to give you and papers. I never planned to breed or show my dog but I still wanted one that came from a good line of dogs----a reputable breeder usually has dogs that have good temperants.

250 dollars is too cheap it seems to get a golden retriever....probably a backyard breeder.

It will pay off in the end when you don't have a lot of health problems with your dog compared to a dog from a backyard breeder.

Answer 4

It's worth the money in the long run to buy the $800 one. With the parents health checked, this is a much better breeder than the other one. They probably have good conformation and temperments, and the breeder will be available to you throughout the lifetime of the dog to answer questions, as opposed to the $250 breeder. The cheaper breeder might not know anything about the breed, the mother may not be in great health, and you may not be able to learn anything about the sire. It is worth the money to buy the better quality. It's like buying something off a street corner and not knowing what went into it or if it's reliable versus going to a store and getting a warrenty.

Answer 5

You get what you pay for. You can pay $800 for a puppy who comes with guarantees, no known cardiac problems, necessary vaccinations, has been regularly wormed and a guarantee of the temperament and proper puppy socialization or you can get a "cheap" puppy with no real known family/genetic history, no promises, no health/temperament guarantees, and who MAYBE at best has had one vaccination and the "breeder" doesn't care whether the puppy dies tomorrow and doesn't want to hear from you if it does! You can end up paying FAR more than $800 in a very short period of time in vet bills and heartache alone for this "cheap" puppy. It is like comparing the quality and service in buying a new Mercedes vs. a used Yugo. Buyer beware.....

Answer 6

well if you want a good dog but the breeders can have the cert for you for the eyes,hips,heart, and elbows but you don't get a good reading if those are done now because the dogs don't stop growing til they are around 2yrs old. i breed the golden retreivers and i never had those done because you don't get the right reading til they are about 2 yrs old. but if you pay $250.00 then you will not get a good dog, there might be something wrong or they just need to sell them. i sold mine for $600.00 for the girls and $500.00 for the males. just be careful and ask alot of questions. if you are just looking for a house pet then go through the paper, or look online because you will get a better dog by going through a private breeder. i breed because i love my dogs and the breed. i don't breed for the money that is why i don't charge an outragous price on them. if you want a cheap dog then i would suggest getting one that will cost between $400-$500. at least this way you know that you will have a good dog. all puppies should come a guarantee no matter what. if you want to show th dog then get the one that will cost more because at least you will have the cert for everything for showing. it is up to you but go with the breeder because at least you know what you will be given, a healthy dog. but $800.00 is not alot that is pretty cheap for the breed, so go with the better one. good luck in finding a golden , they are the best breed to have for families.

Answer 7

Go with the breeder. Well-bred dogs usually have better personalities. We recently got a puppy from a very well known breeder, and couldn't believe how great her temperment was. It's more of an investment, but a worthwhile one. Also, big dogs do tend to have more health problems, so if the dog is certified on hips, heart, etc that's great.

Answer 8

Get the one from the responsible breeder. Buying a "cheap" puppy from a BYB can very well end up costing you a lot in vet bills.
Also people who breed and sell in newspapers aren't breeding to better the breed or with regard to health, temperament, breed standard etc.

Hip/elbow dysplasia are very much genetic. While even with the best of parents hd/ed can still occur the risk is greatly reduced in those dogs who have been tested and passed are bred as opposed to those who haven't. Eye issues are also genetic and common in Goldens. A responsible breeder cares enough to test their dogs to make sure they are breeding the best and healthiest.

Answer 9

Get the dog from the reputable breeder. You'll end up paying much more than $800.00 in vet bills if you get the "bargain" dog. Responsible breeders do NOT advertise in newspapers. I learned the hard way with a backyard bred dog that suffered every day of his life from both physical and mental defects and then died suddenly at a young age.
Please don't let your heart be broken in the same way.

Answer 10

TAKE THE ONE FOR $800!!!!
when i was looking for my puppy in the newspaper, i almost bought my puppy from a puppy mill! buying from a newspaper means that you don't know where the puppy could be coming from.
ALWAYS BUY A PUPPY FROM A REPUTABLE BREEDER! your puppy will probably live longer and healthier. even though it could get expensive when buying from a reputable breeder, in the long run, it is worth the money!!!!!!!

Answer 11

Count your blessing and go with the good breeder. A price of $800 for Golden pups with all the certifications and a health warranty is cheep!!! Dont take any chances go with a breeder who know what they are doing.