Free: Contests & Raffles.
Yes, that is the norm.Most dog people will tell you that the initial price is the cheap part...
I just looked and Whistling Wings has a new member meet and greet this Sunday in Monroe. I would join their group and check it out. You would probably leave that with tons of knowledge and a couple of leads on upcoming litters of $700 puppys to $2000.
I probably shouldn't chime in, as the whole world of showing and trials is a bit of an affront to me and my redneck socioeconomic class.... and I've been involved in it before, I used to breed English Bulldogs, and had lots of exposure to show snobbery and the dogs associated. I have shirttail relatives who were into breeding Labs with letters, heavily, dozens of breeding dogs in their kennels, hired hands traveling to trials and shows. My Sister in Law bred Huskies and Labs for many years. I have plenty of input... but it wouldn't sway anyone with the prefix letters firmly in mind.Best field dog I ever had, or have ever seen, I bought for $40. Purebred unpapered Lab. She could go on a widely spread triple retrieve, and I could stop her in the field 30 yards out and make her lie down and wait for another flight of ducks while holding duck 2 in her mouth, then upon release she'd finish #2 and got get #3, all by hand signals. She would fetch specific things around the house, not random things, the specific things I told her to fetch. She hated to play ball, but was fiercely aggravated with anyone or any dog who didn't take hunting as serious as death. She taught herself to circle out and hunt late season pheasants back towards me when we were hunting alone... she got frustrated when they'd flush 70 yards out and I didn't shoot, so she figured that one out on her own. She was amazing. Slightly narrow hips, but never damaged her, nor cost me a dime. Only injury she ever had was when she pulled a jaw muscle fetching a large goose that was crippled and fighting her.Only vet money I ever spent on her was getting her fixed after one litter of cross breeds, and a heated pad when she got old. I'm not like most, I suppose, but I don't rush an animal to the vet every few days. She healed a few injuries on her own, never got sick, and went and hid from us to die. Hands down the best dog I've ever seen or had... But, I was at a time in my life when I was able to spend an hour a day training her for almost her entire first year. Combination of instinct, ability, drive... and lots of training.I have a higher bred lab (female) now, without letters, but with good papers... a lot of the same personality and intelligence. I haven't spent 5% of the time training her, but she's still a great field dog. Has the potential to be amazing, similar to above. Much more "textbook" build and health, wide hips, sharp as a razor. But unshown and untrialed. I just don't worry about that. That whole "world" becomes a place I don't want to hang around. I have a friend with a stud with the same status. Ideally built. Hunts him more and trains him more. Gorgeous dog. Our pups are exceptional. We've had one litter and we'll have more litters. But we'd never charge the crazy money. Just don't believe in it.Being fully in favor of free enterprise, and believing in quality control in all fields of endeavor, I don't want to poop on what I used to always call the "Championed Out" dogs... But the reader of this thread shouldn't be given the impression that there aren't any other puppies out there that will be "good". Far from it. Look at the parents. Ask questions. And the market will come to you.Be prepared to train - HARD - for the first year, then maintain it after that. Biggest factor by FAR.I apologize in advance for the offense that may be taken by the high-bred abbreviation crowd! Still appreciate you guys!
So you have a pup. How much do you spend on training? I know the do it yourself owner cost is only time spent.What about those who have to send a dog to a trainer?
