AlanMatic

Trinabean - located in TAS currently. Yep, QLD had many more options to choose from! Pixiemeg - In regards to "if someone doesn't have $1200 for a pup, maybe they shouldn't have one" - just having the money there does not ensure a good owner, does it. Plenty of wealthy people abuse/neglect animals, I'm sure. Different subject altogether though! ETA: I'll spend some time in the breeder's forum to gain more of an understanding over the costs involved in producing pups. Thanks all for your input.

Supply and demand is what dives the price. The rarity of a dog does not necessarily demand a higher price; especially when there is no demand. Yes labs are common but they are also in high demand. So... breeders charge more just because they can? Ouch! I think you need to do some research on breeding, there is far more involved than what the potential puppy owner sees. If you want to pay me what the real costs are I would be thrilled. My last pup cost around $4000 due to complications and he was sold for only $1200. By the time you add up stud fees, vet bills including any prog tests A.I's and ultra sounds or xrays or c sections, extra food and any medication that they may need - and any whelping equipment that may need to be purchased or replaced. Time off work so the pups have undivided attention means no income for a several weeks - $1200 for a pup is bloody cheap.... I am not saying that money is not made from litters but if you were to do a yearly or 5 yr plan for those who only have the odd litter what profit is made from one litter has already been spent with problems that often occur in breeding - including loss of whole litters or worse still, loss of the bitch. I have spent thousands just like every other breeder and still been well and truly in the red when the pups are sold. I would love to learn more about the real costs of pedigree breeding. If only more breeder's websites listed a real "glimpse" into the day to day responsibilities and costs involved. A little transparency in the world of pedigree dog breeding could really help potential owners/purchasers to understand the costs involved with rearing a litter; and help that $1200+ price tag become understandable. I don't believe that promoting exclusivity via very high pricing is really helping the dogs - as the gap between pet store or backyard breeder and registered breeder grows wider, surely many will take the cheaper route (thus increasing pet store demand) when the benefits of buying pedigree, and the costs of breeding pedigree animals, are not clearly understood. How does one go about finding an ethical breeder when purchasing from interstate? The breeder's facilities can't be viewed and as every breeder sets their own price tag, the cost doesn't seem to reflect actual quality of life for the dogs in question.

Supply and demand is what dives the price. The rarity of a dog does not necessarily demand a higher price; especially when there is no demand. Yes labs are common but they are also in high demand. So... breeders charge more just because they can? Ouch!

Thanks for that. Shall have a scroll.

Just having a scout around registered breeders for a labrador puppy addition to the family. Last time I went through this rigmarole, the standard price was circa $800 on the limited register - this standard now seems to be around $1200 - and up. Yes, I am willing and able to pay the right price for a quality pup. Yes, I'm aware (to some extent) of the testing involved, the costs involved, the high price for a quality diet etc etc. But for such a common breed, is $1200 really a justified price for a standard, non showing, non breeding family pet?

Hi all. I'm just looking for opinions on this diet, or advice from those who have fed similar perhaps. We're fairly new to this and want to do right by our 4 month old Lab. First off, amount. By my research/calculations, to err on the side of caution we're going with 3% of his approx grown weight of 40kg = 1.2 kg approx per day, over two meals. A typical day has: Maybe 400g kangaroo chunk (raw, fed in one whole chunk of meat) drizzle olive oil for fat chopped raw or leftover steamed veg - say, 20% of meal chunk of offal (grass fed lamb liver or kidneys - maybe 10% of meal) fed twice per day (breakie, dinner). At lunch time he will also have a chunk of raw meaty roo tail (bone) or a chicken drumstick (bone with meat fragments - not the whole thing!). Roo meat seems to be the best option for us to feed. Though even at $4.50 per/kilo, with him eating almost that every day it is very expensive. Any thoughts on roo as a main feed component?

Crate training right from the start, along with early socialisation has helped to keep our lab boy Alan fairly sane (most of the time).

I'd recommend kangaroo meat for an affordable organic meat for your dog. It's $4 p/kilo around these parts. Am however having trouble tracking down affordable organ meats to supplement their diet. Which is a shame - I don't want to put the trash cattle are raised on into my body, or my pets'.