Nevafollo Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Not ALL "rare breeds" come with a hefty price tag because they are rare. Sure, some of them do, but not all. I'd say price is dependent on not only rarity, but how many in an average litter, how easy/difficult they are to whelp, and popularity. Some rare breeds just aren't popular so don't fetch a fancy price tag or they'd never be sold! Labs are popular, hence the price tag. Doesn't matter how "common" they are, they are still pretty damn popular! $1000 is no longer the average price, I would say $1200 would be the norm now, with some up to the $1500-$1600 mark. This is true pointers are rare-ish and pedigree puppies can range from $500-$1500 ($1500 being very rarely the case especially for pets) I would have thought labs were around the $1000 $1200 mark but then i dont think many or any pedigree dogs should go for less than around the $1000 mark these days because really in the grand scheme it isnt that exspensive and it can cost quite alot for a breeder to do what they do! Pointers are one breed I had in mind when I said that. Lovely dogs, but I don't think they are in the public eye enough so the average Joe doesn't really know much about Pointers! I think Aussie Shepherds were in the same boat a few years ago but their popularity has risen in recent years, as has the price tag (someone please correct me if I'm wrong ) Not sure on Aussies but I think you might be close to right! Pointers really need more publicity but its hard work! alot of people that hear the word pointer think German short haired not english so that also makes it hard and they are quite different in temperment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatsofatsoman Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Not ALL "rare breeds" come with a hefty price tag because they are rare. Sure, some of them do, but not all. I'd say price is dependent on not only rarity, but how many in an average litter, how easy/difficult they are to whelp, and popularity. Some rare breeds just aren't popular so don't fetch a fancy price tag or they'd never be sold! Labs are popular, hence the price tag. Doesn't matter how "common" they are, they are still pretty damn popular! $1000 is no longer the average price, I would say $1200 would be the norm now, with some up to the $1500-$1600 mark. This is true pointers are rare-ish and pedigree puppies can range from $500-$1500 ($1500 being very rarely the case especially for pets) I would have thought labs were around the $1000 $1200 mark but then i dont think many or any pedigree dogs should go for less than around the $1000 mark these days because really in the grand scheme it isnt that exspensive and it can cost quite alot for a breeder to do what they do! Pointers are one breed I had in mind when I said that. Lovely dogs, but I don't think they are in the public eye enough so the average Joe doesn't really know much about Pointers! I think Aussie Shepherds were in the same boat a few years ago but their popularity has risen in recent years, as has the price tag (someone please correct me if I'm wrong ) Not sure on Aussies but I think you might be close to right! Pointers really need more publicity but its hard work! alot of people that hear the word pointer think German short haired not english so that also makes it hard and they are quite different in temperment! I met a couple of beautiful pointers down a dog park - I'd get one in an instant, but my wife is set on another lab or airedale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
**Super_Dogs** Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Would i be better off looking at their scores rather then price and going for better scores.? yep - price doesn't guarantee anything, at least with a healthy good scoring dog you have the right foundation. I agree. Also look at the parents - do you like the look of them? Also what do you want to do with your dog? Do you want to show or train it obedience, agility or dog sports? If yes, you would be best getting a puppy from a litter who have parents that perform in the area you are interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Would i be better off looking at their scores rather then price and going for better scores.? Yes, you should be looking for health first and foremost. Or you could keep an eye on this page: http://www.rescuealabrador.com/dogs-available-for-adoption Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest english.ivy Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I was just shocked a labrador costs over a grand, I didn't expect that at all. Can't say I look into the costs of breed at all, except the breeds I'm interested in. I paid under $1000 for each of my dogs but they aren't overly popular breeds, IMO. Ignore me, I was just shocked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Would i be better off looking at their scores rather then price and going for better scores.? Yes, you should be looking for health first and foremost. Or you could keep an eye on this page: http://www.rescuealabrador.com/dogs-available-for-adoption Scores AND temperament AND conformation AND knowledge of the lines. The breed will go down the gurgler if we select by hip and elbow scores alone. Unfortunately, some of the more important health aspects, such as prone-ness to cancer, bloat, and heart problems are hard to quantify. And Labs generally have great temperament, but there are a few of 'em out there that I wouldn't have a bar of because either they don't have an off switch, or they aren't biddable. Also, the difference between 0:0 and a 2:1 hip scores simply be how the dog was positioned for the X-rays, or who did the reading and how they were feeling on the day. In my years in WA there was a group trying to do Lab rescue, but I think they gave up cause they rarely found any dogs to rescue . . . the demand for Labs is far greater than the supply . . . between toilet paper adds and Guide Dogs you have a huge built in PR campaign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Not disagreeing sandgrubber, but for someone asking a question which was basically "do I put health concerns before price of puppy" then my answer is going to be YES. It is hard enough sourcing a good dog without knowing all the stuff you have mentioned. And that link I put up is based out of Yass, NSW. They have plenty of Labs that come into their care. I got my Millie from them and happy to pass on the link to their website to anybody considering a Labrador! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 In my years in WA there was a group trying to do Lab rescue, but I think they gave up cause they rarely found any dogs to rescue . . . the demand for Labs is far greater than the supply . . . between toilet paper adds and Guide Dogs you have a huge built in PR campaign. Which can only be a good thing. And the demand greater than supply, another reason why prices are following an upward trend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirawee Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Not sure about no Labs to rescue in WA. Knowing one Lab breeder quite well she often had rescued Labs going through her kennel for rehoming and not just rehomes from her own breeding programme. But certainly if a Lab Rescue group couldn't find any dogs to rehome then that is a good thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wantsapuppy Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 thanks wsandgrubber and rubystar. i will defintly write all these down ad they will be a top consideration before any purchase of a puppy. \Obviously some of these cant be gaureteed but i will definalty keep them in mind. And ruby str thanks for the link if i didnt have 4 young kids i would adopt one in a heart beat. BUt any puppy we get needs to be bought up with kids if that makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirawee Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Out of interest what is the average period you have to wait for a pet Lab puppy? For a Lappy it is around a year, more if you want a specific sex/colour (and a lot longer than that if you actually want to buy in WA ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 (edited) thanks wsandgrubber and rubystar. i will defintly write all these down ad they will be a top consideration before any purchase of a puppy. \Obviously some of these cant be gaureteed but i will definalty keep them in mind. And ruby str thanks for the link if i didnt have 4 young kids i would adopt one in a heart beat. BUt any puppy we get needs to be bought up with kids if that makes sense. I understand where you are coming from, wanting a puppy to grow up with your kids, but a very important point to remember is - a Labrador puppy is far from easy!!!! They are extremely boisterous, bowl little kids over in their excitement (or just walking past), they are quite mouthy and can nip the kids hands, feet, ankles, clothes, etc, so therefore need a LOT of training to mould them into the perfect well behaved family member that sometimes the media can portray them as. Don't discard an adult rescue entirely as they can easily blend into the family as if they had always been there ;) Labs just want to be with their people and to please, so an older Lab will be more placid and should cope really well with your kids wanting to smother them with hugs And they will be well and truly out of the nipping stage and knocking the littlies over! A rescue doesn't automatically = problems. Some are rehomed for many reasons, and many might have been raised in a family environment. You only need to meet a few with your kids to see what I mean and to find the perfect fit Edited October 17, 2011 by RubyStar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Sorry if I sounded like a dumbass asking Definitely not a dumb question. In my breed, Border Collies, the average price from top knotch breeders is $800-$1000, depending on the state. In past years the breed clubs used to set a recommended price and most breeders now just ask around and all charge approx the same price. This is for puppies from fully health tested parents with 3 DNA results and hip and elbow scores. The only ones charging $1500-$1800 are the coloured puppy farmers who don't health test and pay no attention to quality. So in some breeds price is no indictor of quality at all and people are constantly ripped off because they didnt bother to find out what the average price was. I heard a Collie Rough breeder state last year that they were lucky to get $700 for Collies and there are still quite a few other breeds still available under the $1000 mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lab lady Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I have to admit, for $1500 a pup I can't see that many Lab breeders who should be complaining about not making a profit. Even if an emergency C section is required. Maybe I should look at getting a Lab You might not say that once you have seen the food bill for a litter of pups Out of interest what is the average period you have to wait for a pet Lab puppy? For a Lappy it is around a year, more if you want a specific sex/colour (and a lot longer than that if you actually want to buy in WA ) Depend on what you are looking for. Some people will wait months to get a yellow bitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suziwong66 Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 thanks wsandgrubber and rubystar. i will defintly write all these down ad they will be a top consideration before any purchase of a puppy. \Obviously some of these cant be gaureteed but i will definalty keep them in mind. And ruby str thanks for the link if i didnt have 4 young kids i would adopt one in a heart beat. BUt any puppy we get needs to be bought up with kids if that makes sense. I understand where you are coming from, wanting a puppy to grow up with your kids, but a very important point to remember is - a Labrador puppy is far from easy!!!! They are extremely boisterous, bowl little kids over in their excitement (or just walking past), they are quite mouthy and can nip the kids hands, feet, ankles, clothes, etc, so therefore need a LOT of training to mould them into the perfect well behaved family member that sometimes the media can portray them as. Don't discard an adult rescue entirely as they can easily blend into the family as if they had always been there ;) Labs just want to be with their people and to please, so an older Lab will be more placid and should cope really well with your kids wanting to smother them with hugs And they will be well and truly out of the nipping stage and knocking the littlies over! +1 as you say RS the work level involved in developing a lab puppy into the "perfect well behaved family member" is huge. I'm currently doing it for the 2nd time 'round. I spent this morning working on Wilbur's heel out in the street. Yesterday afternoon was spent getting him used to the smells of the grounds of the obedience club so that tomorrow he will hopefully be a little more acclimatised to it and tomorrow morning will be spent at obedience. We try and work in daily controlled socialisation out in the community or by having someone come over for a visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Sounds like labs are priced very similar to goldens. They are hugely popular too hence the price breeders are able to ask. I breed italian greyhounds which are tiny and not at all common and they cost $1200 - $1500 in Syd and Melb, and $1000 - $1200 in other areas. But they have small litters and demand is pretty high. Its demand that sets the price. Goldens and labs have large litters and there are lots of breeders but demand is huge. Iggies have few breeders and small litters so demand for the pups available is high. Some other popular breeds - like boxers, are $1500 - $2000 so it could be worse wantsapuppy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Aussie Shepherds are around the $800-$1200 mark.....maybe a bit higher from recently imported stock. I think they are a lot less than when they first started appearing in the country back in the 90's. I've heard they were up around $2000 then....they've dropped lower and now seem to be a fairly stable price. I'm surprised labs are so expensive, but then so are staffies and the pounds and shelters are full of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 In my years in WA there was a group trying to do Lab rescue, but I think they gave up cause they rarely found any dogs to rescue . . . the demand for Labs is far greater than the supply . . . between toilet paper adds and Guide Dogs you have a huge built in PR campaign. Which can only be a good thing. And the demand greater than supply, another reason why prices are following an upward trend! I check our local pound website each day and there are always Labs there. Today there were two yellow ones. Last week there was at least one chocolate one and black ones seem to be regular guests of the council. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wantsapuppy Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 Yeah but aren't all puppys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellinnet Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 thanks wsandgrubber and rubystar. i will defintly write all these down ad they will be a top consideration before any purchase of a puppy. \Obviously some of these cant be gaureteed but i will definalty keep them in mind. And ruby str thanks for the link if i didnt have 4 young kids i would adopt one in a heart beat. BUt any puppy we get needs to be bought up with kids if that makes sense. I understand where you are coming from, wanting a puppy to grow up with your kids, but a very important point to remember is - a Labrador puppy is far from easy!!!! They are extremely boisterous, bowl little kids over in their excitement (or just walking past), they are quite mouthy and can nip the kids hands, feet, ankles, clothes, etc, so therefore need a LOT of training to mould them into the perfect well behaved family member that sometimes the media can portray them as. Don't discard an adult rescue entirely as they can easily blend into the family as if they had always been there ;) Labs just want to be with their people and to please, so an older Lab will be more placid and should cope really well with your kids wanting to smother them with hugs And they will be well and truly out of the nipping stage and knocking the littlies over! +1 as you say RS the work level involved in developing a lab puppy into the "perfect well behaved family member" is huge. I'm currently doing it for the 2nd time 'round. I spent this morning working on Wilbur's heel out in the street. Yesterday afternoon was spent getting him used to the smells of the grounds of the obedience club so that tomorrow he will hopefully be a little more acclimatised to it and tomorrow morning will be spent at obedience. We try and work in daily controlled socialisation out in the community or by having someone come over for a visit. +2 We had a lab when I was in my early teens. And it seemed like he matured very late. We did not have the skills or the available help to train him to be a well behaved family member. As a result he was never the "perfect well behaved family member". I am now looking for a dog for my daughter to grow up with. But as much as I loved my Lab, I would not get a pup again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now