What would you pay for a trained dog?

[mnwild14]

Let's say someone had a black lab - 2 years old which has basic training down. It is obedient (sit, stay, heel, come), does single and double retrieves to hand, has been used to quarter a field for pheasants, trained on sitting in a duck blind, has some experience with hand singals(single and double T). Basically a started water and upland hunter with about 1 1/2 years experience.

Any thoughts? I see people selling them for $1500 - $3000. Is this reasonable? For the amount of time spent on the dog per day this is probable a reasonable price.

But WHAT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PAY?

[This message has been edited by mnwild14 (edited 09-09-2004).]

[jlm]

I asked this same question several months ago. Yes, it is reasonable. I looked at purchasing a dog at about the same level as you have described and the price was $2500. I wanted to buy one because I figured I did not have time to train another one. Well, I ended training my own and am glad I did so. I MADE time for the dog and he is at the same level as the dog I was going to buy and I do believe he is a little better. Plus, we have the bond that is very important when hunting together. This dog will do anything for me (and me for him). Can't get that when someone else trains your dog in my opinion! Good luck!

[LABS4ME]

The price you posted is in the right range.... Check around you can find a truely finished dog for another $1000-1500.00, if you want. I'm talking Master Hunter / Qualified all age. You can find them for $3000-4000.00.

As far as having them work for you if you haven't trained them... I've sold several started dogs, purchased 1 finished dog, sent some off to trainers and trained several to Master Hunters status myself and I really don't see any difference in how they work for me vs. someone else. In a way it's nice having several people work with a dog in the event a hunting partner needs to have your dog complete a task. The only dog I've had that wouldn't work with anyone else was my 1st lab, but she never had anyone else put a hand over her. She was truely a one handler dog.

If you're in the market shop carefully and spend a couple sessions with the dog or take them home for a week to test drive them before you complete the purchase. Remember just because they are trained to certain level now, does not mean they will remain there without maitenance training, especially if they are young.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Sliderfishn]

I have thought about it and the price is right.
Dog 250-700(lets say 450) depends on bloodlines
two training sessions at 600 plus birds
You are at 1650 and you might not be at the training level you are talking. Plus you throw in vet bills (heartguard,frontline and shots)and you are over 2000.
As for sending a dog to a trainer I am all for it. I have two little kids, work 50 hours a week, and play softball two nights a week and that doesn't include time for family or fishing . I enjoy sending my dogs to a trainer as I know that I can't make the mistakes that most do plus I get to be trained also.

[This message has been edited by Sliderfishn (edited 09-09-2004).]

[Eric Wettschreck]

My neighbor/hunting buddy spent $2500 2 years ago for a 2 year old finished lab. What a joy it is to hunt with her.

There were a few times last fall that I took her out by myself and she worked great for me.

My neighbor and myself spent some time with the breeder/trainer when he was working with the lab so we got to know her quite well while she was growing up. I highly recommend this to anyone buying a dog.

To answer the original question, we shopped around a lot. To get hip and eye guarantees, quality bloodlines, and good training you will pay from 2-3 thousand dollars.

[MNice]

I'm cheap, so there's no way I would pay that kind of $$$ for a dog. I've trained my own and they all hunted very well for what I want. The key here is to satisfy YOURSELF!!! Don't give a rip about what everybody else says, if you're happy with the dog it doesn’t matter if it's free or $5000.

Enjoy the season!!

[Slowfinger]

MnNice, ....I second that.

[Eric Wettschreck]

MnNice, Notice how I said my neighbor bought the dog. I agree that I never would. I have had a couple of dogs that I raised and had a real good time with.