How much should one rightfully pay for an AKC retriever pup?

[DonaldBabbett]

Labrador?
Golden?

The dog has to be a decent trainable bird AND water dog for doves, pheasant and duck.

I would prefer an AKC dog eyes/hips/elbows certifications as well.

I care more about sporting purebred dogs with sound health histories than fancy field championships or show ring certifications but a retriever that can consistently mark a number of fallen birds, steady, honor and line is of the essence.

It is not uncommon to see Golden pups listed by commercial kennels (non-hobby/non-backyard breeders) listing from $1,500 to $3,000.

I see Lab pups nowadays listing from $1,000 to $2,000 as well.

I saw one breeder who wanted $1,800 for her Golden pups with LIMITED registration.

Who wants to pay close to $2,000 for a bird dog pup you have no breeding rights for?

What are some caveats in buying retriever pups that any of you people here may offer based upon your knowledge and experience?

It seems like dog-buying these days is an expensive and risky proposition.

[NATEWA]

$1100, $800 and $1200 is what I’m paying/paid for labs. Goldens will be a little more. I like labs although I’ve never hunted with a golden.

Currently waiting for a female to go into heat so I can get a black female lab. $1200-1500 are the current prices for a pup.

[DonaldBabbett]

$1100, $800 and $1200 is what I’m paying/paid for labs. Goldens will be a little more. I like labs although I’ve never hunted with a golden.

Currently waiting for a female to go into heat so I can get a black female lab. $1200-1500 are the current prices for a pup.

At those prices are the Lab pups hips/elbows/eyes certified?

Do you have FULL registration?

Are the Goldens higher priced because they are so much rarer than Labs?

I have had four Lab retrievers over my life of 54 years.

All AKC and BYB. Never paid over $350 for a pup. The last Lab pup I bought was in 2001: a black b_tch from a farmer. My first was a black male in 1997 from a couple's home in Sacramento.

One yellow b_tch of mine died of canine lung cancer at age two. Damn shame, she had beautiful caramel ears and the softest brown eyes. I bought her as a young adult and the owner was a smoker. I prefer that dog breeders don't smoke like I don't smoke. I think her former owner may have been nasty toward animals as she had her collar on rather tight when I bought her. In a way, she was rescued by me from a bad master. Another yellow b_tch got killed by a car at age 3. My last two black pair, male and b_tch, were re-homed in 2004 due to a move to apartment living. I assume all my past Labs have gone to Retriever Heaven by now. They were all just pets and not hunting dogs.

When I ever get into dogs again, it might be Goldens and I want them to be good bird dogs. I want a change of pace from Labs. I am saddened by the memories of my last Labs who had to be re-homed
and the others that died awfully young.

The Goldens seem to have a very gentle and sweet personality. My mother fostered a Golden b_tch when I was seven. Sweet dame!

She would sit on my lap like a chihuahua. I was sad when she was re-homed. In the army, I knew a sergeant whose b_tch had a whole

litter of Goldens and some of the soldiers in family housing in my unit got pups. Cutest little devils with sad soft brown eyes.

I wish the term b_tch would be allowed here spelled out in full. It means female canine. Come on people, grow up, please!

[NATEWA]

http://www.sutterbayretrievers.com

This will answer your questions. If not, email Tracy.

[j15w]

Ever consider a Springer Spaniel?

[DonaldBabbett]

Ever consider a Springer Spaniel?

No, I am partial to the looks of retrievers. I'm interested in hobby-breeding them.

[NickTheGreek]

At those prices are the Lab pups hips/elbows/eyes certified?

Huh? OFA doesn't "certify" hips and elbows until the dog is at least 2 years old.

Back to the original question, I sell mine for $1500-$1700 each https://foothillretrievers.com/
All my dogs have OFA clearances for Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia, as well as eyes, and genetic tests to clear them of Centronuclear Myopathy, Degenerative Myelopathy, Exercise-Induced Collapse, Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration, Retinal Dysplasia/Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1, and Skeletal Dysplasia 2.

Those tests cost a lot of money, as do my dogs who I breed, and the high quality feed I give them. You spend $2,000 on a shotgun, and thousands a year on hunting gear, gas, access. <$2000 for a hunting tool and family member you will have for over a decade is a steal.

[DonaldBabbett]

Huh? OFA doesn't "certify" hips and elbows until the dog is at least 2 years old.

Back to the original question, I sell mine for $1500-$1700 each https://foothillretrievers.com/
All my dogs have OFA clearances for Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia, as well as eyes, and genetic tests to clear them of Centronuclear Myopathy, Degenerative Myelopathy, Exercise-Induced Collapse, Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration, Retinal Dysplasia/Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1, and Skeletal Dysplasia 2.

Those tests cost a lot of money, as do my dogs who I breed, and the high quality feed I give them. You spend $2,000 on a shotgun, and thousands a year on hunting gear, gas, access. <$2000 for a hunting tool and family member you will have for over a decade is a steal.

What I meant was the PARENTS are OFA certified which means the pup will likely be a healthy pup. The pup/litter has OFA in the lines of its pedigree.