Unknown champions

[Cass]

You bet. 1200 is pretty average for mutts on kijiji

[finsfurfeathers]

I have to be so careful when I go to the dog park with the JRT.( Always have a JRT rescue and they love the dog park.)
A LOT of people have designer breeds of which they are proud.
When they ask what I think of their dog I have to say "Well, ah................."

Ah Sharon you say the same thing you would say too proud parents of an ugly baby. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if they are happy be happy for them.

[Sharon]

Right on. I usually say , "Well he's very attractive." but, WHAT USE IS HE??" ( no I don't say that )

[ninepointer]

There’s a lot of wisdom in this thread that comes from well-founded experience: Good pedigree and the appropriate health checks will significantly increase the odds of your dog being a very good hunter, along with proper training of course.

What has not been mentioned however is that most hunters have limited budgets and their four-legged game-getting machine is also the family pet.


There’s no doubt that buying a Perazzi or a Krieghoff will assure a better gun, but for many of us it will be a Remington or perhaps a Browning. Pedigree and titles translate into bigger dollars, and the hunting dog world is not immune to price-inflating spin and hype.


Sometimes the qualities that make a champion do not necessarily translate into the kind of dog that will let your toddler tug on its ears.


A dog from a source you trust and a field-grade gun will make for wonderful hunts and fond family memories.

[sidelock]

There’s a lot of wisdom in this thread that comes from well-founded experience: Good pedigree and the appropriate health checks will significantly increase the odds of your dog being a very good hunter, along with proper training of course.

What has not been mentioned however is that most hunters have limited budgets and their four-legged game-getting machine is also the family pet.


There’s no doubt that buying a Perazzi or a Krieghoff will assure a better gun, but for many of us it will be a Remington or perhaps a Browning. Pedigree and titles translate into bigger dollars, and the hunting dog world is not immune to price-inflating spin and hype.


Sometimes the qualities that make a champion do not necessarily translate into the kind of dog that will let your toddler tug on its ears.


A dog from a source you trust and a field-grade gun will make for wonderful hunts and fond family memories.

The avarage price of a well breed pup from proven and winning coverdog field trial stock is practically equivalent to what you would expect to pay for some of the more popular papered pet breeds, between $600 to $1000 and arguably less than some of the trendy Gucci designer breeds. A great number of these litters are breed in a family environment that more often than not include children so they are well socialized and handled daily right from birth.
The most important issue a hunter that intends to have a hunting dog/pet fit into a family environment needs to consider in my opinion is the level of energy it possess and this is usually indicated by the kind of temperament it's sire an dam display especially the dam hence the importance of preferably seeing them and spending some time around both of them. If the dam is quirky, she will most certainly display such behaviour in the presence of a stranger around her little babies but if she is sound and level headed, she will be welcoming and proud to show off her little rascals to the world
Not all field trial stock is breed on farms or kennels with minimal human contact or socialization and producing high strung unruly dogs. Many owners are weekend warriors that like to participate in a little competition and extend their time enjoying their dogs beyond the hunting season, unlike a big majority of hunters that only take their dogs afield come hunting season and then put them up for the remainder of the year.
A common hunting dog and a field grade gun will make for wonderful hunts and great family memories and a high class bird dog and a fine double will just add some excitement and prestige to the experience.

[krakadawn]

The avarage price of a well breed pup from proven and winning coverdog field trial stock is practically equivalent to what you would expect to pay for some of the more popular papered pet breeds, between $600 to $1000 and arguably less than some of the trendy Gucci designer breeds. A great number of these litters are breed in a family environment that more often than not include children so they are well socialized and handled daily right from birth.
The most important issue a hunter that intends to have a hunting dog/pet fit into a family environment needs to consider in my opinion is the level of energy it possess and this is usually indicated by the kind of temperament it's sire an dam display especially the dam hence the importance of preferably seeing them and spending some time around both of them. If the dam is quirky, she will most certainly display such behaviour in the presence of a stranger around her little babies but if she is sound and level headed, she will be welcoming and proud to show off her little rascals to the world
Not all field trial stock is breed on farms or kennels with minimal human contact or socialization and producing high strung unruly dogs. Many owners are weekend warriors that like to participate in a little competition and extend their time enjoying their dogs beyond the hunting season, unlike a big majority of hunters that only take their dogs afield come hunting season and then put them up for the remainder of the year.
A common hunting dag and a field grade gun will make for wonderful hunts and great family memories and a high class bird dog and a fine double will just add some excitement and prestige to the experience.

Good comments and very much in context.

Just to broaden the above, you'll be at least at the $1000 mark for a well bred retriever. I see some litters from some National champions at $1500 and of course that can go higher. As for field trial bred dogs it would be fair to say that almost all are born and raised in a supervised and social environment.

I have yet to have a field trial retriever who wasn't a total family member in all regards, in fact there's one at my feet right now!

Good example of a fine double and a high class bird dog or maybe an intelligent hard driving retriever and a model 12.

[terrym]

The price of a well bred dog from proven bloodlines may be more expensive than a backyard breeder but the purchase price is still a bargain. In fact the purchase price isn't much considering the enjoyment and the other costs involved. What it comes down to is priorities. I am not a wealthy guy by any stretch but will spend more on guns than some people I know who earn more. I would spend more on a dog than many people but that's "my" choice and priority. I live in a modest home and don't drive fancy cars, don't smoke and drink very little. Bird dogs and hunting are a huge part of my life so to me the purchase price means very little compared to the quality of dog.

[ninepointer]

Aw shucks Terry! And I had my heart set on this champ!...

[terrym]

$1200 for a mutt. I bet they sell a few though.

[yellow dog]

$1200 for a mutt. I bet they sell a few though.

They sell tons of these designer breeds.$1,200.00 is a bargain and have seen them advertised as high as $2,500.00