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Price of competitive all age dog

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lbbuckler

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Please don't beat me up if this question has been asked and answered before. I have tried using the search button for the last two hours and I can't find anything except discussions about gas prices and Obama. The search engine isn't exactly user friendly. Maybe Shayne can update the FAQs with how to search efficiently for us who are computer challenged;).

I am looking at purchasing a lab with an open win and amateur placements but does not have either title. My question is how can one determine a fair price for an older dog? Most of the threads discuss cost of a puppy. Any help from those with experience in this arena would be greatly appreciated. If you want to PM me or send me a link to a thread that would be great.

Thanks for any help,
Wendy
 
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#2 ·
I had a 5 year old BL with an open win and a total of 12 points. I thought last spring I was going to have to stop FT as I assisted my grandson with college expenses.
I priced the dog at $12,000. Had and offer but our farm income was enough to hang in there.The pro I use suggested that as a fair price. Good luck.
 
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#3 ·
Wendy, the dog is worth what you are willing to pay. Are you buying to be competitive in FT? Then when the placements occurred and how the dog is running now factor in heavily. A competitive AA dog is not cheap. My 2 cents.
 
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#6 ·
The dog is worth what you are willing to pay and what the owner is willing to accept, factors affecting the price include age of the dog, when and where were the placements were, who was the handler, if an amateur has the dog run successfully for anyone else, any health problems with the dog, what are the buyer's expectations, male or female, genetic clearances

The price could vary from $7500 to $25,000

If the dog is sound and healthy, if you like the dog, if the dog will run for you, if money is not a factor, if it is a good dog then price does not matter IMHO
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Thank you for the responses. The factors that Dr. Ed brings up begs me to ask, is it customary to ask for a trial period before finalizing the transaction? And if so, what would be the norm, 2 weeks, 30 days?
 
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#8 ·
First of all, the used dog market has a floor underneath it from the K2's of the world. They are paying $8k for 18 mo old dogs that handle.

Secondly and more importantly, it costs at least $12k per year to have a dog campaigned on a pros truck. Most of the dogs that have an all-age win would probably at least 4, maybe 3.

I wouldn't sell my soon to be 4-year dog that has an Open win, for less than $50k....if I were going to sell her which I'm not.
 
#9 ·
lbbuckler said:
Thank you for the responses. The factors that Dr. Ed brings up begs me to ask, is it customary to ask for a trial period before finalizing the transaction? And if so, what would be the norm, 2 weeks, 30 days?
Click to expand...
The seller decides the look period, since the dog has a
proven field trial record the only thing at issue is how was the dog trained and will it run for you, if I was the seller 2 weeks would be long enough given the dogs accomplishments
 
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#10 · (Edited)
You have to convince the seller to look beyond the dollars in front of their eyes and look at you, the person who wants to buy their dog. If you can show that you are good with dogs, who can confidently handle dogs, train dogs and run with the best then dollar amount often mean less to the seller knowing the dog is going to a good competitive trial home. You have to sell yourself.
 
#11 ·
Two weeks is normal. You put money up front in an escrow account,which you will loose if something happens to the dog! You pay shipping costs both ways regardless if you buy or not. Are you working this dog yourself or sending it to a pro? If you're going with a pro you'd want to send the dog to him to work with for two weeks. More importantly why is someone selling a 5yr.old dog with an open win? If all health is good and your pro likes the dog 20,k + sounds about right.
 
#12 ·
If you are selling a dog, beware of this two week "trial" period. The buyer will want to know what the dog can take in terms of pressure and it is not unheard of to get your dog back that was running swell for you and now it's not so swell. Some will burn them to see how they handle pressure. Some dogs just can't handle the difference in environments. If you have a sensitive dog then i would be careful.

If I ever sell a dog again the buyer will have to come to MY place and they can see me handle the dog. That way if they don't like him, I don't suffer the damages down the road.
 
#13 ·
Tim West said:
If you are selling a dog, beware of this two week "trial" period. The buyer will want to know what the dog can take in terms of pressure and it is not unheard of to get your dog back that was running swell for you and now it's not so swell. Some will burn them to see how they handle pressure. Some dogs just can't handle the difference in environments. If you have a sensitive dog then i would be careful.

If I ever sell a dog again the buyer will have to come to MY place and they can see me handle the dog. That way if they don't like him, I don't suffer the damages down the road.
Click to expand...
Well said Tim. Unless I was having someone that I know well (be it pro or accomplished amateur) evaluate my dog, it will not be going anywhere. I've never been burned this way but have heard of it happening and I won't allow myself or my dog to fall victim to it.
 
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#14 ·
If I owned a competitive AA dog and you wanted to see it run, you would be invited to my location to see it train for a few days. Then you decide whether to take it or not. No way I am letting an AA dog with a win and other points go to someone I don't know for a trial period.
Too easy for the new guy to mess it up and then decide not to purchase.
Sorry JMHO
MP
 
#15 ·
If the dog is going to a pro, I've known the trial period to be a month or more.... with the potential buyer paying the training bill. There are many variables.
 
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#17 ·
If a dog has been totally amatuer trained and living in the house, and is going to a pro to be evaluated, it could take longer than a week. I've seen dogs have difficulty adjusting to their new kennel life, and being handled by others, but turned out great, once they got used to the new routine and people. It all depends on the dog, and how they adjust. Trying to run a dog with the old owner around may also backfire. There is no way one of my dogs will run for someone else when I'm around. There is no one "right" way to to this. Assess the dog, assess the situation, and try to make a workable arrangement.
 
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#18 ·
I would look at the number of times the dogs was entered to run and how many times the dog placed/finished. IMO a "competitive" dog finishes trials with placements or greenies.

Friends have bought "competitive" field trial dogs that lock on birds, no-go on blinds, aren't good on water, all sorts of issues pop up.
 
#19 ·
HiRollerlabs said:
I would look at the number of times the dogs was entered to run and how many times the dog placed/finished. IMO a "competitive" dog finishes trials with placements or greenies.

Friends have bought "competitive" field trial dogs that lock on birds, no-go on blinds, aren't good on water, all sorts of issues pop up.
Click to expand...

Probably the best advice yet... With Entry Express the "statistics" are pretty interesting.
 
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