Multiflora and MNGunner have covered the ground very well. Ownership of what one hopes to be a good dog is somewhat expensive initially and over the life of the dog. I just paid $1500 for a female Lab pup, and that seemed to be about the going price for what I wanted. I spent 500 on transportation, and the dog had diarrhea when received so I have put about 500 into vet bills so far. I think I have the dog healthy now. I got the pup at 7 weeks and she is now 11 weeks so more serious school starts next week. She shows potential if I can get her under control and trained. She is very high spirited, energetic and fast. Her parents are guide dogs on a large shooting preserve in SD and find and retrieve thousands of pheasants a year, and that is no BS. So you wouldn’t expect a pup from them to be meek and mild.
I would add to what has been said that I believe in taking a hard look at the parents when choosing a dog. The acorn may not always fall close to the tree, but there is a good chance it will. Long pedigrees are always interesting, but I am more interested in the parents. That has worked for me. When every thing is said and done, know what you want, do your homework, and pays your money and takes your chances.
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“The price of a good gundog is a broken heart at the end”
Rudyard Kipling
