Hiya there i hope you can help me out here,i recently answered an ad in the local paper selling the above breed,i was interested in a setter and enquired the price which i was told 450 pounds i didnt mind this as i was serious about aquiring the dog/bitch of my liking,like all responsible pet owners i informed the seller who was supposedly a reputable breeder that i would then discuss it with my whole family rather than rush into it as they had to live with my choice aswell,this done we were all in agreement on the issue and i returned the phone call as promised whereupon i was asked if i wanted the dog/bitch for show purposes,i indicated i just wanted a family pet however if the dog i bought was considered up to show standard i might try my hand at it as my father had ,had some very good results and i remember finding the shows good fun aswell,well i was then informed that one of the dogs was well below show standard with improper markings and would make an ideal family pet.however the asking price was still 450 and if i wanted a show dog it would probably cost me an extra hundred pounds,now call me old fashioned but isnt that the exact reason why puppy farming and the like continue,come on people get your act together. rob wilts

In our breed the price of a puppy is the same, as unless you are buying a fairly mature animal show quality cannot be predicted with any certainty, one can say a puppy is promising, and has no obvious faults that would hamper its show carreer, such as mismarks. The idea of different prices has largely gone by the board, as it costs the same to lovingly rear all the pups, and if one sold at a premium didn't do well, the owner might feel agrieved, and take it further.

On the other hand in a breed where mismarks occur, or incorrect colours, some breeders may choose to offer a discount on such a puppy, in order to make it more appealing to someone who doesn't mind if it is DEFINATELY NOT show quality. If the litter were advertised at £450, and then the breeder upped the anti, I could understand you beingannoyed. I will often ask people this question, only to be able to guide them to the most promising puppy (in my Opinion) from a show point of view. Little things like better earset, length of back, breadth of muzzle etc, and a pert attitude. If the pup is purely to be a pet then i can leave the people to let their heart do the choosing, possibly pointing them to a pup with the character that is likely to suit their circumstances. Though the latter is not a very exact science, as the laid back pup in a busy household may grow up into a veritable busy bee, and the naughty pup in a quiet household with gentle folk and plenty of training, may turn into an Angel:)

s

hi i breed my first litter two years ago,i had liver and black flatcoats all sold at the same price,and with the sale was a warranty disclamer and sale contract,number two on the contaract,states it is a condition of this sale and purchase that the puppy was sold as a pet and that no warranty can be given as to the ultimate show potential or working potential or breeding potential of the dog or bitch on reaching maturity,at seven week or old how do you know if they are going to do well in any actives,the physical characteristics of the dog may be there put the new owner has to put alot of hard work in the dog to get it to the stander of what atcivety its going to do,so i cover my self with this contract.