|
|
| |
|
Trained Dog Levels Available
We only sell English Springer spaniels and Labrador retrievers. The dogs we sell are classified in one of four ways. Depending on our client’s wishes, training skills and available time, dogs can be purchased as a puppy, Level I, Level II or Level III dog. All dogs receive a written health guarantee.
Most people typically purchase a dog based primarily on price. These people end up with a puppy because it is cheapest. We do not sell our dogs on price and we typically only sell two puppies out of each litter that we have. The puppy is the worst choice you can make economically. Although cheapest at first, it ends up being the most expensive. Consider the cost of birds to introduce the dog properly and the cost of getting access to appropriate training grounds where you can shoot birds. Also, consider your time. Most people underestimate the time required and the cost of their time.
However, the number one reason not to buy a puppy is because a breeder can only give a health guarantee, not a quality guarantee. With a Level I, Level II or Level III dog, you can go see the dog work. You can see if the dog hunts, retrieves and listens based on expectations and the level of dog at which you’re looking.
Puppy
Our puppies are just what the name implies. They are between 7 and 12 weeks of age, will be well socialized, will have a certificate of good health and the eyes will be checked (CERF). Additionally, the hips will be guaranteed until age three to get a passing OFA rating. Depending on the breeding, our puppies can be purchased for between $1,000 and $1,200.
Level I Dog
These dogs have the same health checks and guarantees as our puppies. The difference comes in additional training. The Level I dog lacks formal training, but has been properly introduced to birds and the gun and has a basic understanding of the obedience commands (kennel, sit/hup, here). It sounds simple, but most dogs are not properly introduced and, as a result, problems come out in many forms.
This is a good purchase for a client who wants to get a young dog and do the bulk of the training. However, the client may not have access to enough birds and to grounds on which they can shoot to properly introduce a dog to birds and the gun. Our Level I dogs are generally $2,500 and are between 6 and 12 months of age.
Level II Dog
Again, our Level II dogs have the same health checks and guarantees that our puppies have. They have also been properly introduced to birds and the gun. Formal training has begun – yard work and basic obedience in the field have been completed. You’ll have a dog that will find birds and hunt in control without yelling or excessive use of the whistle. A Level II dog is the most common dog we sell.
This dog will do everything most people will ever want. The Level II dog listens to both voice and whistle commands and is ready for you to take it hunting. This dog is for the client who really wants to hunt and do minimal training. Our Level II dogs are generally $4,000 and are between 10 and 14 months of age.
Level III Dogs
Our Level III dogs are truly something to behold. These dogs have a certificate of good health, the eyes have the CERF completed and the hips have the OFA completed. All of the training is completed and the dog is steady-to-wing-and-shot. This is a dog that complies with commands the first time. It sits down on the flush, the whistle or gunfire without be told, and waits until told to go and retrieve the downed bird. Our Level III dogs has been on our guide team for one year or more and have been hunted in many different States and on many types of game birds.
Rarely will you ever be on a guided hunt with a dog as well trained and professionally finished as these dogs. Our Level III dogs are generally $5,000 and above and are typically two years old or older.
|
|
|
|