An Overview of What Contributes
to the Pricing of European Dogs

WORKING ABILITY: Working ability can be understood as a dog's ability to excel in European dog sports (Schutzhund, French Ring, etc.), canine law enforcement or personal protection. Given the tremendous demand for dogs who can excel in these areas such working ability increases their value and price.

WORKING TITLES: Titles such as the French Ring I, II and III, the Belgian Ring I, II and III, the Mondio Ring I, II and III (also originating in Belgium), the German Schutzhund I, II, and III, the European IPO I, II and III, the Dutch (KNPV) PH I and II, the Czech ZVV I, II and III and the Slovakian SVV I, II and III require the owner to invest a great deal of time and effort in training their dog. This in turn increases their value and price.

SCORES: As working titles are earned through an evaluation process using points - the better the performance, the higher the points. To achieve a performance which earns a high level of points is a difficult task, representing an exceptional level of training and effort, which in turn increases their value and price.

CONFORMATION: Structure which conforms to the German Shepherds breed standard on a level which is competitive in conformation shows increases their value and price.

SHOW RATINGS: The rating given out by a judge determining the degree to which the dog conforms to the German Shepherd breed standard. In local shows the rating of Excellent in the Working Class (adult Schutzhund titled dogs), or a Very Good in the Youth Class, are the highest ratings and increases their value and price.

PLACEMENT: This is the order in which a judge places a dog in relation to the other dogs with the same rating. The dog who places first out of those dogs rated Excellent would be the dog with the best structure, the dog placing second, the second best structure, etc. A high placement within a class increases the price and value.The dogs which earn the highest ratings of Excellent in the Working Class, and place within the top 5 are given the honorary title of Spitzen Excellent, which in turn increases their value and price. While titles certainly reflect training, they often do not reflect ability. It is our recommendation, especially when purchasing a dog for protection, that you invest in quality before titles.

(There are always SchH. III males available in Germany for $2,500.00, and untitled dogs for $15,000.00+. While the SchH. III dog may appear to be the better value on paper, it is not. What you would be getting for $2,500.00 is a dog who "goes through the motions" by performing certain exercises on a training field yet in actuality have extremely marginal ability. Not what you want in a protection dog.)

Paying for Titles

While only the degree of working ability influences the dog's ability to function as a Personal or Executive Protection Dog, many of the dogs that qualify for our programs are titled, have show ratings or are of exceptional ability.

We purchase as many outstanding untitled dogs as possible. Unfortunately there is a greater demand then there is a supply. We therefore purchase virtually every dog that meets our qualifications, and if titled we pay whatever the value is (and sometimes then some), and in turn charge accordingly.

Although titles, ratings and structure do not increase the dog's ability to protect, they are not without value and appeal to German Shepherd enthusiasts, and those who desire Europe's finest dogs.

To those who do not share the same appreciation or value, often it is just a necessary expense in purchasing a specific dog. This is not unlike having to purchase a keyless entry system in a car because it comes with the same package as the other features we want to purchase. To pass the car up would mean to have to wait for another one.

Sometimes it's worth the wait, other times it's not. It is in this light that we offer the following information:

Pricing of Performance Dogs
Competitive in Schutzhund

EXCELLENT ABILITY (top 1% of working dogs in Europe) with Normal Scores, if titled.

Untitled $6,500.00 +
Schutzhund I $8,500.00 +
Schutzhund III $12,500.00 +

EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY
(top 1% of the top 1% of working dogs in Europe) with Normal Scores, if titled.

Untitled $8,500.00 +
Schutzhund I, II or III $12,500.00 +

EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY (top 1% of the top 1% of working dogs in Europe) with TOP Scores (V-Rated)

Schutzhund I $15,000.00 +
Schutzhund III $ 25,000.00 +
Bundessieger (working champion) $50,000 +

Pricing of Competitive
Conformation Dogs

SchH III V-Rated (Excellent) $12,500.00 +

SchH III Spitzen V-Rated at regional competition (Top 5) $18,500.00 +

SchH III Spitzen V-Rated at the Bundessiegerzuchtshau (Top 25) $50,000.00 +

SchH III VA-Rated (Excellent Select at "Siegershow") $100,000.00 +

SchH III VA-1 ("Sieger" - World Champion) $250,000.00 +

The prices represent, in part, the income producing ability of competitive show dogs. German Shepherd Dogs are allowed to be bred up to a maximum of 60 times per year in Germany by the breed registry. The competitive show dogs are consistently in high demand, earning between $800.00 and $1,250.00 per breeding, depending on the specific dog's placements. At an average price of $1,000.00 a breeding, an owner receiving $60,000.00 in stud fees yearly is expected to be compensated for at least a minimum of 3 years of revenue.

The prices quoted above are the lowest prices for which such dogs are generally sold. Often, when these dogs are available, their prices may be two, three and four times those quoted depending on age, number of breedings, current competition and the time of year.

What is Schutzhund?

The sport of Schutzhund was originally developed in Germany as a breeders tool in evaluating suitable breeding stock. The requirements of a dog in Schutzhund are intended to insure soundness in temperament, proper drives, courage and hardness.

Although Schutzhund continues to serve the breeder, it has evolved into an international dog sport which requires the dog and handler to compete in obedience, protection and tracking. There are three levels in which the dog and handler team compete, starting with Schutzhund I and proceeding to the most advanced level, Schutzhund III.

Once a dog has earned a Schutzhund III title, often a"Schutzhund enthusiast" may continue to refine their dog's performance in order to be competitive and earn a "V-Rating" ("V" representing Vorzuglich or Excellent) with a score of at least 286 of the 300 total points available. Those dog and handler teams which are able to perform at this level typically compete at regional qualification trials to qualify for competition at the Bundessiegerprufung (German National Schutzhund Championship). The highest honors at this championship are bestowed on the dog and handler team receiving a "V-Rating" with the highest score earning the coveted title "Bundessieger" or Working (Schutzhund) Champion.

Most of the dogs that compete at the Bundessiegerprufung are actually only "good" dogs with "exceptional" training. Only a select few are truly "exceptional" dogs with "exceptional" training, which in turn commands standing ovations in spectator-filled, Olympic size stadiums.

What are Conformation Shows?

The Conformation or show dog in Germany competes in conformation shows ranging from small local shows and larger regional competitions to the International Bundessiegerzuchtshau (German National Conformation Championship).

The top 20 within each class at this yearly international championship represent the finest German Shepherd conformation dogs in the world. The top honors go to those rated "Spitzen V" in the working class ("V" representing Vorzuglich or Excellent and Spitzen signifying placement in the top 5) and the most coveted of all titles "Vorzuglich Ausliese" ("V" representing Vorzuglich or Excellent and Ausliese meaning Select).

The male which places first with this rating receives the title VA-1 and the title"Sieger"(International or World Champion), the female earning the VA-1 earns the title "Siegerin".