Frequently asked questions Part 1
Q. What is the typical cost for a puppy?
Before you buy a pup, make sure you are able to make a commitment to dog ownership. As a breeder, we want to make sure our pups are a good match for you and your lifestyle. Do you have the energy for a dog? Do you have the time? Do you have the money to pay vet bills? It’s a 12 to 14 year commitment. Please read this blog post first: click to view It’s not all smiles and hugs and belly rubs, but also vet visits, and food and training costs involved. https://vongontahaus.com/blog/ A. Our prices range based on the pup and who the parents are. We have 2 lines. a) “Companion line”. Price range $2,500 to $3,000 b) Performance line: Price range $3,000 – $3,500 c) Puppy and Training package: Puppy and 6 months of training: $5,000-$6,800 d) Green dogs : Depends on the age and the amount of training.. We have a “performance line” that is higher in drive, and is pure working lines. It usually involves Bourne as the father, or an outside male from working lines, as the father. We have more of a “companion line” that is still a true German Shepherd, but with a different degree of hardness and prey drive. The companion line is West German Showline and West German Working line mix, with Jake as the father. Jake is the son of Bourne, but has a showline mother. That makes the pups 75% working line and 25% showline, or his daughter Lucy is used as the mother instead. The performance line usually involves Bourne as the father, or another stud dog. That makes the pups 100% working line. In short, we as a breeder recognize that different people have different needs and expectations, have two lines and the price depends on whether you are buying from the “performance line” and the parents of that line or the “companion line”. So our price really depends upon which parents were used. We want the best possible match for our puppies. Our breeding males and females have been O.F.A hip and elbow tested by a Veterinarian specializing in these X-rays. We also did D.M testing.
Our purchase process is further explained on our Puppy Page if you scroll down the page.
Our cost of puppies is further explained on our blog page. Suffice it to say, we don’t offer $500 puppies that will then cost $5,000 in vet bills due to bad breeding. Our dogs are imported, or one generation away from imported dogs, have had hips and elbows tested, and have been tested against Degenerative Myelopathy.
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Q. What separates Von Gonta Haus German Shepherds from the average breeder?
A. Von Gonta Huas, in English means “The House of Gonta” German Shepherds”. We went into great detail on this subject on our “about” page. This is our passion. We seek to produce dogs that have working ability and guarding instinct, yet very social and safe, and with the “kid gene” built-in. We want calm and sensible dogs that work well in IPO but can also settle well and be good companions. We do O.F.A hipX-rays. We test for DM gene. We have imported dogs or dogs only short distance removed from imported dogs. Our puppies are home raised and grow up in a loving environment, raised around kids and other dogs. With the proven record of the German Shepherd Dog in the Seeing Eye, herding, police work, and as family guard and companion, most of us realize that a good shepherd is the best dog we could ever imagine. But how do you go about finding a good one among the sea of poorly bred ones that are so common? We went to a great deal of detail on this on our “About Page”. We strive toward proven temperament, pjroven health, and puppy enrichment. We have shown you via videos our own dog’s and their ancestors’ working ability. However, we don’t purely focus on I.P.O capabilities alone. We have two lines, depending on the male and female chosen. One line is more of our “performance line” with dogs more geared toward working families and the sport of IPO/IGP, or police work, or search and rescue work, that with the right training, (which is key) will develop into strong competition dogs. We also have a “companion line”. These dogs are also from working lines, but there is also introduction of West German showline blood, provided working ability is present. This line is not as “hard” as the performance line and has somewhat less energy and more medium prey drive. than high prey . Don’t get me wrong these dogs sill have plenty of built in “guarding instinct” built in, and with proper training, can still compete in the sport of I.P.O, but they are just a bit milder than the performance line. It all depends on which combination of parents is chosen and even in the same litter, there is variability among the pups, even from the exact same parents!Q. Do you ship puppies?
A. Yes! We ship puppies all over the USA, Canada, and Europe. To countries in Europe puppies have to much older than 2 months old. Please inquire.Q. What is the cost to ship a puppy and is it included in the purchase price?
A. The typical shipping cost on a puppy ranges from $450 – $650.00 normal range. This is NOT part of the puppy purchase price. The cost includes air shipping, Vet costs to ship, crate fee, and Vet and Airport trip charges. Puppies shipped outside the USA there will be extra shipping and permit fees about the range stated depending on airlines and country regulations for shipping. Shipping to Europe is $1,000 and up depending on country regulations. The higher shipping cost within the U.S usually comes when a buyer wants us to hold the puppy a little longer and housebreak them for them. The 10-12 week old puppy that has slightly more weight. We don’t make any money on shipping and encourage you to fly here yourself and pick up the puppy if you prefer.Q. What is the deposit to hold a selection spot for a puppy?
The deposit is $500.00 nonrefundable, the moment the breeding is announced. The deposit is the same, for a pick pup or a non-pick puppy. A deposit is placed to hold your place in line for a puppy and other sales will be turned away because that puppy is spoken for. If the litter fails to produce a suitable dog for the buyer, such not their choice of color or gender, the deposit may be transferred to another litter. All pups must have remaining balance paid in full by the 7th week. They go home on the 8th week. No pick sports are guaranteed held for anyone or any department without a deposit and a signed deposit form and puppy contract! If you would like to pay your puppy in full at 8 weeks of age, but for us to train your puppy until 4 months of age with basic house breaking, crate training and socialization, to even keep the puppy until 6 months of age and imprint leash walking an and some basic obedience, please call us and we will be glad to offer additional training up until 4 months or 6 months of age for an additional fee if you so desire. Download Puppy Reservation ContractQ. Where is the kennel located?
A. We are located in Jersey City, N.J. All visits of pups are by appointment only and only after they 6 weeks of age and medically immunized.Frequently Asked Questions Part 2
Q. Do you take dogs back you have bred?
A. Yes! We first make sure you are fully prepared for dog ownership in our interview process in purchasing a puppy, and are not buying into a 12 or 14 year commitment on the spur of the moment. However, we always welcome back puppies and adults that we have bred. We don’t want to see our dogs wind up in animal shelters. We don’t give a refund because you changed your mind a few months after you bought your dog, because we assume you made an informed decision. We also understand you haven taken your dog to a trainer if you needed help. But we do understand life events can happen that are beyond your control sometimes. This rarely happens, but unfortunately life events can get in the way. In any situation, we are here to offer a home for any of our dogs. GOOD BREEDER STANDARDS