Originally Posted By: Russ
Some folks though expect their pet dog to be a guard dog which is a major step up from a watch dog.


Agreed.

Originally Posted By: Russ

Police K-9's go for about $5K as an untrained youngster with good bloodlines. Check out the pricetag on a Schutzhund qualified German Shepherd.


This is true too. However, I see puppies with Top SchH competition/work potential get sold for well under $2,000 every week. I admit, this is still real money. But a purebreed anything will cost this much too.

I know of dogs that have been rescued at the dog pound that have gone on to do real service work. Cost does not translate into a good dog. Drive translates into a good dog. People in the business joke that the best working dog in the world right now is sitting in someone's back yard and will never be breed or trained. Who knows? It just might be your dog.
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Gary