would you spend $2000 on a puppy?

[*Beema*]

I couldn't justify $2000 on a dog....

We had Border Collies when I grew up on our farm a mum and one of her pups, the mum was brilliant, excellent temperament and brilliant working dog, her pup, was a nutter, rarely did what we wanted and always cause trouble :rollseyes:, I thne won a pure Bread Border Collie, through the local Field Days, from a very well respected breeder. But after we got the dog home, we lost every bit of respect for that breeder, my dog had been beaten and had been done so by a male. Only I was able to go close, no males could get near him, he was very skinny, undernourished, and extremely timmid and was uncontrollable. I spent hours and hours working with him, to lift his confidence and and so that he would go with my dad. We disocvered that he had gone through some training with the breeder as specific whistles he would do certain things, so we came to the conclusion that he was what they considered a "dud". So we were very wary of even the respectful breeders after that point.....

Alot of the 'smarter' dogs (border collies, kelpies etc) are working dogs and I think it's awfully unfair to keep a working dog in a backyard.

ETA- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are AWESOME, gentle and great for families....in my fat opinion.

I completely agree with NOT having working dogs in the city, it upsets me seeing them cooped up in a backyard with limited opportunity to run or do what they are designed to do

Also a friends has had a couple of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and they are brilliant!!! Definitely have a look at them

[Ginger]

i am one that will always go to a breeder for pets. our dog (golden retriver) cost $950 and our cat (russian blue) cost $600. they are both worth every cent. they are both fantastic with the kids. we checked out the breeder thoroughly and met the parents in both cases.
have you considered a spoodle at all? i know two people that have them and absolutely love them. they cost around $1200. pm me hun if you would like me to tell you their particular breeder.
i think $2000 is probably a bit excessive, but if you are in a financial position to be able to do it, then i would. i can understand why you would want to go this option having been burnt in the past with your last dog. i think the most important thing with pet ownership is finding the right 'match' from day one. doing your research and finding the right pet for your family situation, which it sounds like you are doing.