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i really getting ready to buy some pups, but i just got married and money is somewhat of an issue. my wife is totally on board with it, after all a true hunter would only marry a hunter! haha but i was wondering how much should i spend on a pup and what should i be lookin for? if its parents can tree cats is that good enough?

pups are a liability not an asset dog food out the door they go from free to 500 how much should you spend is up to you dont think because you have spent a load of money on a pup he is going to be any good remember(it is time spent with your dogs not your wife that makes cat dogs) it is good she is on board now but it may not always be that way choose carefully and best of luck to you

pups are worth what youll pay for them .dont get in a hurry do your home work go hunt with the parents . spend some time looking at dogs talk to other hunters about the dogs and the man your bying them from,try to get one as close to your type of terrain , yuo will be hunting in but most of alll dont get in a hurry www,fallriverwalker.com

As you stated the wife was a hunter that is a good deal .All in All I can honestly say It MIGHT be cheaper to maintain the pack of hounds than maintain the wife. I'm just saying

sneekee15 wrote:(it is time spent with your dogs not your wife that makes cat dogs) it is good she is on board now but it may not always be that way choose carefully

I have been married a few years now and hounds have always been apart of the deal and now that we have kids (four girls) I have come up with an ingenious idea. Each of the girls get their own hound. Works out kind of nice I get to be a good dad and give my kids cute puppy dogs and I get to exercise them... well it has to be that way if you are going to have dogs they need to be active and have things to do. And I want my kids to be happy. So my wife supports me... its just that while I'm out exercising the dogs critters get treed. But I've been kind of thinking I'd like a whole bunch of dogs... maybe twenty or so, so that not any one dog will have to be over worked. I wonder if I'll need to change my plan any:wink:

If money is tight, then dogs shouldn't be on the list. There is a lot of money in maintaining a dog(s).

I would say go along with some other people if money is tight until it isn't. Then get some pups not only out of proven parents but a proven line of dogs. That should be the case no matter what pup costs.

Dont spend more than your willing to loose...try and buy the traits your looking for and invest tons of time and money.

A good pup is worth a little more than a poor one and a little less than a great one.
I have seen them go for between free and $1500 ea. Which is what I think you meant in the first place. It's like buying a car, get what you like, but stay within your budget.

B-N-Trees

Giving those kids hounds works great until you have to cull one.

bvg wrote:B-N-Trees

Giving those kids hounds works great until you have to cull one.

no kidding....However, kids have short term memory when a new puppy shows up

Brady Davis wrote:no kidding....However, kids have short term memory when a new puppy shows up

That's right. I give them kittens all the time and for some reason we go through cats around here like no other. They just understand cats have a short life span.

B-N-Trees wrote:

Brady Davis wrote:no kidding....However, kids have short term memory when a new puppy shows up

That's right. I give them kittens all the time and for some reason we go through cats around here like no other. They just understand cats have a short life span.

ahhh the cycle of life! At least for cats when there are hounds present

Cats have 9-lives...except barncats. Go figure

bency wrote:Dont spend more than your willing to loose...try and buy the traits your looking for and invest tons of time and money.

That's the truth right there. Pups are a gamble, like rolling the dice. You don't know what you are going to get, even from the most proven dogs and crosses. If you could be GUARANTEED that the pup would turn out like my buddy's Jess dog (for example), no matter what YOU did... that pup would be worth a healthy bit.

The fact is, they are pups and have lots and lots to overcome to make the game catcher you dream about. There are pups out there that will become just that dog with lots of work on your part and more than a little luck. It is a known fact that not all pups make great dogs, not even from the best cross, made by the best houndsmen.

In my opinion, your best bet would be to hunt with friends a while, save your money and get you a well bred young dog that is going, off dogs you have seen catch game. It will cost more up front but you'll be money and time ahead in the long run.

Wait til you are brain dead, even more broke and LOVE raising pups, like my buddies and I am, before you start trying to raise them.

Best of luck in whatever you decide. Just remember, it costs the same to feed a good one and the good ones are few and far between.

Take care.
Mason

thanks for the help guys. it sounds like getting a pup or two is going to be some work and cost some money! but every good dog had to be a pup at one point and get time and money put into it. so i plan on givin it hell and doin the best i can!