Thanks, all. The wife's a bit strange sometimes; she says she doesn't want another lab (mostly because they're big and energetic), but she's okay with a Golden Retriever, which in my experience is almost as large and more hyper still. I personally love just about everything that barks.
I realize that $300 is a low price point, but I think it's insane that people pay so much for a pedigree (translates fairly well to in-breeding, which leads to health problems and exceptional stupidity, in far too many cases). I'm not expecting a show quality (or, really, even pure bred) dog at that price. Besides, I will go up a little if it proves necessary.
It seems likely we will end up rescuing something. Most of the rescue shelters these days seem to charge a $300-$350 adoption fee for puppies, to cover the cost of shots and sterilization. Right in my wheelhouse, there.
Thanks again, and I'll post pics as requested.
As a counterpoint, Labs, Goldens, chessies, rotts, dobies, etc are all subject to a metric shitload of genetically passed on bad traits.
If you find a golden for 300.00, it most likely won't have OFA hips etc. So about 4 or 5 years into the dogs life, the hips or elbows go to [Bleeeeep!] and now you either have to put the dog down or spend thousands to fix them.
Buying a dog with good blood lines, proven genetics, and clear parents is way cheaper in the long run than a dog with a genetic defect.
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