The Premium on Barrett Puppies

Hello, prospective Weimaraner puppy owner!

I’m hoping you’ve found this page as part of your research in getting a Weimaraner puppy. By now, you’ve probably figured out that prices vary, breeders vary, wait times vary, and quality varies.

Breeders are like independent Bed and Breakfasts; we’re all quirky and no two of us are alike. But we typically do fall into one of following two categories: 

• We’re selling lots and lots of puppies without putting a lot of work in because it’s an easy way to make money
• We’re selling not as many puppies, but the ones we do have a lot more research, planning, care, and dedication put into them, and after expenses, we actually don’t make any money at all 

Buying a puppy is more than just buying a puppy. You’re voting with your dollars, and supporting where your puppy came from. If there is one takeaway for today, let that be the message. 🙂 

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The average reputable breeder doesn’t do this to turn a profit. We do this because we’re passionate about Weimaraners, and we’re doing everything we can to preserve the breed. Even if you don’t end up getting a Barrett puppy, please support someone who’s out there, not just talking the talk, but walking the walk, too. 

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I’m on a lifelong mission to consistently produce Weimaraners of sound temperament, balanced structure, and outstanding working ability. 

To this end, I’m constantly on the road doing something with the dogs to prove their worth. For giggles, here’s a calendar of where we traveled in 2019. (A typical weekend will find us at a training event, dog show, or field trial.) In the last 12 months, we’ve competed in Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, and Nevada. My car is a 2016 Ford Expedition and as of this writing, I’ve exceeded 160,000 miles. And I’m on my second transmission. 

When not on the road (or even if I am), I’m researching pedigrees and bloodlines, and coordinating with other breeders about future breedings. This is especially a handy task for when I can’t fall asleep at night. Thousands of hours have been spent planning out the next five generations of Weimaraners. 

I also realize that not every Weimaraner is as lucky as a Barrett Weimaraner. I believe so much in all gray dogs having a loving home that I spend countless hours with Weimaraner rescue, helping to pull dogs from shelters, transport them to foster homes, be the foster home when I can, and work with prospective families to get them adopted. To be specific, over 50 rescues have passed through my front door. 

But back to the Barrett dogs.

The costs for participation in training days, dog shows, field trials, hunt tests, NAVHDA tests, etc. add up. The reality is that I’ve spent more on my dogs in the last ten years than what my three bedroom house and a barn on twelve acres is worth. I’m happy to do it because 1) I enjoy doing these things with my dogs, and 2) it’s important for the Weimaraner breed to be successful in these venues. Putting so much more time and energy into my dogs than the average breeder also means that the puppies I produce have to cost more.

When you get a Barrett puppy, you are supporting a breeder who is undoubtedly dedicated to the Weimaraner breed, conducts careful planning and research to produce healthy, beautiful Weimaraners, dedicates countless hours to rescue, and stands by every puppy for his or her entire lifetime. Oh, and we socialize the snot out of our puppies!!! As of January 2015, $100 of every puppy placed has also been donated to rescue.

Bringing home a Barrett puppy also means you become part of a four-generation network of “Barrett owners” all over the country. You can find us in CA, OR, WA, NV, UT, AZ, WY, NM, MI, TX, NC, SC, MA, and Canada. We all get together for play dates, group hikes, and share personal information so that we can ask each other questions about training, and trade babysitting duties. As the breeder, I’m also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to answer any questions you might have about your dog, no matter if he’s 12 weeks old or 15 years old. 

And I also get that the average family probably can’t just drop a couple thousand dollars on their next family dog. Maybe you don’t have to.

Thank you for considering a Barrett puppy, and best wishes on your search!

– Kim

Last updated: May 2020