First of all, I wouldnt buy a pup from a litter that the parents werent shown and tested. I dont think they need their CH...thats ideal but its not the end all.

And testing isnt a guarentee either. BUT you need guidelines...and what is the con's of testing? the cost? I think every breeding dog should be tested, regardless of lines etc. I think a reputable breeder is also a role model..and needs to set a standard. I dont look down on a breeder that doesnt do it ( I know there is some well known breeders that dont.) But for me...I wouldnt buy a pup from untested dogs.

IMO you get what you pay for. I paid 2500. for my first mastiff and she is worth that 10 times over. She is a healthy, perfectly tempered dog. I really mean perfect. And she is beautiful.
The costs alone involved in the creation of a healthy litter is alot for a breeder. I sometimes think...why do they do it?? Seems like you stand lose more than you gain!

I think people that look at the price tag before the quality have no business buying any dog. If thats the most important factor...you are setting yourself up for heartache.
I have seen quality pups for sale in the ranges of 2000.-3000. At first I was floored at the price of mastiffs, but as I researched the breed it made sense. Now I dont understand how less than quality litters with no testing behind them get sold for 1500. a pup. That *breeder* ( if you can call them that) isnt in for the love of the breed. Its the love of money. They have no business breeding...disaster waiting to happen.

I don't think there should be a show quality / pet quality pup. I think there should be a quality pup and should range from $2000 to $3000. They should all be healthy pups from Tested Parents.That's all you can ask for.Every pup has faults. They should all be able to be shown. I got just what I wanted in Cole . A healthy family member with a great temperment . If he gets his Ch. that's wonderful if not I still got what I paid for.

I do think there should be a difference between pet and show.  Not everyone should have full registration because I think that is like a loaded gun.  I feel all pups should be sold on limited and the breeder or another "qualified" person should determine if that dog/bitch should be bred.  I do see enough mastiffs that shouldn't step a foot in the ring.  They ALL can't be show quality.  In a perfect world they would all be "show quality".  Also, the person that gets the "show quality" is likely going to profit some way by breeding/studding.  Just my opinion.

Mindee - I completely get what you're saying.

Many of you have made good points.  I especially like what JenniferW has to say about why people go to the paper.  A lot of first time dog owners do go to the newpaper looking for purebred dogs out of ignorance as well as convenience.  In the 80's I was 20+ and there was no internet so I checked out every newspaper ad.  It tooks me months to find a quality dog.  I was disappointed at the variations of dogs who supposedly were purebreds with papers but not bred to the standard.  

Now that I am 40+ years and experienced, I can tell by looking at the price in the ads who is a backyard breeder -- anybody who charges less than $800, you can bet on it.  I call on one every now and then and ask questions about testing and breeding to the standard.  It's funny when they say huh? lol.  At that point, I take the time to give them an education.

When I was looking for a dog last January, I contacted, by e-mail, AKC, breed specific clubs and local kennel clubs and got very little response. My next step was to attend dog shows and still was disappointed because the dogs were with professional handlers and I felt intimidated about asking questions. My next step was to go to breed specific forums. Jackpot!  Here you can get a feel for the breeder's personality, their views and see links to their kennels. The only thing that I had a problem with regarding websites is that many of them did not list their location or their prices.  If I knew either in advance, I would not waste their time or mine by contacting them.

My views regarding price is this.  I believe if you are going to show, then you should pay more because you, at some point in the future, will profit from this dog.  The breeder has produced the near perfect dog and put a lot of energy into pairing up the breeding. The breeder trusts you to represent that particular kennel as well. 

Pet quality usually indicates that there is something minor that will disqualify the dog in the ring.  Nothing is wrong with the health, but it just may be the attitude, height, overbite, the shape of the ears or ears, the gait, usually something cosmetic, etc.  The showline breeder gives a discount because it's one way to move the puppies out of her kennel.  The kennel cannot keep all of them and continue with it's breeding program.  It's just not feasible business wise.  Of course, there is a stipulation in the contract that there is not a full registration and that the dog will be either neutered or spayed.  The kennel cannot afford to have dogs sold breeding inferior offspring and ruining its reputation.

If I am going to pay the same price for a companion dog as a show quality dog, then give me a show dog. Why pay more and get less?

I do not mind paying a bit more from a reputable breeder because you are paying not just for the dog but for the expertise, time and effort that has been taken to improve the breed.  Also, you are betting on less vet bills by doing so.