I love snakes. I also love German Shepherds.

I was pondering today whether or not I would pay close to $1,000 for either.

I have always wanted a champion blood line Shepherd, just as I have always wanted an Eastern Indigo. I just don't think I would ever pay that much money for a dog OR a snake.

What about you? Would you ever consider paying that much for a snake? What is your cutoff price point?

Mine currently stands at $80 for a snake. FAR less than an Indigo. I might pay around $400 for a Shepherd, though.

I most certainly would and completely intend on doing so when I move. I actually plan on doing it a few times. lol Its funny you mentioned a Shepherd, since that is one of my purchases. I also want a couple of Pieds.

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When my girls are grown and out of the house, I just might invest in both as well.

If you get an Indigo, we expect lots of posts and pics!

I wouldn't pay that for either, one because I won't buy a snake, but I wouldn't pay that for a dog either, but I don't care for champion bloodlines either. I want to rescue. I don't really want to rescue a reptile though simply because I want a healthy one (if the rescue was than I would do it) and I don't have enough knowledge to rescue a reptile, the only one I feel familiar enough rescuing would be an iguana but I don't want two so I couldn't rescue an iguana either.

I feel that if you don't have enough knowledge to know you can rehab an animal than don't do it. I don't have enough money for all the vet bills that some reptiles need in rehabbing either. Emergencies yes but not a long process of mouth rot or Metabolic Bone Disease

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The rationale behind "champion blood lines" in German Shepherds is their propensity for hip and attitude problems from back-yard breeders who are out to make a quick dollar and do not care about healthy genetics.

If one pays for a German Shepherd from a reputable breeder, you are pretty much guaranteed a healthy, social animal.

German Shepherds are unique animals, and the last thing you want (as with Rotties and Dobermans) is an animal that is genetically prone to physical and behavioural issues.

Don't get me wrong - there is NOTHING wrong with your response. Just passing along the reason some people pay so much for certain things.

Same goes for the Indigo. Some will say they are the most intelligent snake species and actually get to "know" their owner and look forward to coming out to play.

I have never (yet) paid much for a dog, let alone a snake. But I don't think I would put it past me if I had the funds to spend.

I get ya! I rescued my dog that I have now, you may have read my posts about it not being able to walk due to genetically horrible hips. He is only 5 it would be nice to know some genetics before buying because I am sure that his parents had issues too.

However, thinking like that, I probably wouldn't want to buy a pup that I knew would turn out like that by 5. But I wouldn't give cooper up for the world. So I am at a loss.

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I'm with Kendalle on that one. I wouldn't do a grand for either. I'm also a huge supporter of adoptions. You can still get a pure bred Shepard from rescue organizations. I agree with you about not wanting to go to just any breeder, but I also know so many dogs need homes. Reptile rescues are not as common and therefore harder to get the species and morph you want. But that is a lot of money for one snake. If you paid less for a different snake, you could put that "extra" money in an amazing habitat for it and still have a very nice animal.

There is no wrong answer here - you both bring up excellent points.

Kendalle, you may say you are at a loss, but it doesn't sound like your dog is :-)

Oh I am at a loss only to ideas. I didn't lose anything when adopting him. He is my babe. I would really like to adopt again (mom won't give him up and he should live on the farm he loves it there) but I am not sure if I can.

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No offense intended, I assure you.

Anyone who adopts and truly takes care of the animals has my utmost respect.