Ridgetop
Herd Master
B & B Happy Goats hit it right on the head! Everything she said x 10.and cost a alot of money to raise...let alone trying to find the perfect homes for them in this current economy.
For me, I have CHIC tested my dogs, and have the necessary emergency money to breed litter, BUT I hate finding appropriate homes for them and worrying that they will end up in rescue (where no LGD should ever end up) because judged the buyer wrongly. Or worse, be put down because they develop very bad habits. Even with a return clause in any purchase contract, this is something good and reputable breeders worry about.
Many people will buy an LGD without investigating the problems you can have with them or the training necessary. And there are problems and training necessary. Many people think just toss the dog in the pasture and then complain about the dog when they don't train it properly. This is why well trained LGDs are so expensive. Properly trained LGDs have huge value. For commercial operations LGDs are all that keep them from bankruptcy. Like any dog LGDs take appropriate training. And a lot of LGD buyers won't listen to you when you tell them HOW and WHY they need training. Or they call asking how to fix a problem and won't obey your instructions, then blame the dog.
Reread B &B Happy Goats posting and then really think about it. Since you have to bear all the costs without parental support, think carefully.