There is a sucker born every minute-- be an intelligent buyer

   P.T. Barnum was quoted as saying, "There's a sucker born every minute." Apparently, the comment was first voiced by David Hannum, who was involved in a legal dispute with Barnum involving hoaxes connected to so-called giants buried in the earth. But today we attribute the quote to P.T. regardless of origin.
   Some breeders are charging obscene prices for their Golden pups. No breed club can do anything about it. Nor can the AKC. What we can do is educate the public about these ripoffs when they occur. Ultimately, though, it is up to the puppy buyer to do his homework.
   Years ago, when I was involved with another breed, a potential buyer rejected my pup because I was CHARGING TOO LITTLE. Clearly, the pup must be inferior at that price. Comparing pedigrees I showed him how similar the backgrounds were of ALL Bearded Collies in the U.S. at the time. He was unconvinced and purchased a pup elsewhere for more than four times the cost of mine. Perhaps that gave him bragging rights. Who knows. In any event, both the sire and dam of my litter were AKC show champions. Apparently that was not enough for the gentleman. His loss, not mine.