We get a lot
of people who ask why our puppies cost so much when there are dozens listed in the newspaper, some costing as little as $400.
So here is a breakdown of what it costs us to raise a litter: - Cost of a quality puppy bitch $750 to 1,500
- Food and vitamins
for 4 years $1,200
- Veterinary expenses for 4 years $300
- CERF eye certification annually for 4 years $180
- OFA hip certification
at 2 years of age $300
- Obedience / Field training (without a pro) $800,(Pro) $2500
- Showing Conformation (yourself) $900-(Pro) $2500-$5000
Total cost to raise a bitch to 2 years = $4,430 to $6,780 To breed this bitch (provided she passes her certifications and is of good enough quality) we will need to
research for the right stud dog. We will need to pay the stud fee and, if the dog is not local, a shipping fee. - Stud fee $1,000
- $1,500
- Shipping (either the bitch or frozen semen) $250 - $500
- Progesterone assays and vaginal smears $250
- Ultrasound at 3
to 4 weeks $50
Total breeding costs (provided there aren't
complications) = $1,550 to $2,300 If all goes as planned we have healthy
puppies to whelp and raise. - Supplies (including whelping box, towels, thermometer, heat lamp, scale, etc) $250
- Dewclaw removal
for 8 puppies $160
- Litter registration $ 41
- Vet expenses (worming and vaccinations) $160
- Puppy information packets $80
- Puppy
food $160
- Advertising $100
Total cost to raise a litter of
8 puppies = $951 Now we didn't include the cost of having a pro train
this bitch and, for field trial training, we could easily spend $10,000 to $20,000. If a pro handler is used to show the bitch,
figure another $5,000. If the breeding doesn't take, there are several expenses we'll have
to pay again. If the bitch requires a C-section we can add approximately another $1,000. So if we assume this bitch will have
two litters and the litters will average eight puppies each we will spend approximately $4,500 to $6650 per litter. What does it cost to raise the typical puppy advertised in the Sunday newspaper? - Cost of a puppy
bitch from the newspaper $200
- Dog food for one year $150
- Stud fee for the neighbor's dog who happens to be registered
and of the same breed $100
- Litter registration $40
- Vaccinations without a vet visit $24
- Newspaper ad $50
Total cost to raise this litter = $564 Will this "breeder" make money on a litter? Possibly. Has he had the mother checked for genetic problems?
Nope. Will he guarantee his puppies? Nope. Has he trained and/or shown the mother? Nope.
Does he know anything about the dogs in his bitch's pedigree? Nope. Should you buy a puppy from him?
That's your call. Just remember the old saying that "you get what you pay for." |
