Why Does A Puppy Costs So Much?
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:
CERF eye certification annually for 4 years $260
Total cost to raise a bitch to 2 years
= $4500 to $7000
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
and collection fee.
Total breeding costs (provided there aren't complications) = $2500 to $4500 If all goes as planned
we have healthy puppies to whelp and raise.
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 $8000 -10000.
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 $1,500 - 3000. So if we assume this bitch will have two litters
and the litters will average eight puppies each we will spend approximately $7000 to $12000 per litter.
What does it cost to raise the typical puppy advertised in the Sunday newspaper?
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."
Cost of a quality puppy bitch
$2500 to $4000
Food and vitamins for 4 years $2500
Veterinary expenses for 4 years $900-3500
OFA hip/elbow certification at 2 years of age $560
Heart clearance-$350
Obedience / Field
training (without a pro) $1500,(Pro) $7000
Showing Conformation (yourself) $1500-(Pro) $5000-$15000
Stud fee
$2500 - $4500
Shipping (either the bitch or frozen semen) $250 - $700
Progesterone assays and vaginal smears
$300
Inseminatio or surgical implant $300-1500
Ultrasound at 3 to 4 weeks $220
Supplies
(including whelping box, towels, thermometer, heat lamp, scale, etc) $850
Dewclaw removal for 8 puppies $Litter
registration $299
Vet expenses (worming and vaccinations) $650
Puppy information packets $350
Puppy
food $450
Advertising -we do not advertise.
Cost of a puppy bitch from the newspaper
$500
Dog food for one year $150
Stud fee for the neighbor's dog who happens to be registered and of the same
breed $100-400
Litter registration $Vaccinations without a vet visit $175
Newspaper ad $75
