Below is a summary of the costs associated with raising a litter of puppies responsibly.
Pre-Puppy Expenses / Expense Description Show dog at AKC or Sporting events to ascertain temperament, genetic working ability, certifications (CGC, NTD, prep for: Therapy Dog Cert, CGCA, BN, BH, CD, and more) $1,200.00 so far. We have several more goals, so likely around $8000 when done. Travel to meet and compare various stud dogs (if not own stud) Since I used my Guinness this breeding, he was a $25,000+ dog and I only incurred the insemination fees. Guinness was fully health tested and titled/certs in 17 different areas. His Stud Fee is $2500 because he is now deceased and I have only a small number of breedings remaining after his collection while alive, which has annual costs of storage (~$100/yr) after the Initial Costs of about $1300. OFA and health certifications of health for MOM ONLY (vWD status, Embark full panel genetic testing, OFA: Eyes, Echo, Hips, Elbows, Dentition; blood panels for liver/thyroid $1550.00 I incurred all cost for DAD as well…about same cost. 7 Progesterone tests to pinpoint accuracy of timing @$75/every 2 days $525.00 Brucellosis test & health check for bitch (incurred cost for Guinness prior to each collection) $130.00 Stud Fee to Stud Owner None this time - I incurred all costs prior to, however. Regular stud fees are $1500+ for a fully tested and titled stud dog. Lost wages (time off work to travel to stud dog or vet for breeding) $750.00 - travel and 3 days off of work for TCI breeding at Veterinary Village in Lomira, WI Does NOT include lost wages of first week with pups or any additional time required to be off after whelping. No hotel needed this breeding $0.00 OR Airline fare and boarding to fly bitch to dog $0.00 Semen Collection of Stud (if needed) Prev- as stated above. Transcervical insemination of collected sperm into bitch $920 Ultrasound to check on status of breeding, Day 30 $75.00 Pre-puppy Total: NO PUPPIES YET, just preliminaries (double if breeding doesn’t take) = $5770 ...and this breeding I incurred all of the fees for the Stud Dog, so almost DOUBLE that at about $10,000. Now, we can get to Puppy Expenses... Accumulate needed birthing supplies (clamps, heat lamp, heat mat, siphon bulb, replacement milk, whelping pads, vitamins, calcium supplements, etc.) $400.00 Update website/media & get puppycam ready (hosting) $150 Extra food in anticipation of pregnancy (feeding for 6+, puppy food, add-ins to help appetite) $300.00 Prenatal vitamins/supplements for bitch $120.00 X-ray to confirm pregnancy, Day 58 or so $90.00+ Miss work to deliver puppies (sick time or lost wages) $750.00? Birth Expenses – Natural (have oxytocin, other drugs on hand for complications) $180.00 Birth Expenses – C-section/Complications $3000.00+ Emergency visit cost (weekend, after hours or fading puppy vet visit) $300.00+ AKC litter registration $55.00 More premium food for nursing mom & puppies (once weaned) $300.00 Nursing Mom refuses eat premium food, demands steak and cottage cheese instead $200.00 Vet Emergency that always happens (stepped on puppy, Mastitis in mom) $500.00+ Enrichment for Pups as they grow and start to explore: $500+TIME (larger pen, toys, scent games, individual assessments, etc) Start puppies on solid food (hamburger, cottage cheese, premium Puppy food varies by breeder) $400.00+ Worm puppies 3 times (assuming 4-10 puppies) – stool sample $35 each & meds $300.00 Vet Checkup right after birth / Litter Exam $100 First Parvo/Distemper vaccines for 6 puppies (1 shots each) & Vet checkup at 6 weeks, with de-worming. $450.00 Second Parvo/Distemper vaccines/de-worming & Vet checkup before homing 6 pups. $450.00 New & replacement puppy toys, towels, baby gates, other misc. necessities(leashes, collars, etc) $200.00 Home Destruction (replace chewed woodwork, cords, repair furniture & rugs etc.) $250.00+ 24/7 job of supervising new mom, making sure puppies are safe & fed, laundress, playmate and poop picker upper PRICELESS Talking to prospective owners and evaluating applications/checking references/vet calls/etc. TIME ...which equals MONEY. Assemble puppy “going home” packets (copying, food samples, collar, toys, poop bags, etc.) for 6pups $300.00 Photos/developing, communication w/puppy buyers (digital/film – email/cell phone minutes) $100.00+ TIME = MONEY Added utility bills and laundry costs for washing puppy blankets and heating for puppies when they are first born. $200.00+ Eventual Sleep and a Healthy Mom & Puppies – Puppy breath and cuddles PRICELESS Total Cost of Whelping/Raising Litter $9,268+! I also do Embark testing on each pup, so if 6pups in litter = $ 130/pup = $780+! TOTAL COST TO BREED A LITTER OF RESPONSIBLY-BRED PUPPIES $15,000+! Does NOT include any fees spent on Guinness over his lifetime. So.in all reality...$22,000+ for a healthy, temperamentally sound, titled, evaluated, and well-bred litter. I expect 6 pups and if I am asking $1500/pup, I would expect $7500 (5 adopted pups) to return to help cover expenses...because I am keeping one myself and now will incur all expenses for this pup. I am still in the red about $14,500. No, breeding is NOT about the money for some of us. It is about BETTERING the breed and trying to preserve health, temperament, and quality dogs.
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Julie WestphalAuthor, Poet, Dreamer Archives
February 2024
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