| For anyone who may balk at the price of good pups | | | | to keep her healthy), but you had already planned on |
| nowadays, or who may think to himself, "At those | | | | those, right? Tack on another $1,000. |
| prices I should become a breeder!" let me assure you | | | | So now we get to the fees at the time of breeding. |
| that breeding does not make millionaires. There are a | | | | Expect at least $400 for the stud fee, although it's |
| lot of bad reasons people breed their dogs, but there | | | | more if you insist on a champion-quality stud. There |
| are only a few good ones. If you don't meet all three | | | | may be travel and boarding expenses, but we'll give |
| of the following conditions and you still want to breed | | | | you a break and pretend that dream-guy lives down |
| your dog, take a long, hard look at the situation in | | | | the block. Once your gal is pregnant she'll need |
| our crowded shelters across the country before you | | | | routine vet exams to check for infections that might |
| decide to contribute to the problem. | | | | affect the health of the pups. If anything goes |
| Good reasons to breed your dog: | | | | wrong you may have to pay for ultrasounds or an |
| 1. You have in your possession a five generation | | | | emergency C-section. Oh yeah, pregnant dogs eat |
| pedigree (at least) for your dog that contains | | | | more, and need more vitamins...We're talking $500 or |
| numerous champions in conformation, obedience, and | | | | more, even for a healthy pregnancy. |
| or fieldwork. There is no evidence of in-breeding, and | | | | You'll need some special equipment for the big day: |
| you have a stud in mind with a complimentary | | | | whelping box, heat pads and lamps, thermometer, |
| pedigree. | | | | scissors, towels, baby scales, tweezers, hemostats, |
| 2. Your dog is in excellent condition and closely fits | | | | baby suction bulb, bottles and/or tubes for feeding |
| the AKC standards for the breed. | | | | (just in case mom gets an infection or can't feed her |
| 3. You possess an abundance of time, patience, and | | | | pups), milk replacement formula, and nail clippers. But |
| indeed, passion for dogs in general, and your breed in | | | | you probably have most of this stuff lying around, |
| particular. What's more, you are in a financial position | | | | right? So we'll be modest and say $100. Whew! The |
| to cover the expenses that invariably incur with | | | | pups arrive and all is well. Now the money starts |
| breeding dogs (see below for details). | | | | rolling in, right? |
| If you're a dog-lover looking for a way to make a | | | | Wrong! You've only just begun. To keep those pups |
| few extra bucks, do yourself a favor and open up a | | | | in tip-top shape you'll need puppy wormer (given at |
| kennel or a high-end poodle salon. Don't imagine that | | | | 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks), diarrhea medication, wellness |
| raising pups will bring in the bucks, for the reality is | | | | check-ups with the vet, vaccinations and eye |
| the very opposite. But in case you're still seeing dollar | | | | certifications, extra puppy food and vitamins, and |
| signs... | | | | advertisement fees! Plan on $300 minimum for each |
| This article should give you an idea of the cost | | | | pup, plus $100 to take them off your hands. Oh, and |
| involved in breeding a dog. | | | | you'll need time off work to care for mother and |
| To begin with, there are the initial costs, like | | | | pups. But you had ample time, right (condition #3)? |
| purchasing the mother. If you remember condition #1 | | | | Wow! All those expenses add up fast! For a litter of |
| (above), you know that you're going to need to be | | | | four you'll be dishing out at least $4,400. Even if you |
| picky if you want to breed her. Plan on approximately | | | | sell your pups for $800 (that's average for a |
| $800. You'll then need to have a series of tests run | | | | well-bred puppy), you're out $1,200. While some of |
| to make sure she meets condition #2. These tests | | | | these expenses are one-time, can you expect to |
| include hip X-rays to rule out hip dysplaia, eye tests | | | | make money down the road? After seven litters, |
| to check for cataracts, and tests for thyroid disease, | | | | you might. But then again, consider that annual |
| in addition to any other tests recommended for the | | | | maintenance of the mother will cost you $1,000, and |
| breed. These tests will cost you at least $300. Of | | | | you shouldn't breed her at intervals more frequent |
| course, you don't have to do these tests, but it you | | | | than two years. Maybe it's understandable why 75% |
| don't, you have no way of guaranteeing the genetic | | | | of breeders do not attempt to breed again. The |
| health of your pups, which serious buyers will be | | | | verdict is in...if you're thinking of breeding for the |
| expecting. Then, of course there are the dog supplies | | | | money, you should know right now, breeding |
| you'll need for the first year before your gal is ready | | | | definitely does not make cents! |
| to breed (food, toys, vitamins-you're going to want | | | | |