What actually goes into the cost of a puppy from a reputable breeder?

This  information is an attempt to explain why a responsible breeder charges a higher price then a backyard breeder, or the person who advertises on facebook or the internet.

Once you choose to get a puppy from a breeder, it is helpful to arm yourself with facts so you understand the cost of raising a litter of responsibly bred puppies. Costs vary widely across different breeds and specific litters. This article outlines the general costs and how much effort, work, money, and sacrifice goes into breeding a litter.

The price varies from program to program, but paying more money for a puppy that comes from a thorough and ethical breeding program can help save costs down the line. Additionally, it’s important to support reputable breeders to weed out puppy mills, scams, and irresponsible programs. 

Expenses can add up quickly for a reputable breeder. The average cost of a responsibly bred litter will fluctuate, but being a responsible breeder takes a great deal of money, energy, and time. Many breeders begin by traveling to akc events where they have their dogs evaluated for quality: this process has the potential to cost thousands of dollars.

Following that, stud services are $2,000.00 – 2,500.00. Stud service will also involve travel, hotel stays, gas, meals, driving, or flying. If using fresh chilled or frozen semen the cost of the semen ( $2.000.00 - $3,000.00) plus the veterinarian cost and all the blood tests (3-5 at $90.00 per test), before the breeding, can cost several thousands of dollars. Factor in many breeders take time off of work to travel to the stud or take the bitch to the vet, those lost wages ad up.

A great deal of maintenance is required to make sure the mother of the puppies is comfortable and in good health. Bitches need to get regular health checks, as well as a test for a disease called Brucellosis. Brucellosis is a disease that affects all kind of dogs and livestock. Signs of the disease are late-term abortion, still births, and conception failures. It cannot be overstated how important it is to test both dogs, male and female for this disease before beginning to breed them. This test along with a health check runs between, $80.00 - $175.00.

OFA and CERF certifications cost around $430.00 for each dam and sire.

Getting several progesterone and LH tests done are essential if breeding to frozen and fresh chilled semen, as to pinpoint the correct timing of the breeding, sperm has a short life span once implanted. Average cost will be between, $400.00 to $500.00. Using fresh or frozen semen you have the cost of shipping from where the stud dog is another $300.00, plus the vet expense which averages about 1,200.00 and up to do the procedure.

In anticipation of the puppies arrival, a breeder will have to accumulate all the necessary supplies – including things like a heat lamp, whelping box, whelping supplies, baby bottles, and special milk in case a puppy can’t feed or mom has no milk. These items all add up. Throughout the pregnancy breeders invest in extra high quality food, prenatal vitamins, and x-rays. The average cost of birthing a litter can reach up to several thousand of dollars, especially if there are complications and she needs a c-section.

Once puppies arrive, AKC litter registrations are $30.00 initially and then $2.00 per puppy. Premium food for the nursing mother and weaned puppies can run around $500.00 depending on the food. Worming is started at 3 weeks for the puppies, and done every 3 weeks after until sold. You factor in Vet checks, stool samples, shots, medications, can add up. A litter of 5 could average about $600.00.
Other costs include emergency vet visits, missing work to deliver the puppies and vet visits, utility costs, added laundry, heating, communication with new buyers, and the 24/7 job and stress of looking after the dam and her puppies, all of this can accumulate.
 
Ultimately the total cost of responsibly breeding an average litter of 5 puppies can range anywhere from $6,000.00 to $10,000.00. Although it’s an expensive and time consuming undertaking, the energy and thoughtfulness reputable breeders put into their puppies is the foundation of what will benefit their breed.
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It is important to note that scammers, puppy mills, and backyard breeders, come in different sizes and prices, which is why it is key to make sure you’re connecting with a good source. At the end of the day, investing a little more money into your puppy now could save you money in the future.

Questions to ask is do you show or do AKC or UKC events with your dogs? Do you belong to any dog clubs? Why did you breed your female? Have you had your male and female checked by a specialist for hips and eyes, are they certified? What age will you let the puppies leave (they should not leave before 8 weeks and have been wormed and had their first shots). Where are your puppies and mom kept? Litters and puppies not raised in the home do not get the benefit of being socialized with consistent  human contact.