09/25/2023
When someone says my prices are too expensive.
This is copied from another breeder:
POTENTIAL OWNER: How much is the puppy?
BREEDER: $3500 dollars.
POTENTIAL OWNER: What?? It's way too expensive!!
BREEDER: What do you think would be a good price?
POTENTIAL OWNER: No more than $1200. You reputable breeders are so over priced.
BREEDER: I am sorry you see it this way, why don't you try it yourself?
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I've never done it!
BREEDER: For FREE I can teach you how to do it, and in addition you will have the knowledge to do it again.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Perfect, thank you!
BREEDER: To start you will need a Female (average cost $3500 and up) and a Male (average cost $3500 and up) or Semen (average $2000 and up). You will need to do Genetic & Health Testing on them, averages about $800-1500+ per Dog. Lets not forget Progesterone Testings at $88 each, minimum of 4 up to however many you need per breeding, C-Section, starting at $1300 if planned, and $1500+ at the emergency room if that’s available and let’s hope they don’t tell you they will automatically spay your female then you have to find another vet, Inseminations at $375, Ultrasounds at $123, X-rays $130, Semen Collections $275-$500, Storage of semen $140/year, Semen Analysis $85, potentially Semen overnight shipping and so on ($4500+). 10+ Hours of traveling to/from a reputable Repro vet $50-$90 per visit, dog sitter while you’re gone $50-75 a day, and provide Daily Care, Feeding of high quality food & suppliments, & Grooming for 2 years of the potential Stud/Dam, (minimal $350 per month) Oh, don’t forget Monthly heartworm and flea Prevention, Annual Vet Visits and any other additional Vet Visits.
On top of this if you Show - Entries, Equipment, Travel, hotels, food, certificates, etc. Easily $4000-$10000+ year.
And let’s not forget training…if you’re not good at it, hired help is available, starting at $200 per CGC group class, or $50 for private lessons. And you WILL need many lessons. IF you can do it yourself, $100/month in gas money to take your dog places to socialize & desensitize + $40 in training treats.
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have that much money...
BREEDER: For $10,000 you can raise a litter and then keep one of the puppies. Obviously, you will pay the cost of whelping & care.
POTENTIAL OWNER: I can do that.
BREEDER: OK so I have a female due to whelp in 2 weeks. You will need to be available 24/7 around the clock for at least 3 weeks to help with delivery, care ( a million loads of laundry) plus weeks afterwards to monitor mum and puppies. You will need to hire a helper so you can catch 4 hours of sleep a night & a puppy walker to exercise your adult dogs.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Five+ weeks?? it's way too much time for me! I have to work.
BREEDER: Plus You will need to be available for puppy families to call you 24/7 with a worry or concern no matter the age. You MUST also be ready to take back the puppy/dog at any age if the family has a unforseen emergency.
BREEDER: You will also need the reproductive vet to do progesterone testing($88/test ) & C-section($1300-$3300) and initial vet care on pups until old enough to be placed ($800+).
Have on hand a scale, thermometer, latex gloves, puppy pads, incubator, heating lamp, whelping box, puppy pen, blankets, toys, bowls, cleaning supplies, appropriate food with supplements for mothers, formula, medications & hand/tube feeding supplies in case of emergency....
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have all these things!
BREEDER: For $5000+ you can buy them.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Ummm .... You know, I think it might be better if I just buy a Puppy.
BREEDER: Wise decision.
For us, there are No Vacations or Holidays, while you go to visit with family & friends we are home at our dogs side caring for them. It is a no breaks commitment.
THIS IS THE REALITY
When you choose a Reputable Person/Breeder, you aren’t only purchasing the Puppy but also: Knowledge, Support , Experience, Love, Time, Sacrifices, etc...
**Plus the cost of Life Time Support to the Puppy Owners…
These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg (best case scenario!!!) as a Reputable Breeder who takes on this journey full time!
*Origional source unknown*
