05/14/2024
“Breeders are greedy.”
“Breeders charge too much.”
“That puppy is expensive.”
This is one visit, and one month of flea and tick meds for my inside dogs.
This is one visit for a dog that will probably be washed from my program. Why? Because she seems to be just not healthy, and I won’t pass that on to future litters.
Sometimes flukes like this happen, and you can’t predict it. Sometimes every other dog bred by the same parents are healthy, and yours isn’t.
I walked away today with no answers, just trials to see if we can figure out what’s going on. There is a next step for a more definitive answer, but for now, we’re trying other options (that are less expensive).
So let’s break it down, on why breeders AREN’T greedy:
I paid $1300 for this dog, just for the dog.
I have dedicated hours to training, and that’s just basic obedience.
I have hundreds in vet bills towards this dog because of other issues early on. I actually almost lost this dog to an extremely rare lung worm that she developed pneumonia from.
I have the cost of feeding this dog.
I have the cost of toys, treats, her crate, and other small things.
I have INVESTED in to this dog, as a potential breeding female for my program later on.
And that doesn’t even include the ofa health testing and future vet care for her later on.
And now? That investment is for a pet. And that’s OK because I LOVE this dog. Her temperament is perfect. Her structure is perfect. Her drives are perfect. But none of that trumps her health.
Breeders invest in their dogs. Breeders spend thousands on their dogs, and take losses all of the time. We spend a fortune in preventatives and dog food alone every month, much less the additional costs.
So next time you think “man that puppy is expensive. That breeder is greedy,”Step back and look at the bigger picture. Especially if the dogs are titled. A good breeder will never make money off of their litters. They will only recoup SOME of the costs that they have invested in to their dogs.
My dogs are pets before they are breeding dogs. They will always have a home here, even if they are washed from my program or retired. I will always give them the care that they need, regardless of if they’ll ever “return” any of the money I spend on them.