08/07/2024
POTENTIAL OWNER: How much is the puppy?
BREEDER: $2800 USD
POTENTIAL OWNER: What?? It's way too expensive!!
BREEDER: What do you think would be a good price?
POTENTIAL OWNER: No more than $500. You 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 minimal cost $1500 and up). Also a male (average minimal cost $1500 and up) or semen (average $1000 and up). You will need to do genetic & health testing on them, averages about $750 per dog. Raise and provide daily care and feeding for 2 years before ever producing a litter.
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have that much money...
BREEDER: I have a deal for you...for $500 you can raise a litter for me and then keep one of the puppies. Obviously, you also have to pay the cost of whelping & care.
POTENTIAL OWNER: I can do that.
BREEDER: OK so I have a female due to whelp in 5 weeks. You will need to be available 24/7 around the clock for at least 8 weeks to help with delivery and care. Possibly tube or bottle feed puppies every 2-3 hours if the mom is low on milk the first couple weeks.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Eight weeks?? it's way too much time for me! I have to work.
BREEDER: You may also need the reproductive vet to do xrays ($200-$500), possibly progesterone testing ($75-$250) & a C-section ($1000-$5000) and initial vet care on pups until old enough to be placed. Pups vets exams ($250 and up depending on how many puppies are in the litter).
Have on hand a scale, thermometer, latex gloves, sanitizer, absorbent tissues, scissors, hemostats, heating pad, whelping box, blankets, cleaning supplies, appropriate food with supplements for mothers, formula, medications & hand feeding supplies in case of emergency....
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have all these things!
BREEDER: For $1000 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 breeders there are few to no vacations or holidays. While you go to visit with family & friends we are home at our dogs side caring for them. No sick leave. It is a no breaks commitment.
THIS IS THE REALITY
When you choose a professional, you don't only pay for the puppy but also:
Tools, knowledge, experience, love, time, sacrifices they make, etc.
***It’s most definitely a dedicated and rewarding process. I’m so grateful that our puppies go to homes and families that understand, appreciate, and respect this process. I’m thankful for puppy parents that do their own research on the Dachshund breed and for those that know the importance of health and genetic tested parents and that it is the key to having healthy pets that live to see their senior years. So many Dachshunds live 16 years or more. Every now and then I have those few that try to talk me down on price or have rude comments to say regarding it and I simply just choose to keep quiet and move on. I had idea what all God had in store for my back in 2017 when I started raising but I’m so grateful for all the paths I’ve crossed along the way and the families I’ve been able to work with. ~Ashlee ***
📸 photo credits to Brent (A doggy dad to one of our recent pups) 🐶 🐾
