Ever wondered what the costs were to breed?

Initial Setup Costs: ($25,000-$40,000)

• Foundation dam  $4000-10,000 

• Foundation sire  $4000-10,000    (Stud fees are avg $2000-4000 per litter) 

• Health tests:  

  • OFA Hips/elbows/patellas/eyes, Brucellosis    $800/dog 

  • Embark DNA test    $200/dog  

This list does not include fencing/kennel/housing/annual vet exams, grooming costs, dog food/treat, dog related expenses and can easily add an additional $30,000+. Many of those costs are $12-15k ANNUALLY, even for kennels with 1 pair.

Per Litter Costs: TOTAL COST $4900+/PER LITTER

(All hours calculated at minimum wage - $7.25)

• Artificial insemination, progesterone testing, ultrasounds, xrays $1000

• First week of intensive puppy care, 70 hrs $507

• Lost Days at work per litter (3 days x 8hrs x $7.25) $174

• Ongoing direct care (20hrs wk x 8 wks) $1160

• Puppy food for 8 weeks (canned, dry, milk replacement) $150

• Puppy vet exams/vaccinations $300-400

• Microchips $30/puppy

• Puppy toys/treats/supplements/vitamins $200

• Puppy packs to new parents $50/puppy

• Health certificates (where required) $100/puppy

Time spent advertising, customer care and answering inquiries, wait lists, administrative time (20-30 hrs wk x 8 wks) $1160- $1740

Emergency vet care/c-sections and other unforeseen issues can easily run an additional $4000+ which is not included in the total cost above.

Breeders advertise their kennels, educate customers, work with current/past puppy owners, and other volunteer work to progress the breed, generally 15-20hrs per week all year without pay. If only calculating 10 hours per week, that’s $3770 by the end of the year.