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

Good Dog ^ | none given | Good Dog

[DallasBiff]

A financial breakdown of what goes into each puppy that comes out of a reputable breeding program.

Once you choose to get a dog from a breeder, it’s 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, and sacrifice goes into 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 responsible breeders in order to weed out scams and irresponsible programs. Not only will you ensure the health and safety of your puppy, but you’ll also be supporting an ethical program that truly cares about the well-being of their dogs.

Expenses can add up quickly for a reputable breeder. The average cost of a responsibly bred litter fluctuates, 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.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: breeder; dog; facebook

[DallasBiff]

Never had a dog from a breeder. First dog I remember when was I was a kid was visiting my aunt's house and the neighbor down the road had a sign advertising "puppies for sale", my brothers and I begged to buy one, the cost was $20, best dog ever, of course my mom took the dog to the vet, to check the health and get shots for the dog.

Ever since my pets were either strays or shelter pets, all great.

Don't understand paying up to $5,000 for a pure breed dog.

Discuss and flame away.

[gundog]

I taught my free Staffordshire Terrier...yeah. pit bull...to retrieve ducks.

I saw a sign on a ‘phone pole, the other day; “Labrador puppies, $900 “

[ponygirl]

I don’t understand why people are paying $1,500 - $2,500 for mixed breed dogs that can’t even be registered. Labradoodles, Golden Doodles, Schnoodles, Puggles, Chugs, Bugs, etc.

[Verginius Rufus]

We never learned how much Charlie Brown (or his parents) paid for Snoopy at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm.

[Magnum44]

Whats the value in registering? Our Golden Doodle is best ever. Hypoallergenic and smart as a whip. Would do it again any day.

[chrisinoc]

I agree.

Look at these dogs at the rescue I volunteer for. At least half of them are pure bred (without papers) German shepherds and can be adopted for a minimum donation of $495.

https://www.gsroc.org/available-dogs/

[samadams2000]

Don’t pay to play unless you want a purebred. And then your breeder dictates the price and any commitments -yes- in the future. If not buyer beware and enjoy your dog.

[Hatteras]

The last time we tried to adopt a dog, you would have thought we were adopting a kid. They wanted vet files on any past pets, they wanted to visit and inspect the house (fence required) and they required everybody, including the kids (one away at college at the time) to be all available for interviews when they visited. And they wanted $300 for the poor little mutt. I told them to KMA.

[GenXPolymath]

I have had Beagles for at least 20 years now, we have a small pack of hunting Beagles, there are full size two are 10” aka minis all of them are AKC the full sizes are $1800 each the minis are $2000 every one is worth every penny. The words people are searching for is disposable income. Not every one is poor’s. My buddy Bry has a $20,000 Frenchie why because his last one died at 7 and he wanted another one. At his income level 20k is a month or less of income he didn’t even blink at the cost he wanted Rufus and he bought him. Pure breeds are for people who can afford them it’s that simple no need to get all deep in the minutia of it. Want a cheap dog go to the pound have your heart set on something then you will pay for it.

[montanajoe]

We got a pure breed puppy for a thousand bucks.

I guess the breeder prices it whatever they want given the breed...

[kosciusko51]

I’ve owned 3 purebred dogs as an adult: 2 boxers and a French bulldog. Paid between $300 and $900. Since we fixed them, we never paid to register them.

I like purebred dogs due to issues with mixed breeds as a kid. The Boxer and Frenchy behaviors are well known. YMMV

[cgbg]

Our best dog ever was free.

A co-worker of my wife was getting married—and his fiance told him no marriage unless he got rid of the dog.

This was kinda a last minute thing—he was panicking—and so we took the two year old pure bred Springer Spaniel off his hands—and he got the Karen.

We definitely got the better deal.

Lol.

[ridesthemiles]

$495 AT THE LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER?????

I PAID $80 2 times —Once about 1998 & 4 years ago.

Both were good dogs.

Current one===very good traveler==HIS NICKNAME IS “ROAD TRIP”.

[EinNYC]

Most of my cats, for a 50 year history, have been rescues. And loved to pieces. Then, in 1992, I saw a giant cat all the way over on the opposite side of Madison Square Garden, during a cat show. I made my way over, under and around the massive crowd until I was face to face with this magnificent feline. "What kind of cat is this?" I asked. "It's a Maine Coon cat," was the reply. I had just lost my cat Vanilla to old age a few days before. I asked if I could pet this giant boy, and told the breeder I had not petted any other cats at the show (show etiquette to avoid spreading disease). "Sure!" was the reply. I petted this giant head and was rewarded with a purr that could have knocked me backward. From that moment on, I knew my next cat was going to be a Maine Coon. And has been the situation ever since. My current Dandi is my third Coon.

Why buy from a (reputable) breeder? Because certain breeds, including Coons, may be from lines known to carry a couple of genetic diseases. It's much better to get a Coon from a breeder who responsibly tests for and eliminates carriers of the genes for these diseases from their breeding program. Why buy a future heartache? I spent 1.5 years looking for a breeder who met my criteria: tested for genetic diseases, raised underfoot, showed their cats (proving they were not afraid to compare their cats to peers), and were not simply "backyard breeders", who were far more common than I ever thought. I found such a breeder, really quite an eminent one, and spent a delightful afternoon with a litter of 7 adorable babies. Their father was a quadruple grand champion. She knew I wanted a tortie and white, and this litter had the unbelievable number of 3! She knew I wanted the one with symmetrical markings, and that's the one I joyfully brought home when she was old enough. The breeder and I still keep up.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

Ok, flame away. I have only met one breeder who wasn’t insane. But again I live in the Pacific NW.

[Varda]

You sound like my Dad. He said something like that years ago.
The truth was dogs weren't a big part of his life so paying for one seemed like nonsense to him...at that time. Later my mom bought an Alaskan Malamute. She fit their lives and was a joy to them. I was surprised when she passed that he bought a burial plot at a pet cemetery so they could visit it. Seemed like full circle.
I only have purebreds at the moment. They are a big part of our lives and we travel around participating in dog sports and events. At the end of the day, I look into the beautiful faces and enjoy the personalities which fit mine. And that's the big thing. I know what I'm getting and it's suits me and my family.

[Dr. Sivana]

for mixed breed dogs that can’t even be registered.

If you are going to spay or neuter the dog, it makes less difference. I will say that with a mixed breed dog, you don't know which part of the breeds you get in the final product. So my wife once had a 3/4 rat terrier, 1/4 Chihuahua mix. When we we married and wanted to get a dog, we repeated. Very different animals. both good, but different.

[bohica1]

I agree with you 100% on finding a reputable breeder. My weakness is English Bulldogs. I’ve been owned by this breed for over 30 years now. Like Maine Coons, bulldogs also can have a list of health issues. My first 3 bullies came from, what I would now say, were not the best of breeders. I was new to the breed, so live and learn. My second bullie became my “million dollar dog”. lol He had every health ailment bulldogs are known for and then some! But he was such a sweet boy....

My next 5 bullies, after extensive research, lots of questions and interviews with those who previous bought from her, came from an extremely reputable breeder, a few states away. Not one of my last 5 have had any serious health issues the breed is known for. Yes, I paid more for them than the first 3 I had, but the savings in vet bills and their good health has made up for it!

So, honestly if you want a particular breed of dog, rather than a “mutt” [yes I have had a few of them too]....do your homework before choosing a breeder. It can make all the difference in how empty your wallet can be! Btw, my breeder is not just “my breeder”. She has become a good friend who I keep in contact with and share updates about “her babies”

[vivenne]

He should have gotten rid of the fiance.

[EinNYC]

Btw, my breeder is not just “my breeder”. She has become a good friend who I keep in contact with and share updates about “her babies”

That is my story as well. We became friends and keep up with any news about Dandi. If I mention the breeder's name among Coon-knowledgeable people, they gasp and say, "YOU got a ___ Coon? Wow!" I got one because I was willing to do the research and knew the common consequences of failing to do so.