Common Misconceptions About Dog Breeding

New Owner Wants To Recoup their Investment and Make a Little Money Breeding

The majority of responsible breeders do not make money breeding! The only breeders who do are commercial or wholesale kennels. These breeders deal in larger numbers of dogs. People who expect to make extra money from breeding "just one litter" are often times disappointed.

By breeding, you are bringing lives into this world. You place those lives at stake when you are not aware of proper breeding practices and are unprepared for the responsibilities of breeding. New owners who engage in breeding find the experience financially disappointing and physically draining.

Before a person breeds there is a lot to consider. Responsible breeders:

• Become involved with dog clubs.
• Study the breed standard.
• Attend dog events
• Honestly evaluates their pets good and bad points
• Seeks assistance from respected peers
• Safeguard the health and temperament of their stock
• Nurtures the puppies
• Places puppies wisely
• Is responsible for life

Responsible breeders seek to improve their breed. To reach this goal, there is considerable expense. Here is an example:

The dog should be shown in conformation classes sanctioned by a national registry, under the trained eye of a judge. At the very least, the dog should be evaluated by a breeder recognized for producing excellent conformation in your breed.

• Health screenings and certifications should be done on all male and female dogs prior to breeding to ensure that hereditary and genetic faults are not passed along to the puppies.
• Dogs that are even being considered for breeding should, at the very least, have their hips x-rayed to rule out hip dysphasia. More and more breeders are now screening for cataracts, Von Willibrands Disease (VWD), normal thyroid and even elbow dysplasia.
• There are tests recommended for each breed. It will be your responsibility to research which diseases or genetic abnormalities are predominant in your breed. These tests will probably cost somewhere around $250.00.
• Routine checks for any uterine or vaginal infections, such as brucellosis, will help ensure a live litter and prevent the possible spread to or from your dog. Add $100.
• Stud fee to a good quality stud who is right for your bitch and has, himself, passed all the health screenings will run another $400. Now we are at $750.
• If a C-section becomes necessary, add at least $350 and probably more.
• You now have a nice healthy litter of, approx. 8 puppies. At the age of 6-7 weeks you are likely going through at least 40 lbs. of dog food a week depending on the size of your breed.
• These puppies demand your constant attention. They bark, chew and eliminate everywhere.
• Add the first and second vaccines (likely $20 each at your vets), that's about another $300.00.
• Next it's time for the cost of advertising the litter. Add $100.
• Plan on spending hours on the phone qualifying potential adopters.
• If your a responsible breeder, you will need to always keep in touch with adopters to insure your pups receive proper lifetime care.
• If there is no market for your pups, chances are you may end up supporting several of these pups. Do you have any idea how expensive this is getting?
• Now, even if you have a ready market for your pups, you cannot get the $700 to $1,000 that is average for a show potential puppy from top breeding stock. You'll be lucky to get $300 for half the litter and the other half you will have to give away.

Still think you are going to recoup your investment? No way. Evan if you are careless and cut-corners you will only, at best, break even. You’d do better to stick with an altered pet!

If you are breeding for money, you are part of the pet overpopulation problem and not part of the solution. Studies reveal a good portion of the litters you produce will not see their first birthday.

Copyright © 2001 Bob Christiansen's CLC Publishing