What dogs cost
When someone asked how much we paid for our purebred Doberman puppy, and we said 1,000 EUR (1,170 USD), most often the reaction was shock. Whaaat, so much???
Well, yes, it is a chunk of change, that's true, but when we realize what all comes into breeding and raising those puppies until 8 weeks of age, the asking price is by no means outrageous. In small litter breeds, the breeder is lucky if she/he comes out even.
Breeding dogs is expensive. Before you breed your bitch or stud, s/he will need to be x-rayed for hip dysplasia, checked by a certified veterinary opthalmologist for eye problems, tested for thyroid problems, and cultured for brucellosis (a contagious disease that causes abortions). The fee for a good stud is usually several hundred dollars... if you decide to give a puppy to the stud dog owner instead, you're still out the amount of what someone else would have paid for the puppy.
Raising a litter of puppies is expensive. Once born, the puppies will need to be checked by a vet at least once for genetic problems, and will need to be wormed and have at least 2-3 sets of shots. Since most people want AKC papers, you will also have to pay to have the litter registered. And don't forget the cost of feeding all those puppies! And remember a bitch will eat twice as much while pregnant and about 3 times the normal amount when lactating.
There is the expense of an emergency C-section (dogs always deliver at night, of course). Puppies as well, can have all kinds of complications...it is fairly common to lose a puppy or two, and not unknown to lose them all. From cleft palates to "fading puppy" syndrome, there is a multitude of problems that can happen.
Kimmy's breeder took 8 weeks off from work (unpaid, of course) to be able to take care of the litter from birth to weaning and selling them to new homes.
~~~~~~~~
To a puppy buyer, the initial cost (purchase price) is just the beginning!
Even if you get your dog free or for a small fee from a shelter, there are still many costs. It's important that you go into dog ownership with as much knowledge as you can so that you are prepared.
You need:
- shelter: a place for the pup to sleep in
We bought a crate. We knew Kimmy would outgrow it by 3 - 4 months of age, and she did. We then bought a much larger crate. But we also bought a dog bed, because now that Kimmy is housebroken, she doesn't sleep in her crate at night. We now use the crate to contain her when needed.
- Dog supplies: feeding/water dish (we got stainless steel elevated feeding station off eBay), collars and leashes (different sizes to "grow" with your dog), chew toys (important for those teething weeks! We love Kongs, Nylabones, chew ropes, plushies, squeaky toys), brush for the fur (other grooming supplies if you get a long haired breed), nail clippers, ear cleaning solution (optional - some people use cotton Q-tips dipped in peroxide).
- Dog food: this can be a large chunk of change every month, especially if you have a large breed and don't want to feed the cheapest "crap" from the supermarket (trust me on this, you do get what you pay for when it comes to dog food).
- Veterinarian: you will need to take your new pup for an initial vet checkup right after buying it, add the cost of vaccinations, and worming tablets
- Dog tax: depending on where you live, you might have to pay yearly dog tax, so make sure you get the pup registered
- Groomer costs: if you have a high maintenance dog and need to have him groomed profesionally
- Training: every dog should attend at least basic obedience classes. Costs vary, so do your research, ask people with well behaved dogs where they go/went for training classes. We currently pay 35 EUR per hour of individual training.
- Vet check-ups, yearly vaccination boosters, teeth cleaning: hopefully this will be all your dog will need from a vet, but even dogs get sometimes sick/hurt, so you might need to shell out some more $$$ if your doggy needs a treatment
- Spaying/neutering: if you don't plan on breeding your dog, it's best to have it spayed or neutered
- Vacations: if your family ever needs to go away, you may need to pay for boarding or for someone to come to your house to take care of your dog. Cost of boarding per night: $15.00 and up.
Then there's the cost of replacing the chewed on shoes, of course... ;)
Well, yes, it is a chunk of change, that's true, but when we realize what all comes into breeding and raising those puppies until 8 weeks of age, the asking price is by no means outrageous. In small litter breeds, the breeder is lucky if she/he comes out even.
Breeding dogs is expensive. Before you breed your bitch or stud, s/he will need to be x-rayed for hip dysplasia, checked by a certified veterinary opthalmologist for eye problems, tested for thyroid problems, and cultured for brucellosis (a contagious disease that causes abortions). The fee for a good stud is usually several hundred dollars... if you decide to give a puppy to the stud dog owner instead, you're still out the amount of what someone else would have paid for the puppy.
Raising a litter of puppies is expensive. Once born, the puppies will need to be checked by a vet at least once for genetic problems, and will need to be wormed and have at least 2-3 sets of shots. Since most people want AKC papers, you will also have to pay to have the litter registered. And don't forget the cost of feeding all those puppies! And remember a bitch will eat twice as much while pregnant and about 3 times the normal amount when lactating.
There is the expense of an emergency C-section (dogs always deliver at night, of course). Puppies as well, can have all kinds of complications...it is fairly common to lose a puppy or two, and not unknown to lose them all. From cleft palates to "fading puppy" syndrome, there is a multitude of problems that can happen.
Kimmy's breeder took 8 weeks off from work (unpaid, of course) to be able to take care of the litter from birth to weaning and selling them to new homes.
~~~~~~~~
To a puppy buyer, the initial cost (purchase price) is just the beginning!
Even if you get your dog free or for a small fee from a shelter, there are still many costs. It's important that you go into dog ownership with as much knowledge as you can so that you are prepared.
You need:
- shelter: a place for the pup to sleep in
We bought a crate. We knew Kimmy would outgrow it by 3 - 4 months of age, and she did. We then bought a much larger crate. But we also bought a dog bed, because now that Kimmy is housebroken, she doesn't sleep in her crate at night. We now use the crate to contain her when needed.
- Dog supplies: feeding/water dish (we got stainless steel elevated feeding station off eBay), collars and leashes (different sizes to "grow" with your dog), chew toys (important for those teething weeks! We love Kongs, Nylabones, chew ropes, plushies, squeaky toys), brush for the fur (other grooming supplies if you get a long haired breed), nail clippers, ear cleaning solution (optional - some people use cotton Q-tips dipped in peroxide).
- Dog food: this can be a large chunk of change every month, especially if you have a large breed and don't want to feed the cheapest "crap" from the supermarket (trust me on this, you do get what you pay for when it comes to dog food).
- Veterinarian: you will need to take your new pup for an initial vet checkup right after buying it, add the cost of vaccinations, and worming tablets
- Dog tax: depending on where you live, you might have to pay yearly dog tax, so make sure you get the pup registered
- Groomer costs: if you have a high maintenance dog and need to have him groomed profesionally
- Training: every dog should attend at least basic obedience classes. Costs vary, so do your research, ask people with well behaved dogs where they go/went for training classes. We currently pay 35 EUR per hour of individual training.
- Vet check-ups, yearly vaccination boosters, teeth cleaning: hopefully this will be all your dog will need from a vet, but even dogs get sometimes sick/hurt, so you might need to shell out some more $$$ if your doggy needs a treatment
- Spaying/neutering: if you don't plan on breeding your dog, it's best to have it spayed or neutered
- Vacations: if your family ever needs to go away, you may need to pay for boarding or for someone to come to your house to take care of your dog. Cost of boarding per night: $15.00 and up.
Then there's the cost of replacing the chewed on shoes, of course... ;)
posted by Katie @ 7:44 PM
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