[amandawash]

Originally Posted by YorkieAZ

It's getting touchy now!
People like this have no idea what breeders put into a litter, many sleepless nights, sometimes handfeeding around the clock for weeks, vet bills, food, possible cost of an emergency c-section, being "on call" to puppies for 12 weeks. It's much more work than they realize...and we should just give them away??

I may not sell then for an arm and a leg but I sure do have an arm and a leg invested in them.

Funny how people don't think a breeder should be paid for their time.

People think the same thing about vets!!

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Totally agree. My most recent litter (3)was just like this. Mother took ill (Still don't know why, but $2,000 to save her and more $$$ to have her spayed this coming week. Much too precious to risk her life again. when pups were just under a week old. So, the round-the-clock bottle feeding of Goat's Milk and distilled water began (it's a wonder hubby and I are still married) and continued until pups were able to lap. Now those are minimal costs. Since, she and the sire are both Champions.....there are costs that were incurred to accomplish that. Special foods and nutrition for mother prior to the breeding and after whelping. Tests and vet fees for pups. Socialization and training for pups.

Since I only breed 1 or 2 litters a year (2 to 3 pups in a litter) for me, for my next Champion/Show Dog. After all is said and done, I can honestly say that I'm in the red after each litterb and my TAX man can attest to it.

As far as studding out a dog, there are still responsibilities that you must undertake as the stud owner. Are you prepared to assist the dam owner with the whelping. Are you willing to take back any puppies, if the dam owner is unable. Are you willing to help in finding proper homes for the pups. The list goes on.

Finding a reputable breeder that will not abuse your lines is very difficult. Most reputable breeders have their own studs and most of the time they don't stud them out to the public .

That was a really, really good post.