Being a previous breeder of Goldens, I can tell you every breeder does get a profit. Parents initial clearances are most expensive. But it is not a every year situation. OFA is final at 2 years of age. Therefore my dogs were never bred before 2 years of age. Preliminary OFA doesn't cut it. That is why OFA won't give a final until 2 years of age. Of course if eyes is a genetic problem, they should be checked yearly. Many breeders give pups their own shots. You can buy 25 shots for about 75.00. That's enough for 25 pups, that's a lot of shots. Just be careful of the expiration date. Usually when you bring a litter in to be examined by a vet, it is like a group fee. They don't usually charge a individual fee per puppy. Some people use puppy pads, some people use newspapers. It doesn't matter unless you don't like newspaper print on your pups, lol.Mom's should be checked before a breeding. I, myself, has a x-ray done towards the end of her pregnancy to determine the total plus I also added a plus one in case any were hidden or one directly behind another.
Yes there will be much time in whelping and raising the litter but we should not charge for our time because we "chose" to do this. It was our choice to breed so how can you charge for time? It is your hobby, to better the breed, right.
Now the responsibility to new owner is to love, cherish and to make sure our pet remains as healthy as possible and all their eeds met. And that does take money. As far as clothes, beds, etc, they are not necessities but more our personal choice, although I've done the overboard in personal choice.
I would say that the first litter is going to be your most expensive because of the testing of parents and other necessities. AND, if you don't lose any pups. Losing pups will deinitely put you in the red. Breeding is a risk, no matter how you look at it. Especially for Mommy.
Now I'm not bashing any breeder. I was a previous breeder of Champion Goldens, so I've been there done that scene. I'm being as honest as I can be, that's all. I also understand that Yorkies do have small litters...I think, lol. I'm never breeding Jemma so I wouldn't know.
My pups did not go for what the parents cost me. 1,800 each. I paid that for the Championship Parents and the clearances for breeding purposes. They are the core of the breeding. But my pups sold for 800. So imo, asking 1,200 to 1,800 for a pup is a little high. The more pet quality sometimes less and a good prospective show a little more. I use to take my profits though and put much of it back into the breeding aspects. New, updated whelping boxes, etc, and a lot of money in show entrance fees and handlers. Not everyone shows so that there is a less expense.
However don't be fooled by a breeder who say's their pups are all show because their parents are both champs. That is NOT true. The gene pool is in the millions and you will never know what is going to hit the ground, figure of speech. So learn your dogs breed, learn the standards so you don't go and look at a litter blind. There are excellent breeders out there and yet there are people with Champs, not so excellent. Therefore, be responsible and research the breed. Look at their faults, and the medical problems they might encounter and what that could cost you. You are paying not only for a puppy but one that is healthy and hopefully free of genetic problems. That's where testing needs to come in. Just because Grandparents were healthy, doesn't mean all their offspring are.
On a final note every breed puppy is someone's royalty.
Have a nice day all. I'm off to fighting a tooth ache and hanging shutters on my house, UGH!! I hate toothaches and am petrified of dentists. I hope my Jemma doesn't have to get her canines pulled, I'll be a basket case.
Carol and Jemma |