Quote:
Originally Posted by troubletb  Prices are over the top crazy. I know what it cost to raise a litter and for a pet quality puppy paying those prices are a little nuts. |
It seems high but considering everything that goes into it and what a reputable breeder puts into it I doubt they make a lot of money. If you are going by a good breeder that keeps the puppies until 12 weeks you have tail docking and dew claw removal at a few days old and preferably done by the vet, then at 8 weeks old first distemper/parvo shots, another distemper parvo shot at around 12 weeks plus a health check before going to the new home. Many good breeders will give you limited AKC registration, a small bag of food, a toy, some treats and lots of paper work in a puppy go home package. A really good breeder has done health and genetic testing on their breeding pair which can be expensive. Many good breeders expose their puppies to lots of different things while the puppies are in their care so they are well balanced pups. Generally good breeders do not breed every heat so if they are raising the dogs in the house which they should be then the number they can have is also limited. Keeping the puppy up to 12 weeks can be expensive which is why bad breeders don't do it. You go through A LOT of puppy pads, food, and I'm sure toys. Then you think about the care for the pregnant female during the pregnancy, while birthing and then after and it adds up quickly even if things go well. Add a show breeder to this and their cost goes up even more. As things get more expensive their prices have to go up to. So while yes it seems expensive I can completely understand it. Your still going to spend probably twice that in the first year if you include everything you have to get and do for the puppy.