Why puppies cost so much

[Tashasmom]

This went different from what I meant for it to. I was trying to help some out with why it cost so much and i thought it would be a fun thing to do for everyone to join in.
Of course the cost of my female doesn't count because I was just using that as a starting point.
anyway went dif from what I meant for it to so i'm going to pull from the topic. Just thought it'd be helpful.
Maybe i'm better off just learning and reading I don't think my posting is helping any. I didn't want to cause problems just wanted to be a part of the forum. Sorry..

[sylvan]

Originally Posted by Tashasmom

This went different from what I meant for it to. I was trying to help some out with why it cost so much and i thought it would be a fun thing to do for everyone to join in.
Of course the cost of my female doesn't count because I was just using that as a starting point.
anyway went dif from what I meant for it to so i'm going to pull from the topic. Just thought it'd be helpful.
Maybe i'm better off just learning and reading I don't think my posting is helping any. I didn't want to cause problems just wanted to be a part of the forum. Sorry..

I must be missing something...I didn't see where there was a problem.
I think these kinds of posts can be very helpful for people trying to understand how reputable breeders can not be making a profit selling pups. There are so many costs that most people just don't consider. I would definitely consider the cost of the dam and/or sire/or stud service as part of the expense. The pups don't pop out of thin air...
Money spent on good dogs to use in a breeding program is NOT incidental.

[Tashasmom]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

TashasMom - I don't think you should include mom's expenses (the following list) in the cost of breeding or having puppies -- I have a pet Yorkie (my purchase price was higher). I'm not a breeder and won't be having puppies - But, we all have these same expenses (sometimes more) with just our pets.... no breeding involved... These are not breeding or having puppy expenses.

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2 year old yorkie female..purchase price $750.00
puppy shots with vet visit $30.oo ea time. at least
heart preventative $15.00 for 6 tablets
flea preventative 4 pk $31.99 (that only covers 4 months multiply that times 3) for a years worth.
Feed for a year could be anywhere from $300 to $500
Now keep in mind that this is just the cost of the mom.
Then you have toys, training vet check ups and grooming
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However - I know that it costs a lot to breed and raise a litter of healthy pups. I don't disagree with you a bit on that!

Carol Jean

This is why I said what I said. She is the one that said price shouldn't be counted in it.
Now why I said I agree is because honestly I felt l should agree even though honestly I agree with you stacy it should count in it. But I didn't want to cause a fuss so that is why i said what i said.
I just wanted to start this to give some the idea. So i gave some of the cost so others could add to it.
NOw I feel like all i'm doing is defending myself.

[sylvan]

I still don't quite get why you're feeling defensive...it's okay to have differing opinions and she was just stating hers....and including regular pet expenses that people should think about too. We all learn from each other here and if I don't agree about not counting the cost of the dogs in a breeding program, I just say so...You can take or leave opinions...but it's important for people to see other sides of issues that they might not be considering.
It's easy to read more into things sometimes, but generally there is no malice meant in simple disagreements.

[scrapbetter]

The term "reputable breeder" has been used a few times....and I THANK all reputable breeders for loving their pups enough to take such good care of the mommies. The extras during the puppy pregnancy seem to be enormous, and then the puppy care itself. I'm impressed and grateful...and will be neutering my own future pooch as I simply do not think I could do it all correctly..Even as a "stud" mommy.. : )

Bren

[yorkiesmiles]

Caring for the mother - is not the normal cost of having just any dog. While I don't currently breed, I used to breed Bichons and I will tell you the cost of maintaining mom is more expensive then keeping up with any other dog.

She is going to eat substantial more while she is pregnant and nursing the pups and if you feed a high grade, more expensive food it will eat into any so-called profit. Also, I always had to take into account when the female would be pregnant and when she would need to have her shots updated by law requirements. So a female may have to go to the vet more frequently just for routine care.

Also, grooming mom can be more work - pregnancy is hard on their bodies - but then you want them to look their best when prospective buyers come along. Also, there is more money spent on cleaning supplies to keep up with keeping a room full of pups in a sanitary environment. (I agree with all those other expense previously mentioned, too - even the utilities.)

Food for the pups is also a cost, not totally addressed before. And there is no way to account for the hours I spent caring for mom and pups. The hours spent with her during labor alone.

But I do have to say, when I see some breeders websites for Yorkies and they want $5,000 and up per pup it makes you wonder what their profit margin is. I wonder how could one of those pups be more valuable than a $2,000 or $1200 pup.

[feminvstr]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

But I do have to say, when I see some breeders websites for Yorkies and they want $5,000 and up per pup it makes you wonder what their profit margin is. I wonder how could one of those pups be more valuable than a $2,000 or $1200 pup.

LOL go to J. Danes site he has a pup for sale $12,000 price firm could you imagine?

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Tashasmom

This went different from what I meant for it to. I was trying to help some out with why it cost so much and i thought it would be a fun thing to do for everyone to join in.
Of course the cost of my female doesn't count because I was just using that as a starting point.
anyway went dif from what I meant for it to so i'm going to pull from the topic. Just thought it'd be helpful.
Maybe i'm better off just learning and reading I don't think my posting is helping any. I didn't want to cause problems just wanted to be a part of the forum. Sorry..

Hey!!! Wait!!! Hold on!!! Don't go!!!

No offense intended. I was enjoying the discussion, but every discussion needs 2 sides, or it isn't much of a discussion. So I was just playing devils advocate. So lets keep this going. I think it helps everyone understand the big picture.

[txshopper73]

I agree...it isn't cheap to raise a litter. Some people complain about having to pay over $1k. But many just do not realize the costs.

[YorkieRini]

...spaying and neutering pet puppies, full blood panels, micro chip, litter registration fees, and...

[feminvstr]

this is a duanting fact most of us breeders keep our kids for 90 days before adoption...breaking down to 2160 hours they live with us and receive constant doting care from both their mother and the breeder. Divide that by the average litter size of 4 pups thats 540 hours of care for each pup equally...I know I get very little sleep the first two weeks after birth as well do not leave the house except for needed vet visits during this time. This doesnt include the vigilance starting at the 60th day pre-whelping; 2232 (added in 3 days average birth is at 63 days) hours estimated

not including the whelping items needed and replenishing of those items, then post whelp additional items such as vet visits, shots, tail docking, dew claws, feeding, toys, chews, treats, pee pads, litter reg, final vet checks and the puppy packs they leave with! Makes me tired just thinking about it all! All for the love of breeding and raising these wonderful little babies.

[shelbysmom]

I am always more curious about the low prices I see for pups on here I realize I live where it is more expensive but when I see people got pups for $400. I wonder how healthy or Yorkielike they are.

Healthy, beautiful, standard looking puppies start with the correct parents.

Clean lines? Not sure of the definition but it sounds priceless.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by feminvstr

LOL go to J. Danes site he has a pup for sale $12,000 price firm could you imagine?

Saw that and wondered how many times he's sold that pup.

[Tashasmom]

Thank you. I guess I never looked at it like that. I was afraid if I disagreed it would cause animosity. But the way you put it sylvan and others (can't remember your names lol) made me realize that it's o.k. to have my own opinion.
I have learned alot from Snowwa and she is good with words so i guess she was one i didn't want to disagree with cause she's good..lol so i agreed as opposed to saying anything to sick her on myself . But now that I know that it's o.k. to have my own opinion and no one gets mad that makes me feel alot better. Thanks ladies..all of you.

[Sherry Lynn]

Lordy, Tashasmom! You'd HATE Jersey!! LOL We ALL have opinions, and we aren't afraid to make them known! It keeps things interesting!