As of 2026, average pricing is about $1,800 for Dalmatians and about $2,800 for Shih Tzus. Individual puppies or litters may be priced differently depending on the circumstances.

Why My Pricing Reflects Responsible Breeding

I work hard to raise healthy, well-prepared puppies, and my pricing reflects the real costs of responsible breeding. That includes OFA health testing beyond a basic pre-sale vet check, quality day-to-day care, time-intensive early development, and lifelong accountability for every dog I produce.

• Priority: OFA health testing and documented care.

• Focus: Early socialization, routines, and a strong start.

• Commitment: Lifelong support and a return-to-breeder safety net.

What Lower Pricing Can Mean

If a puppy is priced far below typical market rates, that may reflect differences in health testing, veterinary care, socialization time, or how long the puppy stays with the litter.

Questions to Ask Any Breeder

• Which OFA or other health clearances were completed, and can you show the results?

• What veterinary care is documented for both the parents and the puppies?

• What support, guarantees, or contract terms are provided after purchase?

Value Beyond the Sticker Price

The initial cost of a puppy is only one part of long-term ownership. Verified health checks, proper veterinary care, and thoughtful early development can reduce risk and uncertainty over time.

What’s Included with My Puppies

• Health testing: OFA evaluations are completed as applicable to breed-specific testing. For example, Shih Tzu breeding dogs receive eye and patella evaluations, while adult Dalmatians receive eye clearances (CAER), and Dalmatian puppies receive BAER hearing testing.

• DNA testing: All sires and dams are DNA tested to support informed breeding decisions.

• Identification: Each puppy is microchipped and registered for lifelong recovery support.

• Registration: Shih Tzus go home with AKC limited registration already transferred after purchase, which includes training materials, a free vet visit, a free month of pet insurance, a digital magazine, and more. In select cases, I may consider full registration after a trial period of mentorship. Dalmatians go home with Continental Kennel Club papers that owners may use to access available benefits such as a free month of pet insurance or training information.

• Lifelong support: I remain available for questions and will always take back any dog I bred if rehoming is ever needed.

Puppy Go-Home Package

• Pro Plan kibble (lamb and oatmeal variety)

• A favorite toy carrying the familiar litter scent

• Breed information and complete health records, including vaccinations, deworming schedules, and copies of the parents’ OFA certificates. I provide vaccine information in the folder and by photo text message, since many new owners end up at the vet without the paperwork in hand.

Go-Home Age and Testing Timeline

Shih Tzu: In the early weeks, development is often a little slower than in larger breeds, so I prioritize a gentle transition to solid food, basic handling, and early socialization. For Shih Tzus and other small breeds, waiting until at least 10 to 12 weeks gives their tiny bladders more time to develop control.

Dalmatian: Timing can be affected by BAER hearing tests and other breed-specific screenings and documentation. For Dalmatians and other larger breeds, going home any time after 8 weeks is generally appropriate.

Sometimes I keep puppies a little longer to support socialization, provide age-appropriate care, or allow time to complete planned testing.

Costs Behind the Scenes

A rough example for a single litter includes about $1,000 for preliminary health testing on both parents, about $2,000 for stud, reproductive, or veterinary expenses, about $500 for pregnancy and nursing food and supplements, about $1,000 for puppy veterinary care, and about $500 for supplies and miscellaneous needs. That totals roughly $5,000 before any complications.

There are also ongoing yearly costs for approximately 10 adult dogs, including around $5,000 in veterinary care, around $5,000 in food, OFA testing ranging from about $400 to $1,000 per dog, about $2,000 in additional heating and cooling, about $600 in potty pads, and other routine expenses such as laundry supplies, medications, and grooming products. Unexpected veterinary emergencies can add significantly more.

Small litters can raise the per-puppy share of those costs considerably. Shih Tzus average about 2.5 puppies, and Dalmatians may have around 6, unlike breeds with average litters closer to 10 that can often be priced lower more easily.

The Work Behind Each Litter

Much of the work happens behind the scenes. I provide around-the-clock supervision and hands-on support for mothers before, during, and after whelping. That can mean hours assisting during labor in the middle of the night, emergency veterinary visits, or tube-feeding puppies every two hours if a mother is too ill to nurse.

Each day also includes caring for young puppies, guiding them through age-appropriate experiences, cleaning the nursery and play areas, washing bedding, and keeping up with constant laundry. Puppies can require close monitoring to make sure each one stays warm, safe, and well-fed. In practice, that means I am on call 24/7 for more than a month with each litter, followed by several more weeks of intensive part-time care.

Final Perspective

The price of a well-bred purebred puppy is not arbitrary. Once pregnancy costs, year-round care, health testing, and time are factored in, I often only break even. My goal is simply to help cover the added expenses involved in producing the healthiest, best-prepared puppies I can. Thank you for your support.

Cost Context

Costs for veterinary care, testing, and quality nutrition have risen substantially over time, and responsible breeding standards have expanded as more screening tools become available.