How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?
How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?
Consider a rough tally for a single litter: $1,000 in health testing across both parents, $2,000 in stud and reproductive fees, $500 in extra food and supplements during pregnancy and nursing, $1,000 in puppy veterinary care, and $500 in supplies and miscellaneous costs as a low estimate. That’s $5,000 before anything goes wrong. Divide that by a litter of 2 puppies because small breeds don't have that many most times, and each one costs $2,500 just to break even not including my time, housing, utilities, vet bills throughout the year, etc. Factor in a complicated delivery or post-delivery eclampsia at $5000, a failed breeding attempt that produced no litter but all costs were still incurred, or the ongoing cost of housing, feeding, and caring for the breeding dogs year-round, and most responsible breeders operate on thin margins or at a loss. I pay $75 for a 25 pound bag of kibble that lasts a week plus supplementing canned food on an ongoing basis - no puppies required, That's $300-$400 month on feed alone x 12 months = $3,600 - $4,800 year. In 2023-2025 I operated at a loss because I include the total cost for the year to feed, house, and provide healthcare for all the dogs that help make this possible. Cheap dogs come from puppy mills or people who haven't considered inflation in 20 years (over 50%) or who don't provide the standards demanded of responsible breeders these days.
The price of a well-bred purebred puppy isn’t inflated. For breeders doing it right, it barely covers the cost of doing it at all.
When you see a purebred puppy listed for $500 or less, something in the process was skipped. The most common shortcuts are eliminating health testing, skipping vet care, and sending puppies home before 8-12 weeks without vaccinations. Dogs from unscreened parents are significantly more likely to develop hip dysplasia, heart conditions, or inherited diseases that cost thousands in veterinary bills over the dog’s lifetime.
A $3,000 puppy from a breeder who performed full health clearances, used quality nutrition, provided proper veterinary care, and socialized the litter is often less expensive in the long run than a $800 puppy that develops a genetic joint condition requiring $5,000 in surgery by age three.
People are happy to pay $5000 for a designer mix breed like a doodle or go to the pet store and pay $2000-$8000 with no OFA health testing on the parents with pups shipped in way too young. Purebred when health tested and line bred let you know what to expect in the future for coat, temperament, and health. Line breeding is not inbreeding and is the only way to greatness with consistency. Outcrossing always results in inconsistent outcomes that don't usually transfer consistently to offspring. We can health test now, so we don't pass on disease like from decades ago. Doodles are inconsistent in coat and health expectations as it is proven by scientific study that mixed breeds do not have better health outcomes than purebred as shown by comparison of x-ray of hip dysplasia, etc. In fact, mixed breeds only bring twice the potential problems from both breeds, not negating each other as the hope was. Hybrid vigor was a hypothesis that we explored and has not proven true in dogs as they aren't tomatoes, in fact one recent study debunks that strongly held belief with undeniable x-ray proof. People who have based their life and careers on this 30+ year belief will not be convinced but that doesn't make it so none the less. After all, we believe in science, right.
LINK to a 2023 study by Texas A & M and partners: Forsyth, et. al. :
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a dog. Living space, physical activity, and social level are all things that can help steer someone towards a particular breed. It’s important to do your research when looking into a breed to get a full picture of what to expect.
Dog owners play an even larger role in their dogs’ lifespan than previously expected. This study found that for many common dog diseases, preventative veterinary care and consulting your vet when emergencies happen have more of an impact on a dog’s health than its breed. No dog is immune to injury and disease, but with consistent veterinary care, they have a better chance at a long, happy life.
I have invested extensively in comprehensive health testing, including OFA evaluations for knees, eyes, heart, and, where applicable, elbows, hips, teeth (for Shih Tzu), and hearing (for Dalmatians) on the foundational dogs in my breeding lines. Additionally, DNA testing is performed on all sires and dams to ensure the highest possible health standards with the tools currently available. Each puppy is microchipped and registered for life. AKC limited registration papers are provided upon proof of spaying or neutering, as outlined in the contract for Shih Tzu. Lifetime support is always available, and I am committed to taking back any of my dogs in need of a home. They are microchipped so that if needed I can rescue them from the shelter as I am a permanent contact if something happens to you and you are unable to be reached. I will make many efforts to find you so that you can be reunited. This is a backup for natural disasters, fires, vehicle accidents, etc. as well as never allowing one of my dogs to burden the rescue system or be euthanized without good cause.
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Puppies go home with a package that includes ProPlan kibble lamb and oatmeal variety, a favorite toy infused with the scent of their littermates and the comfort of their early environment, breed information, and complete health records including vaccinations and deworming schedules.
I am merely asking you to help me bare the load of all the extras that you, the population as a whole, say that you want when interviewing me remembering that my time is not valueless.
Shih tzu are barely on their feet at 4 weeks and barely on dry food by 8 weeks. If you want socialization with other dogs and locations and learning experiences that means I have to keep them longer than 8 weeks. I am not making more, along with electric and food and another dose of dewormer and another dose of vaccine, etc. Dalmatians do develop faster but in order to get the hearing test the doctors like to wait until they are older than 8 weeks now days and then do anesthesia as opposed to the former 6 weeks testing practice. About 10% of dalmatians have hearing loss in both ears if the dark color isn't present in the ear canal because the white or clear hairs inside the tube aren't thick enough to stand up thus allowing sound to reverberate. This is why dark ear flaps are desired in the breed. Also, DNA testing has to wait until nursing is over and then it takes up to 4 weeks to get the results sometimes to know their uric acid status. Truth is I can do at home tests such as a urine sample in the fridge overnight separates and settles the granules showing me the urate formation and I can make sound behind them and see which direction they turn their head but everyone searching for a dalmatian has read articles telling them to demand these tests. Those two tests alone are $400 for each puppy. Now the truth is uric acid that creates stones that get stuck not allowing them to urinate might negativity effect boys a small percentage of the time and only rarely needs surgery if you waited to get them neutered until after 18 months, it's something about development I suppose effecting urethra size.
Inflation has increased at a cumulative rate of 51.8% from 2008 to 2026 according to U.S. Inflation Calculator from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It's not fair to expect dogs to cost what they did 20 years ago. My grandparents paid $6000 for their first house in the 1950's in Arkansas, what is it now, $200,000 easy on the low side. Price goes up because costs go up as well as expectations for what a breeder is supposed to do for the puppies by way of health tests and socialization. The times, they are a changing (-Dylan).