How Much is that Doggie in the Window?
First, please don’t buy that puppy in the window….seriously. Puppies from pet stores are sourced from a range of breeders, from the worst of the puppy mills to well-run commercial operations. Although one end of the spectrum is much better, it still isn’t where I would choose to source a puppy.
Why go to a breeder?
For the record, I am a HUGE fan of reputable rescues and shelters. I started my career in animal health at the local humane society. It was (and still is!) a well-run organization dedicated to helping animals in need, educating the general public, and adopting dogs and cats (and occasionally other critters) into new homes.
There are wonderful shelters and rescues across the country that could be excellent resources for your next pet. Whether you choose to shop at a shelter or through a rescue, or shop with a breeder, do so responsibly.
I personally choose to go to great breeders for my dogs because:
I am looking for healthy animals that will have a long life with me.
Am I saying that rescue dogs aren’t healthy? NO.
What I am saying is that my puppy from a breeder who is doing all the relevant health testing to help prevent issues and produce healthy puppies is giving me the best chance at a healthy pup, minimizing the risk for breed predispositions, and giving me a demonstrable reasonable expectation for a long-lived dog.
I am looking for a stable, sound temperament dog that will enjoy traveling with me, have no issues being around other dogs, comfortably manage crowds, and have an appropriate temperament to train and compete in a variety of sports and events.
Am I saying rescue dogs have inherently unstable temperaments? NO.
There are many wonderful dogs in rescue that will make wonderful pets. However, not knowing the temperament of their sire and dam (and many other relatives), not knowing how they were raised and whether they benefitted from early enrichment programs, and not knowing how they react to different situations and stresses makes it harder to know they will be the right fit for my lifestyle.
I am looking for dogs that conform to their standard who could grow into conformation prospects.
Am I saying that rescue dogs/out-of-standard dogs are less deserving of homes? NO.
All dogs deserve a loving home where they will be cherished. For my personal goals, I choose dogs with a future in the show ring.
What about cost?
Often the first question a prospective family asks a breeder is, “how much are your puppies?”. This apparent focus on cost can feel off-putting to a breeder who has poured their heart, soul, and a significant portion of their bank account into their puppies. However, it absolutely makes sense.
A Range Rover would fit my needs for space, rugged capabilities, and towing capacity. A Range Rover would not, however, fit my budget. It’s reasonable to know costs before getting too far into a conversation.
There is a perception that well-bred dogs are prohibitively (or unnecessarily) expensive. Although you can certainly spend more on a dog, many well-bred pups of many different breeds will fall around the $2,500 mark.
Comparing cost to cost – this is more than most rescues; although prices vary WILDLY, you can expect to pay $750 for a rescue dog. Let’s unpack the price of that purebred dog.
First, most great breeders are not making a ton of money from breeding. For many breeders, breeding is a passion. Breeders are invested in the breed and want to contribute positively, preserving breed standards, improving health, improving temperament, etc. It isn’t uncommon for a breeder to lose money on a litter (health costs can accumulate quickly, you may end up with fewer puppies than anticipated, etc.), and breeders are okay with that – they aren’t in it for the money.
Of course, breeders can also make money off a litter. No health concerns, more pups than anticipated, and they can come out a bit ahead. However, any “profit” will be invested right back into their dogs. More shows, more health testing, maybe a new acquisition as a potential future breeding dog, and of course, more toys and treats, haha.
The cost behind a litter will vary immensely in different breeds and situations. As a rough estimate, here is what one litter could cost:
Acquire dam: $2,500
Show dam to Championship: $1,000 (this could be WAY more or less depending on travel, show fees, etc.)
Show dam in performance sports to demonstrate great temperament: $1,000 to infinity!
Health test dam: $2,000 (again – this number can be all over the map depending on where you live and the cost of vet care, what tests your breed needs, etc.)
Progesterone test leading up to breeding: $750
Stud fee: $1,500
Appropriate nutrition throughout pregnancy: $250
Whelping supplies: $1000
Appropriate pre-natal deworming: $50
Puppy food: $250
Puppy vet checks + deworming + microchips: $1,000
Puppy first vaccines: $1,000
Puppy health tests (in my breed, we test hearing with BAER before pups go home) $1,000
Puppy toys: So much $.....
Cleaning supplies etc.: $250
So – pups are ready to go home, and we have invested an easy $13,550. Let’s say you have a nice litter size of 8. So 8 x $2500 = 20,000. Except you kept one, so $17,500.
In theory, you are ahead $3,950. But of course, that hasn’t accounted for time off work, so let's say lost wages of at least $1,500. So now you are down to a profit of $2,450.
Success! You can pay for the expenses of the pup you kept and buy some more kibble! Maybe enter another show!
Any profit can be easily wiped out by one unexpected vet visit. C-section? $3,000. Sick puppy? $2,000. The bills can add up quickly!
Okay, anyway, back to the cost of a well-bred pup – what does that cost get YOU as the owner?
Well, a fully health-tested pairing gives you the best chance of a healthy pup. Not everything can be tested for, and not every test will mean the pups aren’t at risk. But completing all the breed club-recommended health testing gives your pup a head start.
That time off work? The breeder was spending every minute with your future pup. Exposing them to new experiences, doing early neurological stimulation to help make them more resilient, giving them a head start with socialization and exposing them (safely) to a wide range of people, teaching them the beginnings of good puppy behaviour, and setting them up for success.
Your breeder was also getting to know each puppy SO well that they could place them in the absolute perfect home.
When you bring your new bundle of joy home, you’re bringing home a piece of that breeder’s legacy (and their heart). You’re bringing home a piece of the entire pedigree, so every lovingly, carefully planned litter behind your new furry best friend. You’re bringing home a puppy that was so deeply loved already that they have a great start in life.
Adopting from a well-run rescue or shelter can absolutely come with a cheaper price tag. And a rescue dog may be the absolute perfect fit for your family!
Be really honest about your needs/your household needs and decide what breed/type of dog is the right fit. Be honest about your goals and what you need in a new addition to be the right fit.
When my brother decided he wanted a dog, he had two young children. He was planning to go to his local shelter. We talked about what his household needed. He needed a dog with a stable temperament who could be a safe and wonderful companion for his kids (with appropriate supervision and training). He needed a healthy dog who could join his active family on hikes and adventures. He needed a dog who could get along with other dogs in his neighbourhood and at the schoolyard when he picked up and dropped off his kids. Ultimately, we decided a well-bred purebred would fit and found a fantastic breeder. His dog is the absolute perfect dog for him.
We all deserve to have our perfect dog.
What do dogs cost? Everything. All of it. And they’re worth so much more.
