Breeding Your Dog: Does it Make Any Cents?

For anyone who may balk at the price of good pups nowadays, or who may think to himself, At those prices I should become a breeder! let me assure you that breeding does not make millionaires. There are a lot of bad reasons people breed their dogs, but there are only a few good ones. If you dont meet all three of the following conditions and you still want to breed your dog, take a long, hard look at the situation in our crowded shelters across the country before you decide to contribute to the problem.

Good reasons to breed your dog:

1. You have in your possession a five generation pedigree (at least) for your dog that contains numerous champions in conformation, obedience, and/or fieldwork. There is no evidence of in-breeding, and you have a stud in mind with a complimentary pedigree.

2. Your dog is in excellent condition and closely fits the AKC standards for the breed.

3. You possess an abundance of time, patience, and indeed, passion for dogs in general, and your breed in particular. Whats more, you are in a financial position to cover the expenses that invariably incur with breeding dogs (see below for details).

If youre a dog-lover looking for a way to make a few extra bucks, do yourself a favor and open up a kennel or a high-end poodle salon. Dont imagine that raising pups will bring in the bucks, for the reality is the very opposite. But in case youre still seeing dollar signs

This article should give you an idea of the cost involved in breeding a dog.

To begin with, there are the initial costs, like purchasing the mother. If you remember condition #1 (above), you know that youre going to need to be picky if you want to breed her. Plan on approximately $800. Youll then need to have a series of tests run to make sure she meets condition #2. These tests include hip X-rays to rule out hip dysplaia, eye tests to check for cataracts, and tests for thyroid disease, in addition to any other tests recommended for the breed. These tests will cost you at least $300. Of course, you dont have to do these tests, but it you dont, you have no way of guaranteeing the genetic health of your pups, which serious buyers will be expecting. Then, of course there are the dog supplies youll need for the first year before your gal is ready to breed (food, toys, vitaminsyoure going to want to keep her healthy), but you had already planned on those, right? Tack on another $1,000.

So now we get to the fees at the time of breeding. Expect at least $400 for the stud fee, although its more if you insist on a champion-quality stud. There may be travel and boarding expenses, but well give you a break and pretend that dream-guy lives down the block. Once your gal is pregnant shell need routine vet exams to check for infections that might affect the health of the pups. If anything goes wrong you may have to pay for ultrasounds or an emergency C-section. Oh yeah, pregnant dogs eat more, and need more vitaminsWere talking $500 or more, even for a healthy pregnancy.

Youll need some special equipment for the big day: whelping box, heat pads and lamps, thermometer, scissors, towels, baby scales, tweezers, hemostats, baby suction bulb, bottles and/or tubes for feeding (just in case mom gets an infection or cant feed her pups), milk replacement formula, and nail clippers. But you probably have most of this stuff lying around, right? So well be modest and say $100. Whew! The pups arrive and all is well. Now the money starts rolling in, right?

Wrong! Youve only just begun. To keep those pups in tip-top shape youll need puppy wormer (given at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks), diarrhea medication, wellness check-ups with the vet, vaccinations and eye certifications, extra puppy food and vitamins, and advertisement fees! Plan on $300 minimum for each pup, plus $100 to take them off your hands. Oh, and youll need time off work to care for mother and pups. But you had ample time, right (condition #3)?

Wow! All those expenses add up fast! For a litter of four youll be dishing out at least $4,400. Even if you sell your pups for $800 (thats average for a well-bred puppy), youre out $1,200. While some of these expenses are one-time, can you expect to make money down the road? After seven litters, you might. But then again, consider that annual maintenance of the mother will cost you $1,000, and you shouldnt breed her at intervals more frequent than two years. Maybe its understandable why 75% of breeders do not attempt to breed again. The verdict is inif youre thinking of breeding for the money, you should know right now, breeding definitely does not make cents!

Emma Snow an animal lover works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.

Seattle Home Office Furniture47282
Articles On Teeth Whitening Products9
Used Office Furniture Philadelphia267
Wedding Ring Quilt5474
Small Dog For Adoption61625
Corner Desk Furniture Home Office3029
Teeth Whitening Comparison Magazinejc
Free Wedding Speeches50205
Dsl Car Insurance41385
Airfare And Flights30437
Student Spain Airfare11700
Chairs Office Furniture19389
Adoption Russia31148
Teeth Whitening Pocket Folders80687
Bali Airfare78253
Diabetes Articles84070
Zoom Teeth Whitening In21347
Wilmington Airfare9179
Pet Adoption League93317
Philadelphia Airfare20027
Christian Wedding Invitation43278
Free Landscaping Design Programysaniq
Mobile Small Office Furniture51519
Caribbean Wedding81951
Landscaping Employment Wanted Ct78333
Car Insurance London3909
Marquise Wedding Rings88477
3d Home Architect Deluxe Download3549
Cheap Airfare Travel78807
Aa Car Insurance Uk93807