The price of QUALITY purebred dogs is a bit high these days. Many people want to know why.
For the reputable breeders who care about the breed they are breeding and are working hard to provide quality dogs, both physically and mentally, that will be an asset to the breed, there is a lot that the breeder puts into their program before a single puppy is even born!!
The puppy costs themselves are minimal, unless a c-section was needed (add $600 to $1500 for that).
Even if you choose not to show, a good breeding program still must have the knowledge of correct canine structure and locomotion (movement), what correct "type" is for that breed, a thorough understanding of the breed standard for that breed, etc. However, I feel it is very hard to breed outstanding dogs of a certain breed without measuring your dogs against others -- it is simply too easy to become isolated and out of touch with what is important for that breed.
But " I Only Want Pet Quality "....
Pet quality puppies cost no less to raise than show quality puppies . The same veterinary care , feed and expenses are still involved .
Costs of a Good Breeding Program
Here are some of the things that go into creating and maintaining a breeding program of lovely dogs that are great representatives of their breed, are healthy and have good temperaments:
*Go to shows, meet breeders, show commitment to breed (join clubs, attend meetings, read books and articles)
COST: $200 to $500 per year plus many days and hours!
Purchase show quality dog to show (NOTE: the above step must be done first or it is very hard to acquire a show dog of any worth!!) COST: $1500 to $2500
*Maintain dog (food, vet bills, de-worming, etc.).
COST: about $500 per year per dog
*If you choose to Show your dog to obtain a Championship to prove its worthiness and value to the breed.
COST: on the conservative side, about $1800 (this is ridiculously conservative as only gas money, entry fees and grooming products were included and not lodging!)
*Assuming success thus far, purchase another show dog of opposite sex whose pedigree and physical characteristics (genotype and phenotype) will compliment your first one. If not successful, start over anyway!
COST: add up totals above once if first one worked out, twice if not.
When above has been repeated (and paid out) enough to have acquired and shown two lovely dogs, one male and one female, who compliment each other, you can now prepare to breed them by doing the necessary genetic screening tests for that breed. In Poodles that is hips,elbows,patellas, eyes for Entropion, VWD ( Von Willebrands) , Congenital Cardiac Screening, and Addisons. Permanent identification is required previous to the tests. So for Microchip, CERF, Patella and Cardiology screening and certification PER dog, COST: currently about $147.50 per dog if you save money at screening clinics.
IF ANY DOG DOESN'T PASS ALL THE TESTS, STOP, and START ALL OVER!!!
If your male and female pass the genetic screening to make sure no awful stuff will be passed to the puppies, perform a Brucellosis test on at least the female. COST: $60
If no one has scary diseases, you may breed them. Now we have Ultrasound and Xray exams for the hopefully pregnant female. COST: $120 to $300
IF YOU CANNOT GET FEMALE PREGNANT, STOP, and START ALL OVER with new female, male, or BOTH!!
If you are Blessed with a litter of 4 to 8 puppies (average for Paoodles), you will now need to feed them when they start eating mama's food, give them at least 3 sets of shots and de-worm them. You also may need dewclaws removed. COST: $50 or so as a low estimate PER puppy.
Nova Standard Poodle puppies also get micro-chipped, spayed or neutered, ( if going to pet homes)
COST: $275 PER PUPPY
IF A C-SECTION WAS NEEDED, add $600 to $1500 to litter cost.
Totals WITHOUT a C-section, a conservative estimate assuming only 2 dogs were purchased and turned out a litter of 4 puppies costs the breeder: $8,840.00 (with spay/neuter, microchip and Rabies).
THIS IS $2,210 PER PUPPY!!
To be quite honest, Nova Standard Poodles and most breeders have actually paid a lot more (most of us would much rather NOT look at the actual figures!). If you add in the cost of the travel, unexpected vet bills , required bills for housing, toys, kennels/crates , several dogs purchased did not turn out good enough quality to breed, etc.
And so now you know, Why the Prices Are So High.....