Why are your puppies so expensive?

In all reality I get many applications, emails, texts, calls with asking what my price is only to be told it’s too much. While I understand to some the investment of a “dog” comes with bargain. It’s fair to say too, we’re all not wealthy. After all, spending money unnecessarily is wasteful, right? Wrong.

In truth, the price of a healthy, well-bred puppy is minor when compared to the ongoing expenses of raising, caring for, and providing veterinary treatment for a poorly bred dog that may be prone to health issues. I learned this the hard way. At 16, I thought I scored a “bargain” when I got my lab mix for $400. I loved him despite his quirks, but I felt a pang of guilt when he was frequently diagnosed with new health issues every few months. He exhibited fear aggression during his first three years, which I didn't understand at the time. This was just the beginning; he was diagnosed with severe, uncontrollable epilepsy at three years old, leading to several emergency visits due to grand mal seizures. By age five, he was suffering from heart disease, coughing from fluid on his heart, severe pancreatitis, an eye disorder, and anxiety—requiring over 20 medications daily, multiple ICU visits, and daily pain management shots. In the end, he battled diabetic ketoacidosis due to all these complications, leading to countless vet visits every month and ultimately.. his death at 6 years old.

While it’s true that all dogs may face some health issues, such as occasional ear infections or arthritis with age, I got into breeding to save others from similar heartbreak. I've put my heart and soul into this endeavor to improve the chances of raising healthy dogs. For responsible breeders who genuinely care about their breed, there’s a significant commitment before a puppy is even conceived.

The costs associated with breeding go far beyond the sale price of a puppy. If a puppy stays with me for eight weeks at a price of $2,400, that involves around-the-clock care, with little sleep for me as I manage laundry, assist the mother and her puppies, and attend to various tasks for the babies and momma. That’s $42.00 a day and $1.75 an hour. This doesn’t include all the costs associated with puppy raising and breeding, and vitamins. The question that I often ask is, would you work 24/7 full time for weeks on end with a ton of sleepless nights for $1.75 an hour per puppy? No! We do this with our blood, sweat, and tears. Not for a profit. A dedicated breeder is conscientious about every detail—from how the puppies are raised to ensuring they find the right families.

The daily responsibilities are numerous and hard to quantify some days with no sleep. They include cleaning pens, weighing puppies, administering daily supplements, providing exposure to various environments and experiences, and maintaining play areas. Additionally, each puppy receives veterinary care: check-ups, deworming (costing over $40 per bottle for medication), vaccinations (around $30 each), hip X-rays for parent dogs ($500 to $1,000), DNA testing ($200), and more. On top of that, our dog food expenses exceed $5,000 a year, and we have our extra fees for our on house call vet that comes to our home.

Once our puppies are settled into their new homes, we remain available to address any questions or concerns from their new owners. Our priority is ensuring that our puppies are always safe, happy, and cherished - this is for lifetime support! I do not just take your money and live you hanging. I still talk to owners from 5+ years ago every week! We also emphasize to all our buyers that if they ever find themselves unable to care for their dog, we will help aide them in finding a new home. We make it clear from the start that we want to prevent our dogs from ending up in shelters. We are committed to helping owners find suitable new homes for their pets if needed.

Understanding these factors sheds light on why responsible breeders' puppies may seem expensive. It’s not just about the puppy's price—it reflects the commitment and care dedicated to producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs that can become cherished members of your family.

As you can see, responsible breeding involves much more than simply pairing two dogs and reaping profits—many breeders find it super hard to even make back what we spent on the litter. The upmost passion for what we do comes from our deep love for our dogs, and we want others to share in the joy of our dogs into their offspring.