Cryslen
Welsh Springer Spaniels

The Cost of Raising a Responsibly Bred Litter of Puppies

Below is a summary of the costs associated with raising a litter of puppies responsibly.

Pre-Puppy Expenses
Expense Description Minimum Maximum Average
Show dog at AKC events to ascertain quality (avg. cost to attain championship) $3,000.00 $8,000.00 $5,500.00
Travel to meet and compare various stud dogs (if not own stud) $0.00 $1,000.00 $500.00
OFA and CERF certifications of health for Mom $382.00 $480.00 $431.00
2-4 Progesterone tests to pinpoint accuracy of timing @75/every 2 days $276.00 $512.00 $394.00
Brucellous test & health check for bitch $80.00 $175.00 $127.50
Stud Fee to Stud Owner $1,000.00 $1,500.00 $1,250.00
Lost wages (time off work to travel to stud dog or vet for breeding) $400.00 $1,200.00 $800.00
Travel to Stud dog (gas, tolls, meals) (local vs. out of state $500.00 $0.00 $250.00
4 nights at mid-priced dog-friendly lodging @$80/night (not counting hours on phone finding it) + pet deposit $0.00 $400.00 $200.00
OR Airline fare and boarding to fly bitch to dog $0.00 $400.00 $200.00
Semen Collection of Stud (if needed) $0.00 $500.00 $250.00
Implantation (surgery) or 2 Transcervical insemination of collected sperm into bitch $0.00 $1,000.00 $500.00
Ultrasound to check on status of breeding – did it take? $0.00 $150.00 $75.00
Pre-puppy Total: NO PUPPIES YET, just preliminaries (double if breeding doesn’t take) $5,638.00 $15,317.00 $10,477.50
Puppy Expenses
Accumulate needed birthing supplies (clamps, heat lamp, heat mat, siphon bulb, replacement milk, etc.) assuming already have some things from previous litters $50.00 $250.00 $150.00
Update website & get puppycam ready (hosting) $50.00 $200.00 $125.00
Extra food in anticipation of pregnancy $100.00 $200.00 $150.00
Prenatal vitamins for bitch $0.00 $50.00 $25.00
X-ray to confirm pregnancy $0.00 $150.00 $75.00
Miss work to deliver puppies (sick time or lost wages) $400.00 $1,200.00 $800.00
Birth Expenses – Natural (have oxytocin, other drugs on hand for complications) $0.00 $200.00 $100.00
Birth Expenses – C-section/Complications $0.00 $3,000.00 $1,500.00
Emergency visit cost (weekend, after hours or fading puppy vet visit) $0.00 $200.00 $100.00
AKC litter registration $25 + $2 per puppy $41.00 $45.00 $43.00
More premium food for nursing mom & puppies (once weaned) $300.00 $300.00 $300.00
Nursing Mom refuses eat premium food, demands steak and cottage cheese instead $0.00 $100.00 $50.00
Vet Emergency that always happens (stepped on puppy, Mastitis in mom) $0.00 $500.00 $250.00
Start puppies on solid food (hamburger, cottage cheese, premium Puppy food varies by breeder) $200.00 $500.00 $350.00
Worm puppies 3 times (assuming 4-10 puppies) – stool sample $35 each & meds $140.00 $350.00 $245.00
First Parvo/Distemper shots for 4-12 puppies (1 shots each) & Vet checkup $400.00 $400.00 $400.00
New & replacement puppy toys, towels, baby gates, other misc. necessities $50.00 $100.00 $75.00
Home Destruction (replace chewed woodwork, cords, repair furniture & rugs etc.) $0.00 $300.00 $150.00
24/7 job of supervising new mom, making sure puppies are safe & fed, laundress, playmate and poop picker upper $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Assemble puppy “going home” packets (copying, food samples, collar, toys, poop bags, etc.) $75.00 $250.00 $162.50
Photos/developing, communication w/puppy buyers (digital/film – email/cell phone minutes) $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
Added utility bills and laundry costs for washing puppy blankets and heating for puppies when they are first born. $200.00 $200.00 $200.00
Eventual Sleep and a Healthy Mom & Puppies – Puppy breath and cuddles PRICELESS PRICELESS PRICELESS
Total Cost of Whelping/Raising Litter $2,106.00 $8,595.00 $5,350.50
TOTAL COST TO BREED A LITTER OF  RESPONSIBLY-BRED PUPPIES $7,744.00 $23,912.00 $15,828.00

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