breeding / Price

Question
Hi I have two friends that are wanting to breed there Pugs they both have never don it before and was wondering how much they should charge or how does the pricing work .. do they charge before they breed or do they do it on how many puppies they have ... any suggestions would be great thanks Anissa

Answer

Hi Anissa,

Dog breeding is NOT a money making proposition, if it's done correctly. The main reason for breeding dogs should be for the betterment of the breed. That means knowing the breeding dogs genetic backgrounds. In dog breeding, it's best if you possess at the very least a five generation pedigree.

A female dog should not be bred before her second heat cycle. Young dogs don't make good mothers. She should also be current on her inoculations before being bred.

Health care and shots, pre-pregnancy health exam and testing for genetic disorders (for both potential parents. These various tests can reach as high as $300), extra food, facilities, advertising, etc. are all costly and must be paid BEFORE the pups are even born! An unexpected Cesarean or emergency intensive care for a sick puppy will make a break even litter become a big liability. And this is IF your friends can sell the pups.

The price of a Pug pup varies greatly based on geographic location. The quality of the Pug, whether it is pet quality or show quality also plays a role in their price. Having documentation that the parent dogs were screened for genetic diseases could also justify a higher price. If the puppies parents have championships from a dog show, would make a difference as well. To put this altogether, a show quality Pug pup in the New York metropolitan area can cost upwards of $1500 if it's from a well known and highly regarded breeder. While a pet quality Pug pup from a reputable breeder can cost $800 in the same area. In another state, the range can drop dramatically, depending on the availability, popularity and quality of breeder involved. Across much of the USA, the price of a Pug pup can range anywhere from $250-$2,000 depending on the three major factors listed at the top of this answer.

The only way to know how many puppies a female dog is carrying, is to have her x-rayed around 45 days into the pregnancy (another out of pocket expense). The average Pug litter is 3 pups, and it's not uncommon that they need to be delivered by Cesarean.

Your friends should read up on dog breeding before they breed their dogs. The fact of the matter is, a female dog is healthiest if she's spayed before the onset of her first heat cycle.

You friends can read more, here:

http://www.alldogsgym.com/content/view/478/1/

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1535259/costs_associated_with_breeding_...

Best of luck,
Patti