You are in the right place if you are an animal lover and curious about some interesting animal facts. We are talking about puppies and their expense. There are 339 recognized dog breeds worldwide. Some have rare and beautiful characteristics. Other dogs do not possess. To acquire such puppies, you will have to spend a lot. The main reasons behind the expense of puppies are living cost, show, treatment cost, and direct cost. Let’s learn in detail.
Why are puppies so expensive? (4 Facts)
Many of you have asked us why puppies cost so much, especially in America and UK. In other words, so expensive. A puppy dog with a pedigree from a good kennel. In some extreme cases, the question was: How can you ask for more than $1,000 for a puppy? What is the reason for this? So let’s take a look at this topic and take a look at what is the economics of dog breeding nowadays.
Before we get to the point, we want to say two things. First, we know that dog shelters are full of dogs waiting to be rescued and welcomed. Secondly, the old debate about whether it is worth buying a purebred dog or choosing mixes is also not the film’s subject.
As a starting point, we should accept that many prospective dog owners who are thinking about buying a dog do set the goal of purchasing a purebred dog from kennels. They have exhibition results, provide health guarantees, and keep parents and puppies in the right conditions.
Living cost
If we are talking about Europe and the background of puppies’ prices, we need to mention two main areas with a significant role in pricing. Almost all puppy buyers ignore or overlook the tremendous costs of the given kennel and the breeding dogs. For example, we take a breeding stock of 8 to 10 dogs as a basis, and the cost of proper and responsible keeping of so many dogs can reach 50 to 100000 annually. Where do these costs come from?
First, the dog’s living conditions in a quality kennel should be perfect. Fortunately, we do not live in the age where dogs were kept in wood logs, holes in the ground, or other clumsy places. In the case of properly designed kennels, there are serious infrastructural and overhead costs, which the breeder pays. Then dogs have to eat, and whether we talk about kibbles or raw feeding doesn’t matter what they eat. Depending on the size, feeding a breeding animal costs thousands of dollars per month per dog.
Puppies show
Dog show results are increasingly expected on the part of the customers, which significantly influences the perception of the kennel. Whatever we think of the importance of shows, most breeders calculate the costs of the shows.
Going to shows is not a cheap activity, including travel and accommodation costs and the maintenance costs of a transport vehicle of sufficient size. In addition, there are entry fees in Europe that typically range from 150 to €200 per dog regarding kennel costs.
Treatment cost
Don’t forget about health care costs, vaccinations, and genetic screenings that are already available and, in some cases, compulsory for many breeds. Nowadays, the price of a complete screening is quite close to 1000 or more. An example of health costs is the cost of our own clinical torso sports injury, which was a knee ligament correction.
The surgery and treatment costs were close to the puppy’s price, €1,000. Such injuries occur in all kennels when other items such as dog grooming, nutritional supplements, the training of working dogs, or the costs of show handlers are not even listed.
Breeding and Genetic Quality
Responsible breeders invest significant time, effort, and resources into breeding healthy, well-tempered puppies. They may conduct health tests, provide proper veterinary care, and ensure their breeding dogs meet breed standards. These factors contribute to the cost of producing a litter of puppies.
For example, Bulldogs are brachycephalic, meaning they have a short snout and a flat face. This characteristic leads to several health issues and complications during breeding and delivery. So they require artificial insemination and cesarean sections for safe delivery, increasing breeding costs.
Care and Socialization
Puppies require proper care, including vaccinations, deworming, and regular veterinary check-ups. They must also be socialized and exposed to different environments, people, and experiences. These early experiences play a crucial role in their development and temperament. Responsible breeders try to provide a nurturing environment for the puppies, which adds to the cost.
For example, Corgi puppies require proper care, including vaccinations, deworming, veterinary check-ups, and early socialization. Responsible breeders invest time, effort, and resources into providing a nurturing environment for their Corgi puppies, contributing to the cost.
Demand and Rarity
Some breeds or specific bloodlines may be in high demand, which can drive up the price. Additionally, scarcity can increase the cost of a breed or lineage that is relatively rare. For example, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a famous and beloved breed, which leads to a higher demand for puppies.
Health Guarantees
Reputable breeders often provide health guarantees for the puppies they sell. These guarantees may include a refund or assistance with veterinary bills if the puppy develops specific genetic health issues. This added protection contributes to the overall cost of the puppies.
Marketing and Branding
Petland invests in marketing and branding to establish its reputation and attract customers. These costs are also considered when determining the prices of their puppies. Puppies from popular breeds or those with specific traits may have higher prices. It’s not uncommon for some puppies at Petland to be priced at over $1,000 or even higher.
Direct cost
The direct costs are associated with the birth and the first eight weeks of the puppies. When a litter is born, the prices begin to accumulate. Puppies must be registered and chipped, and then the vaccination program should be done. Each item has a different cost, which is an increasing price factor in the price of puppies. By the age of eight weeks, puppies undergo a series of vaccinations.
In addition to suckling, puppies will also need dietary supplements, the price of which is also not kept low by pet food manufacturers. Another serious hidden cost item that future dog owners usually don’t even think of is that a puppy litter should be carefully supervised. It is in time, and energy means almost a full-time job. Many conscientious breeders go to these periods on unpaid leave, a cost since it entails a loss of income.
Last words
We are aware that a lot of other cost types have been left. Maybe that was enough to give you a picture of what makes up the price of a quality, healthy, well-handled product. Puppy dog breeders are not sacred persons. We should not feel sorry for them. But the good quality comes at a price, and most costs are reimbursed into puppy prices.
The Lion blood Tibetan mastiff, also known as the golden-haired Tibetan mastiff, is the most expensive dog breed in the world. It is a large dog belonging to the mastiff dog family. Their life expectancy is 12 to 15 years. Lion-blood Tibetan mastiffs are strong, intelligent, and protective. The Tibetan lion blood mastiff is part lion, making them the most expensive breed of dog, sold at $2 million in China.
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