As a first-time puppy owner, you may be surprised by the answer to the question: what is the cost of a puppy?
Understanding why one dog breeder charges more than another for the same breed of puppies can be particularly difficult.
Determining an average puppy price can be perplexing due to the obscure expenses involved in the process.
Discover in this piece how breeders determine the price of a puppy and explore the factors that could potentially cause the price to fluctuate.
How much does a puppy cost to buy?
As you begin your search for a new puppy, you’ll quickly discover that there are high-priced, affordable, and moderately priced options available.
You’ll soon realize that the price of a puppy varies significantly depending on the location of acquisition.
Usually, the cost of a puppy is greater when acquired from a dog breeder compared to obtaining one from the nearby rescue shelter.
Shelter puppy adoption price
An adult shelter dog usually costs approximately $100 to adopt.
The cost of a puppy, particularly one that is purebred, can range from $200 to $500.
You are aware that the fees you pay have a benevolent purpose, and moreover, there is no need to engage in stressful negotiations.
All required vaccinations are usually covered along with spay/neuter and the process of microchipping.
In case of any health or other problems at home, the puppy can be brought back anytime.
Included with your new puppy may be a starter kit containing necessities such as a leash, collar, identification tag, as well as samples of food and treats.
Frequently, the shelter arranges free or affordable dog training sessions that adoptive parents may join to ensure a contented and long-lasting relationship with their newly sheltered pup.
Breeder-born puppy price
The cost scenario undergoes a complete change when you initiate research for buying a puppy that is bred by a breeder.
If you want to work with a breeder who has show or championship credits to their breed line name, this is particularly valid.
For a single puppy, the cost can range from $400 to over $2,000, depending on the breed.
Furthermore, the usual price range does not include the acquisition of a show-caliber puppy with the privilege to breed.
The given price range is for acquiring a pet-grade puppy, and it includes the expenses for neutering/spaying the puppy.
Anticipate the cost of acquiring a puppy from a breeder, specifically for the purpose of breeding or showcasing, to increase by at least 100%.
An article published recently that discussed the expenses required to obtain a puppy from parent dogs that have won a Westminster championship mentioned that the cost of such a pup can range from $8,000 to over $25,000.
What could be the reason behind such an exorbitant price?
There are various reasons that can be the truth.
There could be more reasons if the breeder has a higher reputation and places a greater emphasis on health.
Why are puppies so expensive?
To comprehend the expenses associated with purchasing a puppy and why the cost appears to be steep, it ultimately comes down to empathizing with the breeder’s perspective.
Even if you are just a hobbyist, being a dog breeder means you must operate a business focused on dog breeding.
Assuming you prioritize the health of your parent dogs and puppies over profits, meaning you operate ethically without engaging in puppy mill activities, let’s proceed.
Considering all these factors, it is essential to examine some fundamental expenses that you must bear to operate your business efficiently.
Our definition of breeding encompasses producing puppies that are healthy and finding long-term suitable homes for them.
Parent dog health testing and pre-screening
The cost of pre-screening and health testing parent dogs can vary greatly depending on their breed.
Additional pre-screening for expensive and complicated genetic health conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, exercise-induced collapse, and PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) is necessary for certain dog breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, to ensure good health and prevent conditions that may lead to blindness.
Labrador health tests can range from $250 to $750 or more for every separate examination.
When testing both parent dogs, the cost per test is doubled and then multiplied by the number of necessary health tests. As a result, it becomes evident that the breeding process may cost anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars.
Stud services (for getting pregnant)
Respected breeders have the option to breed their own parent dogs, however, to ensure genetic variety, they may opt to obtain stud services from external sources.
The costs for stud services may include:
- travel and transportation
- boarding
- repeat visits until a mating produces pregnancy
- veterinarian testing to confirm and then monitor that pregnancy
The cost of stud service varies depending on the kennel and show lineage of the stud dog, ranging from $500 to over $2,000.
Pregnancy veterinary costs
After the conception of a female dog, the exciting phase commences.
Throughout the progression of the pregnancy, various health concerns should be monitored.
During pregnancy, one may need to consume nutrient-rich food and supplements specifically for fetal growth and development, along with regular ultrasound examinations and support during delivery.
Certain dog breeds, like the Pug, are unable to deliver offspring without assistance from a C-section procedure.
The expenses for childbirth can vary between $2,000 (for a straightforward delivery) to over $7,000 (in case of pregnancy or childbirth complications).
Puppy de-worming and vaccination costs
The vaccinations that a puppy is required to have may differ depending on its place of birth, as various states and countries enforce their own guidelines.
The cost of mandatory vaccinations for each puppy can range from $100 to $500 or more, which breeders may incur.
The cost of de-worming is relatively affordable, with an average range of $25 to $50 per puppy.
Show club (AKC, UKC or other) registration fees
Each new litter of puppies bred by an affiliated breeder of the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, or any other show organization will incur registration fees.
These fees average $25+ per litter, plus an extra administration fee per puppy registered.
Parent dog and puppy food, treats, supplies
Special food, vitamins, and supplements will be required for both the mother dog and her puppies during and after pregnancy.
The supplies required for this would cost the breeder around $100 to $200.
Microchip and I.D. tag, new puppy collar and leash costs
Before the new puppies can be taken to their permanent homes, it is necessary to equip them with microchips, identification tags, and sets of puppy collars and leashes.
The cost per puppy ranges from $50 to $100.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
There exist primarily two types of dog training: skills training, which involves teaching basic manners like sitting, lying down and staying, and is conducted by dog trainers; or addressing behavior issues such as anxiety, aggressiveness, or fearfulness, which requires the service of a dog behavioral consultant, such as Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
If you require both behavior training and skills training for your dog, begin with the more complex one, which is behavior training. While a dog trainer may be capable of teaching your dog to sit, a dog behavior consultant is better equipped to assist with issues such as separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
Fratt suggests that just as not every human enjoys going to raves, not every dog may enjoy going to the dog park.
Kim Brophey, the proprietor of The Dog Door Behavior Center, is an applied ethologist and family dog mediator who has authored “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey employs the L.E.G.S framework (learning, environment, genetics, self) to examine canine conduct, such as what might induce a dog to bark at visitors.
Brophey suggests that particular dog breed may have been bred for centuries to protect against intruders entering your home. As the innate desire of a German shepherd to defend its territory cannot be eliminated, it may be necessary to adjust your expectations.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several choices available for training methods, including group classes, one-on-one training, board and train, day training, and self-led training, which are the most popular. Group classes tend to be less expensive but less individualized. Fratt warns that board and train facilities are more costly and come with higher risks.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Your decision will be based on your budget and desired training outcomes. In case your dog shows aggression towards another dog at home, it might not be effectively addressed through training conducted outside your home.
Keep in mind that you will need to participate in your dog’s training, but it does not need to consume a significant portion of your time. Fratt suggests that she dedicates approximately five minutes each day to training. Often, the assignments given by trainers can be enjoyable and seamlessly incorporated into your daily routine.
Our experts advise looking for free or inexpensive online resources for dog training if you wish to avoid spending a significant amount of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has put together a selection of no-cost resources, while Fratt offers a set of complimentary instructional sessions called Training Tuesday Free Lessons.
Understand the methodologies.
There are no regulations for dog training, allowing anyone with a website, Instagram page, or storefront to declare themselves as a dog trainer. Consequently, there are no fixed guidelines for the techniques to use when training a dog, resulting in disagreement among trainers. Generally, however, trainers can be divided into two categories.
One type of trainer, like Fratt, utilizes positive reinforcement as a method. Positive reinforcement entails rewarding a dog with something favorable, such as a treat, after demonstrating good behavior, causing them to repeat it. Another approach is to give a dog something good, thus enabling them to associate a formerly scary thing with a positive occurrence.
Balanced trainers, such as Brianna Dick, employ positive reinforcement techniques while also being open to integrating corrective measures such as e-collars into their training.
Dick explains that E-collar training involves a collar that your dog wears, which you control via remote. The collar emits a stimulus, such as a sound, shock, or citronella spray, to correct your dog’s behavior. E-collars, especially those that emit a shock, are a controversial topic in the dog training community.
According to Dick, trainers who rely on e-collars for every dog should be approached with caution. Such an approach is too generic and unlikely to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Instead, it’s better to seek a trainer who invests time in understanding your specific circumstances, including your relationship with your pet and your lifestyle.
Find a good trainer.
A good starting point for locating positive reinforcement or balanced trainers in your locality would be to refer to lists created by professional associations. Various professional associations offer such lists that you can choose from.
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Afterwards, conduct interviews! Reach out to past customers. Determine which trainer gives you a sense of ease. Verify their ability to articulate their training techniques.
