Breeding Costs
Updated: 2019
Cost of Producing a Litter of Mastiff Puppies
- Show dog at AKC events to ascertain quality (avg. championship costs thousands of dollars to achieve.)
- Health testing (NOT the same as a vet check. OFA hips, elbows, patellas, cardiac, thyroid, type 3 cystinuria DNA and Urine for dogs, PRA, DM, CMR etc for dam (and stud if also owned by breeder): Around $1500
- 4-7 Progesterone tests to pinpoint accuracy of timing to breed: $100-$200 each
- Brucellous test and health check for bitch: $200
- Non-refundable stud fee deposit to stud owner: $250-$500
- Semen collection and shipping: $400-$600
- Surgical implant: $1500 or Two Trans cervical inseminations: $700-$1000
- Time off work and gas money for all of the above vet visits: $$$$$
- Ultrasound to see if breeding took: $150+
No puppies yet, the above are preliminary out of pocket costs whether the breeding took or not. This doesn't include the two (or more) times the previous breedings didn't take, which was a huge out of pocket loss each time.
- Accumulate needed birthing supplies (clamps, heat lamp, heat mat, siphon bulb, replacement milk, etc.) assuming already have some things from previous litters: $250+ (if first litter: $750-$1000)
- Whelping box: $250-$1000
- Begin feeding special food in anticipation of pregnancy: $100
- Prenatal vitamins for bitch: $50
- X-ray to confirm pregnancy and get puppy count: $200
- Miss work to deliver puppies (sick time or lost wages): $$$$$
- Birth Expenses - C-section: $1500 or C-section w/complications (emergency c-section because you wanted to save money and let your bitch whelp naturally): $5000-$7000
- Emergency vet visit (weekend, after hours or fading puppy vet visit): $500-$2500
If the Puppies Make It
- AKC litter registration $25 + $2 per puppy, For AI or frozen litters $30 +$2 a puppy
- More special food for nursing mom and puppies (once weaned): $300+
- Nursing mom refuses eat, demands steak and cottage cheese instead: $300+
- Vet emergency that always happens (mastitis in mom, another fading puppy, etc): $500-$2500
- First shots and wormer: $100 per puppy
- Microchips: $40/puppy
- New and replacement puppy toys, towels, baby gates, other misc. necessities: $150+
- Home Destruction (replace chewed woodwork, cords, repair furniture and rugs etc.) Grrr! $$$$$$
- Balance of stud fee due: $1500-$3000
- Time off work to care for pups around the clock the first few weeks: $$$$$
- Lost sleep: priceless
- Socializing toys, items, cd, trips: $150+
- Puppy "going home" info packets: (copying, food samples, etc.) $200