Some people hear the puppy price and get scared - but what is included in the price?
Are we talking about costs or not? Here we are.
In a nutshell: a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy in my kennel costs 2'800.- chf.
I don't differentiate whether a puppy is correct, i.e. suitable for breeding, or not. Every puppy has the same value for me and is raised with the same love!
I am mainly referring here to visual faults such as ridge faults, too much white or other faults that do not affect the puppy.
If there are health defects, this will be discussed individually with the new owners.
It goes without saying that this list is correct for me. Other breeders handle it differently and have different expenses.
The purchase price of a puppy should never be the deciding factor! Over a dog's lifetime, the 2'800.- chf (or more/less, depending on the breeder) is a trifle!
How is the price made up?
For me, the costs for a puppy include three different areas: On the one hand, we are talking about one-off costs for the kennel (reserving breeding names, kennel inspection, etc.), costs for the individual bitch (e.g. breeding license) and then, of course, the costs incurred per litter (e.g. food, worming). For these areas I have thought about after how many litters would I like to have amortized?
Costs per kennel
Certain purchases usually only have to be made once per kennel. I have decided that I would like to have amortized these costs after four litters.
Purchases and costs per kennel:
- Reservation of breeding names: 370.- chf
- Logo creation: 300.- chf
- Litter box: 600.- chf
- Preliminary kennel check: 200.- chf
- Garden protection: 1'500.- chf
- Bedding/blankets: 200.- chf
Results in total costs of: 3'170.- chf
This means per litter: 800.- chf
Costs per dog
According to the breeding regulations of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Switzerland, a bitch may have a maximum of four litters in her lifetime. I have decided for myself that I will only have two or a maximum of three litters per bitch.
That's why I calculate the costs per bitch down to two litters.
Costs per bitch:
- Various genetic tests: 400.- chf
- X-ray for HD/ED/OCD/LTV: 800.- chf
- Breeding license: 250.- chf
- SHSB registration: 107.- chf
- Shows: 300.- chf *
Results in total costs of: 1857.- chf
This means per litter: 930.- chf
* According to the breeding regulations, a Rhodesian Ridgeback must have attended at least three shows (with a result of SG or better) in order to be eligible for breeding approval. Since I like to go to shows, I simply put three times 100.-chf in the calculation.
Cost per litter
The costs reflect the A-litter with eight healthy puppies. The costs vary according to the number of puppies and of course additional costs may arise if complications such as a caesarean section or similar occur.
Costs per litter:
- 3x progesterone test: 240.- chf
- 2x herpes vaccination: 240.- chf
- Stud fee (incl. hotel): 2500.- chf
- Vaccination & chipping of the puppies (200.-/puppy): 1'600.- chf
- Barf during pregnancy and litter: 2'400.- chf
- Worming of the puppies: 100.- chf
- First litter check: 150. - chf *
- Second litter check (150.-chf + 20.-/puppy): 310.- chf
- Farewell gifts for puppies (100.-/puppy): 100.- chf
- Barf advice for bitch: 500.- chf
- Barf advice for 1st year of puppies: 1'200.- chf
- Ultrasound: 150.- chf
- X-ray: 150.- chf
- Straw for puppy toilet: 250.- chf
- Small materials: 800.- chf **
Results in total costs of 10'690.- chf
* as a new breeder there is a first litter check in the first week of the puppies. This check is not required for subsequent litters.
** Estimated value. This includes various cleaning products, detergents, household paper etc
What else is added?
In addition to all the costs listed here, there are certainly a few things that are not included or are difficult to quantify.
I worked 50% from home for the first six weeks of the litter and was on vacation for the last three weeks. In other words, I took a total of six weeks' vacation and overtime for the litter.
Vacation that wasn't really vacation. But at least I was able to manage it without taking unpaid leave.
A small list of expenses that are not listed above:
- Electricity costs for the 5 or so washes a day
- Electricity costs for the tumble dryer (on rainy days - we were lucky with the A litter)
- Fruit/vegetables for the barf
- Supplements for the barf that I already had at home anyway
- Small purchases of sand for the sandpit, toys etc
Summary
- Breeding costs per litter: 800.- chf
- Costs bitch per litter: 930.- chf
- Costs per litter: 10'690.- chf
This results in a total per litter of 12'420.- chf
With five puppies of 2'800.- chf each, the litter would be covered.
Profit?
So this litter with eight healthy puppies and no complications resulted in a profit.
If the costs also included the hours worked, it would look completely different!
And I see the profit as a kind of “cross-subsidization” for later litters.
If you have a caesarean section, a sick puppy or a small litter, the figures above look completely different. It is also possible that there will be a minus in front of a litter afterwards!
If you breed on a small scale, as I do (one bitch with a maximum of 2-3 litters), then breeding should not be seen as a real income.
Do you have any questions or feedback on this list? Please send me an e-mail via the
contact form or directly to
katharina@kutoka-uswisi.ch
