What actually goes into the cost of a puppy from a reputable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder?

A financial breakdown of what goes into each puppy that comes out of a reputable King Charles Cavalier Spaniel breeding program.

Once you choose to get a dog from a good breeder, it’s helpful to arm yourself with facts so you understand the cost of raising a litter of responsibly bred puppies.

The price varies from pedigree to pedigree, but paying more money for a puppy that comes from a thorough and ethical breeding program can help save costs down the line.

Additionally, it’s important to support reputable breeders in order to weed out puppy mills, scams, and irresponsible programs. Not only will you ensure the health and safety of your own puppy, but you’ll also be supporting an ethical program that truly cares about the well-being of their dogs.

Expenses can add up quickly for a reputable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder. The average cost of a responsibly bred litter can fluctuate, but being a responsible breeder takes a great deal of money, energy, and time. Many breeders begin by traveling to AKC events where the quality of their dogs is ascertained; this process can cost thousands of dollars.

Following that, stud services can cost a lot of money. This can also involve travel, overnight stay in hotels, gas, meals, driving, flying, or semen collection. Collectively, this entire process can add up. Factor in that many breeders are taking time off of work to travel to a stud or take their bitch to the vet.

A great deal of maintenance is required to make sure the mother of the puppies is comfortable and in good health. OFA certifications for health can cost around $650 for each prospective dam that will produce puppies. Getting several progesterone tests done is essential as well so the breeder can pinpoint the accuracy of their timing for conception.

Regular health checks are required for the bitch as well, in addition to a Brucellosis test. Brucellosis is a disease that can affect all kinds of dogs and livestock — it can even be transferred from dogs to humans. Signs of the disease are late-term abortion, stillbirths, and conception failures. It cannot be overstated how important it is to test both dogs, male and female, for this disease before beginning to breed them.

In anticipation for the puppies’ arrival, a breeder will have to accumulate all the necessary supplies — including things like a heat mat, siphon bulb, clamps, heat milk, and a whelping box.

Throughout the pregnancy, breeders invest in extra food, prenatal vitamins, and x-rays to confirm the pregnancy

Once the puppies arrive, AKC litter registrations have to be purchased. Premium food for the nursing mom and weaned puppies who are starting on solid food. Essential vet visits for the puppies can add up quickly as well — worming puppie when you factor in stool samples and medication. Shots for Parvo, distemper, and a regular vet visit will land around $400 depending on how many puppies are in the litter.

Other costs include emergency vet visits, missing work to deliver the puppies, replacing puppy toys and towels, home destruction, utility costs for added laundry and heating, communication with new buyers, and the 24/7 job of looking after a dam and her puppies — all of this can accumulate to nearly $1,600.

Ultimately, the total cost of responsibly breeding a litter of puppies can range anywhere from $9,700 to $28,900. Although it’s an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, the energy and thoughtfulness reputable breeders put into their puppies is the foundation of what will be a better world for dogs.

At the end of the day, investing a little more money into your puppy now could save you both in the future — and you’ll be supporting a breeder that pours a great deal of money, energy, time, and love into each puppy that comes out of their program.

https://www.gooddog.com/learning-center/cost-of-a-puppy-from-a-reputable-breeder