APPROXIMATE COSTS OF BREEDING A LITTER OF PUPPIES                    Before Breeding:    $160 - Health check, worming, and fresh shots for mom, plus Brucellosis test  $1000 - Stud service fee (depending on breeder) After Breeding:     $44 - Top quality food      $90 - Whelping pen   At Birth:    $55  - Vet check and cleanout shot  $120 - Tails and claws As Puppies Grow:  $130 - Miscellaneous (trash bags, extra heat, papers, paper towels heating pads)  $200 - Vet visit 6 weeks for 1st shots and worming (distemper measles and parvo )  $200 - Vet visit 8 weeks for 2nd shots and worming (DHPP)  $100 - Vet visit 10 weeks for 3rd shots (Parvo)  $200 - Vet visit 12 weeks for 4th shot (DHPPC)  $336 - Advertising for min 4 weeks (1 week per pup )    $45 - Puppy food    $90 - Exercise Pen    $32 – Toys  $200 - Breeders license and unaltered fee - City   $250 - County fee    $75 - Litter registration  $160 - Micro chip or Tattoo now required ID on AKC litter record $830.00 AVERAGE COST OF PUP WITHOUT PROBLEMS HIDDEN COSTS - PROBLEMS - SLOW TO SELL: You have to be present when your female is in labor and you lose one or two days of wages If you are going to sell your puppies check with your homeowners insurance to see if you are covered should a person be injured or bitten while looking at the puppies. Most homeowners will not pay the claim as you are conducting a commercial activity.  Add fee for additional commercial insurance to the puppy's selling price.  If your puppies don't sell in four ads you must continue advertising at $84 per week (cheap ads do not work and eat up valuable selling time). Puppies are going to need additional shots at about $50 each per set. What if they don't ever sell?  You must license the puppies at 4 months. If you have more than three dogs you are in violation of most city dog limit laws. Are you now going to turn them into the pound, give them away, put them to sleep, or keep them and hope you have understanding neighbors when you have extra dogs?    POSSIBLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS $600 - $1400 - C-Section $150 - $500 - Mastitis eclampsia,  pymetria. $5 a day and up - Supplement for puppies if mother dies or cannot nurse $1200 up – If all pups get Parvo The above does not include time off work to deliver pups, care for orphan or weak pups, cost of your time (about 4 hours a day, includes caring for, socializing , merchandizing) commercial insurance or genetic screening required in some breeds  (OFA CERF etcc).  These costs regard the first litter; additional litters will not need a new whelping box and exercise pen. This also represents top quality breeders with great concern for their puppies. And don’t forget – the IRS will want a part of your selling price. Bottom line, don’t breed unless you are totally committed to the care and well being of your dog and her puppies. You should have at least $4000 in the bank, AND have a backup plan if the puppies do not sell.