Does AKC Dog Breeding Still Do Well In This Economy?
69AKC Bull Terrier Puppies
Is AKC Canine-Breeding for You? Issues You Have to Know
With the economy in a major slump all over the planet, persons are on the lookout for methods to make some extra cash from home. And whereas purebred canines are nonetheless being shown in exhibits all over the world, there has been more of a dividing issue as to who is able to purchase puppies to breed for extra revenue: the most affluent are continuing to purchase purebred puppies to breed or not, while the lower wage earners are merely unable to afford costly puppies.
Amber Mendoza of Buckeye Bullies in Goodyear, Arizona, states, “Individuals who purchase purebred dogs and can afford them simply like the appearance of them greater than something else. They don’t necessarily want to breed them but enjoy them. In a way, a purebred dog could be a status symbol comparable to when comparing a Mercedes to a Volkswagen. On top of that, they know if they do decide to breed or stud their dog, there's a cash-making opportunity.”
“Nevertheless,” cautions Amber, “if people think they’re going to make money instantly, they’re not. It takes not solely the money however time. When the pups are born, they’re just like human infants. In our case, with this being Enna’s first litter, we needed to separate the pups and then give them to her every two hours to nurse…and that’s around the clock, just like with any newborns----and that goes on for 2 weeks---identical to with a human baby, except there are more of them.”
In addition, Amber added, “In case you begin with a puppy, you have to anticipate 3 heat cycles or approximately 2 years before breeding her. If it’s too soon, it’s like getting a 14-yr old pregnant; their bodies simply don’t have the development for motherhood yet. Then again, if a canine is just too old, it will be like impregnating a 60-year lady and that wouldn’t work properly, either. So you’re limited to the most effective breeding times of their finest cycles---which implies no more than 3-four litters.”
Due to this fact, whereas puppies can sell from $1200 and up each, there are limits to the sum of money you can make with one female.
Getting Started
Amber and her husband, Patrick, truly didn't set out to begin a breeding business. They merely wished for a purebred dog, love Bull Terriers, and purchased an AKC female Bull Terrier puppy, Princess Enna (named by their daughter) and thought, “Well, why not breed her?”
While many people have owned dogs that have had puppies, purebred dog-breeding is a completely different ballgame.
Says Amber, “I really did my homework before jumping into this as a result of it’s not a cheap enterprise. Patrick and I needed to be sure we have been doing it proper the first time around. We’ve spent upwards around $4,000 with breeding Enna and every thing that goes along with caring for her pups.”
This money was spent in bits and pieces, not like many other types of businesses that require tools and other materials from the start.
What Expenses Can You Anticipate?
To date, Patrick and Amber’s expenses have included:
Smear Check: Much like a pap smear, the female is tested to see if her hormone ranges are right for pregnancy to “take.”
Stud Charge: First you must find a purebred male, which might take some doing. Stud fees normally vary from $500-up. Some stud owners say, “Well, if it doesn’t take, we won’t offer you your cash back.” In Patrick and Amber’s case, the stud proprietor mentioned, “If it doesn’t work the first time, we’ll attempt again for free.”
Vet Visits: These visits embody pictures, the expense of x-rays to determine how many puppies there are, and if there are any problems, or if a c-section may be necessary. In addition, a brand new expectant mom may need medication throughout her total pregnancy to keep at bay high blood pressure or every other medical condition that would threaten her or her pups.
Whelping Bed: Patrick and Amber made their own whelping bed for round $200.
Med Basket: When the puppies are being born, these items are a must to have in your medical equipment kit:
1. Rubber gloves
2. Forceps
3. Dental Floss
4. Sharp small scissors
5. Suction bulb (like you use with infants)
6. Betadine antiseptic
7. Liquid Bandage or Fast-Stop powder
Add to this: if mother gets sick or is unable to nurse, guess what? You get to bottle feed how ever many pups with puppy formula.
Advertising the Sale of the Pups
Once the puppies are nearly ready for adoption, tack on promoting time and costs to get the word out that you've got them and (hold your fingers crossed) you get buyers.
Presently, Patrick and Amber have one puppy they have put up for a raffle drawing: they've eighty tickets at $20 apiece and hope to get close to the pet’s precise sale price.
This concept is appealing to those that may not be able to afford a purebred Bull Terrier and have an opportunity of getting one for $20.
New puppy owners will expect AKC papers to go together with a puppy and there's some paperwork to do along with an interview to make sure a potential owner will adequately care for the puppy.
Patrick and Amber needed to register each puppy beneath Enna’s AKC number, list the father’s AKC number, and other details. In turn, the owner of the stud evaluates the information and approves it. The AKC then sends a “puppy packet” in response to the number of puppies, every doc containing the puppy’s AKC registration number.
Packets begin at $40 for the basic “puppy papers.” You can also request extra pamphlets you may give to new puppy owners as well as the “genealogy/bloodline” of the parents for an additional cost.
Was This a Good Business Alternative for Patrick and Amber?
“Oh, sure,” replied Amber.
“You do risk spending some huge cash for making a little bit of a reimbursement; however, we’re going to do it again with Enna a couple/few extra times. It’s rewarding in a whole lot of ways. Just be sure you go into this with your eyes wide open and have done your homework.”
Now, If starting an AKC dog breeding business isn't for you; don't despair.
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Whitney, you've made some excellent points.
Amber also did state that Enna wasn't of show quality but they wanted to keep her bloodline "pure" because many people love the "purity of the attributes such as with guarding the home, great with children, and so forth."
My point with this story hopefully points potential AKC puppy buyers away from "puppy mills" and they know to head over to private, responsible breeders who won't abuse the mother by breeding her too soon and too often throughout her life.
Thank you very much for your comments!
In my opinion, she should not have bred the dog because she even admitted that the dog wasn't show quality, which means that the dog didn't feature traditional breed characteristics that are sought after. But, like I said, at least she did her research.
As for keeping the line pure, that should be done with show and champion dogs. Many people think champion dogs are in-bred, but that's not always the case. Reputable breeders spend time and energy on their dogs and compete with them. Not all competition dogs have to be show; there are many dogs who are championed in different areas.
I know a lady who buys and breeds champion dogs. She has labs that are each trained for different competitions. Some are show dogs, obedience, retrieval, etc. She picks only high quality males to breed with her females (she only keeps females), hand picking the male for the particular female. She typically she sells every pup quickly after she sees signs the female has taken to the male.
Not all AKC breeders are those who people should buy from. That's another difference. There are many backyard breeders who breed AKC dogs, but in a way like Amber, they do it for money, not to better the breed.
One is not an AKC breeder just because the person is breeding AKC dogs.
I have a friend who purchased an AKC dachshund from an AKC breeder. When she went to the house to get a puppy; it was by far not a reputable place, but a backyard breeder who used her dogs to make money. She purchased a puppy who ended up with skin problems; he doesn't have any fur on the underside of his neck, belly, or tail.
You say that the purpose is to tell people to buy from breeders over puppy mills, but the article states at the bottom: "Now, If starting an AKC dog breeding business isn't for you; don't despair." To me, this says, look if you put in a little money, you can make a lot by breeding dogs.
What is wrong with spay/neuter and adopting dogs? There are many purebred dogs in the shelters and breed-rescues. One shouldn't have to buy to get a pure bred dog.
I looked for Bull Mastiffs for my father before he bought one. We couldn't find one locally that was for adoption. I did find an adult that needed a new home, but when I called for him, there were already 2 people coming to look at her.
Interesting.
The dad of Amber's puppies is Champion and has other relatives who "showed and placed." When she went to AKC to purchase her "puppy packet," she did wonder about paying the extra money to get the puppy's "geneology." I think she said it was about $25 for that.
I do like the way they've gone about this "business." Enna is a family member and they will not tolerate her being abused. That's why Amber said, "We'll breed her only a couple/few more times and that's it."
Through the entire interview, Amber also kept referencing Enna and her puppies as "like humans." I really appreciated hearing that because she and her husband DIDN'T set out to get Enna for the purpose of breeding her. It came as an afterthought because so many who had met Enna inquired about possibly getting a puppy from her.
So, yes, I think that if someone goes into breeding dogs for the sole purpose of making money is off the mark. And, if even lower-than-champion puppies aren't continued to be bred responsibly, no one would have one. So the line continues, albeit "less than show" but still maintaining the muscular, fur, obedience, and other qualities for a particular breed.
I also thought it commendable that Amber and Patrick are "community-minded" in that they chose to raffle a puppy. The puppies are priced at $1250 but they chose one to give someone a chance to get one for $20. I thought that was pretty neat and there has been a great response to that idea, although they just started advertising it.
For more information, you're welcome to visit their site at http://buckeyebullies.net.
Again, Whitney, thanks for your comments and I've thoroughly been enjoying this conversation with you!
really terrific I love dogs thanks
Thank YOU for your great comment! What did you like most about the article---or least?
My friend was sick with cancer and gave her show dog to a friend to show while she was ill. She gave him an AKC co-ownership. He died and gave the dog to a third party who lives in Conn. My friend lives in California and wants her dog back. The woman in Conn refuses to give the dog back. She is not listed as co-owner with the AKC. Can my friend go to the police in Conn with her AKC co-ownership paperwork to get her dog back or what should she do?
Whitney05 Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
Breeding shouldn't be able money, and it should never be considered a business. Breeding should be about bettering a breed and the traditional characteristics of the breed.
Too many people think, "I have a pretty purebred dog, I want to breed it." Personally, if it's not of a champion line, of good health, and has competed and one in some sort of competition, don't breed it.
My father just purchased a Bull Mastiff that is of champion lines. She has a few champions in her pedigree. My boyfriend and his friend said that he should breed her to get his money back. My father doesn't agree, and neither do I. The pup is not competition worthy for show, although she could probably compete in obedience, but my father wants a pet, not a ego-emblem or money-maker.
At least the couple in the story went about it the right way. Did their research. Bred quality dogs. Although, it didn't sound like they were champions; she at least had a dog from a breeder who charged a stud fee, which isn't common among regular backyard breeders.