How Much?

I have to admit, this is my biggest pet peeve.  When you post on social media, like Facebook, an animal available for purchase and an interested party either comments or messages only "How Much?"  or "Price?"   Granted I know that this is an important factor in purchasing, but I would think/hope that someone wanting to purchase a puppy or rabbit has previously taken the time to do a bit of research.  This research should have at the very least shown the buyer what the average going price is for that particular breed.  It seems like 97% of the folks to message or comment "How Much" or "Price" are the ones who gasp when they are told, ask for a free rabbit/puppy, complain about the price or complete ghost.

Please if you wish to inquire on an animal, whatever species it may be, please PLEASE PLEASE take a minute to research the breed(s).  Have at least a wee bit of knowledge as to the temperment, size, simple basic care and the average cost of a well bred animal.  Compare purchasing from a breeder to adopting from a rescue or shelter, if you are only looking for a pet.

Not every breeder is breeding for money and lining their pockets with greenbacks.  A well bred animal is not cheap.  If you cannot afford a well bred animal, then make a plan to save up money.  In the meantime learn all you can about what you want to buy and connect with breeders, get on waiting lists, etc.   If you are willing to take the chance on a new fur friend that has no health checks, shots, genetic testing, etc make sure you are paying LESS than what a breeder who does all that charges.

Here is a breakdown of cost for the last litter of pups we produced in Jan 2025:

Before breeding:
Purchase of the Mother Dog: $1500
Embark Health Screening: $150
AKC Conformation Entries: Average  $35 each entry
Additional Health Screening: OFA Heart Certification $50
                                                       OFA CEAR Eye Certification $75
(The above does not count the basic care of food, health checks and vaccinations or travel costs to and from vet visits, health screening or shows.)

Time for Breeding!
If the stud being used is owned by the breeder, then consider the above breakdown applied to the stud.  If not, then there is a stud service fee, stud service is usually the cost of a puppy.  Not to mention the travel costs in order for this breeding to occur.
Stud Service:  $1500
Travel Costs: $150 (about 200 miles round trip and 3 hours total travel time)

Puppies are coming!!!
Slow Moving Labor, Vet visit to provide some medication to help and supervision for a few hours: $150
Still no progress: Ultrasound to determine if pups still in utero are alive.  $75
Cesarean Section to remove the final three pups:  $567
Medications:  $65
Puppy Milk and Bottle, just in case: $35

Raising the Litter
Worming Medication starting at two weeks of age and every two weeks afterwards.  Purchase over the counter bottle enough for entire litter $15
Vaccinations starting at six weeks $15 each vaccination.  Given once monthly until 4 months old.
Microchipping $50 each pup
Litter Registration $44
Individual Registration $23 each pup.
The above does not count the following: Puppy Formula Kibble, and the cost of extra laundry for clean blankets and puppy pads.

Advertisement of the Litter:
Local Newspapers: $10 each weekly run - Resulted in two inquiries (No Sale)
Puppies.com  $30 for one month - Resulted in one inquiry (No Sale)
AKC Marketplace $25 No Inquiry
Good Dog: $95.41 (Sold 2 Pups)

Puppy Packs
All pups go home with a variety of Grooming tools: nail clippers, brush, and tooth brush, about 3-4 Toys: Plushy with squeeker, Plush with crinkle sound, teethers, etc, A book on Dachshunds, Small pack of puppy pads, collar, leash, and harness.  Also including is a doggie tee shirt, and occasionally belly wraps for boys, and panties for girls.  Plus, there are fun things for wiener owners: Key chains, coasters, ornaments, Dachshund Signs/decor, etc.  PLUS: Bags of the pups favorite treats, chews and a bag of the current kibble he/she is eating.  Puppy packs  average about $150 in value!

In the meantime, I am planning on the next show, signing up for OFA clinics, searching for a stud for the next litter, health testing our keeper pup and so on.  The money received from the puppy sales, goes right back into the dogs in one form or another so that the next litter is better, healthier, tested more, bigger puppy packs and so forth.

The same goes for bunnies.  I don't sell very many rabbits.  Most are sold at shows or to other breeders.  Occasionally I like to give youth or new breeders nice stock to help build their program.  Unfortunately at this time, there is no health testing available for rabbits, or any sort of genetic testing that I am aware of.  Rabbits are finicky creatures and tend to just up and die at will (it seems).  Therefore, rabbits are less expensive to purchase.   However, when a rabbit is sold, again that money goes right back into the rabbits.  More shows, registrations, Grand Champion Certs, BIS Certs, feed, etc.  All these things help the next litter, and the litter after that to be better and better.

So please, take a few minutes, research what you are wanting.  Learn the average cost of a well bred animal.  Find a breeder and connect.  Be prepared to wait.  But before you shop, at least know the basics.  It will help you out in the long run.