Right, in a previous post, I mentioned I’d do a breakdown of what a small-scale "hobby breeder" typically earns. I thought it might be useful as a general guide, so I’m making a separate post about it. I haven't based this on a single litter, as everyone knows the first one is incredibly expensive; instead, I’ve based it on having 3 breeding dogs, bought as puppies at around 2–3 months old (2 females, 1 male). I’ve assumed litters start when the dogs are about 2 to 2.5 years old and stop at 5 to 5.5 years. I’m also basing this on one litter per year, meaning 3 litters per ***** in her lifetime, with the male doing 2 matings a year (not consecutively) and also retiring at 5 (which is the maximum ethical limit for me). I’ve calculated the costs for these dogs and their puppies over 5 years (until the dogs retire), given that there are puppies on the scene for 3 of those years. I’ve also gone with an average of 5 puppies per litter (the general average, though it varies by breed). I’m not a professional; I just did these sums once when I was thinking of becoming a breeder, and looking at them again, you can see that breeding doesn't actually pay much. And honestly, I think I’ve stuck to a bare-minimum budget. I’ll explain the maths because I’ll then divide it up to see the average cost of a litter after deducting all expenses over those 5 years (obviously the dog still costs money after that, but no longer as a breeding dog). Since I’m calculating the overall picture, I hope it’s not too messy—I’ll explain the details below.
First, there are the breeding dogs themselves:
- Purchase price: Between £850 and £1,300 per puppy. Let’s say an average of £1,100, so for 3 puppies, that’s £3,300. (Of course, you could just have 2 females and use an external stud, or buy health-tested adult dogs, but that’s even more expensive.)
- Travel to collect the puppies: For "popular" dogs, you might find a breeder nearby, but for rarer breeds, you can easily end up with over 300 miles on the clock. I’ll budget £350 for the average round trip. Since the male likely won't be from the same place (rarely do breeders run two distinct lines), we double that to £700 (and that’s assuming you get both females from the same place to keep it cheap).
- Worming: Bare minimum twice a year, but at least 4 times a year for a pregnant *****. I pay about £8.50 at my vet. Puppies need worming every month until they are 6 months old, and litters start around age 2. For a female over 5 years, that’s about £160; for a male, £110. For 2 females and 1 male, we’re at £430 over 5 years.
- Flea treatment: Valid for 1 month, I’m budgeting around £8.50 per pipette. Starting from when they are 2–3 month old pups until they retire at 5, that’s about £500 per dog over 5 years. For 3 dogs = £1,500.
- Dog food: Personally, I’d probably do raw feeding (BARF), but for these sums, I’ve used a good quality dry food that’s a bit cheaper than Orijen but still premium. I based it on 300g (approx 10.5 oz) of a high-quality brand, for a dog weighing about 50 lbs (roughly 3.5 stone). For 3 dogs, that’s around £1,050 a year. Over 5 years until retirement = £5,250. However, a ***** in whelp and during weaning eats much more, especially in the second month of pregnancy and the first 4 weeks of weaning. You can easily add an extra £85 a year, so £425 over 5 years, making a final total of about £5,700 for food.
- Vaccinations: Even if you aren't a fan of over-vaccinating, if you’re doing shows, you usually have to, so there's no choice. I’ll budget £45 on average per jab (including the 3-month booster). That’s £280 per dog over 5 years, so £840 for all three.
So, that’s what the parents need just to live well—not including injuries, lead and collar costs, beds, etc.
Total = around £12,470 just for the vital needs of 3 dogs over 5 years.
Next, we have the dogs, they’re well-fed, and we do health tests to try and ensure we produce healthy puppies.
- Ataxia: About £75 for the test; for 3 dogs, that’s £225.
- Hip dysplasia (BVA/KC scoring): Average of £130 per dog, so £390 for 3.
- Elbow dysplasia (I think the price is similar): £390 for 3.
- DNA screening for hereditary diseases: £70 on average, so 70 x 3 = £210.
- DNA profiling/Identification: £45 on average, 45 x 3 = £135.
- Annual blood tests: £70 for 3 dogs, so £210 per year over 3 years = £630 for all dogs (it's good to keep this up afterwards too).
- Eye screening (BVA eye tests): About £45 per dog (to be done every year the dog is breeding). 45 x 3 = £135; over 3 years, that's £405.
For all health tests (knowing some breeds like Aussies need even more): minimum £2,385.
Now we have our breeding stock, but we need to do some shows. This gets expensive too.
- First, breed registration/assessment fees: £20 per dog, so £60.
- Then the shows themselves: I’ve checked, and entry fees seem to be between £15 and £35 per dog. Let’s say an average of 3 shows a year starting from age 1, at £25 entry per dog. That’s £75 per show, £225 per year, and £900 over 5 years.
- The biggest cost is travel: Shows are rarely local. You’ve got hotel nights (or holiday cottages, which I prefer) that accept dogs for the weekend. £50 a night (minimum), sometimes for two nights, plus maybe a 300-mile round trip. I’d say you easily spend £1,300 a year on travel and accommodation, and that’s being generous. If you live next door to a major show centre, great (and carpooling helps). I’m not even counting wear and tear on the car—and you’ll likely need a van or estate, so forget about having a small run-around. 1,300 x 4 years = £5,200.
- If you’re showing, you need crates (useful for daily life too). At least £215 for a good one, so £645 for 3 dogs.
Total for shows: around £6,805.
Once the dog has done a few shows, we decide to mate them:
- Progesterone testing to start (usually needs two goes): about £25 per test, so £100 a year for two litters, £300 over 3 years.
- Mating declaration/paperwork: £10, so £30 over 3 years.
- Hormone monitoring during pregnancy: about £25, twice. £50 per pregnancy, £100 per year, so £300 over 3 years.
- To know the exact number of pups: 1 ultrasound followed by an X-ray (more accurate but pricier). Probably £95 on average per pregnancy: £190 per year, so 190 x 3 = £570 over 3 years.
- Buying a whelping box (if you aren't handy with DIY): £190.
- Vet scales (for larger pups that don't fit on kitchen scales): around £270.
- Heat lamp: I’m no expert, but let’s say one a year at £13 each: 13 x 3 = £39.
- For the whelping box, you need something waterproof underneath. Rubber vet bedding or mats are about £25+.
- Then for the top, vet bed or insulating mats. Better than blankets so pups don't get lost or smothered, but pricier. You’ll need two so one can be in the wash: about £45 per whelping. Given the mess, they won't last forever. One set a year: 45 x 3 = £135.
- Things you forget: latex gloves for whelping or handling newborns. Say £17 a year: 17 x 3 = £51.
- Anti-bacterial gel: Same again, £17 x 3 = £51.
- A stand for the heat lamp if you aren't handy: about £25.
Roughly £1,386 for whelping prep.
The pups are born! With luck, everyone is healthy. 5 puppies. Now we look after the little ones.
- Puppy pen (essential for safety and socialisation in the living room): £150 on average.
- ID collars for pups: £15 for a pack, maybe £20 if you need more.
- Microchip reader: Breeders usually have their own (£60).
- Puppy milk (and bottles for the runt): I’ll estimate 1 pup every 2 litters needs this. £35 x 3 = £105.
- Stainless steel puppy bowls: about £17.
- Worming puppies (4 times by 8 weeks): about £170 per litter. For 2 litters a year for 3 years, that’s £1,020 over 3 years.
- Flea treatment (at 6 weeks): £8.50 per pup. For 5 pups and 2 litters a year = £85 a year, £255 over 3 years.
- Microchipping: £60 average per litter (5 pups), £120 a year, so £360 over 3 years (Note: prices vary wildly if the vet does it).
- Vaccinations: around £43 per pup, so £430 a year, £1,290 over 3 years.
- Puppy toys (for socialisation): at least £85 a year (they get destroyed). 85 x 3 = £255.
- Pet passports (around £13): £65 per litter, £130 a year, £390 over 3 years.
- Puppy food: about £110 for a litter, £220 a year, £660 over 3 years.
- Kennel Club registration/birth certificates: £20 per pup, £100 per litter, £200 a year, £600 over 3 years.
That’s £5,122 for the puppies.
Then the miscellaneous stuff:
Bills: electricity (heat lamp 24/7), water, laundry (constant washing), things the puppies destroy, etc.: I’ll put £130 for the years there are litters, so £390 over 3 years.
Total expenses over 5 years for 6 litters = £28,558. That’s £4,760 in costs per litter.
Now let's look at the income.
5 puppies sold for £850 each (even if your base price is £1,100, you have to account for pups born with faults, undescended testicles, etc., which are sold for less).
That makes £4,250 (Ouch, that’s already a sting—nearly £500 loss per litter).
But that's not all. From that £850, if you have to factor in tax or VAT (at 20%), a puppy only nets you £680. So you have £3,400 in "profit" against nearly £4,800 in costs. That's a £1,400 loss per litter.
When people say breeders are raking it in, I honestly don't see where. A good breeder is often in deficit. And I’ve even sugar-coated this—I haven't factored in the "risk" of a litter (C-sections, etc.), which gets very expensive very fast. Also, a puppy you keep might not turn out to be a good breeder, and you might have to start from scratch. Plus, you have to modify your house to meet regulations.
I hope everyone follows my logic. I’ve included everything from choosing the parents to retirement (and retirement doesn't mean getting rid of them—I’d keep mine!).
All this to say that being a breeder is rarely easy. Don't think they're just in it for the money. The costs are massive, and you often don't see a penny for years. I see people on the forum bashing breeders (whether hobby, commercial, or even pet shops), and while "puppy farms" are a different story, real breeders usually lose money. It's a passion above all else.
