The Cost of Raising A Litter

[EskiLovr]

Tanza (and everyone else too, but specifically you, since you mentioned it)

I also do not understand why we do not have the ability to conformation show dogs with "limited" AKC registration (I cannot remember the abbreviation, maybe someone else can help.) These dogs can do rally, luring, etc, but not conformation. What's the deal there?

[tanza]

@EskiLovr:

Tanza (and everyone else too, but specifically you, since you mentioned it)

I also do not understand why we do not have the ability to conformation show dogs with "limited" AKC registration (I cannot remember the abbreviation, maybe someone else can help.) These dogs can do rally, luring, etc, but not conformation. What's the deal there?

I think it was mainly due to breeding. Remember conformation shows are for judging "breeding" dogs. Limited registration means you can't breed and register an AKC litter. So in keeping with what conformation shows were designed to be, if the dog has a limited registration they can't be shown.

Sometimes, a dog with a limited registration might have a defect or health problem that would "preclude" them from being a good possible dog to breed.. So while the problem may not effect to overall health and life of the dog, it would be considered something that you would not want to continue as a genetic concern.

[lvoss]

The original purpose of conformation shows was to exhibit breeding stock. Since "limited registration" means the breeder has specifically designated that dog as "non breeding stock" because dogs with limited status can not have any offspring registered, the reasoning is that they should therefore also not be allowed to compete in conformation.

I think we are at a point right now where those of us who participate in purebred dog sports really need to get together as a group and decide what sort of events and services are important to us and then start submitting these to AKC with the backing of many people.

UKC which has been around for a long time and is also a legitimate though much less used registry in the US, does offer host clubs the option of having classes for altered dogs, and for puppies 4-6 months old. These dogs do not get championship points but do get to compete for best of breed puppy or best of breed altered, they also have group and BIS competition for these dogs. I have participated in 4 UKC shows over 1 weekend and really enjoyed them. I hope to do some more this fall and am seriously considering dual registering my litter because I enjoyed the UKC shows and think they are fun and good ring practice for my dogs. The UKC website is http://www.ukcdogs.com

[ComicDom1]

@lvoss:

Since it is that time of year again, puppy season, and since I am breeding a litter this year, I thought that I would start a running tally of the expenses of breeding a litter.

To catch everyone up on the costs so far.

Health testing for 1 parent:

OFA Hip x-rays $75 + $30 OFA fee
OFA Patella Check $10 + $15 OFA fee
OFA Thyroid Panel $81 + $15 OFA fee
Fanconi Marker Test $60
CERF Exam $35 + $12 CERF fee for first time registration

Total for health testing 1 parent = $333
Usually you only have to pay for the health testing of the dog they own some of these tests do need to be repeated through out life but I am not going to throw those costs in.

Shipping costs for getting the girl here

Health Certificate $54
Shipping Cost $219.48

Total Cost $273.48

Cost of semen retrieval and transport $95

Progesterone Testing Costs $75/test x 4 tests = $300

So as of today I have a total of $1111.48

Will update tomorrow after I get the insemination bill.

Ivoss I think you left out the cost of the vet bill for collecting the blood or shipping the blood sample to University of Missouri for the Fanconi test! I also think you left out the value of your time or hours spent getting everything done, and the cost of transporting the animal to the vet for the different tests and certifications. Of course since you have collected your basenji, I do not know if how you would factor in the housing, regular maintenance and feeding of your basenji. Maybe you can keep some kind of record of what it does cost for housing, feeding, and other costs involved with the female that is on its way to you.

Jason

[lvoss]

I didn't include the blood draw and shipping costs because recently I have taken advantage of the free clinics offered by my local club. Nicky's blood draw cost was $5 and it was $75 for shipping but I did that 3 years ago so sort of just glossed over it.

I also didn't include semen collection fees and storage because I sort of just figure that those are mine to bear because it was something important for me. Collection fees for semen are $45 per breeding vial plus $60 a year for up to 30 vials.

I also don't tend to look at food expense though it is definately an added cost to feed another animal but I also figure if I don't keep a tally of the money I spend feeding my 2 Bengal foster cats, why add do it for the cost of one more dog. Which I guess all kind of goes to say that even when you look at this running tally, there is more money going out but I just don't tally it because I guess I consider those "responsible owner costs" instead of "responsible breeder costs".

[tanza]

Base fees for ICSB (who are usually at dog shows) is a base of 295.00
http://www.ik9sb.com/Fees.asp

And when speaking of costs, remember the "human" time… especially since 99% of us work regular jobs...

[lvoss]

To add to my breeding expenses today we went in for a surgical insemination.

Costs:
$45 for semen preparation
$450 for surgical implantation
$90 for weekend/holiday service

Total $585 and anyone who knows anything about these services will tell you that is dirt cheap especially in California!

Add that to the running total and we are up to $2546.48 and still no way to know if we will actually have any pups.

[lvoss]

Update on costs. Today's ultrasound $148.75. And great news, it looks like at least 3 pups and maybe 4.

So the new total is $2695.21

[sharronhurlbut]

This shows the effort, time and cost that SHOULD go into breeding a quality basenji.
Its not just "putting" 2 dogs together…

[lvoss]

For anyone interested, here is a copy of the ultrasound.

[LiveWWSD]

Awesome, Thank you Lisa.

[sharronhurlbut]

Cool, thanks for sharing.

[Schouiffy]

awwwwesome. thanks for sharing the baby photos!

[Jarodkjv]

Congratulations! You were pretty excited before TC ever got there, so you must be REALLY excited now.

[Ninabeana26]

Thanks for sharing all of this great information! I am certainly grateful for breeders like you, Pat & Midge so that I can have my healthy perfect boy without having to do any of that work myself! I just don't know how you gals find the time!! :p

[lvoss]

We are very excited about our upcoming litter. Having a litter is a lot of work but there are also rewards including haveing a chance to get to know the new puppy owners.

[lvoss]

TC went in for a wellness check today. She needed to get her Heartworm prescription up to date, so the vet also did another ultrasound. The appointment added another $25 to the running total which now comes to $2720.21 and we got these really cool pics to show off. You can see spines on some of them now. I think one of the pics is actually a second one of the same puppy but my mom was a little unclear about the details.

[etzbseder]

I love this tread. It is very informative, and a form of it should be turned into a sticky.

IVOSS: I think you may go over my original estimate of 3000 for a litter. Although I wouldn't include the fanconi test as part of it, because it is getting more common to have the test long before a possible breeding, and some breeders even are testing all the pups before selling them. (which is nice)

[tanza]

By the time you add in just the Vet fees after whelping, lvoss will be way over $3000

[mauigirl]

I also love this thread, very cool. Especially the baby pics. I know I"ll be thinking about more than just Halloween on Halloween. Are the pups homes all in CA, southern or northern or both? Man if I still lived in the Inland Empire I would very feebly ask if I can come over and help socialize.

But I'm lucky that I will get to do that here with yodeldog's litter
Can't wait for EVERYONE's puppy pictures! And it's going to be all around the same time too. Maybe we should make a special place for that on the forum…