@vickayx:
How is it that she would make a profit when she charges less then a normal breeder though? I am not defending her in anyway I was just puzzled.
Interesting question.
Let's see. If she has three bitches which she breeds every year for a period of say, 4 years, and each bitch has on average 5 puppies, she has the potential to make:
Income potential - PM:
3 bitches x 5 pups each x 4 years = 60 pups
If she sells each for average $500 = $30,000 or $7,500 a year.
total: 7,500.00
However - we must take into account her expenses.
Expense potential:
1/Stud fee = $0 (usually owns the male(s) who is oftentimes related to the female(s))
2/Genetic health testing = $0 (usually only does this when pressed to do so)
3/Show or performance venue expenses to prove form and function of breeding stock: $0
4/ General vet care: dew claws, first exam, vaccinations, wormings: avg $50 - does not do dewclaws or a vet exam, usually buys products online and administers themselves
Now then, to compare:
Responsible breeder (RB): Caveat: A responsible breeder only breeds one, maybe two bitches a year; usually only breeds them once or twice in their lifetime, and oftentimes does not breed every year.
For the sake of comparing - we will give the RB the same number of bitches/puppies as the puppymiller.
Income - RB:
3 bitches x 5 pups each x 4 years = 60 pups
Sells each for average $1000 = $60,000 (less 1 pup from each litter which they keep since resp. breeders first breed for themselves - 12 x $1,000 - $12,000 or $48,000)
Total= $48,000 or $12,000/year
Expense:
Stud fee = cost of a puppy or $1,000 x 3 bitches = $3,000/ year
total: $3,000/year
Genetic health testing =
a/ Hips/elbows/patellas - done once, age 2 - most do it under anesthesia, avg. total for all plus OFA applications = $500 x 3 = $1,500 /4 years = $375/year
b/ Eyes - needs to be done yearly: avg $60 a year, per bitch, bitch is tested from birth through end of last breeding (age 6) = $360 per bitch x 3 bitches = $1,080 (Most RB's will continue to test until death - so in truth - we should add another 8 years on for each or another $1,440)
c/ Thyroid - needs to be done yearly: avg $180 a year, per bitch, bitch is tested from birth through end of last breeding (age 6) = $1,080. per bitch x 3 bitches = $3,240 (Most RB's will continue to test until death - so in truth - we should add another 8 years on for each or another $4,320)
d/ Fanconi - done once for the dams: $65 x 3 = $195.00 /4 years = $48.75
d1/ Fanconi - most RB's test the pups BEFORE going home so $65 x 60 pups = $3,900/4 years = 975/year
e/ Heart (should be by board cert cardiologist) - done once avg cost $100 x 3 = $300
7/ Dewclaws/Exam/vaccinations/wormings: most take to a vet for all of this - avg visit per bitch $200 x 3 = $300/year plus dewclaw visit of $300 (however most RB's do not let their pups leave until 10-12 weeks which means a second vet visit is needed 300x 2 =$600)
total: $6619 (or $12379 if you include the continued yearly testing of eyes and thyroids done on those who were bred)
Show/performance venue expenses to prove form and function of breeding stock - these are seriously deflated in today's economy:
Avg cost of dog show entry - $25 x 3 bitches = $75/show
Avg number of shows/venues (not weekends) entered each year to get various titles = 100 shows x $75 = $7500/year for all three
Avg travel expenses (gas, hotel, wear and tear on car, parking) to obtain these titles = $100/show x 100 shows = $10000
total: $17500
Net profit:
PM profit/loss: 7,450 - IN their pocket (7,500 inc less 50 exp)
RB profit/loss: <15,119> - OUT of their pocket (12,000 - 3,000 (stud fees) - 6,619. (health testing) - 17,500. = <$15,119> )
Expenses I could have added to the RB's side: time and energy spent socializing, quality vet care, high quality food, vaccine protocol adherence creating more vet visits, microchips, puppy packets, lifelong education/support of puppy buyer, etc., etc., etc.
In truth - you then have to multiply the PM profit by the number of breeds they breed (most who whelp twice a year) and well, it can be rather lucrative for some of them.
(I apologize in advance if my math is wrong - not my area of expertise), but I think one can see the general idea!;)
All kidding aside, I have to commend you for being so open about everything with answering all the questions. And also have to commend you for not supporting a puppy mill.
For sure responsible breeders don't make a lot of profit, if any, for their efforts.
