I understand that the price tag on a puppy can be a shock. Costs vary among all breeders (and shelters and rescue organizations too!). One of the things I strive for is transparency, so below is a cost breakdown for a litter of 6 puppies with no emergencies or urgent care visits - this is only for routine care. These are all of the expenses that go into breeding, whelping, weaning, and raising that have set the cost for each puppy to help you understand what exactly you’re paying for and where the money goes.
Breeding & Gestation
Whelping, Weaning, and Raising
General
Total Expenses / Litter: $19,415
Total Expenses / Puppy: $3,245
Adoption Cost / Puppy: $ 3,250
Payment plans are available to those who qualify.
Program participation (Co-Own/Guardianship) homes are on a sliding scale pending the individual financial needs of the adopting family. Read more about program participation below.
Program participation Homes
One or two puppies from each litter will go to a Program Participation home. These homes offer lower income families a chance at owning a well-bred, stable, and all-around good dog with continued support from an understanding and compassionate network of friends and mentors. No showing or trialing is required of Program Participation homes. These are homes that have agreed to keep their puppy intact unless they develop any health conditions or display concerning or nuisance behaviors so that their dog can participate in this or another breeding program in the future. These are not traditional “co-own” homes or contracts. Project Participation Home contracts are modified on a case by case basis and adjusted for the financial needs of the adopting family.
Aspiring Dams
Homes for aspiring dams should be within 3 hours of central MA, or their owners should be prepared to travel with their dog to MA at least once in her lifetime where she’ll stay with me for breeding, whelping, weaning, and raising a litter. Don’t worry! - you can visit her as much as you like and she’ll be home as soon as her puppies are ready to go to their new homes.
Hopeful Studs
Homes for hopeful studs can be located anywhere. Homes outside of a 3 hour drive of central MA should be prepared to transport their dog to health testing appointment(s), the veterinarian for collection, and/or to breeding.