I am considering dog breeding as extra income, what type of breed is best?

Question

There are many things to decide size, health, income of the breed and popularity.

Answer 1

SO YOU WANT A LITTER OF PUPPIES?
WHY???
"To make a lot of money." Do you realize the expense involved in such items as advertising, vet bills, stud fee, food, etc., to name a few?
"Because it would be good for the children to watch the birth and play with the puppies as they grow up." Actually, the "gory" parts of the whelping repulse most kids, who are all too anxious to just skip the viewing of the miracle of birth you have planned for them to see. And a litter growing up is too rowdy for most kids who are usually totally disinterested or absolutely terrified of the leaping creatures with the sharp nails and teeth. If you want the kids to see a puppy grow up, it's usually better to buy one.
"Because we love Fido and we want one just like her." The chances of getting one "just like her" are slim indeed.
"Because everyone who comes to the house and sees Fido wants a puppy when she has a litter." Just wait until your litter of 12 is ready to go to their homes and watch all those people back out with excuses like...."The kids aren't old enough."...."The kids are too old now to be bothered with caring for a dog."......"We are going to have a baby."...."The rug is too new."...."The house is too small."...."We'll be moving in 3 months."....."Grandma doesn't like dogs."...."Our old dog hasn't died yet."....."It might not get along with the cat.".....and the list goes on and on!
"Because we really love little puppies." You'd better be sure you love them. You can't fully imagine how much is involved, such as the mess a litter makes. Can you put up with the cleaning that is constantly needed in caring for the litter? There is no way to explain how tired you get of scrubbing up after the puppies, their whelping box, the yard, kennel, or wherever they are kept. They dump their food and water the minute you put it down, step in it, and drag it through whatever else may be in the puppy box, and with 6 or 8 or 12 puppies, there's always something else to be cleaned up too!
Do you understand the RESPONSIBILITY you will have with a litter? It's not just Fido having the litter and caring for it until they are ready to go. Most of it is up to you and you're tied to the litter like any new mother, only you can't take the litter with you to your in-laws for the weekend, or anyplace else for that matter, so you'd better be content to spend all too long, because you have to be there to feed the puppies four times a day.
Now that you have some idea of what is involved other than playing with those cute, cuddly puppies and are still determined to breed, here's something else that should be considered.
Is your ***** of QUALITY to breed? Do you know her faults as well as her virtues? Does she meet with the standard of the breed? Is she in good health? Has she been tested free of the genetic defects associated with the breed? Do you have customers so you won't have to sell the puppies at a price below market value or take them to a shelter?
If you can answer "yes" to the above and haven't lost the determination to try your hand at raising a litter, then read on...
Get an opinion of your ***** from a few reputable breeders. Find out what they think are her faults and her virtues.
Learn about any problems that exist in your breed such as hip dysplasia, eye disorders, etc. Study the breed standard yourself so that you are familiar with it when looking at and evaluating possible stud dogs. Get several reputable breeder's opinions of a stud dog who will enhance your *****. Go to see as many of the stud dogs and their offspring as you can.
After you have decided on a stud dog, take your ***** to the vet and have all necessary health clearances done ($$$$). She should have a general health check-up and the vet will let you know if any vitamin supplements are necessary. This exam should include: a worm check (take along a stool sample) , a heartworm check, brucellosis test, updating of vaccinations, blood panel. Don't forget, all this is going to cost money, but it's necessary, part of planning for a healthy litter.
Now while you wait for her to come into season, read all you can on your particular breed, breeding, whelping, and rearing puppies.
Start saving all your newspapers and have your friends do the same (remember what we told you about clean-up?) You'll need all the newspaper you can get your hands on.
Have a whelping box built or, if you are handy, build one yourself. More $$$$.
When the ***** comes in season, contact the stud dog owner with whom you have previously made arrangements regarding the breeding. You will be advised on when to bring your *****. Plan to pay the stud fee at the time of breeding ($$$). There may also be a boarding charge if your ***** is to stay with the stud dog's owner ($$$). Be sure you understand in advance what the payment of the stud fee is guaranteeing. The suitable stud for your ***** may be some distance away involving additional traveling expense ($$$). Getting your ***** bred isn't always as easy as you might imagine and may require repeated trips to the stud dog.
After your ***** is bred you have about 63 more days to do more reading and thinking, and laced with the good thoughts about the precious darlings will be some horrible thoughts about what can go wrong and how much it will cost you, both financially and emotionally.
We hate to keep dwelling on this but things DO go wrong occasionally and you should be prepared in case it happens to you.
(1) What if your ***** has problems and requires a Cesarean section or other extensive vet services ($$$)?
(2) What if the puppies die?
(3) What if she is not in whelp or has a miscarriage?
(4) What are you going to do with 10 six month old puppies that you can't sell, give away, or have the heart to put to sleep? Do you have adequate facilities?
(5) What if your ***** can't or won't nurse the puppies? Are you prepared to feed them every two hours for the next three weeks?
(6) And worst of all, what if Fido dies while whelping or afterwards? Will it have been worth it?
The days pass, and Fido whelps her puppies without any problems, but you still have to take her to the vet to be checked over within 24 hours of delivery. She will probably get injections to prevent infections ($$$). Lucky for you, Fido whelped 10 healthy puppies.
They are almost 6 weeks old now and in two weeks it will be time to sell them. First they will all have to make a trip to the vet. Their check-up will include shots and a worm check with medication if necessary (10 x $$$).
Now that you know they are healthy and ready to go, you'll want a breeder to see just how gorgeous they are and how great you did on your first try. Of course, you think they are all show quality and worth show prices. But again be prepared because you might be told the following:
(1) The best male has only one testicle.
(2) The next best male toes out badly (but has both testicles.)
(3) The really pretty ***** has a bad bite.
(4) The smaller ***** has a proper bite but her topline is bad.
(5) The ***** with the prettiest head is cowhocked.
(6) There are four who are average, nothing really wrong but nothing outstanding either.
There is one who is show quality. The "show quality" one is the one you were going to keep just as a pet because the kids liked it best (another mouth to feed $$$) and you're feeling down at the breeder's opinion of your litter. But you're told to cheer up, one outstanding puppy is better than a lot of people get out of a litter and you should consider this a successful breeding, Some consolation when you were going to sell them all as show puppies!
Now you have your litter graded and priced accordingly and you are ready to sell them. By this time, are you knowledgeable enough about your breed to be the expert every buyer assumes you are? Are you prepared to answer questions on training, housebreaking, feeding, grooming, etc.? Are you prepared to answer these questions not only at the time of purchase, but months later or when someone calls at midnight because the dog isn't eating right? Can you direct buyers to obedience classes, breed handling classes, help them get into showing, recommend a vet, etc.? Remember, you are now the breeder and the responsibility doesn't end when a puppy is carried out the door. Do you have a pedigree ready to go with each puppy, as well as the registration forms? Are you prepared to advertise extensively ($$$) if needed?
If you have a good ***** and have bred to a stud dog owned by an interested breeder, they may send referrals to you, but don't depend on others to sell your puppies, and advertising expenses can really add up. Don't expect the buyers to flock to your door the day the puppies are ready to go. It may take weeks, or even months, before they are all sold. This results in lots of food costs and more trips to the vet ($$$).
We hope that if you breed your ***** you do it the right way and only for the right reasons and put lots of time, thought, and love into your decision.
THERE ARE TOO MANY UNWANTED PUPPIES PUT TO DEATH EACH YEAR DUE TO IRRESPONSIBLE AND IGNORANT BREEDING. DON'T LET ANY OF YOUR PUPPIES END UP THIS WAY.

Answer 2

For the most part dog breeding for a source of income is a bad idea. Most reasons for dog breeding is a bad idea.

Deff. not chihuahuas, although they are popular they are very hard to deal w/ breeding wise.

If you must breed German Shepherds a re a good bet. Very popular, sell pretty well. Mostly the only heath problem is Hip Dysplasia. That's pretty serious though.

Maybe Boxers. With the shape/size of their heads they might have trouble in the birth canal, tho.

Every breed has some kind of difficulty and different breeds are "pup"ular in different regions.

Answer 3

You won't make much money breeding dogs if you're doing it right! Big dogs are prone to joint problems - the parent's hips and elbows have to be x-rayed and certified to be sure they aren't dysplastic. Every breed has some kind of genetic problem that they may pass on to their puppies - you have to have them checked before you breed them. Dobermans can have vonWillebrand's disease - it's like hemophilia. Collies can have eye problems. Goldens and Labs are prone to allergies and cancers. You don't want to pass on those diseases.

You will have to pay a vet do exams, and fecal and blood tests for intestinal worms and heartworm to be sure the mother's health is good. Then make sure your dog and the male you select (who should be a champion - your pups will be worth more!) are tested for Brucellosis - a canine VD.

A good breeder or dog show handler can advise you as to whether or not your female is good enough to breed and that she has no major faults that she could pass on. Expect to pay at least the sale price of one pup for your stud fee.
If you breed your female to a top quality male from an experienced breeder, they might help you with advice and might even show up to help you deliver the pups - but that's not likely. Usually, you're on your own. You'll need x-rays or an ultrasound to find out how many pups she's going to have - if the breeding even took. You can't breed a female every time she comes in heat or her body will break down. So, you're going to be taking care of her and paying to feed her and vaccinate her and keep her on heartworm preventative meds all year long.

If there are any problems with the delivery, you'll be rushing to the nearest emergency clinic - often in the middle of the night. Mine charges $95 just for you to walk in the door - Bulldogs and other big-headed dogs may need a C-section to deliver the pups - that's going to set you back a lot of money.

Then the pups are going to need food and shots and several wormings and lots of care for eight weeks. If the mother rejects them, guess who is going to be up twice a night and four times a day hand feeding every pup? Have you got the time and energy? One of my breeder friends once calculated that she made less than $1.85 per hour after expenses - and that was without any problems! I bred one litter myself, but now I'd rather go and buy the pup I want from someone else who wants to work that hard improving the breed.

Answer 4

Don't get into breeding just because you want to make money. Breeding dogs is very expensive. I have been breeding Chihuahuas for about 8 years and I am lucky to break even. I breed them for the love of the dog and to share my love of these dogs with others.

Chihuahuas are one of the most popular breeds, but it is not a dog for everyone to breed. You will face many c-sections, lots of vet bills, and small litters. On the other hand, Chihuahuas can bring high prices too, but this breed is not for a beginner breeder. Before beginning to breed any dog, you need to read, read, read as much as you can about raising puppies and everything involved. Pick a breed of dog you are familiar with and love. Do not go into this lightly.

Answer 5

Go to some AKC dog shows in your area and talk to the people there who are showing the dogs you think are attractive. Previous answer says the most important things, but I'd hate to see you becomea a breeder with no experience. There are better ways to make extra money. Breeding is for improving the breed, not extra income.

Answer 6

I think you should make sure that you make good money on your first job so that you can afford to be a reputable breeder. There's just too many breeders out there that breed for extra money and the results show up in health problems and the vast number of dogs in shelters. People who breed reputably will tell you that there's little money to be made once you pay for c-sections, puppy well checks and everything else that goes along with it.

Answer 7

Only people who should know the breeds, and love them should breed dogs. Too many backyard breeders breed dogs that are sick, genetic problems, temperament problems, because they don't care about the dog, or the dogs puppies. Only about the money. This is bad, bad for the dog, bad for the consumer, bad all around. A People who breed dogs for the breed seldom make an income, and they really care about who thier dogs go to.

For more information, do a search for "Back yard Breeding" and "Puppy mills" What you find will break your heart.

Answer 8

I hate to break it to you, but breeding dogs not only causes more expenses than income, but it is also a heck of alot of work. I have been a breeder for quite some time, and I have yet to make a penny of profit from it.

Do it if you love it. That is why I do. I love my dogs so much. They eat better than I do, and they deserve it. You should only breed to improve a breed, not to get money. My dogs have cost our family tens of thousands of dollars over the years. We even opened a Siberian Husky rescue so that the dogs we love will not be euthanized as strays in a Humane Society shelter.

We do not care about the cost because the dogs are just more children in our family. Consider responsible breeding procedure costs

OFA Certification: $300 per dog
CERF Certification: $50 per dog
Pre-breeding exams: $35 per dog
All shots and wormings: $300 per dog
Licensing: $30 per dog
Microchipping: $100 per dog
Fencing in your yard: over $200
Materials for whelping boxes: $200
High quality food during gestation: $20 per month per dog
Puppy proofing materials for your home: $50 dep on sz of house
harnesses/leads: $30

These are just basic expenses. Imagine if your dog got hit by a car or came into contact with another dog who had a canine disease. Therapies for canine illnesses can cost hundreds.

Very rarely has a conscientious breeder ever made money on a puppy. The only ones who do are the backyard breeders who do not properly care for the mothers or the puppies, and send them to new homes with potentially deadly diseases or genetic abnormalities.

I genuinely hope that you will do the right thing by any dogs you may get. If you are willing to commit to taking the basic steps listed above, you have my full support!! I personally love Huskies, but they are not for every one. Go to AKC.org and take the test to find out which breed fits your personality and activity level. Take care and GOOD luck!!!

Answer 9

It sounds like you don't have much experience with dogs, so I would really recommend against becoming a breeder. I guarantee the responsibility is more than you understand. You have to carefully choose the parent dogs including medical examinations, care for the mother during gestation, and socialize and wean the pups once they are born, just for starters. I wouldn't buy a dog from someone who had chosen to raise them just as "extra income."

Answer 10

I would love to breed Tibetan Terriers. They are cute, amazing dogs, who are just the perfect dog for ANYTHING. They are not a breed that is found everywhere, so people would come from far away places looking for your puppies. They sell around $1500 each, and they are beautiful animals. Check my sources for sites and info.

Answer 11

My mom used to breed Yorkies and it is a really good way to make some extra cash. They are small in size, they DO NOT SHED, and they are one of the very FEW that no one is allergic to.........big selling point. They are also very smart and easily trained. They sell for around $1200-$1500 depending on quality of the parents.