Puppy Pricing 2012 -13


How We Determine A Puppy Price (Please Read to Bottom of Page)

Dog breeding is becoming more and more difficult in today’s times. Food & Medical expenses top the list for breeders trying to keep Goldens affordable on creating the perfect "healthy, long lived" family pet besides trying to be competitive in the dog show world. In the 70’s & 80’s we had the luxury to fly our dogs to breed to so and so’s dog in order to keep our lines diversified and still be able to afford to keep our prices at a minimum. 


THE "COST" OF RAISING A PUPPY IN TODAY'S 2014 ECONOMY IS: 
$2,211.00 to 3,326.00 (Please See Chart Below)


Today, we map plan and plan our breeding's for months.  We are forced to breed mostly by technology using Progesterone testing to target the perfect conception date, FedEx to ship the semen from point A to B and Ultrasound to determine pregnancy. This all costs money to do it right! Then once she is pregnant we wait the 63 days to see if she will be able to have them naturally or a caesarian section. Once the puppies are here our "dog mom"  jobs begin…imprinting, laundry, sleeping by the whelping box so no one gets laid on, potty training starting at 4 weeks, more laundry, no sleep for the wicked and then socializing and more laundry. We finally get to have a full night sleep around the 4th week.  It is a monumental task to do it right and keep everyone healthy and happy. Then back to the vets to make sure everyone’s heart is beating correctly and review their overall health. 

The next step is one of the most important steps and good breeders rely on their reputation, previous buyers and friends to send them potencial puppy buyers.  Then the interviewing procees of potencial owners begins.  

Thanks to all our good friends who send good people and make our job a bit easier for this task for we are getting tired at this point and puppies are rearing to go explore outside.

We believe in:

* Raising Goldens puppies in our home to obtain the best social  skills as adults.

* Minimal Vaccinations- Jean Dodds and Ronald Schultz's Minimal Vaccination Protocol

* Spay Neuter at  over 2 years of age

* Litter Potty Training starting at 4 weeks 

* Nursing until 6 weeks to maximize immunity.

* Socializing with other adult mothers and some sires at 7 weeks to obtain good social skills. Our seasoned adults are use to raising puppies and this makes it easier for the puppy to go to their new home were he/she might be the 2nd dog coming into a house hold. They learn quickly how to interact with another adult besides there mother.

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The chart below is so you can see the costs involved in raising a well socialized litter of Golden Retrievers in today’s times.

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 This is our hobby and our passion. We do our best to stay current on medical issues and environmental issues which affect our Goldens life. We volunteer (The Golden Retriever Gala Committee) our time to fundraise for the Golden Retriever Foundation so they are able to have the funds to grant money for Canine Health Research. We attend our regional and yearly Golden Retriever Club of America National Events so we can obtain current health information. This is valuable information we are able to pass on to our buyers so you can have the best possible chance of raising your golden to be a healthy family member of society. 

So next time you are searching for your “perfect” new family member remember to ask all the important questions but also make sure you thank your dedicated breeder for their efforts on raising a healthy golden.  I wrote this page so buyers could grasp how we arrive at our asking price of our puppies and how difficult our jobs of trying to keep a quality Golden Retriever affordable to the average family.  There is a difference between good breeders and not so good breeders just like everything else in life.


CEDAR GOLDEN RETRIEVERS COSTS BREEDING A LITTER 


OUR PUPPY PRICE  $2900.00

DAM REQUIREMENTS:  "The Big 4" GRCA Hereditary Conditions  "NOT INCLUDING SHOW EXPENSES" 
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OFA Hip Dysplasia         $150.00 to 250.00 

OFA Elbow Dysplasia     $150.00 to 180.00 

OFA or CERF Eye Clearance  "LIFETIME 12 yrs" Yearly Eye Exams $100. x 12 = 1,200.divided by 3 litters = $400.00 

OFA Heart Clearance  Auscultation vs Echocardiogram    $175.00 to 600.00 

OFA Throid Test     Blood Test    $225.00 


DAM REQUIREMENT TOTAL:(PRIOR TO BREEDING) $950.00 - 1,525.00 


BREEDING COSTS
Vet Check on Dam   CBC Blood Work-Smear for Infections         $250.00 

Timing/Progesterone Tests             $140.00 per test/3-6 Tests per Breeding      $420. to 840.00 


STUD DOG FEE
Service Fee (Deposit)      $300.00 
Remainer of Stud Fee   (3 liv30
2800.00


SHIPPING SEMEN EXPENSES

A. Fresh Chilled Semen (X2)  Canine Shipping Box; Semen Extender; Ice ( these charges are if your stud dog owner packages it. More $ if a vet prepares it for shipping)    $300.00 
B. Frozen Semen  Tank Rental; Preparation Fee;Tank Return  $400.00 to $600.00  Plus Shipping Fees: 
FedEx; UPS; Airplane-Counter to Counter; Bus  $200.to 600.00 


SEMEN INSEMINATIONS: 
(Pick one: A. B. C. or D. Expenses) 

A. Natural breeding  Driving to Stud Dogs Location   And possible hotel stays   xxx.xx 

B. Artificial Insemination (A-I)  If performed by a Vet  $150.to 300.00 

C. Transervical  "Vet Procedure" (usually inseminated twice)  $700.to 1700.00 

D. Surgical  "Vet Procedure"  $1,800. to 2,900.00 


Ultrasound 
To Confirm Pregnancy $160.00 to 250.00 


BREEDING TOTAL: 
(NO PUPPIES YET)    $3,580.- 6,390.00 


CARING FOR DAM & PUPPIES: (Not including cost of whelping box) 

Dam (gestation through whelping)  Extra Food for Dam; Supplements     $700.00 

Whelping 

Natural-Cesarean    $0 to 3,500.00 
Post Whelping Vet Check     $250. to 350.00 
Whelping Supplies  Bedding(at least 3 sets of bedding)-Oxytocin/Vet on call-,Extra towels-Pedialyte-Puppy Collars-Heating Source-Disinfectants-New Linoleum (to put around the whelping box) $800. to 1,200. 
Washing and More Washing! Bedding is washed Daily  $200.00 

Raising Puppies 
Food-Bedding "Carefresh Litter"-Toys-Replacement Toys-Possible New Pens-Toy Pools-Possible Pet Sitter-Worming Supplies 

$1500.00 and up
Vet (when their is no problems) 
Vaccinations-Microchip-Health Checks  $190. x 6 = 1140.00 

SUB TOTAL:               LOW TO HIGH    $3,790.- 6,040.00 
Sleeping in The Box   NO SLEEP  WANT SOME SLEEP! 

GRAND TOTAL:   LOW TO HIGH    $8,270.00 to 13,755.00 

DIVIDED BY 6 PUPPIES AVERAGE "COST" OF 1 PUPPY $1,871.00 to 3,426.00 


Replacement Costs of worn out items .  ?????

THIS IS JUST THE "COST" OF RAISING 1 AVERAGE LITTER OF 6 PUPPIES. THIS IS SIMPLY A "HOBBY" AND A LOVE FOR THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER BREED. I HOPE THIS PUTS THE COST VS PRICE WE CHARGE FOR A PUPPY IN PERSPECTIVE.