04/21/2025
The True Cost of a Puppy: What You’re Really Paying For
We often receive messages from people asking, “Do you offer a discount?” or “Can you work with me on the price of a puppy?” And while we understand that budgets matter, we also hope people understand the reality of what goes into raising a quality, well-bred puppy. It is not simply a business. It’s a way of life—and one filled with love, sacrifice, and heartache.
What many don’t see is the journey that starts long before a litter is even born. We invest in carefully selected breeding stock—dogs that are not just beautiful, but healthy, sound in temperament, and proven in their lineage. These dogs often cost thousands of dollars on their own, and that’s before training, certifications, health testing, and care.
Planning a breeding isn’t done on a whim. It requires months, sometimes years, of preparation. We study pedigrees. We consider genetics. We travel, consult, test, wait—and hope. When the day finally comes and the dam is confirmed pregnant, our hearts are full, but the real work is just beginning.
Whelping a litter is one of the most intense, emotional experiences a breeder can go through. Many of us sleep on the floor next to the whelping box for days—or weeks—on end, waking every hour to check pups, help with feeding, and make sure the mother is okay. We live in a state of constant watchfulness and exhaustion. There are no days off. No “sick days.” Just a deep sense of responsibility that doesn’t let up.
We clean constantly. We track weights. We assist with nursing. We sanitize, feed, socialize, and soothe. And then there are the emergencies. The moments when a puppy is failing and you’re rushing to the vet, praying you’re not too late. The nights you sit quietly crying, holding a puppy you couldn’t save—because no matter how experienced you are, loss still hurts. It never gets easier.
Vet bills pile up. Quality food, supplements, vaccinations, microchips, deworming meds—it all adds up quickly. And these aren’t shortcuts we’re willing to take. Because our goal isn’t just to raise puppies—it’s to raise great puppies. Confident. Healthy. Stable. Well-started. And ready for the life they’ll share with their new families.
We are with them around the clock—day and night—until they go to their new homes. We miss holidays, cancel trips, and put our personal lives on hold. Our own families often come second to our four-legged ones. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a calling. And we feel a tremendous obligation to do it right.
So when someone asks for a discount, it’s hard not to feel like everything we pour into this is being undervalued. You’re not just paying for a puppy. You’re paying for the years of experience behind that puppy. For the sleepless nights. For the heartbreaks. For the endless hours of care, cleaning, training, and love. You’re paying for peace of mind—knowing that the dog you bring home was given the very best start in life.
We’re not here to mass-produce dogs. We’re here to preserve a breed we love, and to match our puppies with homes where they will thrive and be cherished.
If our price seems high, it’s because the cost of doing this the right way is even higher.
We ask for understanding, and more than anything, respect for the process. Because behind every puppy is a breeder who’s given their whole heart to raise them—and that’s something you simply can’t put on sale.
