In total, we spent about $2,700 in marketing, materials, vet visits, stud fees and gifts for the puppies’ new families. This is based on intentional choices in terms of the quality of items we purchased (high-quality food, high-quality treats, premium food bowls, an excellent vet and quality packaging for our adoption gifts). This was a comfortable investment level based on a typical-sized litter and set us up to at least break even – even with a smaller litter of just three puppies. Our
Breeder’s Toolkit includes a comprehensive, dynamic worksheet for calculating every upfront investment you make in raising your puppies as well as projected profit based on the average price per puppy and the size of your litter.
Below are some examples of materials you’ll need to breed.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
| item | detail |
| Whelping Box | You could buy a whelping box or easily build one with a large cardboard box lined with padding or an upcycled kiddie pool and a pool noodle. We used Scout’s crate, covered with a heavy blanket so it felt like a den. |
| Large Crate | Scout’s crate is very large and has two doors (a small one and a large one). It was perfect for whelping and was large enough for her to lie down comfortably with all the puppies. This was no cost, since we already owned it. |
| Play Area | For a typical litter, one free standing pet gate would make a perfect play area for the puppies. Because we had ten puppies, we bought two sets and connected them together for a larger pen. |
| High Quality Dog Food | Scout doubled her food consumption during her pregnancy and while she was nursing – so our food costs doubled for a few months. Net-net, about 3 extra bags of food. |
| High Quality Puppy Food | We had 10 puppies, so a lot of little mouths to feed and a lot of adoption packages to create. All in all, we went through 3 bags, including the adoption packages. |
| Puppy Pads | We bought an economy-size box of 200 puppy pads and had countless extras when we were done. I ended up packing a few of them in the adoption packages to protect car seats as the puppies went to their new homes. |
| Whelping Collars | I bought a set of color-coded whelping collars from Amazon to keep track of the puppies while they were first born and as they were growing. These colors matched the adoption packages to feel cohesive. |
| Website (Optional) | We bought a domain name for $12 and piggy-backed the puppy site off our existing WordPress website for freelance digital marketing services, making it free to host. You could easily build an equivalent on Squarespace for a little as $16 per month – free domain name included. |
| Adoption Gifts (Optional) | Blankets, Puppy Toys, Puppy Food, Containers or bags for storing food, Food Bowls, Collars, Leashes, Doggie bags, Treats, Food Scoop |
| Adoption Gift Packaging | Folders, Gift Bags, Tissue Paper |
| Other Necessities | Tarp, mop, puppy shampoo, towels, wash cloths, soft blankets for padding the bed. We already had all of these, but all fairly low-cost to buy new. |
| Vet Costs (Genetic Testing) | Hip Dysplasia (at minimum). Additional Recommendations: CERF Eye Testing, Elbow Dysplasia, Cardiac Testing, Thyroid Testing, von Willebrand’s Disease Testing |
| Vet Costs | Plan on having at least two visits for mom during her pregnancy and two for the puppies, including additional costs for vaccinations and de-worming before they’re 8 weeks old. |
| Stud Fee | We paid $1,000 to work with a reputable breeder, but you could go a different route (e.g., pick of the litter) |
