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When Things Go Wrong
If you think it can't happen, it will.
If you KNOW it can't happen, it will.
If it is absolutely impossible for it to happen,
it will most DEFINATELY."
It's hard to deny the cuteness of a Pug or Frenchie puppy -
or that of any other breed. Those soft coats, those limpid
eyes and that puppy breath! One glance at a litter of healthy
puppies is enough to make any owner of a pure bred dog
consider breeding their own. After all, it looks like so much fun,
and you might even make a little bit of extra money.
However, before rushing into breeding there are some very
specific things you need to consider. Cost, for one.
Breeding, whelping and raising Pugs or French Bulldogs is
exorbitantly expensive - more so than you could probably imagine.
The vast majority of them can neither breed, conceive or whelp
naturally, and these costs can add up into the thousands in a very
short period of time.
Quality French Bulldog or Pug Litters - the Caviar of Dog Breeding (In Expenses Alone!)
Here's an aproximate example work sheet of a one litter .
Unless otherwise indicated:
| Procedure |
Cost |
|
Timing Testing of Bitch - progesterone & LH testing to determine optimum breeding dates |
Aprox. $500.00 |
|
Stud Fee (can vary from $1000 - $2500, sometimes with 2-nd pick from litter required in addition to or instead of fee) |
$1500.00 |
|
Shipping Costs for Bitch to Stud Dog=delivery of semen, if AI |
$200-250.00 |
|
Boarding Costs for Bitch while at Stud Dog |
$100.00 |
|
Ultrasound to determine pregnancy |
$200.00 |
|
Supplements, Vitamins, Premium Food |
aprox. $200.00 |
|
Reverse Progesterone to determine whelp date |
$150-200.00 |
|
C Section, if it's needed |
aprox.$500.00 |
|
Follow Up Visit for Mom and Pups |
$150.00 |
|
Shots, Worming, Microchips (per pup) |
$185.00 |
|
Litter and Puppy Registration |
aprox $200.00 |
|
Total Cost |
aprox.$3985.00 |
It was the calculation for three puppies, which were born in this
(fortunately) problem free litter.
Bearing in mind that we have left out the costs of advertising,
health testing, feeding and all other expenses associated
with this bitch reaching a stage where she is suitable to be bred,
we are still looking at net costs of $1328 per puppy produced.
But not all litters are trouble free. Some end in stress for the breeder,
the bitch and the puppies, and some end up much, much worse.
Puppies Always Come in the Middle of the Night or Weekend...
Our true story, what happened in far away 1992...
Anita-Blondie was white\pied French Bulldog bitch with an amazing future.
She finished her show career with numerous group placements,
culminating with a Best of Opposite Win at a Regional Breed Specialty.
She was the top French Bulldog Bitch at that time.
When the time came for us to breed Anita, we carefully chose a
gorgeous male with qualities that matched and enhanced hers.
At 9.30Pm on a Saturday, several days before we expected her to start,
Anita went into labor. She gave birth herself to 2 puppies, and third one
stuck in her pelvic...We hardly tried ourselves to take him out, she was
pushing hard...Finally, trying to pull out the puppy, we pull out his paw...
But could not get him...Time went...She had contractions,
but alredy dead pup stucked inside...
We could not to do ANYTHING!!!!!
Our regular vet, a canine reproduction specialist, was not open
during weekend...And nights too...
In the Sunday morning we called to everybody, who somehow could
help us...Finally, we found a Vet, and, to our relief, she was indeed
already in and willing to do Anita's c-section. But problem is, that
she could not get to her sergical instruments, which were at work,
and vet ofice was closed...
She offered to do c-section at her home, on a kitchen table...
We were lucky, that she does had some anastesia...But no scalpels at all...
To this time, Anita barely could breathe...
Her belly was swollen, because dead puppy and intocsication,
it blocked her urine channel and she could not pee...
After anastesia was done, and she fell asleep, vet, not having
needed medical scalpel, shaved her belly and made a cut with regular
dangerous shaving rasor...
After belly was turn to her uteris. It was a fontain of stinky liquid,
and after, one after another on a towel were layed 6 dead puppies...
Luckily, we saved Anita's life - very luckily, and very barely.
Unluckily, she developed a medical condition shortly after this,
and was never bred from again.
The litter we lost was her only chance at reproduction.
Mother nature works to ensure that the minute a dog breeder
assumes that all is going well, something will go wrong.
If you are prepared to make the choice to be a dog breeder,
you need to be aware of the risks associated with, and the
incredibly hard work and agonizing situations which it entails.
Dead bitches, dead puppies, dead litters, sleepless nights,
devastating vet bills, and round the clock work are all the prices
we must be prepared to pay for the rewards of snuggling those
cute little faces which survive.
Until you have held in your hands a cold, dead puppy -- one you've
watched since birth, one you've waited for so eagerly -- you cannot
know what loss is. Until your bitch has died from complications of a
breeding that you decided and planned, you cannot know what regret is.
Serious breeders are aware of all of this, and reluctantly accepting
of the possible outcomes which can happen.
What you need to ask yourself is-
Are you prepared and willing to risk all of this?
| Here's a partial list of breeds that OFTEN require medical and surgical assistance with whelping. Always have close communication with your veterinarian long before and during the whelping process; veterinary assistance may very well be required! |
Pugs |
| Bulldogs-Engish/French |
| Chihuahuas |
| Boston Terriers |
| Pekingese |
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