Lots of people don’t get their purebred dogs "fixed" because they figure that breeding the dog is a good way to make a fast buck. Or maybe they want their kids to see the "miracle of birth." But before you think that you’re going to make any money at it, talk to some breeders. When you find out what’s really involved in breeding your dog, you may find spaying her is just a lot simpler.
Even the most conscientious and responsible breeders have problems. Nature is cruel and puppies die. The miracle of birth often turns into the tragedy of death. Even with careful planing, proper equipment, and the best care, puppies die. A breeder I know recently lost 5 out of 6 puppies in a litter. It wasn’t the vet’s fault, it wasn’t the dog’s fault, and it wasn’t the breeder’s fault. It was an exhausting, expensive, and heartbreaking experience for everybody. Are you (or your kids) prepared to watch a puppy die or have a terminal puppy euthanized?
Even if you are lucky and all the puppies survive, the extra expense is considerable and you are unlikely to recoup the costs. First, the parent dogs must be examined for genetic diseases that occur in that particular breed. People purchasing puppies expect these certifications. For many breeds, you must have the hips x-rayed and certified as free from hip dysplasia. Other common tests include eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist, blood tests, heart exams, and other tests for breed-specific diseases. Any of these problems can be passed to the puppies from the mother, father, or both.
Also realize that you will incur many extra food and veterinary costs. The mother dog and the puppies need to eat. Pregnant female dogs generally eat much more food than normal. You also will have to take the mother dog in for check ups and take the puppies in for examinations and shots. If whelping doesn’t go well, you may also have to take the mother in for an emergency C-section or witness your own dog’s death along with the puppies.
When you look at the alternative, paying $40 or $50 to have your female dog spayed starts to look like a good idea. Leave dog breeding to responsible breeders who know what they are doing.