top of page

Why So Much?

If you have shopped around, you may have noticed a wide range of prices in the Boxer Breed.  We land somewhere in the middle of the $800 to the $5000 price range that we have seen for AKC registered dogs.   We start out most of our male puppies at the $2000 mark, females usually more.  Colors, markings, size, and parentage can all play a part in price.  There are many more things that come into play, when pricing our dogs.  We use only top of the line nutritional supplements and food that are recommended by the AKC and their veterinarians.  We do health testing. We microchip EVERY DOG on our property, including every puppy AND we pay to register that microchip, so if puppy gets lost before you get around to sending in that paperwork, AKC already has me as a contact, and I know who has that Puppy!! Besides you just dropped a chunk of change on that bouncing baby boxer, I can share in some of the end cost!

Anyway there are many other factors below are more but by all means not all of them!

 

Health testing — of both parents, for a range of diseases known to occur in Boxers like DM and ARVC, as well as

tests for things like the bacterial infection brucellosis which can cause abortion and sterility in the dam.Fecal exams, and annual physicals.

                                                

Progesterone monitoring — Reveals the ovulation date which is used to schedule mating and to accurately predict the whelping date.

​

Ultrasounds — To confirm the bitch is pregnant and gauge health of pregnancy.

 

Surgery- like C-Sections, altering, lumpectomies and even dental cleanings

​

Food for the dam and sire— During pregnancy and peak lactation dams require enhanced nutrition and can consume as much as four times their normal amount of food.  We use top Quality food,

Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20.

​

Maternal and sire supplements — to produce the healthiest dog prior to breeding and then to support a healthy pregnancy, a productive labor and plenty of good quality milk during lactation. We use all of Breeders Edge Nutritional Supplements, so our dogs have top notch health before we breed, during gestation, lactation, and during their recovery. Our males are also on supplements to improve their fertility, stamina, and overall health.

​

Whelping supplies — Including some that have expiration dates and must be ordered fresh for each litter e.g., fresh colostrum, thermometer, calcium gel for the dam, probiotics, goats milk for supplementation, gloves, towels, whelping box, whelping box substrate, heat source for whelping and puppies, scale for birth weight and daily weigh in to monitor health of each baby, forceps, Gerber Chicken baby food for mom after the birth 

​

Optional cosmetic procedures like tail docking and dew claw removal — done within a few days of birth, usually days two to five.  Supplies like surgical scissors, hemostats, silver nitrate, gloves.

​

Food and supplements for puppies — Solid food introduced from about three weeks and increased as the dam weans the pups. Expense is greater the longer the breeder keeps the puppies.  Rice cereal, goat milk, canned puppy food.  We use top notch canned food Purina Pro Plan Puppy Under 1 Year.

 

Nursery equipment including bedding, pens, pee pads, toys and a variety of socialization aides such as obstacles, wobble boards, scent items, sound desensitization recordings like the Through a Dog’s Ear 3 CD Set with Household & Outdoor Sounds, textured surfaces etc.

​

Fecal tests and worming medicine

 

Vet fees — Can quickly mount up if there are complications with the pregnancy or birth.

 

AKC registration for the litter and for each individual puppy.

 

Puppy starter kit supplied to owners; items included vary by Breeder.  We provide a blanket that smells like home, a bag of food, a sample of the training treats we use, a couple of toys, some wee wee pads, some on the go poo bags, a collar and leash, an AKC new puppy folder, a vaccination and worming record, and info on the pre-paid microchipped already in the puppy.

​

Microchip implantation and Reader, AKC requires a novice be able to identify every dog on the property so a microchip reader must be on site if dogs and puppies are chipped. Also, we Pre-pay for registration of the microchip.  So, all you have to do is fill out your puppy's name and all your info and mail it in! No Charge to You!

 

Wellness exam prior to shipping, health certificate, crate

​

Vaccinations, for each puppy and for each and every dog on their property

​

DNA testing of pups for degenerative myelopathy (DM) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) - if puppies’ genetic status cannot be determined on the basis of parents’ results.

​

Time off work to care for the litter (Breeders have day jobs too!)

​

Gas, power and water bills associated with keeping a litter of puppies warm and clean, oh and the paper towels!! We must use a whole roll a day!!

​

Transport costs involved in taking puppies to vet checks, evaluations, play dates, socialization experiences.

​

Pedigree and the parents’ success in the show ring i.e., whether the pup is from champion bloodlines, and what titles have been won by the dam and sire.

​

Location — Can be more expensive in coastal states and cheaper in the middle of the country.

​

Contracts and conditions — Price can vary depending on the rights withheld by the breeder or attached to the dog i.e., whether the pup is sold outright or with an agreement that the breeder can include the dog in their breeding program in future.

​

Color — White Boxer puppies may be sold for less than fawn and brindle littermates because they do not technically conform to the breed standard. Less reputable breeders may advertise “black” Boxers as rare and attempt to charge more for this coat color variation which is actually a sealed brindle.

​

Markings/Flashiness — Distribution of white markings can make the difference between a puppy being a show prospect or not.

​

Age at which the puppies go to their new homes – From 8 to 12 weeks is standard. Responsible breeders will not be willing to let their pups go any earlier

 

Advertising - Selling those bundles of joy whether on personal websites or commercial sites they all cost money to have, build and maintain.
 

Ancestral lines — European bloodlines are seen by some owners as more desirable than American bloodlines, increasing the demand for and market value of these puppies. If the breeder has imported chilled or frozen semen from Europe for the breeding, this can triple or quadruple the cost of regular stud fees and breeders may pass this cost on


American Vs. European Boxers

​

Gender — Both male and female Boxers make great pets, but some breeders charge more for females because of the potential to breed from them.

​

All being well, the cost of your Boxer puppy will be the single largest one-off expense you have to outlay throughout the life of your dog.

​

The most compelling reason to pay for a properly bred Boxer is because reputable breeders are much more likely than casual ones to do thorough health screening.

​

Regardless of what you pay, from $2400 to $5000, one thing is guaranteed: it will be worth it.

With or without champion bloodlines, your Boxer will pay you back a hundred-fold

​

Really.. Why So Little??

​

bottom of page