Purchasing a new puppy is an exciting time for any prospective pet owner. However, before you bring your furry friend home, it is essential to understand the difference between puppies sold with breeding rights and those sold without. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind these two options and discuss how breeding rights can impact the financial investment and the sale price of a puppy.
Breeding Rights vs. No Breeding Rights
When a breeder sells a puppy with breeding rights, the new owner is granted permission to use the dog for breeding purposes. This is common among purebred and pedigree dogs, where maintaining specific breed characteristics and bloodlines is paramount. On the other hand, puppies sold without breeding rights sometimes referred to as “pet quality” or “limited registration” puppies, are intended for companionship only, and the new owner agrees not to breed the dog.
Reasons for Selling Puppies without Breeding Rights
- Preserve the breed’s integrity: Breeders who are passionate about maintaining the highest breed standards may choose to sell puppies without breeding rights to ensure that only dogs with the best genetic traits are used for breeding. This helps to minimize the risk of genetic disorders and maintain the breed’s overall health.
- Prevent overbreeding: Sometimes, a breeder may sell a puppy without breeding rights to prevent overbreeding and control the dog population. Overbreeding can lead to excess puppies in the market, causing many to end up in shelters or being euthanized.
- Health concerns: If a puppy has known health issues or a predisposition to certain genetic disorders, a responsible breeder may sell the dog without breeding rights to protect future generations from potential health problems.
- Conformation issues: Some puppies may not meet the breed standard due to physical attributes, such as coat color, size, or other features. In such cases, a breeder may sell the puppy without breeding rights to ensure that these non-conforming traits are not passed on to future generations.
- Protect their reputation: Reputable breeders are often invested in their dogs’ bloodlines and have worked hard to establish a strong reputation. Selling puppies without breeding rights can help protect their reputation by ensuring that only the best examples of the breed are used for breeding purposes.
The Financial Investment of Breeding
- Health testing: Responsible breeders perform various health tests on their breeding dogs to ensure they are free from genetic disorders and overall in good health. These tests can be expensive but are necessary to maintain the breed’s integrity.
- Stud fees: If a breeder does not own a suitable male dog for breeding, they may need to pay stud fees to use another breeder’s dog. Stud fees can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the dog’s pedigree and accomplishments.
- Prenatal care and whelping supplies: Pregnant dogs require proper prenatal care, including regular veterinary check-ups and a nutritious diet. Additionally, breeders must invest in whelping supplies such as a whelping box, a heating pad, and various other items to ensure the puppies’ safe arrival.
- Veterinary expenses: From the birth of the puppies until they are ready to go to their new homes, various veterinary expenses will arise, including vaccinations, deworming, and health checks.
Certain breeds, such as the American Bully and French Bulldog, are known for having specific breeding challenges. French Bulldogs, for example, often require artificial insemination due to their unique anatomy, making it difficult for natural mating. Additionally, American Bullies and French Bulldogs tend to require cesarean sections (c-sections) due to their puppies’ large heads and the mother’s narrow pelvis. These complications add to the financial burden of breeding, as c-sections and artificial insemination procedures can be expensive.