A lot of time, knowledge, and thought goes into a proper breeding program. So what does being a dog breeder actually pay?
Most breeders with a small breeding program of two female dogs usually make between $8,000-$20,000 for small breeds and between $20,000-$36,000 for larger dog breeds in revenue.
Breeding one dog responsibly can cost around $8,500 in the first year alone. The lower end of $2,000 is already the bare minimum to keep an ethical operation going.
To be fair, all jobs in the dog niche are not paying exceptionally well. Sadly, responsible breeding is not really lucrative. If you’re in dog breeding for the profit, don’t do it.
It’s often designer dogs (essentially crossbreeds) that are high in demand. Having a certain pairing or color, can provide a great return but these breeders are just thinking short-term.