Do you dream of earning money while doing what makes you happy?
You’re not alone, it’s everybody’s wish.
If you’re a dog lover who wants to make a living out of being around those fluffy creatures, there are many business ideas to consider.
Besides walking, grooming, and boarding, you can breed dogs and sell them to make an excellent profit.
In this article, you’ll find a complete guide on how to start a dog breeding business and what to expect from it.
- How Profitable Is Owning a Dog Breeding Business?
- What You Will Need To Start a Dog Breeding Business [& Associated Costs]
- Why You Should Consider Starting a Dog Breeding Business as a Side Hustle
- How To Start a Dog Breeding Business in Eight Simple Steps
- Things To Consider When Building a Dog Breeding Business
- INSPIRATION: Dog Breeding Business Ideas
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Similar Businesses To Consider Starting
- Wrapping Up
How Profitable Is Owning a Dog Breeding Business?
Profits of dog breeding businesses depend on a few factors, such as the dog type, number of litters, and price per puppy.
Large dogs can give birth to up to ten puppies per litter, while smaller dog breeds usually have between one and four puppies per litter.
Prices for one pup are between $500 and $3,000, with a profit margin of about 70%.
The average number of litters per female dog is three per year.
Check the following table to know your expected revenue as a dog breeder for each female dog per litter.
| Number of Offspring Per Litter | Business Revenue Per Female Dog | Profit Margin Per Female Dog |
| 1 | $500–$3,000 | $350–$2100 |
| 2 | $1,000–$6,000 | $700–$4,200 |
| 3 | $1,500–$9,000 | $1,050–$6,300 |
| 4 | $2,000–$12,000 | $1,400–$8,400 |
| 5 | $2,500–$15,000 | $1,750–$10,500 |
| 6 | $3,000–$18,000 | $2,100–$12,600 |
| 7 | $3,500–$21,000 | $2,450–$14,700 |
| 8 | $4,000–$24,000 | $2,800–16,800 |
| 9 | $4,500_$27,000 | $3,150–18,900 |
What You Will Need To Start a Dog Breeding Business [& Associated Costs]
To start a dog breeding business, you need an average of $8,000 in funds, varying depending on how much you need to spend on the dogs.
There are a few basics to start with, which are:
- Registering the Business: Setting up your company and registering its name costs an average of $175.
- Licensing and Permits: Issuing licenses for your breeding business is essential, costing around $200.
- Business Insurance: For a $1 million general liability insurance, you would pay between $300 and $700 per year.
- Business Marketing: Business cards, brochures, and a website should cost around $2,250.
- Female Dog: For a healthy, purebred female dog, you should expect to pay from $1000 to $5,000.
- Stud Fees: It’s the fee you pay for the stud owner to breed your female dog and it ranges between $250 and $1,000.
- Dog Accessories: This requires a budget of around $250, including beds, blankets, collars, leashes, etc.
- Vet Expenses: You should expect to pay up to $1000 for medical evaluation and essential vaccinations.
- Dog Supplies: Food, treats, kennels, and other supplies cost an average of $500.
- AKC Registration: Using the AKC’s full litter registration application, you can pay a $25 fee plus $12 per puppy.
- Training Courses: The Canine College by the American Kennel Club offers free training courses. However, a paid class can cost an average of $200.
Do I Need a License or Certificates To Start a Dog Breeding Business?
It depends on the state you’re living in.
In most cases, you need to apply for a commercial dog breeding license from your local Animal Care Office.
Some states require additional licenses if you breed more than two litters annually. That’s why you need to do your research and know your state’s regulations.
You can also check the Animal Care Licensing and Registration Assistant for more information about it.
Why You Should Consider Starting a Dog Breeding Business as a Side Hustle
Becoming a dog breeder has many advantages, especially for dog lovers. Not only is it a lucrative side hustle, but a rewarding one too.
Here are four reasons why you should consider starting such a business.
- High Demand: People love dogs. According to The Zebra, nearly 40% of U.S. homes have a minimum of one pet dog.
- Ability to Work From Home: You can start your breeding business from home, as dogs are relatively small and don’t need a huge space.
- Being Around Dogs: Having to work around fluffy pets is exciting and rewarding on its own. You can’t complain about having a tough job.
- Ease of Care: The job doesn’t require many people, as you can care for dogs by yourself or with the help of close family (spouse and children).
How To Start a Dog Breeding Business in Eight Simple Steps
Taking the associated costs and issues into consideration, it’s time to get to business. To start a dog breeding business the correct way, you need to follow a specific set of steps, which are:
Step #1: Write a Business Plan
The most important step you shouldn’t ignore is writing a business plan. You need it for tracking your business’s progress and also for banks if you’re planning on applying for a loan.
Step #2: Register Your Business
Form your business’s legal entity, pick a name for it, and register it with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The IRS requires all breeders making a profit of over $500 to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Check whether you’re supposed to register under the category of “Animal Farms or Horse Businesses,” “Dog Breeders or Kennels,” or “Pet Shops.”
Step #3: Obtain Licenses and Permits
To obtain a commercial breeding license you should have more than 20 dogs within 12 months.
It helps to check your state’s Commercial Pet Breeders Laws to know all regulations. The licenses and permits needed vary from one state to the other.
To know what kind of licenses you need, check the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website.
Step #4: Get Insurance
Insurance is vital for any type of business to cover concerns, such as fire, floods, or theft. Research your best insurance options to cover your animals, premises, and yourself.
Step #5: Pick a Breed To Specialize in
Experts recommend focusing on a single breed and specializing in it, especially if it’s your first time breeding.
Do your research to determine which breed to pick and its potential health problems to know how to deal with it.
You should also take into consideration other details, like the activity level and how much space a dog of this breed needs.
Picking a popular breed is a good idea to guarantee profits, but try to avoid trend breeds. Once the trend ends, your business may face a recession.
Step #6: Take Breeding Courses and Training
This career requires experience, skill, and knowledge of genetics. That’s why it’s essential to take dog breeding courses.
Through this kind of education, you can learn breeding basics, dog behavior, and evaluating potential studs.
Step #7: Buy the Needed Equipment
After legalizing your business, you need to start preparing the place you have with the necessary equipment. Depending on the breed you choose to work with, pick suitable kennels, collars, beds, toys, and other supplies.
Step #8: Market Your Business
Although many people don’t consider this an essential step, it actually is.
Creating a business identity and marketing it through brochures and online advertising has many benefits. It increases your business’s exposure and helps you reach more potential customers.
Things To Consider When Building a Dog Breeding Business
It’s not enough to love dogs to be able to have your successful breeding business, as there are other considerations you should be aware of.
Before making your decision, ask yourself the following questions.
Can You Run a Dog Breeding Business by Yourself?
Starting your business, it would be too early to hire someone to help you.
You should be confident you’re able to run the dog breeding business yourself.
In fact, it shouldn’t be hard to do so if you already have a pet dog.
Do You Have the Time and Proper Experience To Breed Dogs?
Breeding dogs is a 24/7 job and isn’t as easy as having a dog at home.
You should work on getting proper training and know what complications you may face.
Professional dog breeders have a deep understanding of genetics and can improve breeding lines.
With time, you’ll have an experienced eye to spot a healthy dog with a good pedigree.
Are You Aware of the Associated Costs of Breeding Dogs?
Aside from the basic costs of starting a dog breeding business, you should consider other hidden expenses.
Your dogs need genetic screening and other tests, and you should expect to face a huge vet bill if anything goes wrong.
INSPIRATION: Dog Breeding Business Ideas
If you’re a dog person but find the breeding business out of your comfort zone, there are other options to consider.
Check out the following dog-related business ideas:
- Dog Daycare Services: This business provides a place for dogs to have fun while their parents are working long hours. This idea requires a bit of funding, though. That’s because you need adequate space and supplies to host many dogs.
- Dog Boarding Services: Boarding services provide a place for pets to stay and interact with other animals while their parents are out of town for a long time. Some dog boarding companies even offer luxury pet hotel experiences.
- Dog Grooming Services: This idea gives you the option to start as a private contractor working at salons to gain experience. With time, you can invest in your dog grooming place or customized mobile grooming truck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most profitable dog to breed?
The most profitable dog to breed is the Siberian Husky, which is usually sold for $800–$2,500.
This doesn’t mean it’s the most expensive dog. A few factors contribute to the profitability of breeding certain types of dogs, including healthcare costs and the breed’s popularity.
Is dog breeding a good career?
It depends on the number of female dogs you have, the breed, and your level of experience.
Dog breeding can be a good and rewarding career when done right. However, many professional dog breeders do it for enjoyment.
Similar Businesses To Consider Starting
If you think you won’t enjoy the breeding business, here are other businesses that might be up your alley.
- How To Start a Dog Walking Business: It’s a great business idea for those who have an active lifestyle and like to go out to make money out of walking dogs. You can start this business by getting dog walking jobs and build progress from there.
- How To Start a Homecare Business: Homecare services provide assistance for those who can’t afford nursing homes, offering care for old or disabled people.
- How To Start a Babysitting Business: A babysitting business is a great opportunity for those who love kids.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re in it for making a profit or having fun, knowing how to start a dog breeding business is important.
Before starting such a business, you should have the experience and take all the possible issues you may face into consideration.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll get to help people find their dream puppy.
Comment your opinion below and share this article if you have a friend interested in starting a business.
