Factors determining Stud Dog Fees in Australia

Stud dog fees in Australia can vary greatly from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars for rare, imported and highly sought-after bloodlines. What’s included in a stud fee varies from service to service, but at all ethical breeders expect a stud dog to have been health tested.

Some stud dog owners offer onsite artificial insemination (AI) at no extra cost. This can be extremely valuable, particularly when incompatibilities arise between the male and female, whether they be anatomical or behavioural. Onsite AI allows the fresh semen to be collected and inseminated, with no wasting of precious time in the female’s fertile window.

What is a Stud Dog Fee

A stud fee is a price a stud dog owner is willing to accept to offer their stud dog’s services and genetics. The stud fee is often a few hundred dollars but popular stud dogs such as racing greyhound studs or working dog studs can be many thousands of dollars.

The more health testing, awards or working titles a stud dog has, often the higher their stud service fee will be.

Stud Dog Fees and Health testing

Health testing can cost thousands of dollars by the time a stud dog has reached full maturity. By this time it’s often had hip & elbow scores and DNA testing carried out. Some stud dog owners do more health testing than others but puppy breeders value any extra health testing that has been done.

Being able to include the results of health testing in puppy packs and marketing material puts puppy buyers’ minds at ease and often translates to sellers getting a higher price for their puppies.

Not all breeds require hip and elbow scoring however some are particularly prone to hip dysplasia and breeders will expect stud dogs to have been scored.

Stud dogs that benefit from having hip scoring:

• German Shepherds
• Rottweilers
• Labradors
• Golden Retrievers
• American Bully
• Bulldogs
• Cavoodles
• Poodles
• Labradoodles
• Groodles
• American Staffordshire Bull Terriers
• Mastiffs
• Great Danes
• Saint Bernards
• Bernese Mountain Dogs
• Newfoundlands

Health testing for breeding bitches

Ethical stud dog owners will screen any potential breeding partners. Requesting to see any health testing or checks on the female by the breeder prior to breeding. Not all dog breeders are ethical and stud dog owners should aim to work with reputable breeders, avoiding puppy farms that produce unhealthy puppies and keep dogs in overcrowded conditions.

Stud Dog Fees – what’s reasonable?

If you’re considering offering your dog at stud, compare their credentials with those of other stud dogs to set your fee. Similarly, some stud dog services are provided by breeders with years of experience in dog breeding. This can be invaluable for new breeders who often require support and guidance throughout the process.

Stud Dog Fees – factors determining the price

Stud dog fees will vary based on factors such as:

• Location – how central is the stud? Do breeders need to travel a long distance for the service? Can semen be chilled or frozen and shipped?
• Health testing – most breeders expect a stud dog to have at least been DNA tested for breed-specific diseases. A higher stud fee will often be paid if the stud dog has also been hip and elbow scored.
• Demand – some stud dogs have a reputation for producing quality puppies over a long period of time. This puts breeders’ minds at ease, they will often have seen or met one of the stud dog’s progenies in person.
• The puppy breeding experience of the stud dog owner – an experienced stud master is invaluable in the breeding process, they carry out onsite AI, and offer breeding, pregnancy and puppy-raising advice.
• Options for insemination – some stud dog owners will offer to meet at a reproduction specialist vet for AI, TCI or FSI. These methods can increase success rates and litter sizes, particularly in females who have had failed breedings in the past.

• Stud dog semen collection – some stud dogs won’t produce a quality fresh semen collection for AI or frozen storage. They are limited to natural matings which are not always possible.
• Stud dogs that cannot mate naturally – some stud dogs cannot mate naturally and are limited to AI. Many clients prefer natural matings despite the increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases and the inability to analyse the stud’s sperm for abnormalities.

If you’re looking for a stud dog or information on how to stud your dog, check out Stud Dogs Australia!