Why are your prices,“so high”?
Why Are Your Puppies Priced This Way?
That’s a question we’re occasionally asked—and we feel it’s an honest one that deserves a thoughtful response. If you haven’t already, you may enjoy reading our article “Why a Champion?” But we’re always happy to explain what makes our program different.
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Let’s be clear—most breeders don’t depend entirely on raising puppies for their income, unless they’re running a commercial-scale operation producing large volumes. In our case, this is our full-time work and primary source of income. So ask yourself this: would you be comfortable if someone questioned what you earn in your profession? Probably not. Being a dog breeder doesn’t make our personal finances public property. We don’t owe anyone an explanation to validate our pricing. I’ll bring up some points on that.
Let’s Talk About Pricing
First things first: breeders with similar programs to ours aren’t usually very different in price. If it’s been years since you last purchased a poodle, you may be surprised. But just like everything else—dog food, veterinary care, medication, grooming, electricity—costs have increased significantly.
We won’t lower our prices to “compete,” because doing so would mean cutting back on the quality of care our dogs receive. And that’s simply not an option for us.
We invest heavily in our adult dogs—health testing, veterinary care, vaccinations, medications, emergency visits—you name it. These costs add up quickly.
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“I Saw a Breeder With Puppies for Much Less!”
We completely understand, and we genuinely wish you the best in your search for a puppy that fits your budget. If anything changes down the road, we’ll still be here, and happy to help when the timing is right.
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“But I Really Want One of Your Puppies!”
We totally get it—I love our puppies too! But raising a puppy comes with many expenses: accidents, vet visits, high-quality food, toys, grooming, daycare, dog walkers… it all adds up. Toy poodles, in particular, thrive on human companionship, so availability and time are just as important as money.
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“But I’d Give Them a Wonderful Life!”
We believe you! And thankfully, we’re able to place our puppies in homes that are both financially stable and full of love. We never compromise on placing our pups in homes that can provide at least the basics—nutrition, veterinary care, safety, and affection.
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“Why Can’t You Sell More Puppies?”
We’re currently licensed as a Class 4 kennel in Pennsylvania. While we may have up to 100 dogs on our property, our license limits us to rehoming just 60 dogs per year—including retired dogs, rehomed adults, and even puppies who have sadly passed away. That leaves us with room to place only about 50 puppies annually.
So even though demand is high, we simply cannot meet it—and that’s okay. Our focus is on quality, not volume.
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The Life We’ve Chosen
There are real costs—monetary and personal—to supporting this life. We’ve traded vacations, weekends away, fancy dinner parties, and spotless homes for muddy paws, midnight feedings, and constant cleanup.
We wouldn’t trade this life for anything—but that doesn’t mean it’s without sacrifice. Like anyone running a home-based business, we carry all the responsibilities that come with being our own boss. Yes, there’s freedom—but there’s also risk, long hours, and pressure that many don’t see. Just because we love what we do doesn’t mean it’s easy—or that our work should be undervalued. Most of our clients don’t undervalue our puppies!
Some breeders set up outdoor kennels, separate runs, or even hire help so they can take breaks or leave home. We don’t have that kind of system—and we’re okay with that. We choose to be fully involved, 24/7, so our dogs enjoy a home environment filled with care and attention.
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Why Not Go Commercial?
We actually considered becoming commercially licensed after building a second house just for the dogs. It was a major investment—made possible thanks to YOU and, most importantly, the dogs. It’s helped us give them a better life and has made us more efficient.
But the more we learned about commercial regulations, the less appealing it became. One of the main requirements? Dogs must be kenneled full-time, with only six allowed to roam free at any given moment. That didn’t sit right with us.
We are home around the clock, so our dogs can live more freely. Kennels are used only at bedtime or on rare occasions when we all need to leave the house. We want our dogs to enjoy a real home life, with human interaction, affection, and freedom.
We have no issue with ethical, law-abiding commercial breeders. Many raise wonderful puppies. But it’s simply not the direction we want to go. We’re not ready to bring on employees or take on the stress that comes with scaling up. And in Pennsylvania, the rules are strict—which, honestly, is a good thing.
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This Is Our Life—and Our Livelihood
Raising our puppies is our only household income. After business expenses—vetting, food, utilities, labor, and time—we still have to support our family of five. That includes a mortgage, health insurance, property and income taxes, tuition, and more.
As we continue to improve our lines, pricing may reflect that. We’ve reinvested a significant portion of our earnings back into our breeding program to ensure healthier, better-structured dogs with exceptional temperaments.
Could you find a puppy for less? Absolutely. But our focus is on quality over quantity. Rapid growth often leads to burnout, stress, and mistakes. We never want to lose the passion and love we have for what we do—or the connection we maintain with each of our puppies, even after they go home.
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The Journey So Far
These last nine years have been filled with sacrifice—but now, we’re finally tasting the joy of what we’ve built. God has been so good to us, and we’re thankful every single day.
Thank you for being a part of our story, for believing in us, and for giving our puppies such wonderful homes.
Warmly,
Your Friends at KC