• Previous Article
•  

Research Article

The economic calculus of raising and breeding Bernese mountain dogs in Poland

Zuzanna Cichosz¹, Katarzyna M. Kavetska ¹, Daniel Zaborski ² , Wilhelm Grzesiak ²

¹Department of Animal Anatomy and Zoology, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Klemensa Janickiego 33, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland

²Laboratory of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Animal Research, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Klemensa Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 23(2), 2024, 23‒34
2. DOI: 10.21005/asp.2024.23.2.03

Abstract. The aim of the study was to assess the costs incurred and profits earned by owners of Bernese mountain dogs in Poland. A questionnaire survey was carried out among 164 respondents, including 11 breeders and 5 owners of stud dogs. One-time expenses (e.g. the purchase of a puppy, starter kit, and neutering/spaying) and recurring expenses (e.g. feeding, grooming, training, veterinary care, and care for the dog when the owner is away) were analysed. In addition, costs associated with breeding and with stud dog activity were analysed. The purchase of a puppy was shown to be the largest of the one-time expenses, while feeding was the largest recurring expense. The smallest of the recurring costs was membership fees in kennel clubs and municipal fees for owning a dog, which most owners were not obliged to pay in their place of residence, while the smallest one-time cost was the purchase of training accessories. In general, no statistically significant differences were found between the costs of keeping male and female dogs. Breeders registered in the Polish Kennel Club achieved higher revenues from the sale of puppies in comparison with other kennel clubs. Instances of earning money in ways other than running a dog breeding business or stud dog activity were marginal. The results of the study can be a source of information for potential owners and breeders in making informed decisions as to the choice of breed.

Keywords: Bernese mountain dog, economic calculus, maintenance costs, dog