How to Start a Pitbull Kennel

Pitbulls are one of the most discriminated against dog breeds in the world today. Although these animals can be playful and loving, many of them are seen as aggressive and mean. If you own a pitbull and have tried to board it because your family is taking a vacation, you know how impossible it can sometimes be to find a kennel that will take your dog’s breed.

Sometimes you have to be the change you want to see in your community. By knowing how to start a pitbull kennel, you’ll be providing a much needed service to the dog owners that see the loving, playful sides of these animals every day. You’ll also have the chance to start breeding pit bulls at your kennel if you wish as well. It can be difficult to become successful in this industry, so here are some of the things you’ll need to know.

1. Most dog kennels need to be specifically zoned.

You can’t just decide to turn your home or property into a dog kennel. Most residential neighborhoods are zoned against having most businesses run out of a home. Noise pollution from the dogs barking and the apprehension that you’ve got lots of pitbulls on your property from the neighbors will be problematic as well. You’ll want a nice, large parcel of land that will allow you to protect the dogs and care for them properly, but still allow them to run.

You may also need to obtain a breeding license. In order to obtain this license, you may need to prove that you’ve been able to fulfill some or all of the additional steps below.

2. Secure a relationship with a veterinarian before you open your doors.

You’re not looking for a sponsorship here. You’re looking to have a relationship with a vet who will come out to your pitbull kennel to take a look at the medical issues the animals there are certain to face. If you’re boarding animals, then you’re also responsible for the health of the animal while their owners are away. Talk with providers in your community and focus on the level of care before focus on the price of the veterinarian services.

3. What do dogs like to eat? Food.

Any dog kennel business is going to need to have a way to secure high quality dog food at a price that is reasonably affordable. Buying in bulk can usually save you some cash, but that isn’t always a guarantee. Higher quality foods will result in better overall dog health, so purchase the best options that you can possibly afford as you’re preparing to open the doors to your kennel for the first time.

4. Be prepared for complications.

Dog breeds like pitbulls have a higher than average amount of breeding complications, even when everything is done right. If you are doing breeding at your kennel, then do yourself a favor and only select dogs that fit in with the breed standard. This will give you the best overall results, but it won’t eliminate complications. Taking in a female dog to have a C-section is more normal than most people realize.

There are some things that you will want to do as you get your kennel business going to help limit these complications as much as possible.

Never breed animals that are 12 months of age or less.
Young dogs struggle to maintain a pregnancy and having injuries that are life threatening is a high risk. Many breeders do this to make a quick buck, but let’s be honest: running a kennel needs to be more about love and less about money.

Spay and neuter animals that don’t meet breed standards.
Nothing is gained by breeding animals that are suitable for it.

Keep boarding and breeding separate.
Having puppies that are planned is part of your potential business model. Having puppies that are unplanned after a dog’s owners returns from a week’s vacation? That makes you look unprofessional.

5. Start small and build upward.

You don’t need to have a very large kennel to be profitable. Even if there are dozens of households in your community that may want your boarding services, most of them aren’t going to need your services on the same days or times. From a breeding perspective especially, you’re better off purchasing a female pitbull puppy from the best pitbull breeder in the world today that meets standards and then start the breeding process in a couple of years.

6. Reach out to your community.

There’s a good chance that your pitbull kennel is going to be seen as a negative addition to your community, no matter where you end up placing it. This may be a minority opinion, but there are instances where a majority of the community will band together and attempt to eliminate your entrepreneurial spirit.

How can you counter this negativity? People are fearful of things they don’t know. They are also fearful of things that they’re told they should be afraid of on a regular basis. When the news is filled with stories of pitbull attacks, breed restrictions, and other bad stories about this breed, they’ll be scared of what might happen with your business in their community. Education programs, free tours, and even dog play dates can all help to relieve these fears.

7. Secure ongoing funding capital.

There’s a very good chance that your pitbull kennel isn’t going to turn a real profit for at least 2 years if you’re starting from scratch. This means your initial capital fundraising must include at least 24 months of operational expenses. You’ll also want to look at securing ongoing capital in case expenses are higher so you can maintain your insurance premiums and the high quality of care for the animals.

Knowing how to start a pitbull kennel is information that can lead you to profitability. Use these tips to get started on your business plans today and let your love for pitbulls and dogs in general shine through.