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- I breed and train dogs that sell for $175,000 each. We place about 20 dogs a year, and it took us a while to be profitable. (businessinsider.com)
From Pet Aversion to Protection Pups: One Mom’s Journey to a $175,000 Dog Business
What started as a desperate need for security during a twin pregnancy has blossomed into Svalinn Dogs, a successful venture selling highly trained protection dogs for a hefty sum, all thanks to founder Kim Greene’s unwavering vision.
Kim Greene’s story is a testament to turning personal necessity into a thriving enterprise. Despite a childhood aversion to dogs stemming from a severe case of poison ivy, Greene found herself rethinking her stance when she became pregnant with twins while living in Kenya.
Working internationally, her husband in defense and she in humanitarian efforts, the prospect of raising a family in a volatile environment spurred a desire for protection. Firearms and bodyguards were out, leaving a surprising alternative: a dog.
The Genesis of Svalinn Dogs
Greene and her then-husband initially imported two security dogs from the US, quickly realizing they could improve upon the concept. Her vision was clear: create a dog that could seamlessly transition between a beloved family pet and a formidable guardian angel.
In 2005, with a modest $160,000 raised from friends and family – a far cry from their initial $5 million budget – Svalinn Dogs officially launched, with their breeding program commencing in 2007. The business and her twins grew up in tandem, each demanding significant attention. Greene recalls the business often feeling like her “needy third child,” necessitating daycare for her sons to allow her to focus on her burgeoning career.
A Costly American Dream
The family’s move back to the US in 2012, driven by one son’s academic needs, proved to be a significant challenge for the business. While her husband remained in Africa to support the family, Greene found herself essentially starting over in America. The cost of operations in the US was “staggering,” and Svalinn Dogs didn’t turn a profit until 2017.
During these lean years, Greene admits to contemplating giving up daily. However, the reliance of both people and animals on her, coupled with her unwavering conviction in the concept of a highly trained protection dog, kept her going. She believed her unique dedication to the rigorous three-year training process could outlast any competition.
Finding Stride After Divorce
A pivotal moment arrived with Greene’s divorce in 2019. While acknowledging her ex-husband’s foundational role in Svalinn, she describes finding her stride once she restructured the company independently. This allowed the business to truly embody its mission of making mothers and children feel secure, a mission deeply personal to Greene, who had effectively been a single mom for years while her husband worked abroad.
With renewed confidence, Greene also made the crucial decision to increase pricing. Previously, dogs sold for approximately $75,000, a figure that, when considering the extensive three years of 24/7 care, support, and training, was actually leading to financial losses. Today, a Svalinn dog commands $175,000, a price the market has proven willing to pay for their established reputation and the unparalleled level of training.
Svalinn Dogs now places 18 to 20 dogs annually and employs 13 dedicated individuals. While acknowledging that building a business over two decades and navigating a divorce has been financially demanding, Greene emphasizes the immense satisfaction of a job she loves and the invaluable life lessons of grit and hard work instilled in her sons. For Kim Greene, her greatest wealth lies not in monetary gain, but in the resilience of her family and the success of her unique vision.