Part 1: Dogs Are Expensive:
Ask anyone who owns a dog and they will tell you - dogs are expensive. But how much will it cost you to own a dog and care for it properly? It is unfortunate that lots of people don’t take the time to budget for a dog before getting one, which may very well lead to financial issues down the road. Can you afford a dog? Having enough money to adequately provide for your dogs is a huge part of being a being a responsible dog owner. The cost of owning a dog is approximately $1400-$4300 per year (see chart below). There are ways to save money depending on the choices you make. Things that will play a factor in the cost of owning a dog include your dog's size and age, where you live, your lifestyle, and your dog's individual needs.
Initial Investment: Any dog or puppy will come with a lot of expenses. If you want to purchase a purebred dog from a recognized breeder, you can expect to pay $500 - $3000 or more. We always recommend that you spend the extra money on a proven dog from a recognized and reputable breeder, not a backyard breeder or puppy mill. It will ultimately cost you a lot less because the dog will be healthier and, in most cases, will come with a complete family history and a health guarantee.
If you are thinking about a mixed-breed dog consider getting your dog from a reputable shelter or rescue group. If you still want a purebred, there are plenty of breed-specific rescue groups. Adopting from a rescue group or shelter may cost you as little as $50 - $300. Most of these organizations also ensure that your dog has a clean bill of health and is spayed or neutered before you adopt it.
Regardless of where you get your new dog, the very first thing you should do is get that dog to a good veterinarian. Depending on the need for vaccines, preventive medications, and special treatments, that first visit will likely cost you anywhere from $50-300. Vet bills for a young puppy can range from $100-300 depending on the puppy's health and the where you live. Puppies need to visit the vet every few weeks until about 16 weeks of age, and each visit can run you $100-300 depending on your pup's needs.
Your next major expense will be dog supplies. These include food, leashes, collars, beds, toys etc. You also need to consider dog training classes, private dog training and/or other training resources. Spaying or neutering your dog will cost from $150 to $700. Be prepared, the first year with your new dog may cost twice the typical annual cost of subsequent years.
Expense Category Yearly Estimate
Food & Treats $480 - $1000
Toys $25 - $250
Beds & Blankets $50 - $300
Leashes & Collars $25 - $100
Regular Grooming $40 - $ 600
Routine Veterinary Car (Healthy Dog) $800 - $2000
Preventative Meds & Supplements $250 - $1000
Training Classes and Resources $100 - $3000
Dog Sitter / Walker / Boarding $50 - $1000
Yearly Total $1590 - $9250
Average Monthly Cost of Your Dog $135 - $770
Our next article will look at the specific costs of Food, Treats, Toys, Beds, Leashes, Collars and Grooming for your new fur-pal.
If you have any questions about choosing your Perfect Dog For Life, or would like more information about our private dog training, e-collar training, K9 distraction training or puppy training please visit us at www.perfectdogforlife.com
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