What is the Cost of Owning a Dog? ($18,425+)
You are looking for just the right puppy, just the right color and that look on his or her face that speaks to you. You know that look. It is that puppy face that just some how resonates with you, clicks with you, melts your heart. You're looking for your puppy soul-mate, your heart-puppy right?
Sometimes we see a little pup and we can just tell, right away, "that is the one!" Everything about the little guy is just right. His breeder seems responsible, the photos are clear and the puppies are all pretty and clean and being raised with a lot of interaction and opportunities to grow and learn.
Alright, you have found that amazing puppy! He has a jet black coat that is so silky and shiny and is such a rich color you can almost fall into the depths. Or you have found that blazing red puppy with the little white star on her forehead. Or perhaps you've decided to wait for that very special merle puppy. A blue swirled baby with gorgeous tan points, perhaps? A coppery-sable merle with those freckles of black brindled down his paws? Or a warm chocolate merle with those soulful amber-green eyes.
Now you're excited. You contact the breeder and get the price quote for your dream-puppy. And you have "sticker shock". How on earth can a little puppy cost so much money?
So now you're reconsidering that beautiful puppy from the breeder that makes you feel so comfortable. You know that puppy is your 'dream puppy' but maybe you should just settle for that little plain buff from the lady you saw selling them on that other site. He will be a couple hundred dollars cheaper, maybe a full $500-600 less.
What you don't realize while you're puppy shopping is that the initial cost of the puppy is actually a very small amount of what owning a dog really costs.
So what does it cost to own a dog? Are you really ready to make that financial commitment? Let's break down the average doggie expenses that your little poof will cost you throughout his or her lifetime.
First we will look at the cost for the middle-range of almost-spoiled pup in America. Then we'll look at the just-the-basics to live-frugally pup.
Initial puppy set-up costs (not including the cost of the actual pup):
Books and reference (hey you're doing your research!): $50
Doggie supplies: crate, dog bed, car safety, leash, collars, food/water bowls, license: $250
Basic training and training supplies: $200
Grooming supplies (if you choose to do this at home yourself) $300 initially (but lifetime total $600 min) or professional $2,250
**If you decide to have your dog professionally groomed you will have to change that $300 bare minimum for grooming supplies cost to about $50 per grooming session. You will have, at a minimum, 3 sessions a year $150/yr) for about 15 years. This will cost you $2,250. Over the life of the dog expect to need to purchase replacement blades for your clippers a few times and occasional other replacements. We will tack on another $300 for equipment so your choices are $600 groom yourself or $2,250 bare minimum professional grooming (that is a $1650 difference)**
TOTAL PUPPY SET-UP COSTS: $1100-2750
Ongoing doggie expenses:
Food & treats: $2/day = $720/year x 15 years = $10,800
Flea & tick prevention: $10/month = $120/year x 15 years = $1800
Heartworm prevention: $5/month = $60/year x 15 years = $900
Toys/exercise = $75/year x 15 years = $1125
Vitamins/supplements =$60/yr ($5/month) x 15 yrs = $900
Total ongoing expenses = $15,525
Health/Vet Costs:
Annual veterinary check-up: $50/year x 15 years = $750
If pup needs other vet treatment 1 time every 3 years at $150 a trip x 15 years = $750
Total Vet Expenses = $1500
OR
Pet insurance $30/month (monthly premium plus fees, etc. averaged out)= $360/yr. x 15 years = $5400
Total Vet Expenses = $5400
Advanced Training:
A class or two or something fun: $300
TOTAL: $18,425- 23,975
**keep in mind that I gave a somewhat generous number for food costs to allow for a high-quality diet. This will pay for itself in the long run as vet costs will be lower overall. I have also not included other costs such as boarding/kennel fees or dog-sitters, costs to fly your dog if you take him on a trip with you, lots of extras that people generally get their dogs, and doggie events like shows, competitions, seminars, and so forth. And of course this is only for ONE dog.**
Sometimes we see a little pup and we can just tell, right away, "that is the one!" Everything about the little guy is just right. His breeder seems responsible, the photos are clear and the puppies are all pretty and clean and being raised with a lot of interaction and opportunities to grow and learn.
Alright, you have found that amazing puppy! He has a jet black coat that is so silky and shiny and is such a rich color you can almost fall into the depths. Or you have found that blazing red puppy with the little white star on her forehead. Or perhaps you've decided to wait for that very special merle puppy. A blue swirled baby with gorgeous tan points, perhaps? A coppery-sable merle with those freckles of black brindled down his paws? Or a warm chocolate merle with those soulful amber-green eyes.
Now you're excited. You contact the breeder and get the price quote for your dream-puppy. And you have "sticker shock". How on earth can a little puppy cost so much money?
So now you're reconsidering that beautiful puppy from the breeder that makes you feel so comfortable. You know that puppy is your 'dream puppy' but maybe you should just settle for that little plain buff from the lady you saw selling them on that other site. He will be a couple hundred dollars cheaper, maybe a full $500-600 less.
What you don't realize while you're puppy shopping is that the initial cost of the puppy is actually a very small amount of what owning a dog really costs.
So what does it cost to own a dog? Are you really ready to make that financial commitment? Let's break down the average doggie expenses that your little poof will cost you throughout his or her lifetime.
First we will look at the cost for the middle-range of almost-spoiled pup in America. Then we'll look at the just-the-basics to live-frugally pup.
Initial puppy set-up costs (not including the cost of the actual pup):
Books and reference (hey you're doing your research!): $50
Doggie supplies: crate, dog bed, car safety, leash, collars, food/water bowls, license: $250
Basic training and training supplies: $200
Grooming supplies (if you choose to do this at home yourself) $300 initially (but lifetime total $600 min) or professional $2,250
**If you decide to have your dog professionally groomed you will have to change that $300 bare minimum for grooming supplies cost to about $50 per grooming session. You will have, at a minimum, 3 sessions a year $150/yr) for about 15 years. This will cost you $2,250. Over the life of the dog expect to need to purchase replacement blades for your clippers a few times and occasional other replacements. We will tack on another $300 for equipment so your choices are $600 groom yourself or $2,250 bare minimum professional grooming (that is a $1650 difference)**
TOTAL PUPPY SET-UP COSTS: $1100-2750
Ongoing doggie expenses:
Food & treats: $2/day = $720/year x 15 years = $10,800
Flea & tick prevention: $10/month = $120/year x 15 years = $1800
Heartworm prevention: $5/month = $60/year x 15 years = $900
Toys/exercise = $75/year x 15 years = $1125
Vitamins/supplements =$60/yr ($5/month) x 15 yrs = $900
Total ongoing expenses = $15,525
Health/Vet Costs:
Annual veterinary check-up: $50/year x 15 years = $750
If pup needs other vet treatment 1 time every 3 years at $150 a trip x 15 years = $750
Total Vet Expenses = $1500
OR
Pet insurance $30/month (monthly premium plus fees, etc. averaged out)= $360/yr. x 15 years = $5400
Total Vet Expenses = $5400
Advanced Training:
A class or two or something fun: $300
TOTAL: $18,425- 23,975
**keep in mind that I gave a somewhat generous number for food costs to allow for a high-quality diet. This will pay for itself in the long run as vet costs will be lower overall. I have also not included other costs such as boarding/kennel fees or dog-sitters, costs to fly your dog if you take him on a trip with you, lots of extras that people generally get their dogs, and doggie events like shows, competitions, seminars, and so forth. And of course this is only for ONE dog.**