You are thinking about getting a dog but wondering how much money it will take to get and take care of one? We’ve broken down all of the costs from supplies to healthcare so you can understand how much money you should have saved before bringing a dog home.
What does a dog cost?
Unless you’re getting a puppy as a gift, you will likely need to spend some cash.
Buying a dog from a reputable breeder should set you back $900 to over $5,000 depending on many factors including the dog’s breed and pedigree. You can expect to pay less for puppies that are not show dog quality. This could be for many reasons including color, markings, or size that doesn’t conform to the breed standard. If you are purchasing the dog as a pet these things are most likely not relevant to you anyway. Note that buying a dog from a reputable breeder probably means you are responsible for paying for the dog’s spay or neuter surgery which can be a pretty big bill at a private vet’s office. Some shelters or rescues may host low-cost clinics so that you can get your new pet spayed or neutered for less.
If you are getting your pup from a shelter, costs can vary based on the dog’s age and breed. Puppies are generally the most expensive with adoption fees ranging from $250 – $450. Dogs over one year of age are usually significantly less expensive with fees ranging…
