How much do dogs cost?

bwhomeresponse

a pet owner will tell you their dog costs them very little. the reality is it costs about £2000 year.

Caroline_a

Croatoan wrote: »

Ask here for expert views.
http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/
However be warned that their views on backyard breeders or those who just want to make a few quid are unlikely to be as restrained as on here.

..and they are absolutely right!

Jesswithwings

Sorry if I upset people with the stud comment. My friend is a recognised labrador breeder in case you were concerned, so she is well versed on the genetics of the breed. If I ever decided to stud (and its certainly something I wouldnt do lightly) it would be under her guidance and purely to improve the breed, rather than a money making venture. That hadn't even entered my mind. As it happens, I do have experience in breeding, not in dogs, but other animals and so it is most definietly something that I wouldnt do without plenty of prior research and thought. I appreciate many people just decide to breed for the money, but that is most certainly not what I would consider.

ANYWAY... thank you for your information.

pulliptears

From another perspective, my pup (now aged 9) no longer insurable due to age. He's now quite ill. This month's vet fees alone have totalled close to £300. £110 this morning alone. Specialist food £67 a month. My other dog is a healthy, happy 11 year old who costs only his food.

What I'm saying is you can never look at it as dog will cost x amount a month, yes, it may cost that, or it may cost ten times that.

PixieDust

There are so many dogs needing to be rescued out there....please think really hard about breeding such a "common" breed of dog....it's just not necessary

bramble1

I own a 2 year old lab

He cost us £500 to buy, his vaccines where £40 a go. His insurance is £12 pcm. His food is £9.99 for 17kgs the last time we bought a new bag was September, and he'll not need another until january. BUT he is a working dog, so gets fed VAT free working dog food along with all our scraps from dinner etc. I wouldn't recommend a working food for a dog that wasn't on the go all day, they'd drive round the bend with the extra energy.

Then there are the little things, treats, toys, grooming. Puppy training classes if you want to go down that route, although, we didn't do that, a crate if you want to crate train. Dog walker should you need one. The cost of kennels if you want to go away are very high.

Apart from Vet fees our dog isn't expensive. But if you've a poorly dog who needs constant vet care and attention the costs will obviously increase.

Sally_A

Not trying to be harsh in any way whatsoever, but hopefully it will give a bit more food for thought.

You say you have young children - did you price up their cost before having them? They have unknown expenses too! - granted the NHS and benefits system will take care if you were on your uppers, but unknown costs of their schooling, sports, hobbies etc can hit your for six, but taking on a dog should be in the same vein - you have a dog because a) you want a dog b) you can give it a home it deserves c) you can give time for 15 years (average lifespan) d) it's there for life regardless of unexpected outlay.

Believe me, dogs are a doddle compared to children.

Please do not breed - there are too many unwanted pooches.

On the upside, a dog will always love you if you treat it correctly, will be quiet when you want quiet moments, and always be glad to see you without sarcastic backhand comments.

Welshwoofs

I can only say what mine costs (Neapolitan Mastiff)

Purchase: approx £1,000
Initial insurance: £28 a month
Current insurance: £36 a month
Food: £60-80 a month
Dog walking 2x a week when working late: £60 a month
Dog sitting approx 5 days for business trips: £70 a month
Accessories (leads, collars, beds, poo bags etc): £10 a month
Health (worming, flea treatment, ear cleaning, teeth): £10 a month
Vet issues not covered by initial insurance company: approx £4,000

APPROX TOTAL: £246 per month

There you go - start panicing.

One thing I would say, after being caught out myself, is go for the insurance which has the highest payout per condition for LIFE.

Padstow

It's not the regular costs Jess, it's the emergencies.
I have insurance, but as blue monkey pointed out, insurance takes weeks to pay out.
My lifestyle took a shocking sudden downturn, and Pad had a seed removed from his ear. A bill of £106, £30 back from insurance, but I waited eight weeks for a cheque.

Had that been £300, or God forbid £3,000, I could have in no way paid it.

Bear in mind as well, that there is no insurance for pregnant or birthing dogs.

If your friend is a breeder of Labs, she will be able to call on a true stud, not one from her mate down the road.

Unless your finances are totally secure, ie you have massive savings that you don't need to touch, I would advise against getting a dog at all in this depression.

Padstow

Sally_A wrote: »

Not trying to be harsh in any way whatsoever, but hopefully it will give a bit more food for thought.

You say you have young children - did you price up their cost before having them? They have unknown expenses too! - granted the NHS and benefits system will take care if you were on your uppers, but unknown costs of their schooling, sports, hobbies etc can hit your for six, but taking on a dog should be in the same vein - you have a dog because a) you want a dog b) you can give it a home it deserves c) you can give time for 15 years (average lifespan) d) it's there for life regardless of unexpected outlay.

Believe me, dogs are a doddle compared to children.

Please do not breed - there are too many unwanted pooches.

On the upside, a dog will always love you if you treat it correctly, will be quiet when you want quiet moments, and always be glad to see you without sarcastic backhand comments.

I don't see at all where you're going with this.

You fail to feed your brood and the state, us, will pay for them. Who will pay for your dog? no one. Off to the gas chamber he goes.
I can just visualise you.