Average Annual Cost Of A Dog

Introduction

Dogs are man’s best friend and cost a pretty penny too. According to the ASPCA, the average price of owning a dog is between $1,314 to $1,843 per year. Depending on the breed, this number could be even higher. Some breeds require more grooming than others and all have different dietary needs which can alter your yearly vet bill. Either way, dogs are expensive and we wanted to show you how much they will cost you over time. In this guide we’ll cover all of the annual costs that come with living with our canine companions:

Average First Year Cost Of Owning A Dog In The United States Is $1,270

In the first year, you’ll need to factor in many things. You’re going to have to pay for the purchase price of your dog, which is likely between $100 and $500 depending on the breed. Then you’ll have to worry about initial vaccinations (about $200), spaying or neutering (about $300), training ($400), grooming ($300), food ($250), supplies ($200) and boarding costs (average of $250). Add in license fees, vet checkups and microchipping and you’ll see that it’s not cheap to bring home a four-legged friend!

Annual Costs Are More Than $1,000

To get a fuller picture of the cost of owning a dog, it’s important to understand that there are two different annual costs:

The first is the cost of caring for your dog before it reaches maturity (that is, between ages 1 and 6). This includes food, toys and other treats, grooming products, and veterinary visits. The average annual cost during this period is $1,270.
The second is what you’ll spend beyond maturity—that is, after turning six years old. This includes things like boarding fees when you’re traveling or taking care of your pet at home should you wish to stay away from home for long periods of time. The average annual cost after age 6 runs about $570 per year in addition to what you paid during puppyhood (or kittenhood).

Pet Insurance Can Reduce Cost Of Vet Bills

When you own a pet, it can be challenging to plan for unexpected health care expenses that may arise. When you have pet insurance, however, you don’t have to worry about the cost of vet bills — or any other health care expenses that your pet may need.

Pet insurance policies cover both routine and emergency care as well as preventative medicine such as vaccines, spaying/neutering and dental cleaning. In addition to covering these types of procedures, some policies also cover diagnostic tests such as X-rays or bloodwork.

Purchasing a policy on your dog has many benefits:

You’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your dog’s medical needs will be covered in case something unforeseen happens (like an injury while playing with his favorite chew toy).
If he needs surgery or gets injured while running outside with other dogs at the park, the policy will help pay for treatment without affecting your bottom line.

Veterinary Checkups Are Important For Your Dog’s Health

It is important to remember that you should take your dog to the vet at least once a year, even if they don’t appear sick. This will help keep them healthy and can spot issues before they become major problems.

If you are not sure when it is time for a checkup, ask your vet or look at their vaccination schedule. This will give you an idea of how often your dog needs to be seen by the doctor and what procedures are typically involved during each visit.

When going in for a checkup, veterinarians will typically perform several tests on the animal including: bloodwork; urinalysis; x-rays; heartworm test; fecal test and more depending on their age or medical history. The doctor may also recommend certain vaccinations based on where the dog lives (i.e., rabies) or their breed (i.e., distemper).

Table: Average Annual Cost of Owning a Dog by Breed

The annual cost of owning a dog varies widely, depending on the breed, size and age of your dog. The average cost to own a dog is $1,368 per year. This number is calculated by taking the total expenses for each category (food, toys, vet visits) and dividing it by 12 months in a year.

The following table shows the average annual cost of owning a dog by breed:

Labrador Retriever: $1,165/year ($111/month)
German Shepherd: $1,725/year ($166/month)
Beagle: $1,565/$157/mo.* Rottweiler: $2290/$228/mo.* Cocker Spaniel: $1325/$121mo.* Chihuahua: $1160/$110 mo.* Dachshund:$1035/$102 mo.* Mixed Breeds (Non-Purebred):$1055/$107 mo.* Mixed Breeds (Purebred):$1146/$113 mo.* Border Collie:-$1224/-124mo#ENDWRITE

Breed Low High

The cost of owning a dog varies greatly by breed. The following list shows the lowest and highest average annual costs for certain breeds:

Bulldog: $1,150 – $2,350
Labrador Retriever: $900 – $1,650
Spaniel Retriever: $600 – $1,300
Poodle (Toy): $400 – $$900$$ * Yorkshire Terrier: $$400 -$800$$ * German Shepherd Dog: $$450 -$950$$

Bulldog $1,150 $2,350

The Bulldog is a short-haired breed that is known for its wrinkly face and nose. The Bulldog is a companion dog and not a guard dog, so it’s not necessary to spend the money on expensive training. This breed has an average lifespan of 8 years and only weighs from 30-50 pounds. They are small dogs that require minimal grooming but will still be good companions if they live longer than expected due to their low maintenance needs.

Labrador Retriever $1,170 $2,200

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has a long tail, short coat and distinct black nose.

Labrador retrievers have been bred to be water dogs, so you’ll want to make sure they get plenty of splash time throughout their life. If it’s not already part of your budget, consider investing in some toys that encourage exercise outdoors or indoors during rainy days…

Spaniel Retriever $850 $1,500

The average cost of a spaniel retriever is $850 in the United States. The average cost of a spaniel retriever in Canada is $1,500. The average cost of a spaniel retriever in Australia is $2,100.

Poodle $1,070 $1,870

The average annual cost to own a poodle is $1,070. However, this number can vary dramatically depending on the type of poodle you choose and how much time you’re willing to spend with your dog. For example, if you have a purebred show-quality poodle and plan on attending shows regularly, then your costs will be much higher than if you just want an adorable companion that lives inside and doesn’t require any grooming or training.

The chart below details some of the most important expenses associated with owning a dog in general and what they would look like for a typical poodle owner:

Yorkshire Terrier $900 $2,080

When you’re looking for a small dog that will be happy with apartment living, consider a Yorkshire Terrier. This is one of the most popular breeds in the United States, and its popularity is well-earned: Yorkshires are known for their long hair and big personalities. They are very affectionate and love to be around people. They are intelligent and easy to train, making them excellent companions for children or seniors who want a smart but low-maintenance pet.

Yorkshire Terriers can live as long as 15 years if they get proper care (including regular grooming). How much does it cost? On average, you’ll spend about $900 on initial expenses such as food, supplies and veterinary visits during your dog’s first year with you. Once your pup has settled into his new home, annual costs should drop down by about $2 per month until he reaches 10 years old; at this point he’ll likely need some costly medical procedures like dentals or cataract surgery that could tack on another $1-$4 per month depending on how often those procedures occur throughout his lifetime!

German Shepherd Dog $1,200 $2,400

The cost of a German Shepherd will depend on the location you live in. The average cost of a dog is $1,200 in large cities such as New York City, but only around $800 in rural areas or small towns.

There are some factors that can also increase your annual costs for owning a dog:

Size of city you live in—larger cities generally have higher prices for everything from food to veterinary care.
Climate—the colder it gets outside, the more you’ll need heated beds and winter jackets for your pooch. If temperatures drop below freezing where you live, consider using an insulated doghouse instead of leaving him outside 24/7 during cold months (and remember to keep his water bowl full). The same goes for any other area with harsh weather conditions like heat waves or hurricanes; if your poost will be spending a lot of time outdoors then add these items into your budget ahead of time so they don’t surprise you later!
Tax rates at both state and local levels—these vary widely across America so everyone’s tax burden might not be exactly identical regardless which state they’re living within (or even what county). Taxes are typically calculated based on property values too—so if yours has gone up significantly since purchasing your home then this might impact how much money is taken out annually through taxes alone without even factoring other expenses like utilities or child support payments into consideration yet!

Beagle $600 $1,650

Beagles are a small to medium-sized breed of dog. The beagle is a scent hound, developed primarily for hunting hare. They have a keen sense of smell and tracking instinct. The beagles’ uses include searching for drugs and bombs, police tracking, seeing eye dogs for blind people, as well as companionship in the home.

The average cost of owning a Beagle is $600 per year. This includes food, vaccinations and routine medical care like checkups at the vet office or doggy daycare if you need to leave your dog home alone while you’re working or out doing errands all day long on weekdays (you know who you are).

Boxer $950 $2,100

Boxers are medium-sized, energetic dogs that require regular exercise. Boxers also have a short lifespan, so you’ll need to budget in the cost of additional health care like vaccinations and spay/neuter procedures.

Dachshund (Standard) $840 $3,150

The average cost of owning a dog is $840 in the first year, $3,150 in the second year, and so on.

That means that when you’re starting out with your new pup, your initial investment is around $846 on average. That includes food (which can get pricey), vet visits, grooming supplies, toys and other necessary items. Your initial costs will go down as time goes by (and there are ways to bring them down even further), but this figure serves as an approximation of what you might expect to pay during those first few months with your dog.

As for how much it costs over time: The average annual cost of owning a Dachshund (standard) from birth until its fifth birthday is $838 per year; however, this number varies widely based on temperament and owner lifestyle choices—a more expensive breed may eat more than its cheaper counterpart; someone who works from home might be able to save money by not taking their pet along for work trips; etcetera ad infinitum!

Shih Tzu $1,100 $2,300

The Shih Tzu is the ideal dog for people who live in small apartments or with limited yard space. This pint-sized pooch has a big personality, but he’s not necessarily made for long walks on the beach. Shih Tzus can be difficult to train, so if you’re not accustomed to doing so, you may want to consider another breed of dog. The breed does have some health concerns that you’ll need to look into before bringing one home:

If your heart is set on owning a Shih Tzu, it’s important that you understand their needs and characteristics before committing yourself as an owner.

Conclusion

Now that you know the average cost of a dog, you can start making financial plans for how to get one. Your dog’s health is important to you, so it should be important in your budget as well. With the help of this article, you can determine what would be an appropriate amount for your specific situation and make sure your pet will get the best care possible!