Christmas Puppies: The Initial Price Tag is Only the Beginning

You've tweaked your Christmas budget and are contemplating getting that puppy the kids have been begging for. Or, perhaps you have a designer "purse puppy" on your own wish list. Dogs at the local shelter are cheap, or the breeder you've been talking to has agreed to take payments! A bag of dog food and a bone here and there added to your grocery bill is no big deal, right? Look at your budget again, because the initial cost of a dog is but a small part of the cost of owning one.

Accessories
No, I don't mean the cute doggie sweater or rain boots. Adding a puppy to the household requires more than just a collar and leash. You'll need a dog crate for the house, crate for transporting, dog bed, food and water dishes, grooming supplies, baby gate -- and don't forget the toys. These supplies alone can add up to more than $150.

Veterinary care
All puppies need shots, and even if they've been given the first dose at the shelter or breeder, your puppy will need two or three additional rounds of vaccinations in the first few months of life. The vaccinations alone aren't too expensive, but veterinarians normally add a physical examination fee each time the puppy is brought in. If an examination reveals other health issues, break out the plastic - veterinary care can be very costly. The $50 puppy I bought at Christmas two years ago set me back another $700 or so in vet bills for neutering, tooth extractions, surgical removal of a cyst, and a skin condition - all within about three months. My veterinarian's fees are more reasonable than others in this area, and I'm still paying $36 each month for heartworm prevention and flea management for two dogs.

Damages
Puppies are cute, but can also wreak havoc in a home. New leather shoes torn to shreds. Expensive carpeting soiled and ruined. Everything within reach can be treated as a chew toy - slippers, furniture legs, cabinet doors -- oh no, the new iPad or Android phone that you also got for Christmas! You might be able to afford the puppy, but can you also afford the damages he'll no doubt cause?

Training and Grooming
Puppies need training, and few dog owners have the knowledge required to do it properly. All dogs should have basic obedience training which means weekly classes for probably several months, which can run between $10 and $30 per class. Many breeds also require grooming far beyond a daily brushing, so add the doggie stylist to your growing list of what it costs to get a puppy.

Time and patience
You can estimate what it might cost each month to keep a puppy healthy and happy, but there's more investment required than just dollars. The amount of your time a puppy will need should be considered just as much as what comes out of your financial budget. Will you have the time to exercise your dog daily, sometimes twice? Can you handle the interrupted sleep when he yaps in the middle of the night to go potty, or just because he's lonely? Will you have the patience to stand in the cold every morning, willing him to do his business so that you can get back to your coffee and get ready for work?

Before making the decision to put a puppy under the tree, please consider the additional costs in both money and time that are an important part of pet ownership. Other toys you buy for the kids might set you back for a one-time purchase, but puppies are forever.

More from Marie Anne:

Dog Toys and Bones That May Be Harmful
What Shots Does My Dog Need and When?
Is Dry Dog Food Better for Your Dog?