Expect to Spend $1,800 on Your Christmas Puppy
Paws down, a puppy is the classic Christmas surprise for children. What dog-loving kid isn't tickled to wake up to puppy kisses on Christmas morning?
What does a puppy cost?
Although the initial fee for obtaining a puppy may vary drastically, ranging from free to more than $1,000, the larger monetary issue is long-term.
Based on our family's experience with a long series of dogs, as well as my daughter's tenure as a professional pet care technician, we can attest to the ever-growing pile of payments that accumulate with the addition of each new canine companion. Our Border Collie is now approaching her first birthday, and we say she's worth every penny.
Here are some of the estimated costs a new puppy owner should anticipate. Actual costs may vary, depending upon where they are accrued.
Basic equipment and supplies: $400
Before bringing that cute Christmas puppy home, a few key items must be obtained. These include a doggy bed ($35-$50), pet carrier ($65), collar ($12), leash ($10), covered food bin ($15), water and food bowls ($10 each), and dog food. A month's supply of quality puppy chow may cost $20 or more ($240 annually).
Health-related needs: $450
Puppies are generally weaned at about eight weeks of age, based on recommendations from the American Kennel Club. A new owner, of course, will take a pup directly to a veterinarian for initial shots, if these have not already been administered. The basic puppy immunization series can add up to $50.
The pup will likely need heartworm medication and flea and tick treatments, which total at least $250 annually.
Around six months of age, a female puppy can be spayed, or a male neutered, with costs ranging from $100 to $200 for the procedure.
Medical costs can multiply, if a puppy requires extra care for any reason.
Training requirements: $480
Responsible puppy ownership includes adequate training. Non-experts usually enroll their young dogs in professional training programs, provided by kennels, breed associations, pet supply stores, and other dog organizations. A basic puppy training class may cost $100, with a Canine Good Citizen class offered as a follow-up for about $75.
Basic puppy training supplies for the home usually include a safety gate ($25), a pooper scooper ($15), disposal bags ($10 for 30, or $240 for a year's supply), a martingale collar ($15), stain/odor remover ($10), and any books or DVDs that may prove necessary.
Unforeseen training costs may crop up, such as replacing puppy-chewed furniture, stained furniture, and missing shoes. In our home, we have lost more than a few heirloom Christmas tree ornaments, as well.
Miscellaneous puppy necessities: $500 (not including doggie day care or invisible fencing)
Additional expenses accumulate, depending on the canine care capabilities of the pet owner. These may include bimonthly dog grooming ($50 per visit, or $300 per year, plus tips) and vacation pet sitting or boarding ($20 to $25 daily, or $140 to $175 per week).
Extras like squeak toys (maybe $5 apiece), dental health bones ($7), chew toys ($5 to $10), puppy toothbrush ($10), and doggie clothing ($15 and up) add up quickly. If your home needs an invisible yard fence to keep your puppy contained, the product and installation can run you $800 to $1,000.
New puppy owners employed full-time might also require doggie day care ($25 daily for group care, $125 for a five-day work week, or $6,250 for a 50-week year).
What is the grand total first-year cost for a brand-new puppy?
The bare-bones tally for one year of puppy ownership comes to at least $1,830. Facing these costs, dog lovers may recognize that even a free puppy turns out to be really not free at all.
Still, considering the affection, caring lessons, and fun a new puppy brings, a family may find the benefits of adding a pretty little pooch to the brood to be priceless. We sure did.
More from this contributor:
9 Simple Steps for Introducing Your Cat to Your New Puppy
Easy 5-Step Guide to Introducing Other Dogs to Your New Puppy
Published by Linda Ann Nickerson - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle and Sports
Linda Ann Nickerson brings decades of reporting and a globally minded Midwestern perspective to a host of topics, balancing human interest with history, hard facts and often humor. View profile
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100 Comments
Post a CommentTo those commenting on the "Poop Bags": Please bear in mind that some communities are outlawing the plastic grocery bags (San Francisco and Long Beach, CA, are two that come to mind--and then Long Beach taxed the paper bags at $0.10/ea.!) so buying the little "blue bags" is now a necessity.
DO NOT GIVE A PUPPY FOR CHRISTMAS!!! Shelters are FLOODED with puppies, kittens, and other pet a week or two after Christmas/New Year's.
Give a toy puppy/pet with a note saying "We'll research and select the perfect puppy (or dog or cat or kitten) after Christmas when we find a reputable hobby breeder or check rescue groups."
DO NOT, NEVER EVER, GO TO A PET STORE!!! YOU ARE ONLY SUPPORTING THE PUPPY MILL BUSINESS.
The cats are cheaper.
Nobody buys a pet for financial reasons, people! Ever calculate the cost of a child? Of course not, because we will trade our lifeless dollars for the wonderful things pets and kids bring into our lives. Our dog is better than any anti-depressant or therapist for keeping our mood happy and our stress down...priceless!
Really have you heard of Wal-mart? The biggest investment is time, your can read book on how to train your puppy, $20 to $40 invest the time to actually train the puppy. If your do not put the time in all the high cost stuff in this articule will not mean diddle. Collars, leashes, dog bedding, crates and on down the list can be found at any number of places for a lot less. Vets, yes, they do cost about what this articule says, many vets will work with you for services, be honorable and do what you say you will do, your evt will be your best friend in finding better health resources than the price points of this articule.
Forget the invisible fences, they are an absolute waste of money. Large breeds will eventually ignore them and go on through, plus they do nothing to protect your dog from another animal coming on your property.
This is a good article in that it presents the many things that potential dog owners will have to consider. However the cost of many things listed is far greater. Even if you are an experienced dog owner, getting one at Christmas time probably isn't the best time... you are just too busy with Holiday stuff: shopping, travel, etc... The new dog may get lost in the shuffle. Especially if you are new to "life with a dog". REMEMBER: ALWAYS RESEARCH YOUR BREED OR WHAT YOUR MIX IS POTENTIALLY MADE OF!!!!! Not all breeds are right for all families. Everybody's goal should be a joyful, positive experience and a forever home!!!! : )
Its not about the $, its knowing that 12 years from now, their gonna adore you as much now as when they did when you picked them up to take them home. You cant choose your kids lol, but you can choose your puppy:) Training them and taking care of them is hard work, but its worth it. Especially when its your little daushound that watches over your house:) So good luck if your shopping for your next little member of your family.
Wow, I can't believe the amount of money people are willing to spend on pets these days. When I was a kid, dogs lived outside in a hand made dog house and ate some dog food that was augmented with table scraps. The dogs weren't allowed in the house, much less in the owners beds. They were loved and cherished pets and were provided what was necessary to keep them happy and healthy but not to the extent that people go now. There must be something missing in our culture when people are so willing to spend large sums of money to maintain an animal for companionship when there are so many human beings that are in real need.
what, only 1830.00 a year? can I trade my kids for dogs? dogs are way cheaper to have. lol