What Will Buying a Dog Cost You?
My fiancé and I have been considering buying a dog for some time now. When my roommate’s fiancé came to the town we are playing baseball in, she brought their dog and this gave new life to the conversation. We could see the joy the dog brought them, but we could also see some of the difficulties involved in having a dog in such a transient time in our lives. We know the breed of dog we would like, but we haven’t decided if we want to move forward. This is a big decision and we know it shouldn’t be taken lightly. We determined there are a number of different costs we need to take into account when making this choice.
Initial Cost
The breed we are considering is called a Cavabear. It is part Cavalier, part Shih Tzu and part Bichon. The cost of purchasing from the breeder is $500. With initial shots, toys, a bed, a collar, a leash and puppy training, the cost can get a bit expensive. We are expecting that this will be at least $1000 total on the front end. If we were anticipating living in one place for a while, we wouldn’t think twice, but with my job being on the road half of the year, the decision has become a bit more difficult. How much are you willing to pay upfront?
Pet Rent
During the off-season (September through February) my fiancé and I will be living in an apartment in the town where she works. This means if we want a dog, we will need to pay pet rent. The apartment where we are going to live charges a non-refundable $250 deposit, plus $20 a month. This would equate to $370 over our six month lease. Having a dog would also mean a smaller number of options for future apartment searches as well. Sometimes, living arrangements make it more difficult to buy a dog.
Ongoing Costs
It costs money to buy food and treats for dogs. I estimated this at around $400 per year. With this cost added onto pet rent and initial costs, my fiancé and I are looking at just under $2000 for the first year of owning a dog. Now we have to decide if that cost outweighs the benefits.
Making the Decision
We know we will buy a dog in the future, but we haven’t decided if the right time is now. The benefits of owning are obvious, but our current situation makes the costs higher than normal. If my fiancé comes with me next baseball season, it might not be feasible to have a dog tag along.
These principles are applicable when you are thinking about getting any animal. How have you gone about your decision?
Tagged as: Lifestyle, Money Stories
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My daughter and her boyfriend adopted a dog from a shelter. They were charged nothing, the dog was neutered, heartworm tested, immunized against rabies, distemper, leptospirosis, and was microchipped. But the dog had loose stools and was treated at the vet for that. He picked up fleas somewhere, had to go to the dog bath facility, and developed a rash and had to be treated for that. He had to be evaluated and isolated at doggie day care, which costs every day. They bought him a kennel, a bed, a collar and leash and brush and lots of toys and I got them a harness, another collar, and more toys. Then there's food. Their apartment charges a non-refundable dog fee and an extra monthly fee. The dog tore down window treatments and scratched the pain on a door. All this had to be repaired. The dog gets monthly flea repellant that seems not to do much, and monthly heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention. Since the dog cannot stay alone in their apartment, their social life has come to a screeching halt, and their finances are evaporating. Unless you are certain you can manage the money, time, and effort to keep one, forget about bringing a dog into your lives. I have had over a dozen dogs, all rescues, at any time, provided vet care, food, treatment and basic training. But I do not think many people would be willing to make the sacrifices I have. Should you decide to ignore all of this, it's your choice, Just please don't buy a mixed breed mutt from some breeder when there are thousands of equally adorable and needy animals waiting in shelters and rescues nationwide.
This is totally unrealistic. As pets age they have additional medical expenses, be prepared, are the medicines going to be covered by pet insurance, probably not. Where is the cost of heartworm and flea treatment? What about grooming? If you are not prepared to brush a dog with even a moderately long coat then you must consider a groomer. I have seen too many dogs given up to shelters because of poor preparation on the humans part. They are not disposable so more research is needed
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Češka? Můj syn je šéfem záchranářů, mám pocit, jako kdyby to psal on...
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Daniela
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Please adopt. Shelter dogs make the best friends. You are saving a life. Most shelters will work with u to find a dog u will love. My dog is great. I love her more every day. Worth the cost. You have to walk a Dog at least twice a day. Good for u both.