Pug Price: Buying vs. Adoption Costs (2024)

Pug Characteristics 

Pugs are a short, wrinkly, compact dog breed from China. They have gained popularity in recent times and are one of the oldest breeds in the world. Their early presence has been seen with the Chinese monks and the nobility, and they have been used as companions for thousands of years.

For the British, they are one of the favorite dog breeds of Queen Victoria. In the US, pugs are a popular house pet found in thousands of American households. One reason for their popularity is their short size which means they’re easily portable. Pugs are typically even-tempered and have charming personalities.

These compact dogs have silky and glossy coats in colors like fawn, apricot fawn, silver fawn, and black. They may be small, but their energy is not. They are very energetic and playful dogs while also sensitive and affectionate towards their owners.

What is the price of a Pug? 

These dogs are very popular in the US, and if you’re familiar with the law of supply and demand, you know popular things typically have a higher price range. We will break down the price by categorizing it by initial buying/adoption costs, vaccinations, diets, healthcare, grooming, and miscellaneous expenses. According to Rover and the OVMA, here are the average costs of puppy ownership in Canada.

Buying: $800 – $2000  

Finding a Pug shouldn’t be very difficult as they are quite popular and can be purchased from breeders, puppy farms, or adopted at rescue shelters. A Pug dog price at a breeder could cost around $800-$2000 depending on some factors like the reputation of the breeder, coat color, and age of the pup, to name a few. If you purchase your dog from a breeder, do your research first and find a well-known and trusted breeder. You may find Pugs online for $500-$600 but again, do your research before you decide to bring the dog home with you. If your dog is from a puppy farm, check out their health before you buy them.

If you’re looking for Pug puppies for under $500, rescue shelters are a great option for you. There are multiple shelters you can adopt a Pug from for an average $100-$300 adoption fee. Sometimes, older dogs can be less to adopt. There is no guarantee that a shelter will have the breed or age you are looking for, but be patient and you may find your dog! Besides, adopting means you get to feel good knowing that you gave a dog a new home.

Monthly costs for a Pug

Diets: $20-$70

The small size means small stomachs and small appetites. These dogs should be fed high-quality, vet-recommended kibble, whether you buy it commercially or prepare it at home. Treats can also be beneficial as a training aid, but you should consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet. On average, you could spend about $20-$70 monthly for your dog’s diet.

Grooming: $50-$75

Grooming your pug requires minimal maintenance. These compact dogs have short coats, but they do shed. If you choose to groom your dog at home, some supplies needed are brushes or a rubber grooming mitt, nail trimmers, teeth and ear cleaners, and shampoo. These items could cost around $50-$75. If you opt for a pro, then each session can be about $50-$80 depending on the groomer.

Medical Costs: $700-$1200

During the first years, it is recommended you take your pet to the vet about 3-4 times annually. Vet fees can range from $100 to $300, and could include things like annual wellness exams and blood tests among other recommended preventive care treatments. Other examinations and tests could cost you another $300-$400.

One-time costs for a Pug

Initial Costs: $400-$500

When you decide to bring your dog home, there are some initial items you will need to buy especially if this is your first dog. These items include a dog bed, crate, a leash or two, collars, toys, food and water bowls, among other items. You can expect these initial costs to be around $400-$500.

Microchipping: $50-$70

The average cost of microchipping is around $50, but may vary depending on where you live. Along with a dog license, it could cost an additional 10-20 bucks. Spot pet insurance highly recommends every pet parent get their pets microchipped as it can help increase the chances of finding a lost pet.

Vaccinations: $250-$300

There are certain core vaccinations that a Pug would need. These include distemper, parvovirus, Adenovirus, type 1, Adenovirus, type 2, and rabies. All of these could cost you around $150-$200.

There are certain non-core vaccinations as well that are recommended by most vets for a Pug. These include parainfluenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. The cost of these vaccines can be around $130-$150.

Miscellaneous: $300-$350

There may be some miscellaneous expenses that come up during the life of your pet like dog walking, dog sitting, park visits, and trips. You should prepare by keeping around $300-$350 aside for these expenses every year.

Lifetime Pug Cost

After adding up the buying/adopting cost, monthly maintenance costs, one-time costs, and other additional costs, we can estimate that the lifetime cost of owning a Pug could be around $18,000-$20,000. This estimation does not include the cost of medical emergencies should they happen to your pet.

Conclusion

These small compact dogs are going to be your family’s center of attention with their mischievous behavior and sweet, gentle composition. The lifetime costs associated with owning a Pug will be worth it with the amount of joy they’ll bring to the family! So go ahead and get your Pug today!