Introduction
Most people would think that getting a lower-priced shoe is a cheaper deal than buying a higher-priced one. The thing is, a higher-priced shoe will hurt you once when you pay, but the lower-price one will hurt you multiple times when you have to use super glue to stick the sole after a couple of months.
The point here is, that just because you get something for a lesser price doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Now, when it comes to dogs, you could simply say that some dogs are cheaper as they are easily available in the market at a lower cost. But then when you have to start paying for their medical bills, food, etc., that’s when it starts getting costly.
Don’t worry, though. We’ve made it simple for you. We also have a solution for making the cost of owning a dog as low as possible. Keep reading.
Key Factors Influencing Dog Ownership Costs
Initial Purchase Cost: The purchase cost itself will vary depending on various factors such as the breed, type of breeder, and even the coat color will impact the cost at times. Typically, the rarer the breed, the higher the cost and so on. Apart from that, within the breed, you have lineage, genetics, etc., for which the breeder can charge a premium.
For example, the average cost of a Tibetan Mastiff is around $2000-$6000. But the costliest dog ever sold was an 11-month-old, 180-pound Red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash for a whopping $1.5 million! (1)
You could reach out to a rescue shelter to get a dog for free or a nominal amount if you want to avoid the initial purchase cost. You may actually find the breed you want in a healthy condition looking for some love.
Ongoing Expenses: This part is what matters more, as it will decide how costly it will be to own the dog. These include factors like dietary needs, grooming, spaying/neutering, routine medications, chances of getting ill or getting injured and thus related medical expenses, toys, crates, bowls, clothes, dog sitters, etc.
Some of these are going to be common to all dogs, like toys, bowls, clothes, etc. They can vary depending on the choices you make. For our list, we’ve considered the variable costs depending on the breed and listed the top 20 cheapest dog breeds for you -
Top 20 Budget-Friendly Dog Breeds (2)(3)
Chihuahua
The average price of a Chihuahua at a good breeder is around $600-$800. These are hairless dogs, so no grooming cost there. And this is the smallest dog breed in the world, which means that very less dietary needs. Smaller dogs do come with longer lifespans, so a little higher lifetime cost there. In all, you can expect the lifetime cost to be around $12,500 - $18,600.
2. Beagle
The average cost is similar here to that of Chihuahuas. Beagles come with short hair, which does not need a lot of grooming. They are not lap dogs, so they may need a proper diet, but because of the small size it won’t be much. You can expect the lifetime cost somewhere between $12,000 - $14,000.
3. Dachshund
Another small dog breed which would cost you around $500 to buy from a breeder. It may be higher depending on the breeder. You would save on the diet costs as small dogs usually have small diet needs. You may spend less on grooming if you have a wire-haired one, but even if you don’t, the grooming cost won’t be more than $30-$50 per month (way less if you groom at home). The lifetime cost here can be a bit higher, around $18,000 in case your dog gets hip dysplasia. If not, the total cost would be much lower.
4. Dalmatian
The average cost of a Dalmatian would be a little higher than the previous ones we’ve listed (around $700-$1000), but those beautiful spots make it worth it. And it won’t even take a lot to maintain it as they need little grooming. Now, they are medium-sized dogs with a good amount of energy, so they will need more food than the small ones. The biggest concern with owning a Dalmatian is that they are prone to deafness, urinary stones, and joint problems. Having pet insurance can help here.
5. Pug
Pugs are one of the cheapest ones to buy and maintain. They cost an average of $350-$500. The small size comes with minimal diet costs, and their coat comes with minimal grooming requirements as well. The reason they are not on the top of the list is because they are brachycephalic dogs, which means they are more likely to have health problems than other breeds.
6. American Foxhound
These hounds are one of the healthiest and most resilient dog breeds out there. You should be able to get them for around $500-$800. They come with loads of energy and, hence, a good amount of food. But that’s a small price to pay for lesser medical bills.
7. Bichon Frise
These dogs come at a low purchase price, but the grooming cost can be comparatively higher as they come with their entire body covered in hair. They are prone to conditions like hereditary cataracts and dental problems which can increase the lifetime cost for you. Otherwise, they are relatively low maintenance.
8.Australian Terrier
These terriers will be available for around $800-$1000 from a reputable breeder. You’ll incur some grooming costs, but they come with excellent health and minimal risks of illnesses. On top of that, they don’t need much food as well to maintain their health.
9. Border Collie
The smartest dog breeds out there, Border Collie, is apparently not very expensive to maintain. The initial purchase cost here may be higher at around $800-$2500, depending on the breeder, but their excellent health and low grooming needs will compensate for it. Even if these dogs cost a little more than the others listed above, for their level of intelligence and energy, it’s a small cost to pay.
10. Pembroke Welsh corgi
The charming, affectionate and calm breed, Corgi, comes at an average cost of $1000-$1200. The small size and calm temperament ask for less food. The grooming costs can be a bit higher, though. But it would be worth it to maintain their beautiful coat.
The above 10 breeds are (in no particular order) one of the most reasonable dog breeds to maintain. Here are 10 more for you –
Manchester Terrier
Greyhound
English Setter
Miniature Pinscher
American Pit Bull Terrier
Affenpinscher
Rat Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
Field Spaniel
Otterhound
Remember that while these breeds are found to be relatively cheaper to maintain, the overall costs totally depend on how you take care of the dog. If you feed good food, don’t let your dog be alone for a long time, fulfill their physical and mental stimulation requirements and spend some good quality time with them, your costs will be much lower because your dog will be healthy and happy.
However, there is a chance that your dog gets ill because of reasons outside of your control. For those times, we have a solution for you (yes, we remember our promise from above).
Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more.
Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!
Creative manager by day, pet enthusiast all the time! After 19 years with my dog (hopefully he wins the award for oldest pet in the world), I enjoy spending my days brainstorming tail-wagging content, and sniffing out the latest trends in the pet world.
