How much does it cost to keep a dog?

hole in my lovelywall

E.g. A Jack Russel?

dpofloinn

x

dpofloinn

How long is a piece of string?

Bells21

No one can give you a definitive answer on that as there are too many variables. You'd be best researching for yourself taking in account what food you'll feed, bedding/toys/leads etc that you want and visit a vet to get an idea of costs involved at that end.
You'd be best doing this research before getting the dog.

Gen.Zhukov

hole in my lovelywall wrote: »

E.g. A Jack Russel?

Really no simple answer to that. I'd be inclined so throw out the old 'if you have to ask...etc', but that would be too easy.

It would be easy enough to work out a yearly outlay,quality food,visit to vet for annual checkup-booster vaccines and so on. It's the unexpected stuff that makes the question impossible to answer.

You could conceivably lay out a few hundred quid again and again in one particular year and then very little the next year. A JR would have one of the longer life spans. My lad got to 18 before cancer got him. I would have spent a lot of money on him in the latter years.

Rubberchikken

Theres no actual answer. Depends on food choices etc. We spend roughly 20 euro every 7/10 days on our westies food. Her licence is 20 euro. Her annual vacc is 30/40 depending on vet. She has anal glands expressed every 3 months at 30 euro a time. Her grooming costs 45 euro twice a year.
But her company and cuteness is priceless

tylerdylan

I would agree. The basics of good food and vet for boosters working etc on healthy dog could be €300 say. Then what about that cute collar is that for you or the dog. The soft half price leather lead. Dog or you. The 15th kong as all the rest went missing or the adorable Christmas dog jumper though that may be for you lol. Corners can be cut on some things yes but food and vet no. And like others said they are worth it. And like family. Who make a mess and leave hair and steal baubles from Christmas tree's

Mitzy

As the other posters have said it really depends. Every dog is different. Mine is now 14 but has rarely been sick & only at the vet for boosters & the odd minor ailment. She get's groomed twice a year.
After that food costs are about €20 every 6 weeks as she doesn't have a huge appetite and then what ever treats & presents I buy her (she's spoiled rotten), but every penny is worth it. She has brought me so much joy & happiness - and you can't buy that!

eezipc

Wait till after Christmas.

beertons

Love and time have no price.

Get a tamogachi instead.

hole in my lovelywall

We won't be cutting corners.

Do any insurance policies cover annual vet visits?

thegills

Do you have someone to mind the dog when you go on holidays? If not factor in kennel charges.

shakencat

hole in my lovelywall wrote:

Do any insurance policies cover annual vet visits?

Nope

Kablamo!

hole in my lovelywall wrote: »

We won't be cutting corners.

Do any insurance policies cover annual vet visits?

No, nor the yearly boosters. It's when something awful happens that you'll bring the insurance into play really, I wouldn't be without it.

seamus

hole in my lovelywall wrote: »

We won't be cutting corners.

Do any insurance policies cover annual vet visits?

Shop around the local vets. Our one does a flat-rate plan where you pay an annual fee which covers all visits and vaccinations in a year.

borderlinemeath

If you're username is literal, you'll need to spend money dog proofing your garden.

hole in my lovelywall

Ha! Ya, fencing and labour has been priced too.

Dubl07

Food, spaying/neutering, a good lead and harness, a long line for open areas, vaccinations and boosters, nails and glands, insurance, dog walking when you've flu etc or need to work extra hours, kennels/dog-minding when you're away, treats, various collars and matching name-tags. A crate and beds, fleeces for furniture, carpet shampoo, poop bags. Toys like Kongs and ropes, a chill-mat and/or paddling pool for hot weather.

Do you want to know the minimum spend? Because a lot of things are not ''essential'' but will make your dog more comfortable and happier in himself and his environment.

grind gremlin

There was a piece on Matt Cooper recently and they estimated that the average cost over the lifetime of a dog is €10k. That factored in insurance, grooming etc. I know in my experience it’s probably a lot more as we have a toy breed that needs lots of professional grooming.

Knine

I'm not into over vaccinations or putting flea treatments on dogs when they have no fleas. I don't neuter dogs and groom all my own. Hand stripping is a skill msny Dog Groomers are not interested in although I do see a lot more groomers wanting to get qualifications in this area as my dogs are often used as models

I do buy a lot of treats for mine have my own grooming equipment etc

cocker5

It can be as much as you like or reasonable it all depends..

On average:

Initial costs of getting a dog:
If purchasing the cost of buying ..
If adopting - adoption fee etc..

Vaccinations (€60 depending on where u are located)
Neutering / spaying €100 plus (depending on weight male / female)
Collars / leads / toys / bedding / bowls approx €50 plus
Kennel €75 plus (if they are going to be outside while your out)
Food (decent food 15kg €50 plus)
Dog proofing garden / house

Ongoing costs:
Yearly vaccinations €60 ish
Kenneling €20 per day if not more
Food
Health insurance olicy €250 ish per year
Grooming depending on breed could be min 2 times per year if not more at an average €60 per groom

This is before any health issues / accidents ..

CeilingFly

IMO ballpark €1500-€2,000 per year for a high maintenance well looked after dog. (and worth every cent)

collars / treats / food / clothes / bedding / toys / grooming / insurance / kennel fees for when you are away / annual vaccs + prob 1 addition vet visit a year for minor issues.

EPAndlee

I have a Jack Russell he's probably costing me around the average cost of keeping a dog but he had a bit of a skin problem which has cost about 600 in the last 6 months so I'd say be prepared for some unexpected costs