How much does it normally cost?

[Ritz459]

Ok, I didn't really know where to put this sooooo......as most of you guys know, I've been wanting to get another dog. Well, Dad has finally gave an answer and it was, to my ears, a maybe. Yesh, you go through 4 weeks of pestering , begging , presenting your case with sound facts and all you get is a maybe. lol
Well, anyway, Dad said something around the lines of, "I don't want two dogs in the house at the same time," (we will be getting a Leaderdog puppy to raise in about a year) but then he said, "if you just want an inside dog, why not bring Rose in?"
Well, if you ask me, that is contardicteray(sp!?!?!? lol). I asked mom, "Wouldn't having another dog and a puppy in the house be the same as having Rose and a puppy in the house?" and she was like, "Ya, but we wouldn't have to pay for an extra dog." So money would be the only thing different, basicly.

So my question is this.....since I'm not the one paying for the dogs, how much does it normally cost to take care of a medium sized dog (English Springer Spaniel, Aussie, Pittie, Standard Schanuzer, etc.) in a year? Any input on how much it normally costs would be greatly appriciated. Then I could make my case better. lol And I'd also know if I could help chip in to take care of the doggie.

[Carrie]

It probably varies a lot, depending on what your vet charges, what you do in the way of vaccines, food, how many injuries your dog gets...It's something you'd pretty much have to figure out I think. You could figure what vaccines you get and check with your vet on the cost as well as the spay/neutering cost, once a year routine check up, feed, any suppliments for the dog, (you'd have to make an estimate how much the dog will eat...Of course more probably as a pup.) Would it need professional grooming? You'd want to figure that in. Then just add in supplies; bowls, leashes, collars, toys, any training accessories, treats. I guess that's all I can think of to list. Just list things and put a cost next to it and multiply however much you need to to figure a year's worth.

Maybe someone else will have a better system. I really never figured it all out. That's a scary thought!

[Ritz459]

Well, the youngest dog I'll adopt would be 6 months and I don't really want a dog older than 4yrs. (I'm looking for a dog preferable around two.) We don't give our dogs supplements, and since I'll be adopting, the dog is normally already spayed and some are up to date on their shots. I think the shots we give our dogs are the Rabies and the Distemper shots. Really, whatever our vet thinks they need. lol And I don't want a dog that needs grooming. Uh-uh. lol I am NOT the grooming type of person. lol Ok, well, I'll try to figure it out the best I can and post what I come up with, to see what you guys think of the total. lol (Knowing me, I'll probably be way off. lol)

[Pugdawg1]

Sometimes I just don't wanna think about it LOL. There is a thread right now on a pug forum I am on about the cost of taking care of our puggies each year. Many are in the thousands.. depending on health issues. Some are luckier than others. Thankfully in the last couple of years I've been lucky with mine. Here's hoping I don't jinx myself (knocks on wood). Carrie covered most of it. except maybe heartworm preventative, flea stuff.

You may get a dog that just needs the basics with no health issues.. or you may get a dog that developes whatever problem it may be. Who's to know.
Even the basics are costly. Just be honest with yourself and your dad. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

[Carrie]

It really varies. When you adopt a dog, you don't know anything about their genetic history or health issues that may arise. There's no guarantee with a dog you do know about either, but at least there's a good guess.

I got Jose from a back yard breeder. He cost me $500.00. (this was a while ago before I really learned about all this) Anyhow, so there's that money. Then there was neutering, shots and I thought, "good. That's it." He sure doesn't eat too much when he's only a Chihuahua. Well, that wasn't it. He came down with patella luxation and needed surgery on his left rear leg...@ $500.00. He may need it at some future date on the right rear leg. That will be another $500.00, unless the price will have gone up. So, a "purebred" Chihuahua (eh-hem...doubtful) may well end up costing me $1,500.00 plus vaccines, food, toys etc. I could have gone to a reputable breeder and gotten a very, very superior Chihuahua for $1,000 to $1,500. And not have had to put that poor dog through surgery and he wouldn't be this overgrown dog I didn't have in mind. Of course, I love him to death and at this point wouldn't trade him for all the tea in China, but that's not the point.

Adopting or rescuing a dog is about the most admirable thing I can think of, but you don't know it's background. Of course, they say mutts are less likely to have as many problems as purebreds. I don't know if that's true or not, but perhaps their gene pool, being larger dissipates some of those problems dogs get so the odds are lower that some of those things will manifest themselves.

Anyhow, good luck in this endeavor. Oh...one more thing: What if you want to take him to puppy class.....Add in training.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

It really does vary and you never know what the future will bring health wise; take for instance my big guy Ty, at two years of age diagnosed with renal failure, right now between meds, fluids, trips to the vet for bloodwork and everything else it averages about $300.00 a month just for his medical.

[Ritz459]

True to what all of you guys have said. Well, I was trying to calculate some stuff and I've got that it would be anywhere from 568$-1008$ a year, and most likely, after the first month is over, 20-50$ a month (just for food and toys. Not counting treats.) lol I don't know if I'm way off or what, but hey. Whatever. lol
Well, both of our dogs are mutts, and they've never really had any problems, but Rose did get into some mousepoisen (that was technically impossible to get) and she had to have like, 5 blood transfusions, so we know all about 'unexpected problems'. lol

So from what I've gathered, I most likely wouldn't be able to pay for all of the stuff we need when we first get a dog (my parents would have to do that) but I could probably afford to pitch in to help cover the cost of the food, and I'd buy its toys and stuff. And heck, if I had to buy its crate and everything like that too, I'd just babysit for a while. I don't really like little kids a whole whole bunch, but I'd make big bucks if I went into babysitting. Ecspecialy with all of the kids around here.

(And I have the Your Pure Bred Puppy:A Buyers Guide by Michelle Walton (I think that is the lady's name.....) and it has some of the costs involved in a dog, so that helped me calculate what all was required.)

[Cassiepeia]

Yeah, I would say it would be up around the $1,000 mark. It's quite expensive really, I mean it's worth it... but it's expensive.
I'd love to get another dog too, but I can't afford it... so I'm going to have to wait a few years. Perhaps that's what you should do?

I mean you have 2 dogs already, and you're going to be getting the leaderdog puppy in a year (which I'm guessing will need a lot of your time and attention) so I'm not sure getting another dog, right at this very moment, is such a good idea.
Even with an adult dog, your current dogs are going to have to adjust to the new arrival and then, in no time at all, the pup will appear on the scene and disrupt everything again. Perhaps if you looked into getting a new dog after the leaderdog pup?
Just my thoughts anyway.

Cass.

[linnie]

I spend about $3000 a year on my girls and that with normal vet visits for vaccinations. plus meds for Chloe. But my girls are small dogs. I would think if you were feeding a commercial food and yearly injections around the 12oo mark.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Lemme see...my girls are all pretty much medium sized. We do spend thousands on them though. I'll get back to you once I've got it all completed.

[oc_spirit]

Well last year I tabulated that I spent around $2000 on OC and the year before was around $3000 (lots of puppy stuff to buy) so it really depends on how much you spoil them...LOL BTW at 61Lbs OC's a medium sized dog and he doesn't eat much food at all, only 1-2cups/day.

Cheers!

[doberkim]

bowie costs me on average about 2000 a year (spreading his total costs over the 3.5 years i have owned him).

i personally agree with your father - if you are getting a leaderpuppy in the future, and you already have 2 outdoor dogs, why not just bring them inside. i personally dont feel its fair to get another inside dog, if you have two living outside already.

[FurryAngel33]

I have no Idea.
well the cost of the dog plus Spay or Nueter around $100 or so (its cheaper to nueter)
the puppy vet check ups and the food(depends on the brand and bag size)

I really couldn't tell you the cost

maybe other ppl will be more helpful

[RedHotDobe]

Originally Posted by doberkim

if you are getting a leaderpuppy in the future, and you already have 2 outdoor dogs, why not just bring them inside. i personally dont feel its fair to get another inside dog, if you have two living outside already.

Exactly my thoughts. Rather than get another dog, why not bring your other dogs in? If he doesn't want two dogs inside at the same time, I have a feeling that the new dog may eventually end up outside after the Leaderdog puppy arrives.

I'd save the money for the upcoming puppy, and bring your two dogs inside.

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by RedHotDobe

Exactly my thoughts. Rather than get another dog, why not bring your other dogs in? If he doesn't want two dogs inside at the same time, I have a feeling that the new dog may eventually end up outside after the Leaderdog puppy arrives.

Ok, we could probably bring Rose inside, but then Blackie would get lonely, and I feel bad about having Rose in and not him. We can't bring Blackie in, because I have my doubts if I could fully house-train him, and he'd eat our cat. (And the cat can't go outside, because then he'd tear our door down trying to get back in. Plus, two many predetors and not enough shelter.)
Also, Blackie doesn't like being inside. He tolorates it for a while, but as soon as I open that door, BAM! he is out! (Rose likes being inside, but she is also stressed out big time too when she is in, because of all of the new noises. But I know that can change.) And if we get a new dog, once it is inside, it stays inside. lol
Anyways, thanks for the replies.