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Our English bulldog ate everything it wants. Once, she grabbed a 50bmg bohica by the carry handle and tried to hide it in her corner. Her hospital bill were in the 6-7k per year. Our german shep however is extremely low maintenance. Maybe 1k in food and a check up a year. So it depends on the breed also.
I agree with hatidua's post. The traveling part is very hard.
We have dog insurance on our two dogs. I think it's $80-100/month combined. They're still younger (5 years) and we didn't want to have a "Do we spend X amount on one or do we have to let him go?" situation. Food is probably another $500/year for the good stuff. This is for 2 terriers (20 lb and 30 lb). Add in the miscellaneous treats, toys, fun stuff and we're probably around $2,000/year. Give or take.
But they are so awesome that I don't even think twice about the cost.
I'd also like to add that if you can, 2 dogs are nice to have. They keep each other company, play together and I think it makes them happier. My wife got a dog when we first started dating and we eventually picked up the second one when a friend needed to relocate his. The first one definitely seems to be happier. Especially on days when we have to leave for the better part of the day.
Last edited by Dave_L; 12-26-2013 at 18:09.
Man you guys have some expensive dogs!
My dog is a yellow lab mix mutt and she eats 3 cups of food a day, so around 15 lbs a month and even though I buy the expensive stuff that is only about $20 a month. Aside from that she is generally healthy only going to the vet about 3 times in the 4 years since I got her. Once for kennel cough and a couple times for a skin rash, but even then the visits were about $300 total with medications. I know if something more serious were to happen it will be significantly more expensive, but that is part of researching the particular breed that you are getting. Some breeds are prone to hip dysplasia, heart conditions, pugs have respiratory issues things like that.
Also pure bread dogs need pure bread care and very often need specialized food that costs more a month than my dog eats in a year. My buddy bought two Dobermans and has owned them for five years. The both require $150 per month in specialized dog food or they shit diarrhea all over the house and one of them has had three hip surgeries all ready while the other one is starting to limp. Each surgery was something like $3000 and since he did not have them on insurance before the first surgery, his premiums are super high because they consider the dog "high risk" for needing additional surgeries. His dogs cost him a fortune, but he did not do the research on the breeds, breeder, or associated risks of owning that particular pure bread dog.
My little mutt is happy healthy and a great house protector. She is quiet, smart and adapts easily to changes in diet or environment. Not all dogs are that way, and really after you select a breed or traits you want to see in the dog it really comes down to the individual dog and the amount of time that you have to spend working with them. Every dog has their own personality and you have to select one that suits your life style and commitment to training. Some dogs require constant training and interaction or they get bored and chew up your entire house. Some you only have to tell them once and they got it for life.
I lucked out with my dog, and I would gladly spend much more every month if she needed it. She makes every day better, and you cant put a dollar amount on that.
Last edited by Danimal; 12-27-2013 at 15:05.
Either you don't know what the expensive stuff is.. or you have a grain silo and can buy in some serious bulkOriginally Posted by Danimal
If you go onto the hunting section, you'll see my mutt. She has had 5 surgeries that tallied ~14k. Figure every month 50$ of mutt food from murdoch's because she has to be on low residue, or her ass stinks so bad she can't stay in the house. Then on top of the dog food, we have a thyroid condition that adds another 50$ to the bill. I told my wife that's the last dog we ever get from her "friend" at a cheap price. Long story short, have the pup checked out at the vet, and pay for the blood work to be done before you get it. Have them check out the bend in the legs and prescreen for any genetic diseases. This will save you a crap load in the long run if the dog has any of those...
NRA BP+PPITH Instructor
CO state senator: 2nd Amendment doesn't protect duck hunting, therefore:
2 non web feet bad,
2 web feet good...
Vas-tly Different Now...and prefers corn to peas
I've got a miniature pinscher. She's about 7 inches at the shoulder and weighs around six lb. I know this is more of a hamster to many of you, but she is a very good family dog. I've had many varieties up to German shepherd dog in size. My min pin is BY FAR the least expensive. However I get every bit of joy from her as the others.
Size and weight, and therefore food are completely irrelevant to the size of dog you are looking at, but in case anybody is interested...
2 oz of food per day is around six 7.5 lb bags per year. Premium food is $15 for a bag. Total annual food cost is about $90. (/win)
Treats and toys might run another $50/year.
Much of the rest are standard costs independent of breed size and depend merely on the vet you like.
Annual vet checkup is about $60.
Annual teeth cleaning is about $100.
Miscellaneous vet visits are probably another $100 per year including vaccinations, nail trims, etc.
Kenneling is expensive and we do this for at least one week a year for around $300/week.
edit: not sure why pics are posting upside down and duplicated.
I have a 5yr old heeler of my own and here are a couple of things I can add to the conversation to keep cost down and a happy dog:
1. Go with an no grain food - tends to cost a little bit more but will get rid of all the "fillers" that usually come in cheaper food. Your dog will eat less due to the higher protein levels, have a better coat, and stools will be smaller as they actually digest and use the energy in the food. My heeler weighs around 35lbs and eats a little over 1/2 cup twice a day. It might be a little more expensive to buy the food, but will help further down the road and you will most likely get healthier years out of them. ~$65 every month and a half
2. Don't feed from the table. Again, this will cause a weight issue which tends to lead into higher cost vet visits down the road. A lot of heelers tend to get the sausage look because of over feeding and will put a lot of strain on their hips.
3. Check on your dog after trips - a lot of insects, cuts, stickers in their paws can be removed before they become a problem
4. Exercise - especially with a heeler. If you run them hard on the pavement look into a supplement for joints. Cheap preventative maintenance goes a long way to keeping your dog healthier longer as heelers tend to live around 12-15 years. One even lived into its 30's I believe.
Shots - I get the normal ones every year ~$200
Annual check up - I tend to go without this if the dog looks healthy. Vet only takes temp, moves the joints around a little bit and is usually pretty useless for the $75-100 they charge
Kennel - go craigslist as they are everywhere
Flying - this has gone up a lot recently as most airlines don't fly pets anymore. I have to fly mine cargo sometimes and is around ~$200-300 depending on the airline (one way). You also have to get a health certificate for 10 days prior to the flight which costs about $75. Boarding can be cheaper.
Extras - ~$100 (toys, collar, leash)
I've found that after the puppy phase, dogs are pretty cheap as long as you keep them healthy through diet and exercise. If you find your dog prone to injury, get a pet policy ($400/yr) that will take care of all shots, vet visits and even some bigger issues that might come up. Can potentially save you a lot of money.
Total for me is around $800-1000 a year but is worth it as I am more active and tend to stay in and eat instead of going out (money saved)
I don't think the above statement can be overemphasized.
We thought our first dog was happy as could be....until we got our second one. I'll never again have a lone dog, they are social creatures and very much enjoy having another of their own kind around.
I pay way to much for dog food, which chaps my ass because I make it for a living, but I have never had to buy treats. I end up giving away most of what the company gives me, not much food though, when I can get it . Its not what I feed her. This dog is great though, 2yrs old and never runs even when the door is left open, only chews kleenex and toilet paper and is violently protective of her humans. 55ish pound mutt. Black lab and?????, but she is afriad of water.
Just had to drop the pup off to get 3 abscessed teeth pulled and a full make up of shots and stuff.
Total $840, he is lucky I love his ass.
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