Would you like to add a woolly four-legged friend to your life? Then there are costs you need to consider. You buy a dog for the long term. Unfortunately, it still often happens that people do not take certain costs into account, resulting in the dog being placed in a shelter. That is why it is important to prepare yourself well and to read up on it. We would like to explain which costs you need to take into account so that you will not have any surprises when buying a dog!
- Acquisition cost of the dog
Our tip here is to take a look at the shelter first. Dogs that no longer have an owner can be given a loving new life this way. The adoption costs of a shelter dog range from €50 to €400, depending on the age and breed. Shelter dogs are usually already provided with a medical examination, vaccinations, spaying or neutering and registration fees. In addition, the dogs are often microchipped and already somewhat trained. So you don't have to factor in these costs.
If you decide to purchase your dog through a recognized breeder, prices will be a lot higher. The average price for a purebred dog ranges from €400 to €3000, depending on the breed, the breeder and whether or not you can see the pedigree. Beware of bread breeders! At bread breeders puppies are treated very badly, kept in small cages and are usually not vaccinated. Moreover, the puppies are so well bred that you often get a sick puppy. Read up and do good research on responsible breeders. Beware of online advertisements, where these criminals are often active!
2. Cost of food
A dog eats dog food at least twice a day. How much food your dog needs depends on its size, lifestyle, health and age. In addition to food costs, you also need to consider other expenses, such as chew sticks, treats and special food if you have an allergy. The average cost for dog food is between €20 to €60 per month.
3. Veterinary expenses
Dogs must visit the veterinarian regularly for checkups. This expense also includes dental checkups, vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick removal. If your dog experiences health problems, surgeries or medications are sometimes needed. These costs can add up considerably. That's why some people opt for insurance. Below we explain more about insurance. Don't skimp on the vet, because health is important for your dog. Keep in mind about €1000,- per year for veterinary costs.
4. Insurance costs
If you choose to purchase health insurance, we recommend that you check the terms and conditions carefully. This is because not all costs are covered. With a healthy dog that goes to the vet for checkups once in a while, insurance is often not necessary. However, if you have a dog with many health problems, you may want to consider insurance. Insurance costs between €15 to €40 per month, depending on your dog and the type of insurance.
5. Cost of accessories
By accessories for the dog you can think of a dog basket, food bowls, a collar, a leash and toys. On average, one-time costs for accessories are €300 to €400. Of course, you can make this as fancy as you want.
6. Exterior care costs
The costs that come with grooming vary by dog breed. Dogs with long hair need regular brushing or trimming. For grooming without trimming, you spend an average of €5 per month on dog shampoo and brushes. For grooming with trimming, it is difficult to estimate an average because there is no fixed price for trimming dogs. A small dog is cheaper than a large dog with a lot of coat.
7. Dog tax
Dog tax is a municipal tax where; the more dogs, the higher the tax. Not every municipality imposes a dog tax and the amount of the tax differs per municipality. On average, you spend €30 to €150 per year on dog tax.
8. Training and socialization costs
If you choose to put your dog on puppy school, there will be a cost involved. The price for an entire puppy course is usually between €100 and €200. In addition, a behaviorist may be necessary if your dog is experiencing behavioral problems. The price of a behaviorist can cost around €300. This of course depends on how much training your dog needs.
9. Nanny fees
Dog-sitting fees are still sometimes forgotten.... You can have your dog taken care of at a dog boarding facility, or at a babysitting platform like Petbnb. Through our platform you can easily and quickly find a nice and trusted sitter for your dog. Plus, you can stay in touch with your sitter 24/7 and receive photos and videos. The average cost of a sitter varies based on how often you need a sitter and how much experience the sitter has.
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