How much is that doggie in the window?

[susandennis]

Ok, doggie readers. Let's say that in a few years I want to get a dog and before I do I want to have enough money socked away to pay for his or her first year. I want PLENTY in that puppy stash.

How much do I need? I have ZERO puppy supplies so I will be starting from scratch. The puppy will be rescue so cost little to nothing but how much for bed and bowls and food and toys and training and vet (assume this puppy needs everything including permanent birth control) and a playpen and a leash and a collar and a chip and whatever else I don't even know about yet.

For a year.

What's my puppy's first year savings goal?

Edit later to get folks back on track:

For the purpose of getting an idea on the savings goal, assume I do not ever leave town for the first year so no puppy costs incurred in my travel.

I really am ONLY interested in finances at this point. I totally get that there are many many many considerations in owning a puppy. It may happen that I save the money and change my mind but for now, all I am considering is getting the finances together. I have several years to work my own mind through the other considerations like what happens if I decide to go somewhere on a trip.

Comments

[viridescence13]

I think it'll vary widely depending on things like breed -- some need more grooming than others, some are more prone to certain medical conditions than others. Although I'd guess that you'll probably go for a smaller, lower-maintenance kind of dog. :) Quality of things like dog beds and food. Whether by training, you mean you'll take it to a few classes at a pet store, or enroll it in an actual school. So I'd say anywhere from $1500 to $3000, for a year.

I don't have a dog, but I've had the "privilege" of writing a bunch of articles about dog ownership.

[susandennis]

Smart and good thinking and, yes, small, lower-maintenance is exactly what I'm thinking.

Your num gives me a good window into what I need to do. THANKS!

In doing research for your writing have you come across any good reading for pre-dog adoption?

[viridescence13]

You're welcome! I see a lot of good arguments for getting an adult dog down there, but you definitely can't assume that one will be well-trained.

The Humane Society and ASPCA have some good stuff on the topic for planning for and choosing a dog -- I've not found anything better, and most shelters and rescue groups reference one or both anyway. :)

[angelamermaid.livejournal.com]

Don't forget dogsitter if you travel. S/he won't walk themself.

[susandennis]

as little travel as I do anyway, I doubt, I'll need it. but ok. how much would a 3 day trip add to the above estimate? or maybe I'll just take the puppy with me.

well, if you do that

[henare.livejournal.com]

you'll have to find airlines that will let you take your dog with you. ideally you want the dog to travel with you inside the cabin (otherwise you'll be limited to travelling during the cool months and to cool climate destinations). airlines have different rules about these things. max would know about these things since penny lane travels often.

Re: well, if you do that

[susandennis]

Or I can drive... or take the bus... or take the train

[zimzat.livejournal.com]

Doggy daycare / hotel would probably be cheaper and easier than taking them with you. You'd need to pay for the air ticket, find a hotel that allows pets, bring bowls, food, etc with you. If it's only a few days more than asking a neighbor look into the apartment is feasible that might be an option instead.

[susandennis]

Seriously. I so rarely go anywhere that this is not something I am concerned about at this point.

[davmoo.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'm gonna post prices, but keep in mind that Indiana prices are probably less than Seattle prices.

A can of dog food is anywhere from 70 cents to a couple of dollars, depending on what brand you get.

Dry food is roughly $5 for a small bag of a cheap brand, all the way up to $20 to $40 for a 50 pound bag.

Chipping here is around $30 to $50.

A rabies shot is $20.

Heartworm chews are usually $30 or so for a 6-month supply (if doggie doesn't spend a lot of time outside, you probably won't need these...heartworms are transmitted by mosquito).

If you get the dog from a pound or humane society, and assuming its a puppy, they will probably require that you pay a fee for the first round of shots and spaying or neutering. That can be anywhere from $30 to $100 depending on the organization. At least around here, a pound or humane society will NOT give you a dog or cat that is not fixed. No exceptions.

Outside of medical costs and such, I usually spend between $50 and $75 a month on my dogs, sometimes more. But keep in mind I have two of them, and they each weigh around 80 pounds.

Also, think about how you want to feed. With some breeds you can leave a pan of dry out and they will eat as they need it and feel hungry. My heeler/rottie mix (Dixon) is like that. Other breeds, if they can get it they will eat it whether they need it or not, and will eat until it makes them sick if you let them. My lab (Keela) easily falls in to that category. Dixon eats to live...Keela lives to eat.

Every dog will be different, but in general, small dogs will live longer than big dogs. Also research if the dog breeds you are interested in have any genetic health problems. And a mutt will usually have a more "rounded" personality than a purebred.

Finally, be aware that dogs are *MUCH* higher maintenance animals than cats. Cats don't give a damned what you do, while a dog will want to be at your side as much as possible.

Oh, one more thing. Chances are you are only going to get one dog, but I'll share this hard learned rule anyway. Never have more dogs than you have adult hands available. Three dogs are too much for most individuals, including me.

One more one more thing :)

Maybe think about an adult dog too. There are many of them that need to be rescued, and they make wonderful pets. Many will already be house trained and won't need puppy shots.

[susandennis]

GOOD info! Thank you!!!

An adult dog is a very attractive idea for many many reasons. Excellent thinking.

[davmoo.livejournal.com]

I've had dogs all of my adult life. But I actually don't have much puppy experience. I've always adopted other people's "throwaways". And I've never had a bad dog in the lot.

[susandennis]

Good to know.

[davmoo.livejournal.com]

Something else I thought of, although this isn't directly in the "finance" category.

I don't care what breed you're talking about, puppies chew. A lot. Assume that anything left on the floor will become a target. And if there is nothing on the floor, furniture and woodwork becomes a target. No, I'm not kidding...you should have seen the baseboard molding in my mother's condo when Max was a puppy. He was pretty hard on the bottom of the bathroom door too. Invest in plenty of rawhide and chew toys :)

[susandennis]

will do but... yet another argument for an adult dog

[davmoo.livejournal.com]

Its a shame you don't live closer. I realize this would be a little sudden even so, but a friend of my brother has terminal cancer and she's trying to find a home for her two 1 year old bichons.

[susandennis]

Oh dear. But, I am at least a year or more away from doggie ownership.

[davmoo.livejournal.com]

Its actually good that you are "thinking" and researching. Craig's List here is filled with ads of the "We didn't know how much care a dog needs!!" type. And in fact, that's why Keela lives in my yard even though technically she belongs to the girls next door..."We thought it would be like taking care of our cat!!"

[susandennis]

yeah, I want to make sure I have the money to do it right and I want to get in the right head space and then there's Betty...

It's been 30 years since I've had a dog and living in an urban condo adds some complexity to the issue.

So, yeah, I want to give it a LOT of thought.

[dietcokewithice.livejournal.com]

We have 2 small dogs.

I pay $60 / mo for food - that's mid-range quality. Cheaper quality = cheaper cost = fatter, slobbier dogs. Better stuff = leaner pups. Just like cat food, there's REALLY expensive stuff too, but after a certain point, I think it's all the same and you're paying for the brand. I'm not confident that 'free range' and 'organic' is really what it says it is, and if the pets are really worth it. YMMV.

$40 each for grooming every 6-8 weeks (bath, haircut, nail trim, ear and teeth clean, and some disgusting cleansing thing they do to their butts because they're boys.. it's part of the package, I dunno.)

A crate, if necessary +/-$100 one time expense for a decent one that looks/functions decently - get the dog post-puppy, when they're done growing and the crate won't need replaced. If you get a dog that can roam free in the casa and not get into trash or chomp on shoes, towels or undies - more power to ya... ours get into all of the above when we're not around, so we have to crate them when we leave. They sleep in a dog bed in our bedroom for bedtime. Some people let their pups roam in the day, but crate them at night for bed. Again, YMMV.

Note: Not all dogs need groomed (professionally) - My #1 requirement for breed when I was looking was for a non-shedding breed. To get that, we got pups that have hair and not fur... err go: grooming services. I haven't had the time or motivation to learn how to do it myself, it's worth the expense to pay the pros to do it, IMHO. We brush them regularly ( when you knit, I brush dogs - more of a busy habit than a necessity), and we bathe them when the weather is decent and they can run outside to air dry themselves, and if cut/bath isn't due for a while.

We do leave town occasionally, and we put our pups up at a doggy daycare/hotel when we do, if we don't have a friend that can come house/pup-sit. We pay $50 or $60 per night for both dogs. Daytime daycare is about half that, I think. Some vets will even house your friend for a fee while you go out of town .. . the techs walk them on a regular basis, just like the pets that are there for the day for vet care.

**AND (I keep thinking of things!) if you DO get a puppy- brand new shiny, fresh out of the box puppy, there's a place in Woodinville that has a 4-6 week obedience training program, does crate training, potty training, (no)bark training, teaches them commands to go lay on or near a certain area (preferred rug or dog bed)... you come in on Fridays(?, I think?) to see what they've learned and start taking over the commands so the pup knows you're the boss when it's all done... it's intensive AND expensive, but IT WORKS! (http://www.aocb.com/)

Hope that helps. :)

[susandennis]

Wow. GREAT info! Thank you!

That expensive but worth it training is one of the important things I want to have money for ahead of time. Great link, too. thanks!

[dietcokewithice.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I forgot, our vet is $50/year once a year, plus every 6 mos we go in for 'kennel cough' shots (like a flu shot - required if they go to daycare at all, ever.) $20 for that, I think.

People buy puppies for their kids at Xmas and don't realize how much trouble they are ... mid-late January or so, they tend to be turned over to the shelters. Good time to look!

[susandennis]

Yes, there is much to consider and Betty is on the top of the list.

My original request was for FINANCIAL considerations. There are many many other considerations that I will deal with when it is time.

[mixter11nm.livejournal.com]

Most rescue dogs come spayed or neutered. If you want a small dog, remember they are prone to be barkers. Of course, there are plenty of large dogs that are yappers as well. You'll have to do a lot of research. Whatever you do, don't get a cairn terrier.

We pay on average (husky) $300 for a yearly vet visit including any shots and medications (heart worm pills). Her food costs us an average of $50 a month. We buy holistic food that is made in America and not China for many reasons. Blue Buffalo is expensive but worth it. Her flea medication I buy at Costco at a cost of $140 per year.

Since you won't have to worry about any skunk episodes, you'll save at least $500 a year! Not kidding...

My estimate is anywhere from $1500 to $2500 depending on the health and size of your dog.

[howeird]

Consider pet insurance. http://www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/other/pet-health-insurance.shtml

Also, I see you telling several people you don't travel much, but reading your journal the past couple of years you are doing more travel, and retirement will free you to do even more. Budget for pet sitter/kennel expenses.
http://holidaykennel.com/aboutus.php?gclid=CPaUp8q6gbMCFWThQgod8XgAlg
http://adorablepetlodge.com/

Since you are only seeking financial advice, I'll save my rant against keeping a dog in an apartment for another time. :-)

[sea-weed.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if anyone has already mentioned, but just in case... I'd suggest a short haired dog, the people I work for have always had small long haired dogs, mostly maltese cross shitzhu, and it costs quite a bit to have their hair cut every other month. About $90 a haircut and that hair grows fast!