How Much Does a Puppy Cost? All You Need to Know

If you're looking to bring a new puppy into your life, you may be wondering about the potential financial implications that come with it. Find out everything you need to know with our handy guide.

Deciding to get a new puppy is incredibly exciting, but often, people don't spend enough time thinking about the financial obligations that go with it. While you may believe that it's simply a case of having enough money to purchase your furrever friend, your puppy's first year brings a wealth of costs that you need to account for too.

If you're thinking of opening up your home to a new puppy, you may be wondering how much does a puppy cost? Keep reading to find out how much are puppy vaccinations and what other expenses you should expect in your pup's first year.

How much is a puppy?

The first question on your journey to puppy ownership will likely be how much does a puppy cost? The first factor that will influence this is the breed, as more in-demand breeds like Labradors and Bulldogs will always carry a higher price tag. It will also depend on the puppy's heritage, if they're from a registered breeder, as this may increase the price.

Another question to consider when asking how much is a puppy is that if you're buying from a reputable breeder, the costs will likely be higher. This is due to the fact that the sale of a puppy needs to cover running their business as well as providing high quality care. There are many costs a breeder will have to cover such as screening tests for the parents (if they're a breed prone to illnesses), possibly stud services, de-worming and vaccination costs, registration fees and so much more. One thing to be aware of is to watch out for low prices, these can indicate a puppy mill or farm or reflect poor quality of care.

If you're not prepared to shell out hundreds or sometimes thousands on a puppy, you could consider adopting a puppy instead. You'll still have to pay a fee which will cover their time at the centre, but this will usually be considerably less than buying a puppy from a breeder. Additionally, your adoption fee will also probably cover microchipping, vaccinations and neutering (providing they're old enough).

How much are puppy vaccinations?

Once you've got your puppy, the next step is vaccinations. These are essential as they'll protect your puppy against diseases or illnesses. The puppy vaccinations cost will depend on your veterinarian, but these will usually range between $160 - $200 for all 3 rounds.

They'll need these first vaccinations when they're 6 - 8 weeks old, with the second following 1 - 2 weeks later. When buying from a reputable breeder or rescue centre, these vaccinations will usually already have been done before you pick them up. After that, you'll need to take your pup for an annual booster. If your puppy hasn't yet had their injections, some veterinarians will offer a 'puppy club scheme' which will cover puppy vaccination costs and may also include microchipping and help with neutering.

Spays will be more expensive as it involves internal organs, whereas castrations will be cheaper. The cost will also depend on the breed and size of your dog, as larger dogs will cost more because they'll require more anaesthetic and the surgery will take longer. If you need financial support with this, many animal charities and organisations can help owners cover the cost of these procedures too.

Private lessons will average around $100 per session, whereas group classes are the cheapest option being around $130 - $250 for 4 - 6 classes.

Young puppies require a lot of training and attention and if you're new to dog ownership, puppy training classes can be a great idea. Not only can they tell you how to teach your puppy good manners, but they're also an excellent way to socialise your puppy as if you choose a group training class, there will be plenty of other pups to play with.

Puppy insurance

The cost of owning a puppy is already high, just to cover everyday care for puppies and providing them with everything they need, but could you afford to pay for big vet bills if something goes wrong? Taking out puppy insurance will help covering any medical treatment they might have in their lives, such as surgeries or expensive medication.

You can pay monthly or yearly for puppy insurance polices and the premiums will depend on your dog's breed. More expensive breeds that are prone to inherited illnesses or diseases will always cost more to insure than a mixed breed, as there's more of a risk that veterinary care will be required during their life. While you may think that puppy insurance is just another unneeded cost, it could save you thousands down the line if your dog is ever injured or sick.

Routine worming treatments

Another cost to factor in to your puppy cost considerations is regular worming treatments. Puppies are actually most at risk for contracting worms and this is due to the fact that they can be passed on in utero and through the mother's milk. The initial worming usually takes place when your pup is aged between two - three weeks, then it'll need to be done fortnightly until they're twelve weeks old. After this, your puppy will need to be wormed once a month until they reach six months of age.

Regular de-worming is something that will be consistent throughout your dog's life and to keep them healthy, it's recommended to worm at least three times a year. On average, dog wormer will cost between $6 - $20 each time and you can get this from your veterinarian, alternatively, you can buy it from your local pet store. You should also ensure that you purchase an option that's specifically suited to your dog's weight/size.

Flea treatment costs

Another regular puppy cost you'll need to think about is flea treatments. It's important to keep on top of this and remember to de-flea your dog once a month to ensure both your pup is healthy and to prevent a potential infestation in your home.

The cost of flea treatment will usually be around $10 - $25 a month and you should be able to find this at your local pet store or buy it from your veterinarian. Similar to worming treatment, you'll also need to choose an option that's suitable for your pup's size and weight.

Doggy day-care

If you have a full-time job, you'll need to find someone to care for your pup throughout the day. There are a wealth of dog day-care and sitting services available, including dog walking -which involves an individual collecting your dog from your house and taking them on a walk - and doggy day-care services, where your pup will be taken to spend the day at a dedicated centre, full of other dogs for them to play with.

On average, dog walking will be around $25 - $40 per dog, whereas dog day-care services will be around $40 - $50, depending on the centre. Where this may seem like a menial amount if only needed as a one-off cost, if you're working a 5-day week and need regular dog care, this will soon stack up. Dog walking costs could set you back $800 a month, whereas if you choose day-care, you'll be looking at up to a whopping $1000!

Dog grooming costs

If you have a longer coated breed, they'll usually require additional attention from a groomer, and this can work out to be quite costly. When it comes to the price of dog grooming, it will largely depend on your dog's breed and size, as smaller types such as Dachshunds and Chihuahua's will usually cost around $70 for a professional groom, whereas large types like Newfoundland's and Golden Retrievers can cost a considerable $100 a time.

Costs of puppy essentials

Puppy seasonal costs

It's also worth being aware that there will be additional puppy costs to consider depending on the season and temperature. The most common seasonal costs are as follows:

So that's everything you need to know about how much does a puppy cost! Want to find out more about getting a new dog? Take a look at our content hub for more useful guides and advice.