Dog costs?

bree_1384

My boyfriend and I are really considering adopting a puppy in a few weeks. I was wondering what the monthly costs would average. I know there are vet fees, food, snacks, toys ect. I just wanted some advice from a dog owner that could tell us alittle but more what to expect finacially. And if there are any breeds that we should or shouldn't look at it. Thanks :)
Thanks for the great answers so far... I keep getting more and more excited!
Some more details... we do live in an apartment but do have a nice grassy yard to play with the puppy. We do not want a pure breed high maintance dog... we want a cute furry family pet... again a medium sized dog is what we will be looking at. Thanks for all your information...
more details... we want a puppy so that we can train "it" the way we want, we both do work but only 8 miles from where we live so checking on the puppy throughout the day is not biggy. I work 8 to 4 and my boyfriend works either 9 to 6 or 12:30 to 9... so the puppy would be alone sometimes but again we would check on it during the day. It will defnitly get plenty of attention.

Answer
Well you have the cost of the dog. From a rescue, expect anywhere from $50 to $500 (generally not this high but some purebred rare breeds may be). From a reputable breeder, $500-$1500 depending on breed and quality of pups, parents, titles earned by parents, and health tests done. They may have a returned dog or retired one for less but I'll stick with new puppy price. Skip the pet shops. Some do have healthy puppies but many of those pups come from puppy mills. You'll get better quality for the same price or less from a reputable breeder anyway.

Food can be as low at $10 a month for low-quality food for a small dog (please use good food) up to $200 a month for quality food for a giant breed dog. Let's assume you have a medium sized breed with high quality food and $75.

Toys initially would probably be $30 at least. Make sure the toys are breed apropriate. A tiny ball is not a dane toy and a giant one is no good to a chihuahua. Avoid toys that can fit to the back of the mouth as these are choking hazzards.

The essentials: leash, collar, bowls, and a license. $35

Shots and well-puppy check can REALLY vary but let's say $100. GET THE WELL PUPPY CHECK! It isn't much if you do it when you get shots and can save you alot of heartache later. If your puppy is not healthy, your breeder's contract should cover that (this is why I recommend contracts that allow you the choice of keeping the pup with a partial refund or returning the pup for a replacement). If it came from a rescue, you will need to ask them what they do about that. All shelters are different. Some say oh well, some require the pup returned, some return the adoption fee...

Obedience classes if you choose to go can also vary but let's go with $150. Look up my other answers and you will find a list of questions to ask a trainer before trusting him/her with your puppy's future.

Spay/neuter if you choose to can also vary. A shelter pup will already be altered. $150

Crate if you crate train (I highly recommend crate training but remember that your puppy's place is with YOU, not living in his/her crate). This will depend on dog size again ($30-$250 for a standard type crate) but I'll assume medium sized dog. $100

Adding up the essentials - $740 (assuming a $500 dog so you can adjust from there)

With the extras - $1140 (subtract any of the last three if you will not be using it)

Monthly maintainence can be figured out using the numbers given. Less than $100 more than likely unless you have a giant breed.

Remember that this is just a rough estimate and it can easily be higher or lower. This does not include any meds you may choose to use monthly (I choose not to but this choice is for owner and is very much determined by the area you live in). Don't forget to keep emergency vet care in mind. BTW I DID NOT add in grooming supplies as those will depend on the breed you select.

Well that makes things easier. Look for an aussie (Austrailian Shepherd) or aussie mix. Mature between 45 and 60 lbs (females smaller than males). Energy level is moderate to high depending on the dog. Medium length double coat, variety of colors (DO NOT GET A LETHAL WHITE/DOUBLE MERLE), and very friendly personality though they WILL defend their family. Not too high maintainence though they will have a major shed once or twice a year. You can find a purebred at a breed rescue or just look on petfinder. The purebreds are no more high maintainence than the mixes but the adoption fee may be higher.

What size dog crate should I get for him?

Ashalena L

My dog is about 40-50 lbs. What size dog crate should I get for him?

Answer
Buy one with several inches to spare so your dog has plenty of room to stand up, turn around, and lie down. You also need one big enough to hold a few chew toys and big enough for your puppy to grow into. Giving your dog enough space inside the crate, and much more time outside it, insures it doesn't become the equivalent of a prison for your dog.

http://lnk.nu/dogtime.com/waz.html

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

traveling with my dog?

Spicatt

i am taking my dog with me to Bahrain from denver and we going to have to take 2 different airlines ,, is there different fees for both of them or i have to pay it once only ? how long before i leave i should reserve ticket for him and do i reserve the ticket " way back " at the same time too ?

Answer
Hello,

Yes you should definatly book your Dog's flight along with yours, especially if you are planning on taking him/her on board with you. There is a weight limit if you are doing this usually between 15-20 lbs per dog with soft crate. The airlines only allow a certain amount of dogs on board so it is better to get the ticket earlier and it should only be about $50 per trip, not both transfers. Call ASAP and book to make sure you get the tickets.

Another note, if you are putting your dog in cargo please I cannot emphasis this enough, make sure your dog has plenty of water and before the plane leaves ask the airline what other materials the plane is traveling with in cargo. This could be very dangerous for dogs and only in an emergency should you travel with a larger dog that you have to place in cargo. If you have to wait as long as you can to give them your dog so that he/she is in cargo for the least amount of time and make that your first priority once you get off. Since you are taking a transfer also make sure that your dog will be transferred with you.

Its not easy traveling with a dog as I have done it in the past but once you get to your destination what better to have with you than your trusty companion.

Enjoy your trip and please read up more about pet travel on the web and with your individual carrier.

Dog going to the bathroom indoors?

David H

We have had the dog for 2 years now and have crate trained her, puppy pads, etc. nothing seems to work. We leave pads out and she won't use them. We can't put her in the crate since she escapes (bends the cage doors and goes out butt first) and she also licks the locks rusting them. She is 50 lbs. pit bull/german shepard mix.

We bought a steam cleaner, but does anyone have any suggestions for getting her to use the pads more often? We take her out at 6:30 AM and are home at 5:00 everyday since we all work.

Appreciate the help.

Answer
Have someone come over and take her out during the day. That's a really long time for a dog to be left alone and have to hold it, especially since it sounds young. Make sure that she gets long walks, since both of those breeds are extremely athletic and need a lot of excersise and mental stimulation.

If I lived in your area I'd totally walk her for you O;

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

cheap dog classes in dallas?

Grace/oliv

i just bought a german shepherd puppy and want to take her to classes for training,i already taught her to sit,stay,go outside,and now she's learning to walk on a leash. also crate train.but she is still nibbling and biting my other dog.sometimes she'll jump, or at night cry a little in her crate.but i don't want to spend a thousand dollars on training.

Answer
Man's Best Friend
2641 West grove
Dallas, TX 75201
972-407-1704
this is the cheap one i found




g
Overnight Pricing
Pricing varies based on location and dog weight.

Carroll ton
0-20 lbs.
$19.25
21-50 lbs.
$21.25
51-75 lbs.
$22.25
76 lbs. +
$23.25


Grand Prairie
0-10 lbs.
$16.00
11-20 lbs.
$17.00
21-50 lbs.
$18.00
51-75 lbs.
$19.00
76 lbs. +
$20.00
Houston/Spring
0-10 lbs.
$17.00
11-25 lbs.
$18.00
26-50 lbs.
$19.00
51-80 lbs.
$20.00
81 lbs. +
$21.00

N. Rich land Hills
0-10 lbs.
$16.00
11-20 lbs.
$17.00
21-50 lbs.
$18.00
51-75 lbs.
$19.00
76 lbs. +
$20.00
Norcross
0-20 lbs.
$19.50
21-60 lbs.
$21.50
61-80 lbs.
$22.50
81 lbs. +
$24.50


Woodstock
0-20 lbs.
$18.50
21-60 lbs.
$20.50
61-80 lbs.
$21.50
81 lbs. +
$23.50

traveling with my dog?

Spicatt

i am taking my dog with me to Bahrain from denver and we going to have to take 2 different airlines ,, is there different fees for both of them or i have to pay it once only ? how long before i leave i should reserve ticket for him and do i reserve the ticket " way back " at the same time too ?

Answer
Hello,

Yes you should definatly book your Dog's flight along with yours, especially if you are planning on taking him/her on board with you. There is a weight limit if you are doing this usually between 15-20 lbs per dog with soft crate. The airlines only allow a certain amount of dogs on board so it is better to get the ticket earlier and it should only be about $50 per trip, not both transfers. Call ASAP and book to make sure you get the tickets.

Another note, if you are putting your dog in cargo please I cannot emphasis this enough, make sure your dog has plenty of water and before the plane leaves ask the airline what other materials the plane is traveling with in cargo. This could be very dangerous for dogs and only in an emergency should you travel with a larger dog that you have to place in cargo. If you have to wait as long as you can to give them your dog so that he/she is in cargo for the least amount of time and make that your first priority once you get off. Since you are taking a transfer also make sure that your dog will be transferred with you.

Its not easy traveling with a dog as I have done it in the past but once you get to your destination what better to have with you than your trusty companion.

Enjoy your trip and please read up more about pet travel on the web and with your individual carrier.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

My 6 month old puppy is sick, what do i do?

dog crates 50 lbs image

Q. About 2 days ago it started with her peeing and then having diarreha in her crate, then yesterday morning i feed her and she ate very well and then at lunch she had thrown up and after i got home from work she had thrown up again. Then i could tell she didnt feel good and i knew it was serious. so i gave her 9cc of pepto (recomended 1cc for every 5 lbs) (she weighs 50 lbs.) at 6 pm and she was just lying around but not getting sick just feeling bad. and at 1 am she started throwing up, like every hour and then she pooped and it was direahha and it didnt smell like your normal dog poo. it was bad! she continued to throw up every hour or so to where she had nothing else to throw up. this morning she drank alot of water and she couldnt hold that down but she keeps going back to the water so i know thats a good sign. what do i do, does anybody have any home remedies to try. the vet is just so expensive but i will probably end up taking her though.

Answer
You should take the pup to the vet's. Our lab puppy had the same symptoms and the vet had to put her down because we waited to long...we only waited 3 days then gave up on home remedies and took her in. Puppies are very prone to serious illnesses and no illness should be taken lightly, it's just the same with children, you wouldn't wait 3 days before you took your child in. I know this doesn't help much, but if you love the pup, it's better to be safe than sorry. Take care, and good luck.
Jer

How much is a dog crate?

Silver

I want to get a crate for my dog to be in in the house when we're sleeping and stuff. I don't know what is the best kind to get. My dog is 45 lbs, and he is a little taller than knee high. I want a crate that's comfortable sized for him, but I don't really make much money, so I need it to be about 50-70 dollars or less. Also, where is the best place to get a crate? I usually shop at Pet Smart, but would it be cheaper to get it somewhere else?

Answer
PetSmart and Petco have reasonably-priced crates and can help you pick a size.

As a bonus, they're having a sale this weekend. PetSmart that has a 36" crate on sale for like $36.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753727&utm_source=NOVperks112509&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=epetperks&utm_content=prod8

Powered by Yahoo! Answers