Most and Least Expensive Dog Breeds

The larger the dog, the higher its monthly expenses will be. Most giant breeds live only eight to 10 years, so the overall ownership cost is lower than large breeds that live longer. Taking life expectancy into account, here are the five dog breeds with the highest total ownership costs*.

• Giant schnauzer: $34,410 over 14 years
• Goldendoodle: $32,675 over 13 years
• Tibetan mastiff: $32,485 over 11 years
• Black Russian terrier: $30,200 over 11 years
• Labradoodle: $29,475 over 13 years

Giant Schnauzer

This breed is only “giant” in comparison to other schnauzers. Adults typically weigh 55 to 80 pounds but are highly active and may need up to 4 cups of food per day. You can expect to spend $290 per year on food and $345 on treats. Giant schnauzers are very intelligent but strong-willed and may become destructive when bored. Thus, they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. You’ll need to spend on toys and training to help with this.

Giant schnauzer puppies are hard to find and cost an average of $2,500. First-year costs for this breed, including supplies, training and vet visits, are about $5,940. Grooming is another substantial cost: A giant schnauzer has a double coat that must be hand-stripped every four to six months. Expect to pay about $650 per year for grooming.

Giant schnauzers are usually relatively healthy, though hip and joint problems, thyroiditis, and squamous cell carcinoma are possible. Vet visits will cost an average of $675 per year, plus any emergencies.

Giant schnauzers cost an average of $2,190 per year of adult life. Considering first-year costs and a lifespan of 14 years, that’s about $34,410, making the giant schnauzer the most expensive breed on our list.

Goldendoodle

It may surprise you to see this mixed breed on our list, but since the goldendoodle is a designer breed combining a golden retriever with a standard poodle, it’s fairly expensive. Puppies are easy to find, but a responsible breeder who knows how to pair dogs to lower the likelihood of hereditary illness will charge about $2,000 for a goldendoodle. 

Food costs about as much as it would for a giant schnauzer, about $290 per year, as both breeds are similar in size and energy levels.

Goldendoodles don’t shed much, but they’ll need regular haircuts totaling about $710 annually. They are reasonably healthy, but like many large breeds, they’re prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. These genetic conditions can cause arthritis, joint pain and even paralysis. So expect to spend about $675 per year on vet bills.

First-year expenses for a goldendoodle puppy average about $5,675, and you can expect to pay roughly $2,250 annually after that. Over an average life expectancy of 13 years, this comes to about $32,675.

Tibetan Mastiff

The first truly giant breed on our list, Tibetan mastiffs are huge, hard-working guard dogs that can weigh up to 160 pounds. They eat 4 to 6 cups of food per day, or about 430 pounds per year, totaling $390 annually plus another $345 for treats. 

Another considerable regular expense is professional grooming at about $900 per year. Mastiffs’ thick double coats form a lion-like mane around their neck and shoulders, which creates a striking appearance but requires frequent grooming to remain mat- and tangle-free.

Tibetan mastiffs are a somewhat rare breed. A puppy can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $4,500, though the average is $2,500. In 2011, a Tibetan mastiff named Big Splash sold for $1.5 million — at the time, the most expensive dog ever sold.

Even if you opt for a rescue dog with $500 in adoption fees, you’ll still need to pay yearly medical expenses of about $750. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other orthopedic conditions are concerns, as are hypothyroidism and canine inherited demyelinating neuropathy.

Total first-year costs for a Tibetan mastiff puppy add up to $6,235 since they cost so much to purchase and grow so quickly. These dogs also have the highest average yearly adult costs at about $2,625. However, since they live only about 11 years, their overall cost is $32,485, slightly lower than the goldendoodle.

Black Russian Terrier

The black Russian terrier is similar to the Tibetan mastiff in that it’s a giant breed with a high annual cost and a short life span. It’s also rare, with puppies costing around $2,000. You can expect to pay about $5,750 in the first year of ownership between food, training, medical bills and extra-large supplies.

Adult black Russian terriers can weigh up to 140 pounds and eat about $380 worth of food annually. Grooming their long double coats isn’t quite as hard as a Tibetan mastiff, but you’ll still pay about $730 per year for professional grooming. Black Russian terriers are fairly healthy, but there’s still the potential for elbow and hip dysplasia and an eye disease called progressive retinal apathy. Expect to pay about $750 per year in medical expenses.

Overall, an adult black Russian terrier costs about $2,445 per year, totaling $30,200 over an 11-year life span.

Labradoodle

Another hybrid breed rounds out our top five, thanks to the relatively high price of puppies (about $1,550) and longer life span. Because this mix of labrador retriever and standard poodle is a designer breed, there aren’t many in shelters. You’ll likely need to find a breeder and possibly join a waiting list. Expect to pay about $225 for the first year of food and $255 per year for food after that.

Labradors come in various coat textures and lengths, so grooming requirements depend on the individual labradoodle’s parentage but average about $650 per year. Most labradoodles grow to about 50 to 65 pounds, though some are bred smaller. Hip and elbow dysplasia are potential health concerns, as are epilepsy, diabetes and progressive retinal apathy. That said, labradoodles tend to gain some health benefits from their hybrid genetics, so medical costs will be about $625 per year.

A labradoodle puppy costs about $4,695 in the first year of ownership and $2,065 for each subsequent year. Assuming a lifespan of 13 years, this breed has a total ownership cost of about $29,475.

The least expensive dogs are typically miniature or toy breeds that require less food, smaller toys, less expensive preventive medication and simple grooming. Once again, these breeds cost less over an entire lifetime but don’t necessarily have the lowest monthly costs.

• Japanese chin: $13,695 over 11 years
• Boston terrier: $14,620 over 12 years
• English toy spaniel: $14,980 over 11 years
• Toy fox terrier: $15,255 over 14 years
• Jack Russell terrier: $15,405 over 13 years

Japanese Chin

This tiny companion breed has the lowest overall cost of ownership. They make excellent apartment dogs, as adult Japanese chins weigh only 4 to 9 pounds and have relatively low energy levels. A purebred puppy costs an average of $1,650, though this is a popular breed, and you may be able to adopt a shelter dog at a lower cost. As with all breeds, you’ll pay the most in the first year of ownership: about $3,815 for food, supplies, vet bills and training.

Japanese chins consume only about 70 pounds of food per year, less than the adult weight of most of the dogs on our most expensive list. You’ll pay about $80 per year for food and $165 per year for professional grooming. Japanese chins are low-maintenance, so you may be able to do most of the grooming yourself with regular brushing.

Medical expenses will be a bit more at $465 per year. Like many miniature breeds, Japanese chins are prone to developing joint conditions called patellar luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, as well as heart and eye problems.

You’ll pay about $1,015 per year to own an adult Japanese chin, totaling $13,695 over an average 11-year life span. This is less than half of what you’ll pay for many large and giant breeds.

Boston Terrier

Playful, affectionate Boston terriers are small dogs rather than toy or miniature, weighing 10 to 25 pounds in adulthood. They’re economical because of their popularity and low purchase price. You can find a Boston terrier puppy for an average of $850. Food will cost about $110 per year for a puppy and $105 per year for an adult dog, plus another $150 for treats.

Boston terriers are some of the easiest dogs to keep clean and groomed with their short, smooth coats and minimal shedding. Professional grooming will cost about $135 per year if you choose to use it.

Boston terrier’s extremely short snout and protruding eyes mean they’re prone to several head and eye problems, including brachycephalic syndrome, corneal ulcers and cherry eye. This makes medical costs relatively high for a small breed at about $590 per year.

Expect to pay $3,455 for your first year of Boston terrier ownership and $1,015 for every subsequent year. Over 12 years, this will run you about $14,620.

English Toy Spaniel

English toy spaniels are the miniature cousins of the popular Cavalier King Charles spaniel, weighing only about 8 to 14 pounds in adulthood. These are easygoing dogs that prefer cuddling on the couch over long walks. They’re expensive to buy, at an average of $2,500, and they’re fairly difficult to find in the United States. This means their overall cost for the first year of ownership is particularly steep at $4,680.

After that, you’ll need to pay only about $80 per year for food and $180 for professional grooming. Despite its long, wavy coat, the English toy spaniel’s preference for a calm, indoor life means that grooming is fairly easy.

Like the Boston terrier, this breed is prone to hereditary health conditions affecting their eyes, hearts and joints. Vet bills will cost about $465 annually, barring severe health problems.

You’ll typically pay $1,030 per year for an English toy spaniel, totaling $14,980 over 11 years.

Toy Fox Terrier

Toy fox terriers are now mostly companion dogs, but they were originally bred to hunt small game such as rats and squirrels. They’re intelligent little balls of energy that require a decent amount of exercise. However, at a minuscule 3 to 7 pounds, a short walk for you is much longer for them. Toy fox terrier puppies aren’t easy to find, but they typically cost only about $800. Their first-year costs are similarly low at $3,165.

Toy fox terriers are even easier to groom than the Boston terrier, and you’ll only pay about $105 per year for professional grooming of their short, fine coats. Food is similarly inexpensive at $55 annually; adult dogs only need about 50 pounds of dry food annually.

Vet visits will come out to about $465 per year. Toy fox terriers are very healthy but are somewhat prone to allergies, patellar luxation and dental disease.

This breed has one of the lowest per-month costs: An adult toy fox terrier only costs about $91 per month or $930 per year. However, they have a longer life span at an average of 14 years, so you can expect to pay about $15,255 in total.

Jack Russell Terrier

Although Jack Russell terriers weigh only 13 to 17 pounds, they have the energy level of a much bigger dog. Their intense and mischievous nature is usually better suited to experienced pet parents than first-time owners. You’ll pay an average of $1,000 for a puppy. 

Jack Russell terriers are low-maintenance when it comes to health, grooming and food. Quality dry food costs about $80 per year, plus another $150 for treats. Regular brushing will often keep this breed clean, but if they have a rough coat, they may need to be professionally stripped twice per year. This will only cost about $135 annually.

Jack Russell’s health care costs are similar to other dogs of this size at $465 per year. However, patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and glaucoma are known to occur in this breed.

The first year of Jack Russell terrier ownership will cost you about $3,585, but subsequent years will cost only $985. Altogether, this breed costs about $15,405 over 13 years.

One way to reduce the cost of vet bills is by getting a pet insurance plan. Although these plans don’t cover everything, they reimburse you for unexpected occurrences such as accidents and illness. You pay a regular monthly premium to the insurance provider. If your dog experiences a covered health problem, you’ll pay the vet and be totally or partially reimbursed by the provider.

The most common pet insurance plans cover accidents and/or illnesses. Accidents include injuries, choking and ingesting toxic substances. Illnesses include most contagious and hereditary conditions, as well as diagnostic tests, X-rays and medication.

Some providers also offer wellness plans that include preventive care for regular checkups, vaccinations and flea and heartworm medication. Preexisting conditions and eventualities, such as pregnancy and elective procedures, are typically excluded, but expensive, chronic conditions like hip dysplasia are covered after a specific waiting period. 

The best pet insurance plans cover both expected and unexpected expenses. Here are some common canine health care costs that often fall under these plans, though you’ll want to check the specifics of coverage for each plan you consider.

• Dental care: A full canine dental cleaning, recommended every six months to a year, requires anesthesia and usually takes at least 45 minutes. These can cost $500 to $2,000 or more, not including X-rays.
• Lab tests: Exact costs depend on the type of tests, and you may receive a price break for scheduling several tests at once. One lab charges anywhere from $9 for routine calcium tests to $132 for pesticide toxicology tests.
• Preventive medication and supplements: All dogs need heartworm and flea prevention medications. The annual cost for these ranges from $155 to $220 for miniature breeds to $350 to $600 for giant breeds.
• Routine veterinary visits: Annual physical exams for an adult dog typically cost $125 to $265 regardless of size and breed, though additional tests or vaccines cost extra.
• Vaccines: Costs depend on the type of vaccine, though a cluster of annual boosters usually costs around $80. Other vaccines may be necessary for dogs who may encounter ticks or wildlife or dogs who are regularly boarded.

Health care is far from the only expense when it comes to taking care of a dog. Here are some other common costs you’ll encounter.

• Boarding and pet sitters: If you need to go out of town and can’t take your dog, you’ll need to board them at a kennel ($25 to $85 per night) or with a pet sitter ($45 to $75 per night).
• Collars and leashes: Collars cost anywhere from $5 to $40, depending on quality and size. Leashes add another $5 to $20. Some dogs will need to be walked on harnesses, which vary in price from $15 to $50.
• Daycare and walking: To keep your dog comfortable and socialized when you aren’t home during the day, it’s usually a good idea to sign them up for doggie daycare ($40 to $280 per day) or schedule a dog walker ($15 to $25 per walk) a few times per week.
• Food and treats: This can range from $80 for food and $150 for treats for a miniature breed to $390 for food and $345 for treats for a giant breed. Nutrient-dense puppy food often costs more.
• Grooming: Costs depend on the dog’s size and the length and texture of its fur, ranging from $25 to $200 per visit. Nail trimming and ear cleaning may or may not be included.
• Toys and recreation: Smaller toys cost less, so you might spend $30 per year on toys for a miniature breed or $150 per year for a giant breed.
• Training classes: Basic obedience lessons can cost $700 to $1,200, depending on the number of classes and whether they’re private or group classes.

All dogs require investing money as well as time and attention. However, budget is rarely the best deciding factor when determining what kind of dog you want as your companion. The cheapest dog might not suit your personality and lifestyle. Instead, consider some general trends: The most expensive breeds are large, difficult to groom and have substantial health problems. The least expensive are small, short-haired and healthy. 

Though health is difficult to plan for, it’s a good idea to look into the conditions and illnesses that typically affect your chosen breed. If you don’t plan on adopting, you should pick a reputable, ethical breeder who will know how to minimize hereditary health problems. 

Finally, you can lower your vet costs by opting for a pet insurance plan that covers accidents, illnesses and routine vet visits. At the very least, you’ll be able to plan your budget around a set monthly payment and avoid large, unexpected vet bills.