How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?
First-Year Costs
Becky and Aoife
This is a simple, rough break-down of the typical first-year costs of owning a large breed puppy.
Please keep in mind this does not include any major medical expenses (emergencies, injuries, etc.) or unforeseen/unexpected congenital problems that need to be medically addressed.
*Consumable products are estimated for the entire year, not per unit purchased.
Crate = $100 - $150
Crate Pad = $35 - $80
Dog Bed = $40 - $100
Collar, Leash and ID Tag = $45 - $50
Food and Water Dishes = $20 - $75
Food* = $500 - $1,000 (depending on brand of food fed)
Toys, Chew Bones, Treats, etc. = $100 - $500
Shampoo (+/- Bath Mitt) = $10 - $50
Brush/Curry = $10 - $15
Dremel or Nail Trimmer and KwikStop/Styptic Pencils = $30 - $120
Please note, the above is just a short list of items that need to be purchased before your puppy even arrives home!
Purchase Price of the Puppy: $2,500 (This is the adoption cost of a Luvakis Ridgeback puppy; click here for more information.)
Vet Visit: New puppy Wellness Exam (no vaccines) = $0 - $45+
AKC Registration = $30 - $74
Vet Visit: 16-Week Wellness Exam and Distemper-Parvo Booster = $50 - $85+
Training Classes: $80 - $150 per 6-to-8 week session (puppy should attend at least 3 sessions this year: puppy kindergarten/S.T.A.R. Puppy class, beginner/manners class and a basic obedience/CGC Class) = $240 - $450
S.T.A.R. Puppy Form Submission to AKC = $20
CGC Form Submission to AKC = $20
Vet Visit: 6-Month Wellness Exam and Rabies Vaccine = $50 - $85+
County Rabies Vaccine Registration and/or City Dog License = $0 - $100
Monthly Heartworm Prevention* = $150 - $250 (for 12 doses/1 year's prevention)
Monthly Flea/Tick Prevention* = $90 - $250
Vet Visit: Sterilization Surgery (spay or neuter), OFA Health Screening Tests (thyroid, hips, elbows, patella) = $350 - $1,500
Vet Visit: CERF Exam = $35 - $60
Vet Visit: OFA Cardiac Exam = $40 - $65 (Echo $150 - $250)
Vet Visit: BAER (Auditory) Testing or EOAD DNA Testing = $50 - $100
Degenerative Myelopathy DNA Testing = $65
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Cost: $4,500 - $8,000+
Now, consider other funds that should be at the ready in case of emergency. It is recommended a reserve of $2000 - $3000 (cash in a dedicated account, credit card or care credit account) available for any emergency medical costs, should the unexpected happen.
Was that more than you were expecting?
Although many of the big-ticket expenditures are just one-time occurrences and are needed only in the first year, the total cost to get puppy through that first year can come as a shock to those who don't plan well-in-advance.
Please keep in mind this does not include any major medical expenses (emergencies, injuries, etc.) or unforeseen/unexpected congenital problems that need to be medically addressed.
*Consumable products are estimated for the entire year, not per unit purchased.
Crate = $100 - $150
Crate Pad = $35 - $80
Dog Bed = $40 - $100
Collar, Leash and ID Tag = $45 - $50
Food and Water Dishes = $20 - $75
Food* = $500 - $1,000 (depending on brand of food fed)
Toys, Chew Bones, Treats, etc. = $100 - $500
Shampoo (+/- Bath Mitt) = $10 - $50
Brush/Curry = $10 - $15
Dremel or Nail Trimmer and KwikStop/Styptic Pencils = $30 - $120
Please note, the above is just a short list of items that need to be purchased before your puppy even arrives home!
Purchase Price of the Puppy: $2,500 (This is the adoption cost of a Luvakis Ridgeback puppy; click here for more information.)
Vet Visit: New puppy Wellness Exam (no vaccines) = $0 - $45+
AKC Registration = $30 - $74
Vet Visit: 16-Week Wellness Exam and Distemper-Parvo Booster = $50 - $85+
Training Classes: $80 - $150 per 6-to-8 week session (puppy should attend at least 3 sessions this year: puppy kindergarten/S.T.A.R. Puppy class, beginner/manners class and a basic obedience/CGC Class) = $240 - $450
S.T.A.R. Puppy Form Submission to AKC = $20
CGC Form Submission to AKC = $20
Vet Visit: 6-Month Wellness Exam and Rabies Vaccine = $50 - $85+
County Rabies Vaccine Registration and/or City Dog License = $0 - $100
Monthly Heartworm Prevention* = $150 - $250 (for 12 doses/1 year's prevention)
Monthly Flea/Tick Prevention* = $90 - $250
Vet Visit: Sterilization Surgery (spay or neuter), OFA Health Screening Tests (thyroid, hips, elbows, patella) = $350 - $1,500
Vet Visit: CERF Exam = $35 - $60
Vet Visit: OFA Cardiac Exam = $40 - $65 (Echo $150 - $250)
Vet Visit: BAER (Auditory) Testing or EOAD DNA Testing = $50 - $100
Degenerative Myelopathy DNA Testing = $65
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Cost: $4,500 - $8,000+
Now, consider other funds that should be at the ready in case of emergency. It is recommended a reserve of $2000 - $3000 (cash in a dedicated account, credit card or care credit account) available for any emergency medical costs, should the unexpected happen.
Was that more than you were expecting?
Although many of the big-ticket expenditures are just one-time occurrences and are needed only in the first year, the total cost to get puppy through that first year can come as a shock to those who don't plan well-in-advance.
Rewarding Your Efforts & Strengthening the Bond
Shirley
To encourage our puppy owners to keep up the momentum and continue to train and bond with their puppies beyond the first few basic training classes, we have set-up an incentive program.
Click the image for more details.
