Guide: cost of owning a puppy
Cost of Owning a Puppy: A First-Year Budget Guide
The cost of owning a puppy goes well beyond the purchase price. An American Kennel Club survey put the average first year at about $3,085 across all sizes, and about $2,674 for a small dog. Prices have risen since then, so treat those numbers as a starting point and build your own budget from the lists below.
The cost of owning a puppy in year one
The American Kennel Club (AKC) asked dog owners what they spend. These were the averages by size (AKC).
| Dog size | First year | Each later year |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $2,674 | $1,831 |
| Medium | $2,889 | Not listed here |
| Large | $3,239 | Not listed here |
| Giant | $3,536 | $3,321 |
The first year costs more because of one-time purchases. According to the survey, those one-time costs averaged about $2,100.
One-time costs to plan for
- The puppy itself, or an adoption fee
- Crate, bed, bowls, collar, harness and leash
- First vet visits and the rest of the vaccine series
- Spay or neuter surgery
- A puppy class
- A microchip, if the puppy does not already have one
Our puppies go home with a vet check, first vaccinations, deworming and a microchip, so those are already covered. See our puppy vaccine schedule for what comes next.
Yearly cost of owning a puppy after the first year
The same AKC survey broke down a typical year.
| Item | Average per year |
|---|---|
| Food | $435 |
| Supplies | $432 |
| Preventive medications | $389 |
| Veterinary care | $650 |
| Grooming | From about $25 for a brush to $1,400 for frequent professional grooming |
Grooming is the line that surprises doodle owners. A low-shedding coat needs a professional groom every four to six weeks, so it sits at the top of that range. See our Havapoo grooming guide.
Plan for emergencies
Puppies swallow things, fall off sofas and catch stomach bugs. One emergency visit can cost more than a year of routine care, and the American Veterinary Medical Association notes that veterinary costs have been rising.
Therefore, choose a plan before you need it. Either set aside a monthly amount in a dedicated savings account, or buy pet insurance while your puppy is young and has no pre-existing conditions. The AVMA explains how pet insurance works.
How to lower the cost of owning a puppy without cutting corners
- Prevent instead of treat. Vaccines, parasite prevention and a lean body weight cost less than the illnesses they prevent.
- Brush between grooms. A coat with no mats takes less time on the grooming table.
- Brush teeth. Dental cleanings under anesthesia are expensive, and small dogs are prone to dental disease.
- Buy the right size once. A crate with a divider grows with your puppy.
- Train early. A puppy class costs far less than replacing a chewed sofa.
Do not save money on health testing or vet care. That is where a cheap puppy becomes an expensive dog.
Where the purchase price fits
Over a lifetime of 12 to 15 years, the purchase price is a small share of what you will spend. So compare what a breeder includes and how the parents were tested, not only the number on the listing. For a worked example, see Havapoo price, and check the current listings on our available puppies page.
Related guides
- How to Choose a Puppy Breeder: 12 Things to Check Before You Pay a Deposit
- Littermate Syndrome: Should You Get Two Puppies at Once?
- Male vs Female Puppy: Does It Really Matter?
- What Age Can Puppies Leave Their Mother? Why 8 Weeks Matters
- How to Pick a Puppy From a Litter: What to Look For
See all our puppy guides, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale and Goldendoodle puppies for sale.
Ready to meet your puppy?
Our puppies are born and raised inside our family home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, from health-tested parents. See who is available now, or ask us a question.