Budgeting
The Puppy Tax
Posted by Jean
As I write this, Teddy, my beloved cockapoo, has snuggled up to my feet (the benefits of working at home). He doesn’t know it, but last weekend he almost got a brother. We were out and about with our next door neighbors in a nearby town. They’ve been talking about getting a puppy. And together we wandered into a local pet store where there were two cockapoo puppies — brothers we were told — from a nearby breeder. “If you take one,” we’ll take the other, Eliot, my fiance, told my neighbors, not wanting to split them up.
In the end they opted to pass. I was disappointed. But then I thought about how much better this would be for my bottom line. Two dogs would mean twice the vet bills, twice the grooming, twice the food, twice the dog-sitter (when I travel for work, she often takes him overnight). In other words, thousands of dollars a year. And that doesn’t include start-up costs.
According to the ASPCA: Here’s what they look like:
Small Dogs: $1,314 for vet bills, spaying, neutering, food, a crate, etc.
Medium Dogs: $1,580 the first year because the bigger the dog, the higher the cost.
Large Dogs: $1,843 in year one.
Even cats, which seem to take pretty good care of themselves, aren’t cheap. First year costs are roughly $1,035. (Litter alone is $165.)
Why do I bring this up? Because as the Obamas ready to introduce Bo, their new Portuguese Water Dog, to the world, parents around the world need to understand the cost of the dog their children will start begging for. Portys, though very easy to train, are large dogs which means they cost nearly two grand a year to maintain. Breeding sites on the web list them as $1,500 to $2,000 a pop to start (a number which is certain to rise as the breed basks in the White House Halo).
There’s a reason the number of pups dropped at shelters due to job loss and inaffordability is on the rise: Dogs are expensive. Wonderful, yes. Loving, yes. Worthwhile, absolutely. But an investment. Just something to keep in mind before you take the leap.
COMMENTS | 2 comments so far
New! 
Better credit in 120 days, powered by Smart Credit
New! The Debt DietTM
Become debt free on $10 a day with this online program that works with your readiness to change.
I believe knowing how to manage our money is one of the most important life skills for adults - and even more important to pass on to our kids.
A reference guide for money issues that has been carefully indexed so you can flip to the section you need and absorb the information.
In this updated edition, I give you up-to-date strategies to help you get out of debt within three years.
We love our wacky dog Harry, a mystery breed (lab and shepherd?) we adopted when he was already around 4 years old. He’s expensive, to be sure, but we can’t imagine life without him.
We live in a neighborhood with a very active dog subculture, and know dozens of dogs (and oh, yeah, their owners, too). Recently a friend was fostering an adorable golden retriever named Malka, about one year old, and Harry and I both feel in love with her (I’m talking about the golden). This unbelievably sweet dog was tried and tested, having lived on her own, outdoors, for an estimated six months of Northern winter before being rescued. She had been hit by a car, too, but her broken hind leg had healed- though she would have a limp for the rest of her life. Malka had already run up thousands of dollars in vet bills.
Fortunately, my wife overruled both Harry and me, for all the reasons you give. As much fun as it would have been to bring the new girl into the family, this just wasn’t the time to do it, especially in a year when we’re cutting back on vacations and anything discretionary. Thanks for reminding me…
One other thing: Most pet stores get their dogs from puppy mills, not reputable breeders (no matter what they claim). I’m sure your local pet store is an exception, Jean (or you wouldn’t be considering it), but I’d like to remind everyone to start at your local shelter, and if you can’t fall in love there, then research the breeder you’re buying from.
I have rescued all my animals…3 dogs a cat and two guinea pigs. I must agree with Jean…think long and hard about getting a dog much less another one! I brought two of my dogs to get their annual and it cost me $600. I still have one more to bring, but he’s got to wait so I can bring one of my 5 children to the dentist! As much as I adore my pets, it is a juggling act to find inexpensive quality petcare. I am going to our local petstore to get my beagle vaccinated. A $35 savings.
Don’t buy with your heart (speaking from an empty purse and experience!)