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How Much Is That Doggy In the Window?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hiya!
My boyfriend and I are thinking about getting a dog. We've been thinking of getting one for a while now but we both know that it's not the cheapest venture in the world. We have the time for one, but we're not sure about whether we have the money for one. We'll be thinking about it after I graduate, so I'll have a semi decent job (fingers crossed) to pay for it.
How much on average does it cost per month to keep a dog? How much per year does insurance etc tend to cost?
My boyfriend and I are thinking about getting a dog. We've been thinking of getting one for a while now but we both know that it's not the cheapest venture in the world. We have the time for one, but we're not sure about whether we have the money for one. We'll be thinking about it after I graduate, so I'll have a semi decent job (fingers crossed) to pay for it.
How much on average does it cost per month to keep a dog? How much per year does insurance etc tend to cost?
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Incidentally, you should look at www.dogpages.org.uk. It's a rescue website and they do homechecks and whatnot all over the country. I spend far too much time looking at that website though
But yeah they can be expensive and hard work! We used to have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and because she was pure bred she had every illness under the sun that was known to the breed
If you get a dog from a home or shelter they generally offer to pay all or part of the cost for them to be spayed/neutered which is a good thing :yes:
I'm not sure about dog food prices but I know if you go to B&M's or cheap shops like that they do quite good food such as Butchers Tripe etc
Also you need to think about haircuts...if it has a long coat it may require regula hair cuts through the year and also their nails cut.
The last two dogs we've had, they were already done before we got them.
:yes: Our dog has really long fur, but trying to cut it is a nightmare. He does get brushed every so often, which helps with that. If you get a ig dog, you may not need to cut their nails, because running around will help with that.
:thumb: that's why we got moggies.
Yup, my little hardcore Collie X everything-under-the-sun brute of a dog has never been to the vets afaik, even though she's had her fair share of painful incidents (she tried to eat a hedgehog once...) she doesn't even notice, whereas our greyhounds have been in and out several times.
Saying that, I would still love another Border Collie because up until she was poisoned by something she ate and she died and not including the time she ripped her paw pads to shreds, I don't remember any incidents where she went to the vet.
I miss my doggy
:yes:
Although bear in mind that circumstances may crop up from time to time where you'll be stung for vet bills even with insurance, so you need to account for that, especially as they age. My seniorpup damaged both hind legs and needed a double knee replacement, which would have cost somewhere in the region of £8000. This was covered by her insurance (thank god!), but now neither of her hind legs can be insured at all, even if whatever happens to them is unrelated to the original knee problems. Also means the excess on the policy has doubled, and the actual premium has quadrupled. And her beefy pain meds cost £90 every 3 months.
Another thing to think of is the job/time thing. My pup lives with my retired parents now, because I ended up with a 9-5 job (after swearing I never would - needs must!), and my hubby works 9-5 too, so leaving her for all that time wouldn't be fair. You may have the time now, but dogs live for up to 18 years. Do you know what you'll be doing in 18 years? Just another thing to consider.
And then there are kennel fees/finding a dogsitter if you want to go away, or even have a long day out without the dog. It's not mega - ours is about £12 a day, and they're great with her, (and all her many health problems!) but it's an extra cost.
None of these are reasons not to have a dog. Dogs are ace. But they are a massive commitment, so you need to cover all bases before you get one
£5 - 10 a month??? Freakin' hell! That's cheap. My little dog costs me about £7 a week and then I also have vet insurance.
She eats dried food - wagg - £2/3 for 3kg and that probably lasts her a fortnight, sometimes longer.
She does eat things the babies drop at every opportunity though
"dogs live for up to 18 years. Do you know what you'll be doing in 18 years?"
This is a very good point. I don't see myself doing anything drastic with my life but I don't even know what I'm doing next year! What I do will depend on what jobs I can get with my degree and if I get onto my postgrad. But 18 years is a very long time.
We wouldn't be looking at a big dog. Probably something beagle-ish. Or just a beagle! My boyfriend wants a bloodhound but they're the sickest dogs there are, they're so inbred!
At least I can see myself managing a dog, but it all obviously depends on what work I get (if any) after I graduate. It's good to know that it's an option that is doable!
Thanks guys!
You've all made me jealous of your doggies... I can't wait to go home for Christmas to see my baby! She's 8, but she's still my puppy.
My doggy's a beagle
My boyfriend's beagle passed away recently. She'd been his childhood dog, and I think that's why he's so keen to have another one. It broke my heart to see how upset he was!
His other beagle, however, is quite overweight. She has to take medicine for it and she's on a diet too. She eats *everything*. I mean, really, she will put anything in her mouth! She's had to go to the vets several times for eating random objects!
:no:
You wouldn't think that they'd have enough space in those little bodies!!
Jack Russells all the way!
Jack Russells are cute, but I wanna have a dog that I can throw about and fight with!
My doggy at home is a springer. I love her to pieces. She's amazing fun and super clever and she knows when and where she's allowed to go crazy and when she isn't.
I really miss my puppydog when I'm not home
Me too! That's why I need to save up for one asap!
I can't wait to have my own dog (or 2) and would love a pair of whippets or a couple of staffies
She costs me a lot more in time though - she's walked at least once a day.
She's a pedigree staff but she's always had perfect health. The only times she's had to go to the vet is damaging herself chasing critters in the fields. Rock solid and plenty of fun.