Total monthly cost
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Anonymous
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my kids are requesting for a puppy, please let me know the total monthly cost for s puppy, I want to make sure we can afford it before we bring the puppy home.
If some one can breakdown and explain me that will be really helpful. |
Anonymous
| What breed? |
Anonymous
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First choice American Eskimo
Second choice: Germanshepard |
Anonymous
| Will someone be home with the dog? If not, count on something like $25 per walk from a dog walker, $50 per night for a dog sitter when you're traveling. |
Anonymous
Whoa. Those are really different breeds. I'd think long and hard what you want out of an adult dog before getting a puppy. |
Anonymous
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You need to be very careful with German shepherds. Do you have any experience with them?
A dog that size, I’d estimate at least $100/month for food. $40/month for meds $15/walk if you need a dog walker $50-$100/night for boarding when you go away $500/year for vet bills $1000 for training |
Anonymous
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I spend around $1000/year on vet bills for general wellness visits + 1 "issue" per year (some years she ate something, sometimes its kennel cough or a limp). Every few years she gets her teeth cleaned with is another $500.
Food is $25/month for a tiny dog (she only eats 1/2 cup a day) Obviously more if the dog is larger. Dog walker is $100/week because we work full time. It was fine before daycare drop off/pick up started, but I feel guilty leaving her over 8 hours. Obedience classes for a pet are $200-300/session (you'll probably need at least a couple). I got bit by the training bug and love it, so I pay $50/week for dog sports classes, but that's obviously not a necessity! Grooming is $80 + tip for a 20 lb dog. I don't have a traditionally groomed breed, but I send her every few months to help with the shedding. The behaviorist we had to hire when the dog growled at the baby and we panicked was $200/hour. Again, hopefully not necessary, but well worth it for us! |
Anonymous
Looks like having a dog is only for rich people
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Anonymous
No, we do not have any experience, this will be the first dog in the family, but looks like will have to think again, as the expenses are very high. |
Anonymous
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I have an Alaskan Malamute. Adoption fee was $300. The annual vet bills come to around $1200, including heart worm meds. Food is about $100 per month, around $50 per month for treats. We stagger work hours, so we don’t use a dog walker. I groom at home. We have friends who take her when we are out of town, and we pay $40 per day for that.
The big expenses can be the unexpected ones. She once drank a bottle of cough syrup she somehow got off a shelf abs that was a $1000 emergency bill, for example. Any surgery will be $$$$. My older dog was also a Mal and his medical issues cost many thousands of dollars over his lifetime. |
Anonymous
You breeds you have picked are terrible choices for someone with no dog experience. I would say $20/walk for a walker, which you need if you work outside the home. For a puppy you will need at least a few walks a day for a number of months. After that you'll need a walk a day. |
Anonymous
Living beings are a big responsibility and require care. |
Anonymous
| You need to think about way more than the money. Honestly, it doesn’t sound like you understand the commitment. They need care and attention. |
Anonymous
It's like having another kid in the house 24/7, no break for school. |
Anonymous
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Those are both seriously intense dog breeds. Will require a lot of training and exercise.
I’ve never broken down the monthly but I always have $7500-$10k earmarked for dog emergencies. Alternatively you can buy insurance but you want to be prepared in case of major injury or illness, which will probably happen at least once or twice. |