Planning to Bring Home a Puppy? Here's What 30 Dog Breeds Really Cost You

Thinking about expanding your family with a four-legged companion? Before you fall for those adorable puppy eyes, it’s essential to understand the true financial commitment involved. Owning a dog goes far beyond the initial purchase price—you’re looking at years of feeding, veterinary care, and unexpected health expenses.

Let’s break down the real costs associated with 30 popular dog breeds, from the budget-friendly options to the pricier pups.

The Budget-Friendly Pups: Under $700 Purchase Price

If affordability is your priority, certain breeds won’t drain your wallet at the outset:

Redbone Coonhound stands out as one of the cheapest options, averaging just $500-$800 to purchase. These laid-back, mahogany-coated hunting dogs live 12 to 14 years with minimal healthcare needs—around $1,500 lifetime. Similarly, Black and Tan Coonhound runs $400-$800 with comparable medical expenses of $1,500 over their 10 to 12-year lifespan.

For those seeking even lower initial costs, the Treeing Walker Coonhound (averaging $400-$800) and Plott Hound ($500-$700) offer hunting heritage without the premium price tag. The Plott Hound’s healthcare costs hover around $3,000 minimum, though they can live 12 to 14 years.

American Foxhound, one of America’s oldest breeds, costs just $500-$700 and requires approximately $1,500 in lifetime medical care across their 10 to 12-year lifespan.

The Mid-Range Sweet Spot: $800-$1,500

This price range captures many beloved family favorites:

Manchester Terrier ($500-$1,000) are spirited, observant dogs with 14 to 16-year lifespans. However, watch out for potential healthcare costs reaching $10,500 due to cataracts, patellar luxation, and diabetes risks.

German Wirehaired Pointer ($800-$1,200) are generally healthy hunting companions with only $1,700 in potential lifetime healthcare costs over 12 to 14 years. These medium-sized athletes might be worth adopting rather than purchasing.

Border Collie ($800-$1,500) are intelligent workaholics requiring active lifestyles. Their lifetime healthcare costs average around $1,800 for 12 to 15 years, with hip and eye concerns being primary worries.

Beagle ($800-$1,500) are cheerful pack animals, but beware: their potential lifetime healthcare costs can skyrocket to $7,700 due to spinal problems, hip dysplasia, chronic ear infections, and allergies across their 12 to 15-year lives.

Dalmatian ($1,000-$1,600), famous for their spots and firehouse connections, live 12 to 14 years with surprisingly low healthcare costs of just $700—though they’re prone to deafness and kidney stones.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi ($1,000-$2,000) were Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite breed. These low-slung, active dogs live 12 to 14 years but face potential healthcare costs of $4,000, particularly for hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy (a spinal condition).

Bichon Frise ($1,000-$2,000) are known for their sweet, affectionate nature and cotton-ball coats. Over their 12 to 15-year lifespan, expect $4,300 in healthcare costs for cataracts and patellar luxation.

Australian Terrier or Silky Terrier ($1,200-$1,500) pack personality into a 10-pound frame. These fairly healthy pups live 12 to 15 years with minimum healthcare costs of $2,500.

Cesky Terrier ($1,200-$2,500) is a relatively unknown breed with reasonable healthcare needs of around $1,500 over their 12 to 15-year lifespan.

English Setter ($1,000-$1,500), known for distinctive feathered coats, live 10 to 12 years with potential healthcare costs near $3,900.

Rat Terrier ($600-$1,200) are playful, talkative dogs with impressive longevity: 15 to 18 years. Their low $1,500 minimum healthcare cost makes them one of the least expensive dogs overall.

Understanding the Weiner Dog Factor: Dachshunds

Speaking of affordability, let’s address the popular question: how much are weiner dogs? Dachshunds, affectionately nicknamed “weiner dogs” for their elongated bodies, cost $800-$1,500 to purchase. Originally bred to hunt badgers, these spirited, short-legged companions live 12 to 15 years—but here’s the catch: expect a minimum of $7,300 in healthcare costs. Their most common issue? Back problems related to their distinctive long spine.

The Premium Breeds: $1,500 and Up

Ready to spend more upfront? These breeds come with higher price tags:

Irish Terrier ($1,500-$2,500) are feisty, lap-dog-resistant companions with surprisingly low healthcare costs of just $1,000 over their 12 to 15-year lives.

Otterhound ($1,500-$2,500) are rare, originally bred to hunt otters in Great Britain. They live 10 to 12 years but can face serious health issues like hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and bloat, totaling $3,500 in potential healthcare costs.

Schipperke ($1,200-$2,000), called “little black devils” for their mischievous nature, weigh just 10 to 16 pounds. Over 13 to 15 years, they’ll cost around $7,200 in healthcare due to eye problems and autoimmune thyroiditis.

Pekingese ($1,500-$3,000) may weigh under 14 pounds but pack outsized personalities. Across their 13 to 15-year lives, budget $3,150 for healthcare covering Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hernias.

Affenpinscher ($1,800-$2,500) has a smaller frame but requires $4,000 in potential lifetime healthcare over 12 to 14 years.

Papillon ($1,000-$2,000) are butterfly-eared, intelligent toy dogs living 13 to 16 years. Their healthcare costs average $3,600 due to toy-breed-specific issues.

Chihuahua ($800-$2,500) are the ultimate purse-sized companions. Despite their small stature, they live impressively long: 14 to 18 years, requiring $5,500 in potential lifetime healthcare.

Pug ($800-$1,500) have become increasingly expensive to care for. Their flat faces lead to serious health complications, with potential minimum healthcare costs reaching $9,600 over their 12 to 15-year lifespan.

Miniature Pinscher ($1,000-$2,000) think they’re bigger than they are, living 12 to 15 years with $2,500 minimum healthcare costs for patellar luxation and related diseases.

Parson Russell Terrier ($1,200-$2,000), also known as Jack Russell Terriers, are athletic and friendly. They live 13 to 15 years with relatively manageable healthcare costs of $2,800.

Field Spaniel ($2,000-$5,000) is one of the pricier options upfront. These hunting-and-family dogs live 11 to 15 years with $2,300 in potential lifetime healthcare costs for hip dysplasia and autoimmune thyroiditis.

American Pit Bull Terrier ($500-$1,000) often misunderstood, can be loving and loyal family members. Over their 10 to 14-year lives, expect $5,100 in healthcare costs for hip dysplasia, elbow issues, and bloat.

Harrier ($1,500-$2,500) ranks among the rarest breeds—sweet, affectionate, and energetic. They live 10 to 12 years with manageable $1,500 in healthcare expenses.

The Bottom Line: Total Ownership Cost

Before making your decision, calculate the total lifetime investment. A $500 dog with $10,500 in healthcare costs over 16 years totals $11,000. Meanwhile, a $2,500 pup requiring only $1,500 in medical care over 12 years costs $4,000 total.

The breed’s initial price rarely determines your total financial commitment. Focus instead on the specific health predispositions of each breed and align your budget with realistic healthcare expectations. Whether you’re drawn to energetic hunting dogs, affectionate companions, or intelligent working breeds, ensure your financial situation can accommodate not just the puppy, but the decades of care ahead.

Remember: adopting from shelters or rescue organizations can dramatically reduce upfront costs while still providing loving companions with their own unique personalities and charm.