How Much Does a Puppy Cost? Everything You Need to Know

If you're looking to bring a new puppy into your life, you may be wondering about how much a puppy is likely to cost, including initial costs and monthly ongoing costs. Find out everything you need to know with our handy guide.

Deciding to get a new puppy is incredibly exciting, but often, people don't take enough time to think about the financial obligations that go with it. While you may believe that it's simply a case of having enough money to purchase your furrever friend, your puppy's first year brings a wealth of costs that you need to account for too.

If you're thinking of opening up your home to a new puppy, you may be wondering how much does a puppy cost? Keep reading to find out how much are puppy vaccinations and what other expenses you should expect in your pup's first year.

How much does it cost to buy a puppy?

The first question on your journey to puppy ownership will likely be how much does a puppy cost? The first factor that will influence this is the breed, as more in-demand breeds like will always carry a higher price tag. It will also depend on the puppy's heritage, if they're from a showing background and are Kennel Club registered, this can significantly hike up the price.

Dog purchase cost by breed

Thinking of welcoming a new puppy into your home? Below are the typical cost ranges for the UK’s top 10 registered breeds. Please use these prices as a guide only, as exact costs vary by breeder and pedigree:

• Labrador Retriever – between £500-£2800
• Cocker Spaniel – between £500 - £2500
• French Bulldog – between £1000 - £3500
• Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund – between £1000 - £2000
• Golden Retriever - £1500 - £3000
• Bulldog - £2300 - £3800
• English Springer Spaniel - £800 - £1500
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers - £750 - £2500
• German Shepherd Dog - £1000 - £2500
• Border Terrier - £950 - £1900

Buying from a breeder

It is important to consider where you are getting your puppy from – as you want to ensure that all the relevant health tests have been done, that the breeder is producing dogs with good temperament, and that are reared in the optimum ways with consideration for socialisation and habituation to ensure their puppies are going to be prepared for life as a healthy happy companion dog.

This means buying from a breeder who is committed to the highest standards of welfare and care.

There are many costs a breeder will have to cover such as:

• Screening tests for the parents (if they're a breed prone to inherited diseases or serious health conditions)
• Veterinary costs
• Possibly stud services
• De-worming and vaccination costs
• Registration fees

You can certainly find puppies cheaper from other sources but often you will be buying heartache – and huge vets and behaviourist’s bills in the future.

If you're not prepared to shell out hundreds or sometimes thousands on a puppy, you could consider adopting a puppy instead. You'll still have to pay a fee which will cover their time at the centre, but this will usually be considerably less than buying a puppy from a breeder. Additionally, your adoption fee will also probably cover microchipping, vaccinations and possibly neutering (providing they're old enough).

How much does it cost to spray or neuter a puppy?

This question should definitely factor into your calculations into how much a puppy costs. If you don't intend on using your dog for breeding, you should consider getting them spayed or neutered. Spays will range between £200 and £500 (using traditional methods) or £700 up to £1000+ for laparoscopic spay, whereas male castration will be between £150 - £350.

Spays are more expensive as it involves internal organs, whereas castrations will be cheaper. The cost will also depend on the breed and size of your dog, as larger dogs will cost more because they'll require more anaesthetic and the surgery will take longer. If you need financial support with this, many animal charities and organisations can help owners cover the cost of these procedures too.

How much does dog grooming cost?

If you have a longer coated breed, they'll usually require additional attention from a groomer, and this can work out to be quite costly.

When it comes to the price of dog grooming, it will largely depend on the area you live in, and your dog's breed and size, as smaller short haired types such as Dachshunds and Chihuahuas will usually cost around £35 for a professional groom, a Golden Retriever will be around £60-80, whereas large breeds with heavy thick coats like Newfoundlands can cost a considerable £150 a time.

Also remember that if your dog has hair rather than fur (hair keeps growing while fur moults with the seasons) it will need regular clipping/trimming/stripping every few months to stay on top of wayward hair.

How much do puppy vaccinations cost?

Once you've got your puppy, the next step is vaccinations. These are essential as they'll protect your puppy against diseases or illnesses. The puppy vaccinations cost will depend on your veterinarian, but these will usually range between £65 - £120.

They'll need these first vaccinations when they're 6 - 8 weeks old, with the second following 1 - 2 weeks later. When buying from a reputable breeder or rescue centre, these vaccinations will usually already have been done before you pick them up. After that, you'll need to take your pup for an annual booster. If your puppy hasn't yet had their injections, some veterinarians will offer a 'puppy club scheme' which will cover puppy vaccination costs and may also include microchipping and help with neutering.

How much does dog insurance cost?

The cost of owning a puppy is already high, just to cover everyday care for puppies and providing them with everything they need, but could you afford to pay for big vet bills if something goes wrong? Taking out puppy insurance will help covering any medical treatment they might have in their lives, such as surgeries or expensive medication.

You can pay monthly or yearly for puppy insurance policies, and the premiums will depend on your dog's breed. More expensive breeds that are prone to inherited illnesses or diseases will always cost more to insure than a mixed breed, as there's more of a risk that veterinary care will be required during their life. While you may think that puppy insurance is just another unneeded cost, it could save you thousands down the line if your dog is ever injured or sick.

How much does puppy training cost?

Costs of puppy training classes will depend on what you're looking for. Group training courses cost around £75-£140 for a multi-week course and will teach you a lot of the basics.

Private lessons on basic training will average around £40-90 per hour sometimes more depending on the area.

Young puppies require a lot of training and attention and if you're new to dog ownership, puppy training classes can be a great idea. Not only can they tell you how to teach your puppy good manners, but they're also an excellent way to socialise your puppy as if you choose a group training class, there will be plenty of other pups to play with.

How much does doggy daycare cost?

If you have a full-time job, you'll need to find someone to care for your pup throughout the day. The average cost of doggy daycare for a full day is between £20 and £45 per day, although this can vary by geographic location and the type of facility.

If you opt for a regular dog walk rather than full daycare, on average, dog walking will be around £10-£25 per dog. Where this may seem like a menial amount if only needed as a one-off cost, if you're working a 5-day week and need regular dog care, this will soon stack up.

How much do routine worming treatments cost?

Another cost to factor into your puppy cost considerations is regular worming treatments.

On average, dog wormer will cost between £10 - £20 each time, three times a year, and you can get this from your veterinarian. You should also ensure that you purchase an option that's specifically suited to your dog's weight/size.

Puppies are actually most at risk for contracting worms, and this is because they can be passed on in utero and through the mother's milk. The initial worming usually takes place when your pup is aged between two - three weeks, then it'll need to be done fortnightly until they're twelve weeks old. After this, your puppy will need to be wormed once a month until they reach six months of age.

Regular de-worming is something that will be consistent throughout your dog's life to keep them healthy.

How much do flea treatment cost?

Another regular puppy cost you'll need to think about is flea treatments.

The cost of flea treatment will usually be from £5 a month up to £50 for an advanced all-in-one solution, which you should buy from your veterinarian.

It's important to keep on top of this and remember to de-flea your dog once a month to ensure both your pup is healthy and to prevent a potential infestation in your home.

Similar to worming treatment, you'll also need to choose an option that's suitable for your pup's size and weight.

Costs of puppy essentials

Feeding and snacks

If you’re wondering about how much is a puppy, you also need to think about regular costs. Dog food is a significant expense and depends entirely on the size of your dog and whether you choose to feed dried, wet or fresh food. A small dog would be about £15-35/month on dry food but £65-£100/month if you feed fresh subscription food. A large dog would be around £40-90/month on dried dog food going up to £130-250+ on fresh subscription food.

And don’t forget about the treats too! Puppy training requires plenty of tasty snacks to help with the training process but make sure you use tiny, healthy ones so as not to upset their little stomachs! Usually, a pack of quality healthy training treats will set you back around £5-£10 - and you will be using a lot of these in your puppy training.

Toys

Once you get to the puppy teething stage, you’ll find your four-legged friend may go through toys faster than you thought possible. It’s a good idea to purchase a variety of toys, including plenty of hard wearing chews to save both your furniture and hands.

Good quality dog toys will cost around £10 – but this is depending on the toy type as some higher quality ones can be a lot more expensive but will usually last longer.

Dog beds and crates

You’ll also need to think about sleeping arrangements for your new pup. It’s important that you provide them with somewhere comfy to nap throughout the day – and as a puppy, they’ll need to nap frequently! The average price of dog beds range between £30 - £50, but this will depend on the size and overall quality.

You may also want to get a crate for your pup to sleep in at night. These are ideal for the first few months as you’ll be able to sleep soundly knowing your puppy isn’t getting up to mischief in the night! For a good quality dog crate, you’ll be looking to spend more than £100. However, larger crates for big breeds could be up to £200+!

Collars and harnesses

Your new puppy will need a collar and harness to prepare them for trips out into the wider world. These need to be comfortable, well-padded and fit your puppy well. Smaller puppy collars you can usually buy for around £15-20, whereas larger collars are around the £30 mark. If you choose to get a harness instead, you’ll probably be looking to spend between £20 - £40.

You’ll probably go through several collars as your puppy grows and believe us, they grow quickly!

Poo bags

Whenever your pup has had their vaccinations and is ready to start going on daily walks, you’ll always have to make sure you have poo bags to hand! When your dog needs to go, they need to go and you don’t want to be caught out as you could face an on the spot fine of up to £80. Poo bags will usually cost around £2 - £5, depending on quantity and brand.

Puppy seasonal costs

It's also worth being aware that there will be additional puppy costs to consider depending on the season and temperature. The most common seasonal costs are as follows:

Cold weather

Some dog breeds such as Huskies, Akitas and Newfoundlands do quite well in colder weather, however, smaller, shorter haired breeds like Chihuahuas and certain terriers do not appreciate it at all. For these breeds, you can purchase items to make the colder months more bearable like dog coats and heated blankets to make sure they’re comfortable.

Dog coats will usually cost anywhere between £15 - £50, with lighter fleeces being cheaper and waterproof wax styles fetching £100+!

Hot weather

During the hotter months, your focus will be keeping your four-legged friend cool and luckily, there are products available that can help with that.

Some dogs don’t like the sound of fans, and it can be a struggle to keep them cool when the temperatures rise, but you can get cooling mats to help with this. Dog cooling mats that range between £20-£50.

If you can, it can be a good idea to buy a paddling pool for your dog to take a dip on hot days. These can cost as little as £10, and your dog is sure to thank you for it. Make sure you buy a hard, plastic paddling pool and not a blow up one, the last thing you want is your dog’s paw popping it!

So that's everything you need to know about how much does a puppy cost! Want to find out more about getting a new dog? Take a look at our content hub for more useful guides and advice.