How much does a dog cost?

Data reviewed August 1, 2026

Quick answer

Most U.S. dog owners should budget $1,300 to $3,000 per year, or roughly $110 to $250 per month. First-year costs run higher, typically $2,000 to $5,500 with purchase or adoption, initial vet work, and supplies. Over a 10 to 15 year lifespan, expect $20,000 to $47,000 total depending on size, breed health, and whether you insure.

What drives the range

Size: food scales with body weight. A Chihuahua eats about $160 to $260 of food per year; a Rottweiler can pass $750.
Coat: Poodles, doodles, and Shih Tzus need professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks, adding $600 to $1,200 per year. Short-coated breeds need almost nothing.
Breed health: insurers price known risks. French Bulldogs and Dachshunds carry premiums 20 to 50% above the $836 national average because of airway and spinal conditions.
Emergencies: the wild card. Common surgeries (cruciate repair, IVDD, bloat) run $3,000 to $12,000.

Annual and lifetime cost by breed

Estimates include food, routine vet care, grooming, supplies, and insurance, built from APPA and NAPHIA averages scaled by size, coat, and breed risk (methodology). Click any breed for the full breakdown.

Breed	Annual cost	Lifetime cost
Labrador Retriever	$950 to $2,650	$11,000 to $38,300
Golden Retriever	$1,100 to $2,990	$11,500 to $40,700
German Shepherd	$1,100 to $3,040	$10,400 to $43,800
French Bulldog	$660 to $2,690	$7,200 to $40,600
Standard Poodle	$1,500 to $3,550	$18,600 to $58,100
Goldendoodle	$1,500 to $3,600	$15,600 to $59,300
Beagle	$790 to $2,260	$10,000 to $36,700
Dachshund	$660 to $2,400	$8,400 to $41,700
Yorkshire Terrier	$1,210 to $3,160	$16,300 to $54,900
Shih Tzu	$1,210 to $3,210	$15,100 to $55,200
Chihuahua	$660 to $2,060	$9,700 to $37,800
Rottweiler	$1,120 to $3,160	$9,500 to $35,900

First-year costs most people forget

Spay or neuter: $150 to $600 depending on region and size
Initial vaccine series and vet visits: $100 to $300
Crate, bed, leash, bowls, and starter supplies: $200 to $400
Training classes: $100 to $400 for group sessions, far more for private

Want a number tailored to your situation? The dog cost calculatorbuilds an estimate from your dog's size, coat, insurance choice, and boarding needs in about 30 seconds.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a dog cost per month?

Roughly $110 to $230 per month for most U.S. owners, covering food, routine vet care, grooming, supplies, and insurance. Small short-coated breeds without insurance can run under $80; large professionally-groomed insured breeds can exceed $300.

How much does a dog cost over its lifetime?

Typically $20,000 to $47,000 across a 10 to 15 year lifespan, including first-year setup costs. Long-lived small breeds and large breeds converge on similar totals: small dogs cost less per year but live longer.

What is the most expensive dog breed to own?

Among common breeds, the French Bulldog is one of the most expensive per year relative to its size: purchase prices of $2,500 to $7,000 and insurance premiums roughly 50% above the national average due to airway and spinal risks. Giant breeds like Rottweilers cost the most in food.

What is the cheapest dog breed to own?

Small short-coated breeds with few known health issues, like Chihuahuas and Beagles, are the cheapest per year: modest food bills, minimal grooming, and below-average insurance premiums.

Sources

We only publish numbers we can attribute. How we build estimates: methodology.