Are you looking for your next canine best friend but unsure what you are committing to? Look no further; we have you covered!
People mistake dogs for being very low maintenance and easy to handle. However, in reality, any pet you get is like your child and requires due attention and care. Some dog breeds, in particular, require extra grooming, dietary, and medical needs. This means an extra load on your wallet.
So before you hopelessly fall in love with their adorable appearance, it’s best to know exactly what responsibilities you are getting yourself into. Here are 15 dog breeds that might cost you a fortune:
1. Afghan Hounds
They typically weigh around 50-60 pounds and stand strong at 25-27 inches, covered completely with long, luxurious hair. In any room these majestic beings enter, they put everyone in complete awe. As Purewow mentioned, to prevent their long hair from snarling and tangled, they have to be brushed thoroughly daily.
But here’s the catch: they need to be bathed before they get brushed. Afghan hounds who are show dogs need to be bathed at least twice before they get blow-dried. If their fur gets dirty, they can create painful tangles; hence, it is important to bathe them frequently, using only the best of products so their hair stays healthy and shiny.
2: Chow Chow
These canine teddy bears are extremely loyal and loving. They typically weigh from 50 to 70 pounds and stand at 17 to 20 inches. Their fluffy hugs come at a cost, as they require constant grooming, which allows them to feel and look their best.
Chow Chows must start their grooming at a young age so they get used to it. They require a lengthy grooming session, from detangling to baths and blowing dries.
3. Poodle
Though small in size, these sassy canines are super active and intelligent. Mental stimulation is extremely important for them and will require a lot of time and energy to help them learn new tricks and commands.
Not only that, due to their active nature, they require a lot of exercise, which means if you can’t take the time to walk them, you probably will need to hire a dog walker. To top that off, they require constant professional grooming due to their hypoallergenic coat.
4. French Bulldogs
People love these short-faced, short-necked, dwarf-like canines. However, behind this cute appearance are various medical issues.
As mentioned by Forbes, some health issues include elbow and hip dysplasia, skin folds and infections, heat strokes, brachycephalic obstructive airways syndrome (BOAS), and many more. Vet bills won’t be the only cost you would have to take into consideration, as managing the heat of their surroundings can also be very pricey.
5. Labradoodle
These living teddy bears can get anyone’s affection in a heartbeat. Labradoodles are high-energy dogs that require frequent exercise and engagement. Not only that, as mentioned by Purina, they require high maintenance in their grooming and, depending on their genetics, could also require regular professional grooming for their specific coat.
This includes brushing deep into the skin of the dog to avoid matting.
6. Pekingese
Their flat nose, short necks, bulging huge eyes, and heavily dense coats make them look like little adorable fur balls. But having such features also means a lot of time and energy has to go into maintaining them. Not only that, but they can be very expensive when it comes to dog insurance and vet bills, as mentioned by Purina.
The owner or maintainer of this dog breed has to make sure they are kept in cool environments at all times, hence further increasing expenses and energy.
7. Giant Schnauzer
These majestic beings are super active and can eat up to four cups of dog food daily. They are very intelligent; however, when left alone, boredom can cause them to be super destructive. Hence, they require constant mental stimulation and physical exercise. The owner or maintainer would have to dig into their pockets to cover the cost of training and toys. Grooming is another important cost to consider.
As mentioned by MarketWatch, every four to six months, they have to be hand-stripped to take off their double coats. They can also develop health issues such as thyroiditis, joint and hip issues as well as squamous cell carcinoma.
8. Goldendoodle
This specific type of breed consists of a mix of the standard poodle and a golden retriever. Same as the Giant Schnauzer, the Goldendoodles are also extremely active and require around four cups of dog food daily. They need regular haircuts that can’t be ignored or delayed. They are said to be healthy, but there’s potential that they can develop various medical issues such as elbow and hip dysplasia, arthritis as well as joint pains.
9. Old English Sheepdog
A big, friendly, and super fluffy dog. Who wouldn’t want such an animated companion? But various responsibilities come with them. They need to be brushed daily, sometimes more than once, to keep their fur detangle and smooth.
Purewow advises professional grooming for such breeds. Due to their hyper nature, they require a large feed and thrive on interactive games that can take up a lot of time and energy.
10. Siberian Husky
This only applies to people who want to own Siberian Huskies in a hot or even normal climate. While there won’t be any additional grooming costs other than the normal range, the environment you have to keep this breed in can cost you a kidney.
They need proper air-conditioned rooms to survive, which will increase your electricity bill by tenfold.
11. Corgis
The fact Queen Elizabeth had corgis throughout her reign should indicate the treatment these dogs got and deserved. These short-legged munchkins are intelligent, playful, extremely loyal, friendly, and very outgoing, as mentioned by Dogtime. T
he main costs come with the health problems this breed is associated with. They are prone to developing obesity, Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), hip dysplasia, allergies, and many more, which can contribute to frequent vet visits and increased costs.
12. Puli
Pulis have a unique look: the double coat they grow turns into stands, quite similar to dreadlocks. While this may make them look cuddle-worthy, the stands require intensive and frequent grooming, as mentioned by Thesprusepets. This can be very costly for dog owners with a busy schedule, as they might have to take them to the groomers.
13. Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois are super driven and smart; hence, one can find them working for police units and rescue/search teams. Due to their extremely productive nature, they can only adjust in very specific households that can cater to their natural instincts. This includes hiring professionals to train the dogs and providing them with an environment where they can run freely.
14. Atika
This breed is very family-friendly and costs around $1000 – $2500, as mentioned by Finance. Yahoo has a life expectancy of 9 to 14 years. Before getting this breed of dog, it is important to note that they are prone to various health issues such as skin diseases, hip dysplasia, and knee injuries. This can lead to several vet visits and long bills.
15. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are among the most expensive dog breeds, ranging from $1500 to $2500. But the cost doesn’t stop there; the breed has various health issues that can contribute to hefty vet bills.
On the plus side, they’re extremely affectionate, friendly, and cheerful towards family and strangers, making them perfect companions for both the elderly and children.
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