A guide to buying a dog

The thought of buying a dog conjures up images of walks in the local park, snuggles on the sofa and lifelong friendship with a furry confidante. Yet you should never enter into the decision lightly. Here we explain what you need to know before buying your new best friend.

Dog ownership boomed during the pandemic but sadly the cost of living crisis has seen record numbers of owners look into the process of homing their pets as a result of the cost of living crisis. Almost 35,000 such inquiries have been made so far this year to animal charity The Dogs Trust.

Keeping a dog costs between £575 and £3,030 a year, according to dog-sitting website Rover, while upfront costs for new dog parents range from £760 to £2,290.

In this article, we cover:

• What do I need to consider before buying a dog?
• How much does a dog cost to buy?
• Where can I buy a dog?
• Should I buy a puppy or should I adopt a dog?
• Do I need dog insurance?

Read more: Best pet insurance providers

What do I need to consider before I buy a dog?

Getting a dog is exciting but there are lots of things to think about because owning a pet is a big commitment to take on. You need to be absolutely sure that you have the time, energy and finances to dedicate to your new pet. 

Be honest with yourself: are you ready to completely change your schedule? Could you give up lie-ins, commit to walks in all weathers, see your furniture covered in fur and factor in dog boarding to your holiday plans? You would also need to seek out dog-friendly restaurants and of course, scoop poop every day?

“When you welcome a dog into your family, you’re legally required to meet their 5 Welfare Needs,” explains Nina Downing, a veterinary nurse at People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). “These are: providing a suitable environment, correct diet, companionship, healthcare and allowing them to behave naturally.”

You also need to think long-term, says Axel Lagercrantz at Pets4Homes. “All dogs require a significant amount of attention, which includes ongoing training, interaction, and stimulation.

“Are you looking for a career change or promotion? Or perhaps you plan to expand your family. Canines live up to fifteen years on average, so you must think about what the long-term future might look like alongside your furry friend.”

All dogs are different but some breeds may be better suited to your lifestyle and energy levels, so it is recommended that you find a good fit for you. You should also consider health risks associated with different breeds before making your decision.

And last but not least, consider if you can take time off work to help a dog settle into your home, arrange their first vaccinations, start toilet training, establish a routine and develop a bond. 

What do dogs need?

Dogs need a lot of care and attention. Here are some of this things that you will need to provide:

• a loving home for life 
• ongoing training
• daily, sufficient exercise
• company – you should not leave adult dogs alone for longer than four hours at a time, for puppies this is a lot less
• regular, healthy diet
• comfy bed
• toys to keep them occupied
• veterinary treatment if they get poorly or injured 
• regular vaccinations, flea and worming treatments

Read more: Why are vet bills so expensive?

How much does a dog cost to buy? 

The short answer is: it depends on the type of dog you’re looking to buy. 

Factors such as breed, age, size, and sex all influence pricing. For example, a show quality, pedigree dog may cost thousands of pounds, while others may be much lower in cost. 

Typically a Kennel Club registered dog from a licensed breeder will cost more than a non-Kennel Club registered dog from a non-licenced breeder. Members of the Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme must follow higher standards and test their dogs to make sure the pups they breed are as healthy as possible. We’ve got more on this below.

A non-show standard purebred with pedigree papers from an animal rescue such as Battersea Dogs Home, the RSPCA, the Dogs Trust or Blue Cross sell anywhere from £600 to £1000, according to the online marketplace Pets4Homes.

What are some of the other costs associated with buying a dog?

Dogs can be surprisingly expensive and there are likely to be some costs that you haven’t thought of. 

“You should expect a dog to cost you at least £5,200 over its lifetime. But, depending on the breed of the dog, their cost could be over £15,000 over their whole lifetime,” says Downing.

1. Set-up costs

When you first get a dog, you’ll also need to get everything they need to be happy and healthy. As a minimum, this includes:

• Bed
• Lead, dog collar and tag (these are a legal requirement in the UK)
• Food and water bowls
• Doggy toothbrush and toothpaste
• Brush for grooming
• Toys
• Car restraint and dog harness
• Initial course of vaccinations
• Monthly wormers (until your dog is six months old)
• Neutering

According to the PDSA, the estimated costs for these to set up are between £404 and £511.

2. The everyday costs

Each month, you need to budget for lots of things that your dog will require, such as:

• Yearly health checks and booster vaccinations
• Regular flea and worm treatments
• Insurance to cover illness, accidents and third party
• Food
• Toys
• Poo bags
• Toothpaste

According to the PDSA, the estimated minimum monthly costs for these are between £57 and £97.

3. Pet insurance

Pet insurance is one of the most expensive aspects of having a dog.

The average premium for a pedigree is around £298 a year, according to GoCompare. Insurance premiums for crossbreed dogs drop to an average of £212 for a medium dog, with mongrels’ averaging around £221.

“As a general rule, pedigree dogs tend to cost more to insure than crossbreeds, but they aren’t all expensive,” explains Ceri McMillan, insurance expert at Go.Compare.

“According to our research, one of the cheapest pedigree dogs to insure is a Jack Russel, with an average annual insurance policy costing £196.

“At the other end of the scale, one of the most expensive dogs to insure is the Great Dane, costing on average £719 annually to insure.”

Here we have rounded up our top picks for best pet insurance providers.

4. Daycare

With many people now hybrid working, dog owners have to consider how their pet will cope with the lack of company.

Dog walkers typically charge from £10 to £17 for an hour’s walk, while daycare can set you back between £20-40 on average, according to the Dog’s Trust. For example, the chain Bruce’s Doggy Daycare charges £30 a day.

Where can I buy a dog?

You can buy a dog from a number of different places including, private sellers, breeders and rescue centres. 

If you wish to purchase a pedigree dog, the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme is one way to find a well-bred puppy. It’s the only organisation accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to certify dog breeders. Breeders on the scheme are subject to regular inspections.

“Find out as much as you can about the breeder. A well-established breeder would be very proud of the litters they produce and only too happy to answer all your questions and to show you records and relevant paperwork when you arrange a visit,” says Lagercrantz.

“Always meet the breeder in their home and watch the puppies interact with their mother as this will provide comfort that the puppies have not been imported.”

Similarly, you should be ready to be asked lots of questions about your suitability for dog ownership. Any breeder who cares about their litter is going to want to check you out and ask about the home you are able to offer.

Therefore, when buying a dog and meeting with the breeder, it’s important to check that the:

• environment looks safe and suitable
• house feels like a home and not a place rented for the purpose 
• puppy looks active and sociable (is interacting with their mother and siblings), healthy and has no signs of illness
• mother of the puppy is present, and she seems healthy and content
• puppy has been weaned – if not, they could be younger than claimed
• relevant paperwork is there: vaccination and vet records; pedigree registrations and documents (if relevant); microchipping documentation

Should I buy a puppy or should I adopt a dog?

There’s no right answer here. It’s about being honest with yourself: are you more suited to an energetic puppy or a pre-trained dog?

Adopting an adult dog may prove to be a more manageable option for you. By choosing to adopt you will ensure your pet has undergone the necessary health checks and received its vaccinations.

A further advantage is that they are often pre-trained and more than likely used to living in a family. Battersea Dogs Home and Dogs Trust both provide lifelong support too.

If, however, you have your heart set on buying a puppy, it’s worth thinking carefully about the long term. Do you have time to toilet train them and socialise them properly? Are you able to meet their emotional and mental demands for their whole life? 

Do I need dog insurance?

Dog insurance isn’t a legal requirement but it is a good idea to have it should the worst happen. 

Policies can include cover for veterinary fees (which are becoming increasingly expensive), third party liability, or the cost of looking after your pet if you have to go into hospital for unforeseen emergency medical treatment.

If you do take out pet insurance, it’s important to buy it as soon as you get a new pet because you may not be able to find insurance to cover the cost of treating an injury or illness once it’s happened, and most policies won’t cover the cost of treating pre-existing medical conditions.

How much is dog insurance?

Factors such as the breed, age, if it is male or female, your pet’s health, claims or treatment history, where you live, purchase price and the type of policy will influence the price of insurance. 

In general the bigger the dog, the more expensive they are going to be to insure. “A Chihuahua (smooth) weighing up to 2.7kg costs on average £222 annually while a Bull Mastiff which typically weighs between 41-59kg is likely to cost around £687,” explains McMillan (Go.Compare).

Purebreds, due to their genes, are at an increased risk of developing health conditions, again making insurance more expensive. “To insure a Labrador, for example, may cost as much as £600 a year, whilst a mixed breed may be roughly £200 per annum,” says Lagercrantz.

Age can be a significant issue. As pets get older the premium will likely increase because, like humans, there is more risk they will be ill. Most insurers class dogs as an ‘older dog’ when they reach eight years old so consider if there is an age limit on a policy when you compare them. 

Some breeds are more susceptible to certain genetic illnesses which could increase the cost of insurance policies, as insurers base the cost of premiums on risk. 

Where you live can also impact the cost of your insurance too. Research showed that pet insurance was 44% cheaper in Wales than in London on average, coming in at £227 compared to £314. 

“Pet insurance prices do tend to correlate with the general cost of living across the UK, with pet insurance costing less in the northern regions of the UK which tend to have a lower cost of living than the south,” says McMillan. 

Where can I buy good dog insurance?

When it comes to buying dog insurance, purchasing a policy that provides the cover you need is important, and the cheapest policy will not always provide the level of cover you require. 

Using a comparison website to consider your insurance options is a great way to find the right deal for you, but always make sure you take into account the levels and types of cover each policy is providing. For more on pet insurance, Times Money Mentor has its Best pet insurance providers

How can I keep my dog healthy to cut down on vet bills?

There are things you can do to help keep your dog as healthy as possible, which will hopefully help cut down on vet bills in the long run. 

• Get your dog neutered – helps to prevent serious illness and hormone-related behavioural problems
• Vaccinations 
• Regularly treat them for fleas and worms
• Check them for ticks, especially from early spring to late autumn and remove them safely
• Check for signs of ill health every day – things like sickness or diarrhoea, losing or putting on weight, not eating or drinking as much as usual, unusual swelling, limping or coughing. Any changes in your dog’s normal behaviour could be a sign they’re ill. Early vet checks can prevent illnesses progressing and becoming more serious and expensive
• Groom them and care for their teeth regularly
• Keep nails clipped short

What are some other money saving dog tips?

To save money on vet appointments -which can cost up to £60, seek advice from a digital vet if the concern can be dealt with remotely. Digital vets include the Joii app, which charges £28 for a video appointment, Video Vets Now and FirstVet charge £24.

Shopping around for medicine online rather than buying over-the-counter at your vet can trim costs, especially if your dog needs a repeat prescription. Petdrugsonline.co.uk, for example, claims to offer discounts of up to 76% on medication.

Dog food website Allaboutdogfood lets you find the best value products alongside a percentage rating of how nutritious it is and even calculates the price per day. For example, a 15kg bag of CSJ Complete Tripe costs £28, costs 41p per day and has a 65% nutrition rating.

For less than a pound per week (£44.99 a year), dog-sharing service Borrow My Doggy lets you meet people in your area who are willing to be a walker or dog sitter for free. 

My story: Magnus and me

“I thought I’d budgeted for everything Magnus needed – just not the car hire to pick him up and the £3,600-a-year dog care”

I’d talked about buying an Italian greyhound for several years. I diligently shoveled £50 a month to one side for 18 months, accepted a cage and puppy books from friends, downloaded the free version of the training app Zigzag and deciding on the name Magnus in preparation. 

A garden was a non-negotiable because of Magnus, so I even waited to get on the property ladder.

I really thought I had the financial side of things covered. Dog insurance and a vet care package that included his vaccinations cost £38 a month. A list of volunteer dog sitters, walkers and playmates from my circle of friends and dogs I’d met via pet-sharing service Borrowmydoggy.com was easily compiled. 

I even looked at saving on grooming costs by finding videos on how to clip a dog’s nails and brush teeth on YouTube – something that would professionally cost from £190-£375. 

Unanticipated costs

What I didn’t anticipate was the cost of car hire – twice. The first time to do the responsible thing and visit the dog breeder and check out the mother and her litter, and the second time to pick up Magnus, with an overnight stay in a hotel thrown in. It was £300 before we’d even claimed our pup.

I also naively hadn’t expected the need for any dog care – I imagined working-from-home days would allow my partner and I to juggle dog walking. This turned out to not be the case. My local daycare centre costs £35 a day – or £1,820 a year for one day a week. Two days a week have turned out to be an essential cost.

And that’s why my advice for anyone looking to buy a dog is this: there are ways to trim costs but budget for the unforeseeable extras – there will be plenty of them and they will run into hundreds, possibly thousands, of pounds.

Read more: Pet insurance explained