Cost of Raising a Puppy
What Will it Cost to Care for Your New Puppy?
Many families who decide to find a new member of their family through adopting or purchasing a puppy don't realize the financial obligations, or time and attention requirements needed to keep their pet healthy, happy, and correctly trained. While this is in no way a full and complete listing of all costs associated with owning a dog, it is a place to start your research into finding out what it will cost in your area.
Within the First Week:
Before bringing your puppy home, you should have already chosen a vet near you and determined the cost of office visits, vaccinations, deworming, etc. Many vets offer "puppy packages" beginning at around $200.00, and consists of 3 office visits, all vaccinations required, deworming, heartworm test, and a thorough check-up.
Until you can bring your puppy to the vet for its first checkup, it should be kept away from other dogs as much as possible just in case it has a communicable virus - especially if a shot record or proof of a previous vet check-up is not provided. Be cautious when taking your puppy anywhere there will be other dogs - especially if he/she hasn't had the second parvo vaccine.
Do you have the time and dedication needed to provide attention and training??
| Walking your Dog - at least every 2 hours until potty-trained | 15 minutes each time |
| Training - ongoing, consistent potty-training, and general obedience | 60 minutes per day |
| Feeding, grooming (Schnauzers need to be brushed daily) | 45 minutes per day |
| Playing, providing attention and stimulation | 45 minutes per day |
| Estimated Total Per Day: | 2 Hours, 45 Minutes |
An adult dog should NOT be crated for more than 6 hours during the day, and a puppy should not be crated for more than 3 hours during the day (for potty training and cleanliness of dog and crate). If there is no one to care for your dog during the day, consider asking a neighbor or friend to walk your dog at least once during the day (more for puppies).
Estimated Initial Costs within the First Week
| Crate for Puppy | $60.00 |
| Puppy Chow Food | $20.00 |
| Vet Checkup (package)* | $200.00 |
| Toys, leash, collar | $35.00 |
| Spay, Neuter (costs varies greatly)^ | $50.00 |
| Puppy Pads | $10.00 |
| Frontline Plus Flea Preventative** | $30.00 |
| Heartguard Heartworm Preventative** | $30.00 |
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR FIRST WEEK: PLUS COST OF PUPPY | $435.00 |
* does NOT include any extra expenses to treat for a medical condition such as kennel cough, parvo, heartworm, respiratory illnesses, mange, fleas, etc.
**many puppy packages include first month of heartworm and flea preventative - check with your vet.
^see www.texasforthem.org for low-cost spay, neuter, and vaccinations (Denton and Fort Worth, as well as other locations)
Monthly Expenses for Caring for your Miniature Schnauzer
| Monthly Flea Prevention (Frontline Plus) | $30.00 |
| Monthly Heartworm Prevention (Heartguard) | $30.00 |
| Monthly Grooming (at least every 6 weeks) | $45.00 |
| Food | $20.00 |
| Supplies (toys, dog shampoo, etc.) | $20.00 |
| TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES*: | $145.00 |
*not including medication or other veterinary-recommended care (or vet visits which are needed at least yearly).
Yearly Expenses:
| Vet Check-Ups | $55.00 |
| Boarding during family vacations | $200.00 |
| Total Estimated Yearly Expenses | $255.00 |