All the things I wish I knew before I got my first ever puppy!
Do I regret getting Cooper? No of course not. But he costs A LOT of money. Sure a bigger breed dog is more expensive than smaller breeds, but there is a lot more to owning a dog than just paying for their food, and after reading some people’s comments online, I don’t think a lot of people appreciate just how much.
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I’ve seen a few people ask on forums about how much to save to buy a Golden Retriever to cover buying the puppy itself and how much you need to kind of ‘start off’ as they’re trying to save for the exact amount. As harsh as this may sound, if that’s the situation you’re in, I really would not recommend getting a dog yet, or at least save up far more than you need so you have a back up to dip into if needed. Owning a dog is priceless, but the reality is they are also seriously PRICEY.
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I didn’t do everything the cheapest way and I didn’t buy the cheapest stuff, but the things I did buy cheaply have, for the most part, had to be replaced. I’m a pretty strong believer that you do get what you pay for.
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I am going to list everything that I have brought so far, I’m not saying you can’t get everything below for cheaper than I did, but if you’re buying things new from Amazon or in pet stores, these are probably a good rough price guide.
I have split the breakdown into different categories.
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Cost of Puppy.
Insurance.
Vet Bills.
Absolute Bare Essential Basics.
Not absolutely essential but very useful.
Treats & Chews.
Toys.
Little Luxuries.
For when they’re older.
Absolute waste of money.
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Obviously the total figure is rising all the time, especially with food, treats and vet bills, this is just from the first 2 months.
BREAKDOWN
COST OF PUPPY: £1200 + £200 FOR BREEDER TO DELIVER FROM WALES TO ESSEX.
Cooper is a KC registered Golden Retriever, he had had his first round of vaccinations and was microchipped. He came from a licensed breeder in Wales and was 9 weeks old when we got him. The extra £200 for delivery was due to us been in lockdown, as a breeder he was allowed to deliver as it was his work, whereas me driving to Wales to pick him up would have been deemed a non essential journey.
INSURANCE: £611/YEAR OR £51/MONTH WITH £99 EXCESS
This is obviously going to vary massively between dogs and area. I live in the outskirts of London so the London postcode bumps my price right up. Also take into account that it will probably rise as your dog gets older/with inflation.
VETS
Second vaccination- £65, Vet prescribed flea treatment £15/month, worming £10/6 months.
THE ABSOLUTE BARE ESSENTIAL BASICS: £310.56
XL crate- £55, Food & Water Bowl- £2 each, Medium sized dog bed- £40, Puppy Training pads (200)- £25.98, Puppy Food 15kg- £46.49, Towel- £10, Flea Comb- £15, Puppy Shampoo- £4, Dog Brush- £9.50, Puppy Collar- £8, Puppy training pad holder- £15, Stain/odour disinfectant spray- £8, Dog car seat belt- £6, Dog lead- £7, harness- £21.60, 900 Poo bags- £34.99
NOT ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL BUT USEFUL: £195.38
Vanish carpet cleaner- £6, Non tip water bowl- £3.99, Second dog bed- £33, nail clippers- £9.99, drying mitt- £7.99, Puppy comforter blanket- £10, Silicone dog feeding mat- £5.50, Slow feeder bowl- £7.99, Pet Kin Paw Wipes- £6.99, Flexi/Extendable Lead- £29.99, Pet Video Monitor- £36.99, Slip lead- £9.97, Stair gate £26.98.
TREATS & CHEWS: £144.95 (SO FAR)
Coffee Wood Chew- £8.99, Split Antler x2- £13.98, Antler- £7.99, No Hide Salmon Chew x3- £47.97, Nylabone Puppy Chew teething keys- £8, VetIQ Healthy treats for puppies- £2.09, Nylabone triple bone value kit- £7, XL Pigs ears- £19.95, Whimzees natural dental dog chews- £8.99, 100% Natural 6inch premium quality bully pizzle sticks- £33.99, Kong puppy snacks- £7.
TOYS: £278.60
Mini tennis balls- £2, Squeaky pig toy- £5, Fluffy mouse/rat- £7.99, K9 Connectibles treat game- £26.49, toy box no 1- £15, Replacement toy box after first one was eaten- £15.99, Kong extreme- £17.99, Tug toy- £3.99, Large Rope toy- £3, Plush Cow puppy toy- £4, Squeak and tug rope hedgehog- £6, Wainwrights Dylan deer toy- £7, Wainwrights Florence Fox comforter- £8, Wooden puzzle- £10, Just for puppy rope with bone- £4, Zebra teether puppy toy- £5, High bounce rubber ball- £2, Kong wubba- £7, Dog ball launcher- £3, Kong chew treat toy small-£7, kong chew treat toy medium- £9, Squeaky chips- £1, Kong gyro treat puzzle- £10, Jumbo plush snake- £12, Sausage rope toy- £3, Lob it space hopper- £7.99, Retriever rope toy- £6, Small rope toy- £1, Wainwrights duck dog toy- £7, Tug E Nuff Sheepskin tug toy- £18.99, soft football- £6.99, Snuffle mat- £19.99, K9 interactive IQ Game for dogs- £15.99.
LITTLE LUXURIES: £102.48
Portable dog water bottle- £17.98, long handle pooper scooper- £10, Puppy fresh deodorising spray- £5.50, Penguin cooling pillow- £12, Cooling mat- £22, XL Paddling pool- £35.
FOR WHEN THEY’RE OLDER: £48.99
Larger Harness- £30.99, Dog collar small- £5, Dog collar medium- £6, Dog collar large- £7.
ABSOLUTELY USELESS: £20.99
Anti chew spray- £6.99, Puppy training aid- £6, Pee training post- £8
GRAND TOTAL: £2,990.95
(Note I didn’t include the cost of dog food in this, the price of dog food varies greatly depending on the quality food you choose and how much of it you will need will obviously differ from breed of dog. Cooper came to us from the breeder on Royal Canin, which for a 4kg bag, cost around £19.99 and lasted for around a week and a half, maximum 2 weeks. However, that food did not agree with Cooper at all and had to be changed. In the end we found he needed a grain free food, we chose Mcadams. This costs £99.99 for a 10kg bag and lasts about a month.
