List Of Best Cheap Dog Breeds For Those On A Tight Budget

A pet dog in the family brings tremendous joy and fun.

Petting a dog can have innumerable benefits for your physical and emotional wellbeing. Surprisingly, about 44% of US households own a pet dog.

Apart from being trusted guardians, domestic canines make wonderful companions. According to several studies, people who play and interact with their pet dogs regularly lead a healthy life. Pets make you feel calmer and happier. They are a source of great love and affection and can improve your temperament. Playing with pets is a fantastic stress buster that reduces anxiety and lowers blood pressure.

While there are a variety of differences in dogs from breed to breed, there are a few common things to remember when it comes to pet care. Periodical visits to the vet are essential for the general wellbeing of your pooch. The vet will guide you on timely vaccinations, the removal of parasites (both external and internal), and dietary guidelines for your pet. Maintain a record of the vaccines administered to your pet. Ensure that your pet dog is fed a nutritious diet and is given the required physical activity. Appropriate toilet training is an essential part of raising a pet, which makes it easy for you and your canine. Train your dog to follow and obey instructions. Keep the dog clean. Give it a bath periodically and make sure it is well-groomed and free of mites and ticks. Keep its hair trimmed and nails clipped. Above all, block some time in your calendar to spend with your pet. Cuddle your pet and play with it. Having a pet is a commitment so honor it with joy!

Though having a pet dog at home can be a great idea, it takes a lot of consideration. Besides choosing the kind of pet dog that would best suit our lifestyle, the level of commitment we can give the dog must also be considered. Owning a dog can be quite heavy on your pocket. Does it mean that people with a low budget cannot enjoy the company of pet dogs?

Certainly not! Pet parents looking for affordable dog breeds can choose from a range of low-cost dog breeds. Apart from the purchasing cost of dogs, there are several factors that play a major role in the expense associated with raising a dog. Consider these factors when choosing the right breed of pet dog for your home.

Are you looking for the cheapest dog breeds that will not drill your pocket? Read on to learn more about cost-effective dog breeds. You'll equally like our fun facts articles about the fastest dog and dog biting paws. Do check those out as well!

What decides the price of a dog breed?

Pooches can make excellent pets. Bringing a puppy home can be one of the best decisions you make. However, it can be a lavish affair if you do not choose the right breed.

Just as dog breeds differ in their temperament, looks, and personality traits, they also differ in the costs they incur. Before you go in for a new pup, it is vital to consider not just the purchase price of the pup but also the cost of bringing up and caring for the new family member.

What makes some breeds more expensive than others? Well, several aspects establish the price of the dog breed.

Firstly, the rarity of the breed is a deciding factor. More common breeds cost less, while rare breeds are priced high. Common breeds have a variety of options and are hence available at a lower price. Rare types come with significantly fewer options. Hence, they are expensive dog breeds.

Sometimes, the dog's gender also decides its price. In some cases, the female dogs are priced high because of their breeding potential. Female dogs give birth to puppies, which may pose a challenge to the original breeder. In the case of show dogs, we also see that male dogs are sold at a higher price than female dogs. Male dogs can take part in dog shows without the interruption of heat cycles. So ideally, the price of the dogs is set based on their purpose.

Getting the dog licensed is mandatory in many states in the US. The cost of puppies that are registered is higher, as the animals are certified to be purebred. Proper papers for your pet dogs will come in handy if your puppy goes missing or when you travel abroad. Purchasing pet dogs with papers may cost more, but it saves you the cost incurred on registering the pet or the possible penalty that might be imposed on you for owning an unlicensed dog.

Apart from the puppy's price, the costs for food and dietary supplies, medical care, including vet bills for any injuries or illnesses, vaccinations, travel and boarding expenses, etc., must be considered. In general, factors such as rarity, grooming needs of the puppy, its temperament, possible medical conditions, etc., decide the price of the dog breed.

If you plan to train your dog and exhibit its talents in dog shows, that would add to your expense. Purebred dogs are more attractive for dog shows and are more expensive. It is estimated that a purebred dog can cost around five times more than a mixed breed dog or a mutt. For example, purebred dogs such as English Bulldogs and Tibetan Mastiffs can cost anywhere from $1,500 to over $4,000 as puppies. These breeds are also among the costliest in terms of grooming costs and care.

In addition to these, pet insurance is another factor that adds to the cost. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, the pet insurance rates for purebred dogs, large dogs, and short-nosed dogs are among the highest, while those for mixed-breed dogs are relatively lower. The difference is because the mixed breeds are less prone to ailments that are genetically predisposed.

It is estimated that Americans spend an average of over $1600 every year on pet care. Most of the time, the figures are much higher. An average pet parent might spend around $180 every month on pet care.

How To Choose A Dog On A Low Budget

As incredible as it can be, having a pet dog at home can put a load on your pocket. However, choosing the right breed according to your lifestyle and budget can make things easier for you and your pup.

Dogs differ in their activity levels. Some breeds are more energetic than others. However, irrespective of the breed, dogs require a certain amount of physical exercise. High energy dogs such as dachshunds demand your physical commitment to keep pace with their activity levels. Lack of physical exercise in these breeds can lead to destructive and aggressive behavior, which may increase the vet bills. If you cannot spend time with your active pooch, you will have to hire a dog walker, which, again, would cost you around $30 for a half-hour walk. Hence, consider a low- or medium-energy dog such as the Pug if you cannot spend time with your energetic pooch.

Raising pets is similar to raising children. Your pet canine requires regular care, food, and physical activity. As pet owners, it is your commitment to take care of these requirements personally or have someone at home take over the duties while you are away. If you are a frequent traveler, you might need to leave your pup at a pet boarding facility or engage a pet sitter. These services are pretty expensive and may be heavy on your budget. Hence, it is wise to choose a portable dog breed that can be taken on rides or flown on planes easily. Breeds such as Chihuahua are lightweight and travel-friendly, and so they help to keep the money spent on pet boarding minimal.

Grooming costs hold a considerable portion of your pet's care budget. Dogs with long hair need regular grooming. If you are looking for a low-cost pet, it is ideal to choose dog breeds with minimal grooming needs. Affordable dog breeds such as Pug, Beagle, Chihuahua, or Rat Terrier have minimal grooming requirements. Hence, maintaining them costs less money.

As pet parents, you must anticipate any emergency medical expenses that could arise. However, some breeds are more vulnerable to health problems than others. Many pet breeds, including Field Spaniel, Labrador Retrievers, and Bulldogs, are more susceptible to health problems. Larger breeds of dogs are more prone to disorders such as dysplasia of the hip and elbows. Ear problems and breathing troubles are common health issues in flat-faced dog breeds. Frequent visits to the vet can cost you a lot. Selecting healthy breeds of dogs such as Beagle or Border Collie is cost-effective in terms of health care. These breeds are also hypoallergenic and hence do not affect people with allergy issues. In general, terriers are considered among the most resilient breeds, saving you considerably on vet and grooming expenses.

How much do your dogs eat? Well, it is another significant factor. Generally, toy breeds or small dogs eat less compared to big dogs. To get an idea of the expected cost of feeding your pets, know your pets' food habits.

Every dog is special. However, when you decide to bring a pet home, you must consider the climatic conditions, the temperament of the breed, and the other basic requirements, such as the availability of space, time, and money. If you live in a place with a tropical climate, say in India, choose your dog breed according to the climatic conditions of your city. In places where the summers are harsh, avoid going in for long-haired dogs. Popular yet cheap dog breeds in India include Pomeranians, Indian Pariah dogs, Dachshund, and pug. Large dogs like German shepherds and Labradors are suitable for Indian households, provided they have sufficient space to move around and exercise.

Best Budget-Friendly Small Dog Breeds

Dogs come in various sizes. No matter what their size is, they never fall short of love and companionship. While dogs of all sizes are adorable, small dogs come with several advantages. They occupy minimal space and are easy to take along during travel. Let us look at a few small dog breeds that come at an affordable price.

The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog, standing just 6-9 in (15-23 cm) tall. Chihuahua's average purchase price is around $650. These tiny canines have short hair and a smooth coat, so their grooming expenses are relatively low. However, you may choose the long-haired Chihuahuas if you don't mind the grooming costs. These little dogs do not eat much, and that saves the cost of dog food considerably.

Another one of the cheapest options is pugs. It costs around $350 to get one. Pugs are low maintenance, and their glossy and smooth coats save you a lot of money spent on grooming and bathing. However, brushing its coat regularly will keep the shedding under control.

A small breed of dog, the Miniature Pinscher, would cost around $500 on average. It has a short but hard coat and is relatively easy to maintain. A Miniature Pinscher is generally healthy, with an average life expectancy of around 12-15 years. However, viral and bacterial infections and dental diseases are common health problems that you can expect with your Miniature Pinscher.

Dachshund is another popular low-cost breed usually available for an average purchase price of about $450-500. They come in two sizes, miniature and standard. They weigh around 15-30 lb (6- 14 kg) and have an average life expectancy of about 13 years. Owing to their small size, they eat less than an average dog, but they need nutritious food to keep up good health. They are active dogs and require at least an hour of exercise a day. They do not shed much and hence cost less for grooming and cleaning.

The Jack Russell Terrier is another small breed of dog. The low maintenance coat and minimum grooming and food requirements of these terriers make them quite affordable. However, they tend to shed quite frequently. Hence, regular brushing of the coat is required to keep it healthy and clean and to reduce shedding. The average purchase price of a Jack Russell Terrier is around $800-1500. Jack Russell Terriers are a very active breed of dog that requires sufficient physical exercise and outdoor activity.

You can consider the Rat Terrier, a small to a medium-sized dog breed, as the cheapest option. These dogs have short but wiry hair, which makes the task of cleaning them up and grooming them easy. Rat Terriers have an average purchase price of $350, roughly, and are a great choice for people looking for affordable dog breeds.

Other small to medium-sized dog breeds include Beagle, Border Collie, and English setter, which cost around $ 800-1500. Beagles are the least expensive in terms of grooming. Border Collies are not just physically active but also high in intelligence levels too. English setters tend to gain weight easily, and they also require good physical exercise to keep up good health.

A Bichon Frise that costs anywhere between $1000-2000 US is a good choice for people looking for small yet healthy dogs. These hypoallergenic dogs have a life expectancy of 12–15 years. They are known for their curly hair that reminds us of a cotton ball. Your pet Bichon Frise needs regular grooming and daily brushing of its coat. You can save the money spent on grooming your pet by learning to do it at home. Being highly intelligent, the Bichon Frise gets trained a bit easily.

The Cesky Terrier is another small-to-medium-sized dog breed that suits a low budget. It costs around $400. However, grooming the Cesky Terrier may be expensive as it needs a professional groomer to be properly groomed.

Best Budget-Friendly Large Dog Breeds

Large dogs are easy to train and are not as delicate and fragile as tiny canines. Though bulky in size, these gentle giants are loving and affectionate. Additionally, they are wonderful guardians. If your house is spacious enough to accommodate a large pooch, check out our suggestions for affordable large dog breeds that are the least expensive in health care and maintenance.

One of the best dog breeds that large dog lovers can ask for is the American Pit Bull Terrier. These friendly and intelligent dogs have an average life span of 10–14 years. The average purchase price of American Pit Bull Terriers is around $500-1000, which is a pretty moderate amount. The breed is also the cheapest option for maintaining upkeep. These dogs do not require frequent grooming or trimming, hence saving a lot of money.

The Collie is another large purebred dog breed that is playful and affectionate, making it best suited for kids. Collies need regular grooming and a lot of physical exercise. Regular brushing will keep the loose hair from shedding. With an average life expectancy of 14-16 years, these are relatively healthy dogs. A Collie pup costs between $1200-1800. Collies are obedient dog breeds, and it is pretty easy to train them.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for cheap dog breeds, then why not take a look at the easiest dog to train or pug facts?