Over the years, a number of authors have projected the annual cost of raising a dog. In many cases, even with food, supplies and veterinary care considered, the estimated costs have seemed low.

Two veterinary students from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have recently updated the statistics related to costs involved in raising a dog. Kelly Giffear and Brittany Scott projected yearly costs for raising small, medium, large and giant breeds.

The average cost for the first year of raising small dogs was $2674; medium dogs on the average cost $2889; the cost for large dogs is $3239 and giant breeds such as Great Danes have an annual cost of $3536. The average first year cost across all sizes was $3085.

Supplies were estimated at $432 per year, Food was $435 per year, and Preventative Medications were estimated at $389 per year. Veterinary costs were $650 per year and included all lab work plus are for one serious illness per year was added into the figures.

According to Giffear and Scott, the average lifetime cost of raising a dog is $23,410. These numbers don’t include training classes, so don’t forget to add in CGC classes, obedience, agility and agility equipment and private lessons if you need them. Whatever the final total is on raising your dog, when it comes to keeping your dog healthy and providing training, it is all money well spent.

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