Answer:
Kate: lot can depend on what you buy. A food from a grocery store will be cheaper, but you will have to feed more and it doesn't have the same quality of ingredients. You do have to compare foods and prices in your area, but a good brand is apt to be at least $50 for a 30 pound bag.
Toys again depend on what you buy. A big dog might be harder on toys, so may require more sturdy toys. Each toy can be $10-30, so it can add up. With a large dog, you do need to make sure any toys are not too small where they can be a choking hazard, this goes for chew sticks as well.
Grooming really depends on the breed and if you have to go to a groomer. For even a basic just bath and tidy, it can be $60 and up. A dog needing clipping can easily be $100 for some dogs. The cost is related to the amount of work it takes to groom the dog, as well as the individual salon, so best check out prices and the work a groomer does.
Vet care is variable. You basics can come down to a yearly exam, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and maybe some other things depending on your area. This could be a couple hundred dollars per year. If the dog has anything medically happen, that can cost a lot. Most vets charge for the exam no matter what, then charges for whatever needs to be done (blood work, x-ray, medication etc). A couple hundred dollars for something simple isn't out of the question, and it can run into the thousands. There is pet insurance that can help, but that depends on the company, it also is a monthly fee.
Just getting a dog can be expensive as well. If you get a puppy from a breeder, there is the cost of that, vaccinations (2-3 rounds), spay/neuter, training, and other things in the first year. Supplies do cost more, especially for a large dog (a small kennel might be $30, a large one can be $100 or more). Spending $1000 in the first year can easily happen. If you go through a rescue or shelter (many do have puppies), most of the vaccinations and spay/neuter are done and it does tend to cost less than a breeder.
There are numerous places where you can find a list of costs for a dog. If you are looking for something specific, start calling local vets, groomers, and trainers for prices. Go to a pet store and look at supplies to see what those costs are. If you are looking into a rescue and shelter, check websites both for dogs for adoption, as well as adoption fees, policies, and other info (many do have care resources and info as well).
Take your time and really think about getting a dog. Dogs are great, but can be a lot of work and do cost a fair bit. Consider adopting an adult dog rather than a puppy. Really consider your family situation and lifestyle when looking at breeds. If you tend to stay home, or do a lot where you can't take a dog, don't get a dog that needs a lot of attention and exercise. Invest in training, and get the while family involved.
Lauren: Dog care tends to be expensive, but it's great that you are preparing yourself early. You might find a dog from an animal shelter for a low price or even free. Dogs can range in price from free to thousands of dollars, but what's most important is the cost of the care after that. Start researching the type of dog that would fit your family best, you can easily find a breed quiz online that will help guide you so that you can begin to purchase the appropriate items now.
Most pet care items can be purchased at a low price, but the most expensive items are food and veterinary care, as well as grooming if you have a higher maintenance dog. A good quality dog (or puppy) food can be pricy but is well worth it - your dog will live a longer, healthier life. There are many good brands available, as well as ideas on what kind of diet is best. Try a dog food rating website for more info.
Dog grooming can be expensive and is done professionally for certain breeds (Schnauzer, Poodle, long coated dog, etc.) while a short coated dog may not need professional grooming, as long as you are able to bathe the dog yourself. Prices vary widely so you will have to contact a local groomer.
Vet care is the most expensive aspect of owning a dog, as well as the most important. Your new pet will need vaccinations and deworming medication right from the start (for a puppy) as well as the cost of a spay/neuter surgery. Veterinary costs differ depending on what your dog needs, size of the dog, and where you live, but do expect to spend a couple hundred every year (at least) depending on the dog's needs - once he/she has gotten the basic vaccines and the spay/neuter surgery. Regular vaccinations, heart worm exams, dental cleanings, and unexpected health issues can add up fast.
When you get your new dog, schedule a veterinary visit right away. More health care will be necessary for a new puppy but the vet still needs to establish you as a client and confirm that your dog is healthy. Yearly checkups are usually done and the vet will let you know what else is recommended.
Nobby: It doesnt have to be that expensive. You can buy a mixed breed puppy from about £200, and you can buy pet health insurance for around £15 a month or less.
Food may cost £7 a week, toys and chews another few pounds on top of that.
If you go to Ebay or Amazon and buy Gwen Baileys book Ho To Raise the Perfect Puppy, there isnt a better book on puppy care and training. Get everyone in the family involved in reading it!
Plus another good investment is a book on first aid for dogs.
A good hobby breeder is not a backyard breeder, neither is a shelter and they often have puppies.
Butchers Brand dog food is not the most expensive and a lot better than most of the rubbish kibbles that people rave about.
Raven: For a well bred pup you're looking at $1000 - $2000 for a well bred pup.
Probably a further $2000 on the day for beds, toys, crate, grooming tools, collar, leash, bowls, food.
Food can cost you next to nothing for crap quality food, or up to $100 a week for the top quality (eg. raw) food.
Emergency vet bills could cost you $1000+. More so if it is after hours.
Yearly checkup and vaccination can cost you $100-$200 depending on vet.
Spay/neuter will cost you anywhere between $100-$600 depending on the vet, weight of dog, age of dog and breed of dog.
Dogs tend to chew furniture. The more expensive the better. Be prepared to replace your couch, and tables in the house, cushions, chairs, sheets, wires... You name it, they'll chew it given the chance.
Pups grow, so buying size appropriate collars/beds/toys for each life stage is a must.
Training classes usually have a $50 joining fee and a weekly ground fee.
Private trainers can cost anywhere between $100-$400 per lesson.
Lorraine: You don't say how old your kids are but I hope you realise that raising and training one is beyond the capabilities of most children and so I do hope you are prepared for more than covering the cost etc.
And if they are young or even young adults then be very careful about what 'large breed' you / they get as a lot are absolutely not suitable for first time owners.
Some also come as VERY expensive in insurance and health issues as well as food because buying cheap food is a false economy as their health then suffers.
