According to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), the lifetime costs of owning a small breed dog will typically cost you between £5,200 and £15,700. Once you have the initial equipment that you need like blankets, dishes, a travel crate, toys, and grooming equipment, the cost to keeping your companion is reduced.  

There are however certain monthly expenses which can’t be ignored. These include:  

• Regular flea and worming treatment
• Annual health checks and booster vaccinations
• Monthly pet insurance
• Dog Food
• Poo bags
• Dental hygiene products
• Dog Toys 

Depending on your dog, there may also be monthly costs in the form of salon grooming, training classes, and medications if they become ill. Your dog's lifestyle may also require day care or boarding kennels, and these fees will vary depending on where you are in the country.  

Some dog breeds are more likely to have health issues later in life, such as Dachshunds with back issues, West Highland White Terriers and skin issues, and Great Danes with joint issues. Ensure that health testing is done on your dog's parents where possible to see if your future pet will be less likely to get certain health conditions later in life.  

Please remember that all numbers below are estimates and don’t include the cost of things such as purchasing the dog, vet fees if they are ill or injured, or costs of special diets and medications.  

The lifetime costs of owning a small breed dog will typically cost you between £5,200 - £10,000. The initial costs are around £404 with an estimated minimum monthly cost of £57.  

The lifetime cost of a medium breed dog will generally be between £7,500 - £11,800. The initial costs are about £484 and a monthly ongoing cost of around £70.