Cy*Burr // spring 2004

Dogs can be expensive. The pet section of the local newspaper lists mixed breed dogs from shelters or private owners as selling for $50 to $250. And in the paper, purebred dogs start around $350 to $1,000, depending on breed. Fees for dogs adopted from rescue groups range from $100 to $450 based on the breed, health care and age.

Puppies from reputable breeders are usually offered as pet quality or show potential, with prices starting in the hundreds and adjusting upward accordingly. Dog experts acknowledge that dogs—show or pet quality—are not cheap, but agree that pet stores are usually overpriced and breeder deals can be better. In terms of price, the sky is the limit for puppies destined for the show ring, so those may be cost-prohibitive for first-time dog owners.

The purchase price is only the beginning. Stacy Judge is a board member of Youngstown All Breed Training Club, and she owns an English cocker spaniel. Abbie is a year old and cost $700.

“If you’re just getting out of college, get your life established first—the home, the job,” Judge said. “And know that it’s expensive. The actual price of the dog is the cheap part. It’s the stuff that comes later that’s costly.”

Food, crates, beds, monthly heartworm medication, yearly vaccinations, collars, leashes, training classes, grooming products or fees, treats and toys are some of the items that send dollar signs rolling past dog owner’s eyes.

Chris Pawlosky retired from competitive grooming seven years ago after winning the top award, but maintains her clientele. Depending on the size of the breed, a full groom starts at about $30-40, and most people schedule on a monthly basis.

“The actual price of the dog is the cheap part. It’s the stuff that comes later that’s costly.”

Even dogs that don’t require professional services need some type of grooming. Double-coated dogs must be brushed weekly to prevent skin diseases. All dogs need their toenails clipped. Dogs with short hair need to have occasional baths and their ears cleaned. So grooming can be time consuming. And short hair does not mean less shedding.

“Technically, all dogs shed,” Pawlosky said. “But the life cycle of the hair of a poodle or a shih tzu is more human-like. Their coat will grow continuously for 18 months to 3 years. They don’t shed a lot—just a few hairs like we do.”

She said short haired dogs grow the same amount of hair as a poodle, but the hair has a shorter life cycle, so it falls out faster. The shorter the coat, the more they shed. Dogs with longer hair cycles like shih tzus, bichons and Maltese are also said to have fewer allergic irritants.

In addition to cash commitment, time investment is a huge factor in the decision to get a dog. Owners need to make time for grooming, housebreaking, leash training, exercise and play. A bored dog will create ways to entertain himself, and owners may not like the results.

A one-time expense worth paying for is the surgical fee for spaying or neutering. The only reason to keep a dog intact is for breeding or showing in an AKC conformation ring. Breeding should be left to specialists who understand the standards of the breed and genetics.

Jay Wootten, an assistant professor of English at Kent State Salem, is active in keeshond rescue. Dogs can end up in rescue situations for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they have been abused or neglected and come with behavioral baggage, but sometimes they are well-loved companions of people who divorced or became too ill to care for them.

“This is not a sweater that if you get tired of it, or you move, or have a baby, or get new carpet, that you can recycle it. This is your responsibility for the next 10 to 15 years.”

Wootten said usually the person who adopts the dog from the rescue group pays for spaying or neutering, but the rescue group may pay for the surgery if there is enough money in the group’s budget.

“There are too many dogs going without homes,” Wootten said. “You do it because you care about the animals—and it’s better to spend the money on that than on a bottle of wine.”

Debbie Serbati is the director at the Animal Welfare League shelter. She says people should determine what they expect of a dog and then research breeds.

“Is this dog right for my lifestyle?” Serbati asks. “Will it be right for me in five years or when I have children? Can I afford this, and do I want to make the financial commitment? This is not a sweater that if you get tired of it, or you move, or have a baby, or get new carpet, that you can recycle it. This is your responsibility for the next 10 to 15 years.”