The Costs of Owning a Dog.

The first question most prospective owner ask when they inquire about puppies is how much they cost.  And they usually are wondering about the purchase price of the puppy. 

A Quality Puppy ...Your best bargain
But there is so much more to puppy costs than purchase price alone. Considering the quality of care at the breeding facility should be as big a question as the cost.  If there is any question in your mind, it is worth making an appointment to view the breeding facilities.  The importance of buying a very healthy puppy can not be over emphasized.  A strong robust puppy will be much more able to withstand illness.  You are unlikely to have unforeseen veterinary bills.  Remember  a sick puppy can easily eat up much more than the purchase price of the pup.


I hope that this blog will assist you in the peace of mind of my breeding practices.  I keep our puppies quarters exceptionally clean.  I feed Dixie the highest quality puppy food, and when the pups are ready to eat, they get the same all natural puppy food.  Additionally I have their health confirmed by the veterinary before I send them home. Thus far the pups I have raised have had excellent health records, and I do everything I can to keep it that way. My hope is that the puppies have the optimum care possible so you will have the best puppy for your family.

Standard Dog Expenses

There are certain standard care expenses that one must budget for with every puppy.   You should research all of these items before you bring your puppy home so you can have the facilities and phone numbers on hand when you need them....

Veterinary

It is worth getting a veterinary recommendation from a friend and/or calling different veterinary clinics before you choose one.  The prices of veterinary care vary tremendously from one place to another.  It is very helpful when you find a veterinary who shares your philosophy of pet ownership and does not pressure you into unnecessary procedures or extra expenses.

Mini Schnauzers are generally known to be a breed with few hereditary health issues.  Additionally, since Mini Schnauzers are primarily an indoor pet so they are less prone to disease and other health problems.  Nonetheless, it is wise to have a budget in mind for unforeseen health issues that are always a possibility. 

Vaccines:

Our puppies come with their first set of shots (at 7 weeks).  But in order to be effective, these vaccines must be given as a series of injections.  Ideally you should repeat these shots at 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age.(or as recommended by your vet)  When you bring your puppy for his boosters, do not have him run around the office.  Keeping him on your lap or in a crate will help protect him from possible viruses in the facility.  For this reason, a low-cost clinic with the volume of animals from the shelter could be a risk for a puppy....However after your pups first year such clinics are less likely to pose a threat.  One example is the Luv My Pet Clinic.  You can visit www.Luvmypet.com for information about locations and dates for a clinic near you.  I have no personal experience with this clinic

A word of advice:  Banfield at Petsmart offers Vaccine clinics (no charge for vet visit) but they push lab fees for stool samples and heartworm tests (your pup will have just been to the vet!) their vaccines are also more pricey than other vets I have seen.  You may leave with a larger bill than you would have expected. (Always call ahead to ask about the cost of your visit)

Spay Neuter:

Although, your veterinary is probably the safest option for Spay and Neutering of your pet, many people have good results from our local Virginia Kinchloe Clinic.  This is a very affordable option in Fredericksburg because you avoid the overnight hospital fee.  The current cost of a Spay/Neuter for a small dog is $80. The clinic also offers vaccines, heartworm medication and Frontline medication.  For more information visit http://www.kincheloeclinic.org/    There are many benefits to Spay and Neutering...and I urge you to find your best option and make an appointment for 6 months of age... as there may be a waiting list.

Frontline Topspot Medication:  $33 for 3 applications

Frontline is a flea and tick medication that you apply on the top of the dogs neck.  It kills fleas for 3mths and kills and repels ticks for the first month.  I use this every 3 months from the last frost until the first frost.  It is very effective for keeping fleas off the dog and out of the house.  Some veterinaries prefer to prescribe a pill, like Advantex, instead of a topical medication.  The choice is yours, but you definitely need a medication to kill fleas in Virginia.

Worming a Puppy:
Intestinal parasites are common in puppies.  They can become infested with parasites before they are born or though their mothers milk.  During the puppies first health exam with me, I ask the veterinary to administer a worming medication that is safe and effective against several of the common worms of the dog.  A puppy that is wormed, needs to be wormed again in about 3 weeks since the first worming kills adult worms but not the worms in the larval stage.  If you begin your pup on Heartworm medication 3 weeks after you bring them home this will be effective in keeping your puppy worm free.


Heart worm Medication:  approx cost $25/ 6mth supply
Heart worm medications need to be given to your dog every month throughout his life. This medication protects your puppy against heart worms which are transmitted by mosquitoes and can kill your dog.  This medication is given by prescription only.  Some veterinaries require a routine heart worm lab before they will prescribe the medication.  Others are willing to prescribe the medication if you have been diligent in giving your dog his monthly pill.

Food: 

Food is a cost with a lot of variables, because there are so many varieties out there.  I choose to get a 40lb bag of California Naturals for about $43  and it lasts for several months...This is a high quality food sold at Booth Feeds on Rt 3 in Fredericksburg.

For a $7.00 coupon, nutritional information, and to find a supplier near you go to the following website: ww.californianaturalpet.com

You could certainly find less expensive varieties...some have more fillers and you have to feed the dog more.  So read the label and don't just look at the cost alone.  At the very least, the veterinary recommends a NAME-BRAND FOOD made by a national dog company in a made for puppies formula.

I hope that this list will help you budget for the care of your puppy.  If you have any questions feel free to call or email me.