Posted by Chris O'Sullivan
When buying a dog, most people do not think about the annual cost this purchase will generate. Fido may be cute, but in many cases he is also more expensive than the price tag may indicate. The reality is that most people grossly underestimate the cost of owning a dog. This can turn out to be a dangerous for both the animal's health and your wallet.
One key mistake people make is foregoing the cost of pure breed dog for a cheap mutt. While you may save up front, the costs you will incur over the lifetime of the dog will most likely exceed this difference. A poorly bred dog can have many health problems including arthritis, poor eye sight, and allergies. Vet bills can cost you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a dog, and many people simply cannot afford it, leaving their dogs in a state of suffering.
Thousands of dogs are put to sleep every year because there owners can no longer take care of them. This is an extremely sad situation. The average cost of owning a dog exceeds $10,000 over the lifetime of the animal. If you are not ready to make this commitment, do not buy a dog.
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Research has shown that due to inbreeding, pure bread dogs can actually cost the owner MORE and are likely to live shorter, less healthy lives. This is because so much unhealthy in-breeding takes place in the pure bread dog industry. Do NOT be dissuaded from buying a "mutt". Most homeless dogs are mixed breeds, and they desperately need good homes.
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