Cost of owning a dog in United States
Lifetime and food cost for 272 dogs, localized to USD.
The cheapest dog to own in United States is the Japanese Chin (~$17,375 lifetime). All costs in USD. Pet insurance is widely available in United States.
Chart: the six cheapest dogs to own in United States, by total lifetime cost.
| # | Breed | Size | Food/yr | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japanese Chin | Small | $215 | $17,375 |
| 2 | English Toy Spaniel | Small | $245 | $19,025 |
| 3 | Russian Toy | Small | $155 | $19,345 |
| 4 | Danish-Swedish Farmdog | Small | $350 | $19,890 |
| 5 | Toy Fox Terrier | Small | $135 | $20,380 |
| 6 | Jagdterrier | Small | $380 | $20,510 |
| 7 | Boston Terrier | Small | $365 | $20,550 |
| 8 | Russell Terrier | Small | $265 | $20,775 |
| 9 | Miniature Bull Terrier | Small | $430 | $20,850 |
| 10 | Chihuahua | Small | $125 | $20,925 |
| 11 | Miniature Pinscher | Small | $215 | $20,940 |
| 12 | Schipperke | Small | $280 | $20,970 |
| 13 | Lancashire Heeler | Small | $280 | $21,150 |
| 14 | Bolognese | Small | $175 | $21,165 |
| 15 | Portuguese Podengo Pequeno | Small | $245 | $21,220 |
| 16 | Norwich Terrier | Small | $265 | $21,490 |
| 17 | Tibetan Spaniel | Small | $265 | $21,490 |
| 18 | Border Terrier | Small | $280 | $21,690 |
| 19 | Australian Terrier | Small | $350 | $21,880 |
| 20 | Japanese Spitz | Small | $350 | $21,880 |
| 21 | Italian Greyhound | Small | $240 | $21,970 |
| 22 | Norfolk Terrier | Small | $255 | $22,060 |
| 23 | Cirneco dell’Etna | Small | $410 | $22,140 |
| 24 | Scottish Terrier | Small | $385 | $22,230 |
| 25 | Affenpinscher | Small | $205 | $22,300 |
| 26 | Papillon | Small | $185 | $22,425 |
| 27 | Brussels Griffon | Small | $215 | $22,430 |
| 28 | Smooth Fox Terrier | Small | $335 | $22,430 |
| 29 | Wire Fox Terrier | Small | $335 | $22,430 |
| 30 | Mudi | Small | $435 | $22,465 |
| 31 | Cairn Terrier | Small | $290 | $22,550 |
| 32 | Lakeland Terrier | Small | $345 | $22,570 |
| 33 | Pekingese | Small | $295 | $22,725 |
| 34 | Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka | Small | $185 | $22,760 |
| 35 | Parson Russell Terrier | Small | $310 | $22,830 |
| 36 | Cesky Terrier | Small | $375 | $22,970 |
| 37 | Löwchen | Small | $270 | $23,100 |
| 38 | Pug | Small | $330 | $23,110 |
| 39 | Basenji | Small | $430 | $23,175 |
| 40 | Chinese Crested | Small | $230 | $23,175 |
| 41 | Silky Terrier | Small | $230 | $23,390 |
| 42 | Beagle | Small | $460 | $23,500 |
| 43 | Lhasa Apso | Small | $310 | $23,715 |
| 44 | Shetland Sheepdog | Small | $385 | $23,895 |
| 45 | Poodle (Miniature) | Small | $270 | $23,950 |
| 46 | American Eskimo Dog | Small | $395 | $24,020 |
| 47 | Sealyham Terrier | Small | $435 | $24,545 |
| 48 | Maltese | Small | $175 | $24,590 |
| 49 | Shiba Inu | Small | $385 | $24,650 |
| 50 | Teddy Roosevelt Terrier | Small | $335 | $24,675 |
| 51 | Bedlington Terrier | Small | $385 | $24,730 |
| 52 | Welsh Terrier | Small | $385 | $24,730 |
| 53 | Havanese | Small | $230 | $24,900 |
| 54 | Rat Terrier | Small | $350 | $24,900 |
| 55 | Taiwan Dog | Medium | $565 | $25,005 |
| 56 | Manchester Terrier (Toy) | Small | $265 | $25,050 |
| 57 | Biewer Terrier | Small | $155 | $25,210 |
| 58 | Maltipoo | Small | $270 | $25,375 |
| 59 | Pomeranian | Small | $135 | $25,510 |
| 60 | Yorkshire Terrier | Small | $145 | $25,775 |
| 61 | Bulldog (English) | Medium | $710 | $25,800 |
| 62 | American Hairless Terrier | Small | $295 | $25,875 |
| 63 | Treeing Tennessee Brindle | Medium | $650 | $25,940 |
| 64 | Braque du Bourbonnais | Medium | $700 | $26,050 |
| 65 | Manchester Terrier (Standard) | Small | $345 | $26,330 |
| 66 | Pumi | Medium | $465 | $26,340 |
| 67 | Dachshund | Small | $445 | $26,370 |
| 68 | Shikoku | Medium | $710 | $26,600 |
| 69 | French Bulldog | Small | $415 | $26,620 |
| 70 | Basset Fauve de Bretagne | Medium | $540 | $26,760 |
| 71 | Yakutian Laika | Medium | $740 | $26,930 |
| 72 | Dogue de Bordeaux | Giant | $1,340 | $26,985 |
| 73 | Mountain Cur | Medium | $710 | $27,240 |
| 74 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Medium | $510 | $27,400 |
| 75 | Dandie Dinmont Terrier | Small | $400 | $27,630 |
| 76 | Poodle (Toy) | Small | $135 | $27,660 |
| 77 | West Highland White Terrier | Small | $350 | $27,870 |
| 78 | Icelandic Sheepdog | Medium | $490 | $28,140 |
| 79 | Kishu Ken | Medium | $710 | $28,320 |
| 80 | Peruvian Inca Orchid | Medium | $545 | $28,335 |
| 81 | Slovensky Kopov | Medium | $635 | $28,460 |
| 82 | Karelian Bear Dog | Medium | $730 | $28,560 |
| 83 | German Shepherd Dog | Large | $990 | $28,575 |
| 84 | Swedish Vallhund | Medium | $490 | $28,590 |
| 85 | Nederlandse Kooikerhondje | Medium | $460 | $28,725 |
| 86 | Norwegian Lundehund | Medium | $460 | $28,725 |
| 87 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | Medium | $540 | $28,790 |
| 88 | American Water Spaniel | Medium | $590 | $28,800 |
| 89 | German Pinscher | Medium | $590 | $28,920 |
| 90 | Tibetan Terrier | Small | $445 | $28,990 |
| 91 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Small | $320 | $29,035 |
| 92 | Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen | Medium | $560 | $29,050 |
| 93 | Kai Ken | Medium | $525 | $29,060 |
| 94 | Miniature Schnauzer | Small | $320 | $29,250 |
| 95 | Irish Terrier | Medium | $470 | $29,280 |
| 96 | Boykin Spaniel | Medium | $560 | $29,525 |
| 97 | Field Spaniel | Medium | $680 | $29,525 |
| 98 | Sloughi | Medium | $680 | $29,525 |
| 99 | Whippet | Medium | $560 | $29,535 |
| 100 | Irish Wolfhound | Giant | $1,415 | $29,635 |
| 101 | Cocker Spaniel | Medium | $460 | $29,640 |
| 102 | Flat-Coated Retriever | Large | $940 | $29,650 |
| 103 | Ibizan Hound | Medium | $740 | $29,775 |
| 104 | Swedish Lapphund | Medium | $620 | $29,830 |
| 105 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | Medium | $545 | $29,870 |
| 106 | German Shepherd | Large | $990 | $29,945 |
| 107 | Shih Tzu | Small | $270 | $29,950 |
| 108 | Finnish Spitz | Medium | $480 | $29,980 |
| 109 | Glen of Imaal Terrier | Medium | $600 | $30,025 |
| 110 | Norwegian Buhund | Medium | $565 | $30,140 |
| 111 | English Cocker Spaniel | Medium | $525 | $30,155 |
| 112 | Croatian Sheepdog | Medium | $610 | $30,210 |
| 113 | Portuguese Sheepdog | Medium | $745 | $30,340 |
| 114 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | Medium | $680 | $30,610 |
| 115 | German Shorthaired Pointer | Large | $855 | $30,835 |
| 116 | Chinese Shar-Pei | Large | $800 | $30,850 |
| 117 | Brittany | Medium | $590 | $31,000 |
| 118 | English Springer Spaniel | Medium | $710 | $31,000 |
| 119 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | Medium | $590 | $31,000 |
| 120 | Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog | Medium | $635 | $31,090 |
| 121 | Bichon Frise | Small | $310 | $31,105 |
| 122 | German Spitz | Medium | $460 | $31,380 |
| 123 | Deutscher Wachtelhund | Medium | $740 | $31,390 |
| 124 | Irish Red and White Setter | Medium | $740 | $31,390 |
| 125 | Schapendoes | Medium | $660 | $31,425 |
| 126 | Working Kelpie | Medium | $700 | $31,425 |
| 127 | Miniature American Shepherd | Medium | $525 | $31,590 |
| 128 | Coton de Tulear | Small | $255 | $31,745 |
| 129 | Kromfohrlander | Medium | $490 | $31,800 |
| 130 | Finnish Lapphund | Medium | $690 | $31,830 |
| 131 | Azawakh | Medium | $700 | $31,965 |
| 132 | Canaan Dog | Medium | $710 | $32,100 |
| 133 | Welsh Springer Spaniel | Medium | $710 | $32,100 |
| 134 | Bohemian Shepherd | Medium | $755 | $32,170 |
| 135 | Australian Cattle Dog | Medium | $680 | $32,220 |
| 136 | Jindo | Medium | $650 | $32,360 |
| 137 | Kerry Blue Terrier | Medium | $610 | $32,370 |
| 138 | Norrbottenspets | Medium | $460 | $32,625 |
| 139 | Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen | Medium | $680 | $32,780 |
| 140 | Keeshond | Medium | $650 | $32,910 |
| 141 | Portuguese Pointer | Medium | $735 | $32,990 |
| 142 | Chow Chow | Large | $855 | $33,000 |
| 143 | Portuguese Water Dog | Medium | $740 | $33,000 |
| 144 | Bullmastiff | Giant | $1,440 | $33,320 |
| 145 | Drever | Medium | $620 | $33,450 |
| 146 | Border Collie | Medium | $680 | $33,515 |
| 147 | Xoloitzcuintli | Medium | $560 | $33,555 |
| 148 | Portuguese Podengo | Large | $775 | $33,835 |
| 149 | Lagotto Romagnolo | Medium | $520 | $33,920 |
| 150 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | Large | $1,070 | $33,950 |
| 151 | Sussex Spaniel | Medium | $650 | $34,040 |
| 152 | Puli | Medium | $525 | $34,090 |
| 153 | Polish Lowland Sheepdog | Medium | $650 | $34,380 |
| 154 | Skye Terrier | Medium | $650 | $34,380 |
| 155 | Bernese Mountain Dog | Giant | $1,220 | $34,705 |
| 156 | Neapolitan Mastiff | Giant | $1,575 | $34,720 |
| 157 | Belgian Laekenois | Large | $885 | $35,045 |
| 158 | Standard Schnauzer | Medium | $650 | $35,170 |
| 159 | Australian Shepherd | Medium | $800 | $35,185 |
| 160 | Boxer | Large | $940 | $35,210 |
| 161 | American English Coonhound | Large | $825 | $35,370 |
| 162 | Labrador Retriever | Large | $965 | $35,470 |
| 163 | French Spaniel | Large | $825 | $35,705 |
| 164 | Clumber Spaniel | Large | $990 | $36,200 |
| 165 | Rottweiler | Large | $1,370 | $36,335 |
| 166 | Entlebucher Mountain Dog | Large | $800 | $36,490 |
| 167 | Segugio Italiano | Large | $770 | $36,610 |
| 168 | Curly-Coated Retriever | Large | $1,070 | $36,640 |
| 169 | Greyhound | Large | $940 | $36,690 |
| 170 | Bluetick Coonhound | Large | $910 | $36,805 |
| 171 | Siberian Husky | Large | $740 | $36,840 |
| 172 | American Bulldog | Large | $1,095 | $36,915 |
| 173 | Doberman Pinscher | Large | $1,095 | $36,915 |
| 174 | Scottish Deerhound | Giant | $1,220 | $36,915 |
| 175 | English Foxhound | Large | $965 | $36,980 |
| 176 | Spanish Water Dog | Medium | $650 | $36,980 |
| 177 | Transylvanian Hound | Large | $825 | $37,270 |
| 178 | Great Dane | Giant | $1,690 | $37,340 |
| 179 | Broholmer | Giant | $1,485 | $37,515 |
| 180 | Mastiff | Giant | $1,970 | $37,560 |
| 181 | Golden Retriever | Large | $940 | $37,570 |
| 182 | Dalmatian | Large | $855 | $37,630 |
| 183 | Weimaraner | Large | $1,020 | $38,070 |
| 184 | Czechoslovakian Vlcak | Large | $775 | $38,090 |
| 185 | American Foxhound | Large | $940 | $38,170 |
| 186 | Black and Tan Coonhound | Large | $1,170 | $38,180 |
| 187 | Thai Ridgeback | Large | $825 | $38,210 |
| 188 | Old English Sheepdog | Large | $1,095 | $38,675 |
| 189 | Porcelaine | Large | $865 | $38,710 |
| 190 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | Large | $965 | $38,820 |
| 191 | Plott Hound | Large | $770 | $38,920 |
| 192 | Small Munsterlander Pointer | Large | $770 | $38,920 |
| 193 | Berger Picard | Large | $885 | $38,960 |
| 194 | Irish Water Spaniel | Large | $845 | $38,960 |
| 195 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | Large | $885 | $38,960 |
| 196 | Bracco Italiano | Large | $1,020 | $39,130 |
| 197 | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog | Giant | $1,415 | $39,150 |
| 198 | Perro de Presa Canario | Giant | $1,265 | $39,150 |
| 199 | Dutch Shepherd | Large | $865 | $39,210 |
| 200 | Borzoi | Large | $1,120 | $39,220 |
| 201 | Lapponian Herder | Large | $990 | $39,250 |
| 202 | Barbet | Large | $770 | $39,440 |
| 203 | Pharaoh Hound | Large | $770 | $39,440 |
| 204 | Bull Terrier | Large | $885 | $39,460 |
| 205 | Drentsche Patrijshond | Large | $890 | $39,525 |
| 206 | Wirehaired Vizsla | Large | $825 | $39,635 |
| 207 | English Setter | Large | $910 | $39,730 |
| 208 | Hovawart | Large | $1,070 | $39,730 |
| 209 | Vizsla | Large | $795 | $39,765 |
| 210 | Gordon Setter | Large | $910 | $39,775 |
| 211 | Basset Hound | Large | $800 | $39,900 |
| 212 | Newfoundland | Giant | $1,530 | $40,240 |
| 213 | Saint Bernard | Giant | $1,755 | $40,305 |
| 214 | Saluki | Large | $800 | $40,720 |
| 215 | Wetterhoun | Large | $910 | $40,740 |
| 216 | Slovensky Cuvac | Large | $1,120 | $40,810 |
| 217 | Airedale Terrier | Large | $885 | $40,960 |
| 218 | Samoyed | Large | $770 | $41,000 |
| 219 | Catahoula Leopard Dog | Large | $1,020 | $41,050 |
| 220 | Hanoverian Scenthound | Large | $1,185 | $41,110 |
| 221 | Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound | Large | $790 | $41,125 |
| 222 | Norwegian Elkhound | Large | $790 | $41,125 |
| 223 | Harrier | Large | $800 | $41,260 |
| 224 | Wirehaired Pointing Griffon | Large | $800 | $41,260 |
| 225 | German Longhaired Pointer | Large | $965 | $41,455 |
| 226 | Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer | Large | $855 | $41,460 |
| 227 | Leonberger | Giant | $1,575 | $41,565 |
| 228 | Hokkaido | Large | $825 | $41,600 |
| 229 | Stabyhoun | Large | $770 | $41,710 |
| 230 | Alaskan Malamute | Large | $1,095 | $41,950 |
| 231 | American Leopard Hound | Large | $855 | $42,000 |
| 232 | Redbone Coonhound | Large | $855 | $42,000 |
| 233 | Appenzeller Sennenhund | Large | $870 | $42,205 |
| 234 | American Staffordshire Terrier | Large | $825 | $42,480 |
| 235 | Belgian Sheepdog | Large | $885 | $42,495 |
| 236 | Belgian Tervuren | Large | $885 | $42,495 |
| 237 | Great Pyrenees | Giant | $1,220 | $42,710 |
| 238 | Kuvasz | Giant | $1,220 | $42,710 |
| 239 | Collie | Large | $910 | $42,820 |
| 240 | Pudelpointer | Large | $855 | $42,900 |
| 241 | Bloodhound | Giant | $1,245 | $42,985 |
| 242 | Bearded Collie | Large | $770 | $43,600 |
| 243 | Beauceron | Giant | $1,195 | $43,755 |
| 244 | Chinook | Large | $990 | $43,825 |
| 245 | Briard | Large | $1,070 | $44,050 |
| 246 | Eurasier | Large | $825 | $44,720 |
| 247 | Irish Setter | Large | $940 | $44,770 |
| 248 | Bergamasco Sheepdog | Large | $995 | $44,860 |
| 249 | Otterhound | Giant | $1,270 | $45,090 |
| 250 | Pointer | Large | $885 | $45,350 |
| 251 | Tibetan Mastiff | Giant | $1,390 | $45,900 |
| 252 | Afghan Hound | Large | $825 | $45,920 |
| 253 | Bouvier des Flandres | Giant | $1,195 | $45,955 |
| 254 | Tornjak | Large | $1,155 | $46,005 |
| 255 | Dogo Argentino | Giant | $1,235 | $46,020 |
| 256 | Boerboel | Giant | $1,970 | $46,200 |
| 257 | Belgian Malinois | Large | $885 | $46,825 |
| 258 | German Wirehaired Pointer | Large | $885 | $46,825 |
| 259 | Poodle (Standard) | Large | $855 | $47,130 |
| 260 | Hamiltonstovare | Large | $855 | $47,210 |
| 261 | Black Russian Terrier | Giant | $1,345 | $47,605 |
| 262 | Estrela Mountain Dog | Giant | $1,340 | $47,760 |
| 263 | Giant Schnauzer | Large | $990 | $48,145 |
| 264 | Komondor | Giant | $1,195 | $48,155 |
| 265 | Tosa | Giant | $1,755 | $48,155 |
| 266 | Caucasian Shepherd Dog | Giant | $1,620 | $48,430 |
| 267 | Anatolian Shepherd Dog | Giant | $1,440 | $48,960 |
| 268 | Akita | Giant | $1,295 | $49,060 |
| 269 | Rafeiro do Alentejo | Giant | $1,340 | $51,490 |
| 270 | Spanish Mastiff | Giant | $1,930 | $51,840 |
| 271 | Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog | Giant | $1,440 | $52,790 |
| 272 | Pyrenean Mastiff | Giant | $2,015 | $55,040 |
What a dog really costs in United States
Across 272 dogs, lifetime cost in United States ranges from about $17,375 for the Japanese Chin up to $55,040 for the Pyrenean Mastiff — roughly a 3.2× spread. That gap is driven by body size (which sets how much a dog eats and its medication doses), breed health risk (which sets insurance premiums and likely vet bills) and lifespan (which multiplies every recurring annual cost). Local prices matter just as much: United States sits at a food price index of 1.0 and a services index of 1.0 against the US baseline of 1.00, so the same breed can cost noticeably more or less here than abroad. Every figure on this page is in USD. Pet insurance is widely available in United States.
Food & vet localized via United States's price-level index; converted to USD. US base from the RER/MER food formula and NAPHIA insurance averages. Modelled estimates — verify locally.
Compiled by the PawCosts data team from World Bank price-level data, NAPHIA averages and AAFCO/vet nutrition formulas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest dog to own in United States?
The Japanese Chin — about $17,375 over its lifetime in USD.
What is the most expensive dog to own in United States?
The Pyrenean Mastiff — around $55,040 lifetime.
Is pet insurance available in United States?
Pet insurance is widely available in United States.
How are United States dog costs calculated?
US base costs (food via the vet RER/MER calorie formula, NAPHIA insurance averages) scaled by United States's price-level indices — food 1.0, services 1.0 — and converted to USD.