The Cost Of Owning A Dog (Why A Puppy May Not Be A Good Christmas Gift)

At this time of year, social media seems to be full of posts with people offering dogs and puppies as the “perfect Christmas gift”. While there is little doubt that a new pet can bring warmth and happiness to your family, bringing a dog into your home is not just something you should do because it will make a great holiday present – when you take on the responsibility of owning a dog, it is a commitment for a decade (or more). It isn’t something you should do on a whim because you see a cute puppy picture on Instagram.

There are many factors that you should consider when deciding to bring a new dog into your family, and one of the biggest considerations is the financial cost. It is also important to look beyond the initial price or adoption fee – to provide sufficient care for your pet, you will need to dip into your wallet every week and every month.

In this article, we’ll look at the cost of owning a dog, and why Christmas puppies can provide a challenge.

Upfront costs of owning a dog

When new or inexperienced dog owners think about acquiring a dog, these are the costs that they typically budget for – the upfront expenses that they will need to obtain their dog and begin caring for them at home. These costs include:

Purchase price or adoption fee
Initial veterinary care, including vaccinations, spay/neuter, etc.
Microchipping, licensure and registration
Basic supplies and equipment, such as a bed, crate, toys, food bowls, leash and collar.

While these costs are all ‘known’ and can be easily budgeted for, if a dog becomes an impulse purchase (such as for a Christmas gift), many of these can be overlooked. Veterinarians may also be closed over the holidays, meaning it can be harder to get initial visits scheduled promptly.

A 2004 survey by the American Kennel Club (AKC) of 1,000 dog owners estimated the cost of these one-time expenses at just over $2,000, with purchase/adoption fees accounting for almost one-third of that amount. Adjusted for inflation, that amount would be around $3,400 in 2025.

Ongoing costs of owning a dog

Costs in this category are the expenses you’ll encounter frequently to continue providing your dog with the level of quality care they need to live an enriched and healthy lifestyle. The typical recurring expenses include:

Food and quality treats
Enrichment toys and games
Routine veterinary visits and checkups
Preventative medications
Grooming (dependent on breed characteristics)
Training and obedience classes
Pet sitting or boarding costs if you head out-of-town
Travel to dog events or shows
Emergency veterinary care

As each of these expenses will vary on a number of factors, it is hard to give a precise figure on how much this costs each year. The same survey from the AKC estimated the annual cost at almost $2,500, which would be about $4,250 when adjusted for inflation in 2025.

Time and lifestyle commitment

Costs are not just financial. Dogs are a huge commitment – and it isn’t just the dollars you put towards their care. Your time and energy will need to be invested into your dog to ensure they are living a fulfilled life.

This time commitment can include minor everyday items like feeding and supervision, all the way to going on longer walks and engaging in frequent exercise. High-energy breeds will need a greater amount of time spent exercising, which should be factored into your planning. All dogs need enrichment and mental stimulation.

Dogs will also have a huge impact on your own schedule, and you have to be able to adjust around your dog’s needs. A new puppy will need to be taken outside for potty breaks every couple of hours. If you have to travel for holidays or family events, you will need to find a pet sitter or boarding facility. Training is a necessary but ongoing commitment that often takes several sessions (unless you opt for a Board and Train program). All of these should be factored into your thinking when you bring a dog into your home.

Why puppies and Christmas don’t always mix

Aside from the factors above, there is actually another reason why it may not be a great idea to bring a puppy into your home at Christmas – the chaos that is often associated with the season.

December is often busy, and not a true reflection of what life is really like for your family. Visitors are coming and going, decorations are going up, boxes are everywhere, and there are numerous shiny things that your puppy could get into. This can create problems in the short-term and the long-term. The short-term problem is that your puppy doesn’t get a chance to settle in their new environment because the world around them is constantly changing. Guests, noise and general overstimulation are not helpful for your puppy’s development.

In the long run, it doesn’t set your puppy up for success. Your attention will naturally be diverted elsewhere during the holidays because it is a hectic time for all of us. The lack of structure and consistency in your puppy’s formative weeks and months can affect them for years to come – the habits they form now may stay with them for the rest of their lives.

How to plan for dog ownership

This article isn’t designed to tell you not to get a dog at this time of year, or indeed, at any time of year – but we want you to think carefully about how your family plans for dog ownership. Animal shelters are already overpopulated and a significant reason for this is the fact that owners are not able to provide their dog with the care they require, and dogs are surrendered as a consequence.

Sit down with your family and think about these questions before you move forward with bringing a dog into your home:

How much time will we have to provide a high quality of life for this dog?
Can our family financially afford to care for this dog on an ongoing basis?
Why are we getting this dog?
What type of dog breed would be most suitable for our family?
How will this dog affect our family life and day-to-day schedule?
How will we train this dog?
What are our plans for the dog when we head out-of-town?

Thinking about these questions not only helps you to decide if getting a dog is the right decision in the first place – it may also help determine the type of dog you get, and improves the likelihood of choosing one that suits your family’s environment and lifestyle.

In conclusion

It’s a well-worn cliche, but dogs aren’t just for Christmas – they’re a commitment that spans 10-15 years. By doing your research and planning in advance, you can ensure that any dog you bring into your home thrives with your family – no matter what time of year it is.

Happy holidays from all of us at Highland Canine Training!