What a dog really costs — by breed, in your state.
Food, vet care, grooming, insurance and gear for 205 popular breeds: first year, every year and over a lifetime. Every figure carries its source and date.
Quick estimate
An adult Labrador Retriever in Texas, standard kibble, salon grooming off, insured.
| Category | per year | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Food & treats1822 kcal/day × $1.42 per 1,000 kcal + 30% treats | $1,227 | 38% |
| Vet & preventive1 exam, core vaccines, heartworm test, dental every 3 yrs, 12 months of parasite prevention | $795 | 25% |
| InsuranceAccident & illness plan, US average, adjusted for state | $812 | 25% |
| GroomingHome grooming: brush, clippers, shampoo | $24 | 1% |
| Supplies & gearReplacement toys, waste bags, treats | $58 | 2% |
| Training & boardingUS average yearly boarding spend, adjusted for state | $313 | 10% |
Typical per year
$3,229
Lifetime · 13.1 yrs
$42,691
Popular breeds
All 205 breeds →
Cheapest to keep
- 01Chihuahua$2,137
- 02Russian Toy$2,180
- 03Toy Fox Terrier$2,201
- 04Italian Greyhound$2,250
- 05Miniature Pinscher$2,274
Most expensive to keep
- 01Black Russian Terrier$4,439
- 02Komondor$4,133
- 03Leonberger$4,132
- 04Akita$4,048
- 05Irish Wolfhound$3,991
Per-year figures for an adult dog in Texas with standard kibble and an accident & illness policy; salon grooming only for coats that need clipping. Methodology.
Cost by stateThe same dog in all 50 states + DC, adjusted with the BEA regional price index. Compare two breedsAny pair side by side, by category, for your state. ToolsFirst-year cost, affordability check, insurance break-even, adult size, first-month list. CatsThe same model for cat breeds and the ordinary house cat — with litter, without the salon.
Why these numbers are different
Most "cost of a dog" pages quote one national range. We build the figure up from parts: calories from your dog's weight, parasite prevention dosed by weight band, vet prices adjusted with the government's regional price index, insurance from the industry's own report, and retail prices we recorded by hand. Each part shows its source and date.