Your Tiny Dog Will Mean Big Bills
He's got a big appetite ..for the contents of your wallet. Pet insurer Esure estimates that the owner of a Chihuahua will spend £88,691 on pet food, vets bills, grooming, kennels and pet insurance over its lifetime. This might seem excessive but according the company's research it is less than three times the average we might expect to shell out on our dogs.
Esure reported today that the average dog will cost more than
£31,000 to look after. The news follows an online Onepoll survey which interviewed a random sample of 3000 dog owners aged 18 and over.
Researchers calculate the annual cost of a Chihuahua, with a life expectancy of 13 years, to be £6,801, while the cost of a Labrador is just £2,388.
The Greyhound came second in the poll, with a lifetime bill of £82,797, followed by the Mastiff, which costs £81,619. The Boxer is the fourth most expensive breed of dog to keep with an estimated lifetime cost of £49,896. The English Setter comes in fifth at £49,548.
Estimated lifetime spend by breed:
| Chihuahua | £88,691 |
| Greyhound | £82,797 |
| Mastiff | £81,619 |
| Boxer | £49,896 |
| English Setter | £49,548 |
| Doberman Pinscher | £49,304 |
| Golden Retriever | £48,442 |
| Poodle | £45,852 |
| Dalmatian | £44,383 |
| Great Dane | £41,661 |
| Whippet | £36,313 |
| Border Collie | £35,573 |
| Dachshund | £34,046 |
| Pug | £34,034 |
| Bulldog | £33,994 |
| Beagle | £33,340 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | £30,841 |
| Labrador | £30,291 |
| Spaniel | £26,887 |
| Jack Russell | £26,326 |
Mike Pickard, Head of Pet Insurance, Esure, said:
"Today's household pets are treated more like members of the family and this new attitude is reflected in the amount owners spend on their pets' lifestyle.
"Despite this, many pets remain uninsured. Vets' fees can be very expensive and owners should bear in mind that, ultimately, their pets' health is more important than the latest dog accessories or expensive treats."
One Quarter Regret Getting A Dog!
The company reports from its survey that, sadly, 39% did not realise how much their dog would cost them, and that a massive 25% now regretted getting one.