Having a furry friend by your side is a priceless experience. Dogs bring lots of love, laughter, and warmth into our lives. But all this loyalty and fun come with a price tag. You need to consider various factors while purchasing a dog.
For instance, initial purchase price, food costs, grooming costs, and vet care. Some dog breeds are cheaper compared to others. Low-maintenance dog breeds are among the most budget-friendly dog breeds.
Inexpensive dog breeds usually have low grooming costs and easy-to-maintain coats. You do not need to worry about buying brushes or spending on expensive trips to the salon. Some of them are very healthy, so you do not need to spend dollars on their veterinary care.
Here are the top inexpensive dog breeds for a thrifty lifestyle.
Top Inexpensive Dog Breeds for a Thrifty Lifestyle
1. Beagle
Beagles are one of the cheapest dog breeds due to their small size and moderate grooming needs. They are widely known for their friendly nature and strong noses. Beagles have a short coat that is very easy to maintain and does not require any professional grooming.
However, Beagles love food, but you need to feed them the right amount of food so that they do not gain too much weight. They are generally healthy and hardy long-living dogs who are prone to some typical canine diseases such as hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and hyperthyroidism.
These curious and clever dogs are quite energetic and need plenty of playtime. Beagles need at least n hours of exercise every day. According to PetMD, Beagles are loving and affectionate dogs. Beagles are full of energy, but get lazier as they age.
2. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is an adorable, tiny pooch, well-suited for many households. Their compact size means you won’t need to break the bank to feed your little pet. They love attention and affection from their favorite humans.
Although Bichon Frises have high initial costs, they are relatively healthy. They may not face as many health issues as some big dogs. That is why they make a good choice budget conscious dog owners. Being a small dog breed, they have moderate energy levels. So they are well-suited for apartment living.
These playful pooches shed minimally and have hypoallergenic coats, which make them ideal for allergy sufferers. However, Bichon Frises need frequent grooming to stay in top-notch condition. You also need to take your Bichon to a professional groomer every few weeks.
3. Border Collie
Originally bred as herding dogs, Border Collies are medium-sized dogs who love having a job to do. They are one of the healthiest dog breeds and stay with you for many years. So, you don’t have to pay for frequent vet visits.
Border Collies excel at agility and obedience training. These athletic dogs require plenty of regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Their high intelligence and eager-to-please nature make them easy to train.
They have moderate dietary costs. However, their coat needs regular brushing and grooming to look clean and tidy. Professional grooming every few months may cost you a few bucks. Border Collies make perfect pets for active owners.
4. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are intelligent, alert, and compact dogs. Their small size makes them one of the cheapest dog breeds. Smaller dogs eat less, so they have lower food costs. They are also generally healthy and very unlikely to be prone to large dog diseases.
These spirited canines are also low-cost dogs regarding coat care. Short-coated Chihuahuas do not require extensive grooming. So you may not need to pay hefty amounts to the professional groomer. Chihuahuas have an eager-to-please nature.
They respond well to positive reinforcement-based training methods. According to the American Kennel Club, they love to run and have a playful nature. They do well in small spaces and make wonderful apartment dogs.
5. Dachshund
Also known as weiner dogs or sausage dogs, Dachshunds are recognized by their floppy ears, stubby legs, and elongated bodies. They do not require much space to run around and are happy with short walks.
Dachshunds shed minimally and do not need to be bathed often. Smooth-coated Dachshunds typically have lower grooming costs. They are generally healthy and long-lived dogs. However, their long backs make them prone to certain back problems like intervertebral disk disease.
Regular care significantly helps reduce vet costs. That is why the Dachshund is the cheapest dog breed out there. However, they need good-quality Dachshund food to maintain their health. These playful and friendly dogs are a good choice for first-time dog owners.
6. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers are small and energetic dogs who work well in families with kids. They are friendly with everyone and possess bundles of energy. Jack Russell Terrier is a low-maintenance breed, both in terms of initial cost and ongoing maintenance.
Jack Russell Terrier is generally a healthy and hardy dog, but prone to certain health issues such as patellar luxation, certain eye conditions, and Calve-Perthes disease. Regular vet visits can help reduce the risk of these diseases and the potential healthcare costs associated with them.
Jack Russell Terriers have lower food costs, but they are stubborn and need strict training to turn into well-behaved pets. These canines are small in size and don’t have high grooming costs. Jack Russell Terriers were bred as agile working dogs who make fun-loving companions.
7. Manchester Terrier
Manchester Terriers are small and spunky terriers who love to run and play. Their small size means you do not need to spend a lot of money on feeding them. Apart from low food costs, they also have minimal grooming needs.
Their short coat is easy to maintain and does not require expensive professional grooming. However, they need regular nail clipping, ear cleaning, and occasional baths. Manchester Terriers have fewer vet costs as they tend to be a healthy breed.
All these traits make them one of the cheapest dog breeds out there. Manchester Terriers are fun-loving and affectionate dogs, having a larger-than-life character. These active canines need at least an hour of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation, as per Purina.
8. Miniature Pinscher
Looking like mini Dobermans, Miniature Pinschers are bossy and fearless dogs. They may not be very inexpensive in terms of initial purchase price. However, their small size may translate into lower daily maintenance costs compared to larger dogs.
Min Pins are generally healthy and robust dogs with a long lifespan. They are also low maintenance in terms of coat care. Their short coat does not require professional grooming. Only purchase a good-quality soft brush for their weekly brushing.
Due to their small size, they have minimal food costs. Min Pins are curious dogs who love to taste everything they come across. They are quite alert by nature and tend to be a bit aloof towards strangers.
9. American Hairless Terrier
The American Hairless Terrier is the only hairless breed of dog native to the United States. No hair means no hectic need for grooming and less cleaning. If you have allergies, this dog will keep your allergy medications to a minimum by producing less dander.
Food costs for an American Hairless Terrier will not cost you an arm and a leg. However, you may need to add some doggy sweaters to your budget because they cannot tolerate cold weather. American Hairless Terriers are energetic dogs.
They enjoy play sessions with their families and crave attention from their people. American Hairless Terriers become prone to separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods. They are generally healthy, so you will have to pay fewer vet bills.
10. Chinese Crested
There are two varieties of Chinese Crested dogs: the hairless variety that has no hair, and the powder puff with only a little hair. It means you do not have to spend much on grooming costs. Like Chihuahuas, Chinese Crested dogs need to stay by your side all the time.
These clingy little dogs form strong bonds with a single person. They are small in size, which means they eat less. So the owners do not need to spend a lot on food. Grooming is restricted to baths that you can easily give at home.
These affectionate and lively dogs make wonderful companions and family pets. Chinese Crested are a lot of fun for dog owners who love playing with their pets. They are also a good fit for people who love traveling with their dog.
Conclusion
Inexpensive dog breeds usually have lower initial purchase costs. Their ongoing maintenance is also cheap, making them a perfect fit for pet parents with a thrifty lifestyle. Such breeds have fewer grooming costs, food costs, and vet bills.
Small dogs usually eat less, so they have fewer dietary costs. They are generally healthy and very unlikely to be prone to big dog diseases, so you don’t have to pay hefty amounts for their healthcare. They are inexpensive, but have hearts of gold!
