Toy dogs are up to four times cheaper than working dogs, research has shown, with specific breeds coming in as the most and least affordable

New research has named the cheapest and most expensive dog breeds to own, revealing many of the beloved pedigrees taking part will set you back a fortune over their lifetime while others are much easier on the household budget, a key consideration in the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Chihuahuas, which competed in the Toy Group on the second day at Crufts, are revealed as the cheapest dog breed to own, with an average lifetime cost of £1,804.53 – 60 per cent below average.

This was calculated based on an initial starting cost of £404, a lifetime insurance cost of £789.60 and a lifetime food cost of £610.93.

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Also from the Toy Group are Pomeranians, which are the second-cheapest dog breed to own, with an average lifetime cost of £1,863.61 – 58 per cent less than average.

The breed has an initial starting cost of £404 and is predicted to cost £892.32 in insurance and £567.29 in food in its lifetime.

Toy Poodles, another breed from the Toy Group, have the third-lowest average lifetime cost of £1,882.33 – 58 per cent below average.

The breed’s initial starting cost is £404, and owners are predicted to spend £911.04 on insurance and £567.29 on food in their pet’s lifetime.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the list of most affordable dog breeds is dominated by the small dogs in the Toy Group at Crufts, with a fourth from the category, Affenpinschers, ranking eighth, with an average lifetime cost of £2,247.70.

The Terrier Group – which competed on the first day of Crufts – also boasts some of the cheapest dog breeds, Russell Terriers have an average lifetime cost of £2,222.51. Jack Russell Terriers and Parson Russell Terriers, which compete at Crufts, both belong to this type.

Rounding out the list of cheapest pooches is a breed from the Pastoral Group, Lancashire Heelers, with an average lifetime cost of £2,368.78. This year this group will judged on the final day of Crufts.

The study, conducted by pet accessories shop Fur King, analysed data such as the initial starting cost, insurance cost, and the cost of a lifetime’s worth of food for specific dog breeds to identify which breeds have the steepest average lifetime cost.

At the other end of the scale, according to the findings, the most expensive dog breed isn’t one that is competing in Crufts this year.

Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dogs have been crowned the priciest pooch to own. The breed has the highest average lifetime cost of £8,662.53 which is 93% higher than the average total lifetime cost for dogs of £4,478.92.

An initial starting cost of £511 was calculated for the breed based on purchases such as a dog bed and an initial course of vaccinations for a large dog breed, which Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dogs are classed as.

The breed also has a lifetime insurance cost of £2,361.60 for accident and illness cover and owners are predicted to spend £5,789.93 on food in the dog’s lifetime, based on how many calories the breed is supposed to consume per day.

Estrela Mountain Dogs, which will participate in the Working Group at Crufts on Sunday, have the second-highest average lifetime cost of £7,820.63 – 75 per cent above the average.

This was calculated based on an initial starting cost of £511, a lifetime insurance cost of £2,168.76 and a lifetime food cost of £5,140.87.

Spanish Mastiffs, which fall under the Working Group, rank third, with an average lifetime cost of £7,303.94 – 63 per cent higher than average.

The breed has an initial starting cost of £511, and owners are predicted to spend £1,968 on insurance and £4,824.94 on food across the dog’s lifetime.

Two of the most expensive breeds also belong to the Hound Group at Crufts, which competed on the first day, with Hamiltonstövares and Afghan Hounds ranking fourth and sixth, respectively, and average lifetime costs of £7,193.74 and £6,785.83.

Ranking seventh and tenth are two breeds from the Gun Dog Group: German Wirehaired Pointers and Large Münsterländers, with average lifetime costs of £6,697.13 and £6,596.76, respectively.

The top 10 cheapest dog breeds to own

Rank – Breed name – Initial starting cost – Lifetime insurance cost – Lifetime cost for food – Average lifetime cost

1.

Chihuahua

£404.00

£789.60

£610.93

£1,804.53

2.

Pomeranian

£404.00

£892.32

£567.29

£1,863.61

3.

Poodle (Toy)

£404.00

£911.04

£567.29

£1,882.33

4.

Biewer Terrier

£404.00

£1,054.80

£654.57

£2,113.37

5.

Yorkshire Terrier

£404.00

£1,090.08

£708.67

£2,202.75

6.

Papillon

£404.00

£982.80

£826.78

£2,213.58

7.

Russell Terrier

£404.00

£776.16

£1,042.35

£2,222.51

8.

Affenpinscher

£404.00

£1,105.50

£738.20

£2,247.70

9.

English Toy Spaniel

£404.00

£1,021.20

£868.63

£2,293.83

10.

Lancashire Heeler

£404.00

£879.00

£1,085.78

£2,368.78

The top 10 most expensive dog breeds to own

Rank – Breed name – Initial starting cost – Lifetime insurance cost – Lifetime cost for food – Average lifetime cost

1.

Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog

£511.00

£2,361.60

£5,789.93

£8,662.53

2.

Estrela Mountain Dog

£511.00

£2,168.76

£5,140.87

£7,820.63

3.

Spanish Mastiff

£511.00

£1,968.00

£4,824.94

£7,303.94

4.

Hamiltonstövare

£511.00

£2,333.34

£4,349.40

£7,193.74

5.

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

£511.00

£1,188.18

£5,198.82

£6,898.00

6.

Afghan Hound

£484.00

£2,227.68

£4,074.15

£6,785.83

7.

German Wirehaired Pointer

£511.00

£1,861.44

£4,324.69

£6,697.13

8.

Tornjak

£511.00

£1,260.00

£4,871.47

£6,642.47

9.

Boerboel

£511.00

£1,758.24

£4,342.45

£6,611.69

10.

Large Münsterländer

£511.00

£2,378.88

£3,706.88

£6,596.76

Tom Sadler, founder of Fur King, said: “The study provides valuable insight into the costs of different dog breeds, which could help inform potential owners inspired by Crufts on what the best breed for them is – and prevent them from choosing one they can’t afford in the long run.

“Naturally, larger dog breeds are more expensive, with the Afghan Hound the only medium-sized dog to feature in the top 10. This is because insurance is pricier for larger breeds as they are more likely to have health issues, and their food costs are higher since they need to consume more.

“The initial starting cost of larger breeds will also be more expensive since they will need more wearable toys and stronger leads than smaller dogs require.”

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