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Originally Posted by roseylovestosho  Thank you for your responses. On the comment about expenses, would anyone mind sharing with me a rough estimate of how much you spend a year on your baby on average? For example, it would be extremely helpful if anyone can provide an estimate on food, vet bills (excluding vet bills you might incur on some unforseen accident), toys, etc? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks again! |
This is a really tough question because it depends on so many factors. That said, I can tell you from personal experience that puppies are generally more expensive than young adult dogs. The reason is that puppies, like babies, generally pick up more bugs and have more "scares" for minor health issues. The last time I had a puppy, I would estimate that we were spending about $300/month sometimes on vet visits (and we live in the DC region, which is a tad more expensive than other areas). But then there were a couple of scares, including one incident that involved a trip to the doggie ER, which ran about $800.
The question you also need to ask is do you really have the time that a puppy needs. Puppies require a lot more time and attention than do young adult dogs. They need to be potty trained (a very time-consuming task) and they also just require a lot of interaction and supervision.
Here's my personal opinion (and it's just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth) - I adopted Vinnie, the first dog I ever had on my own, when I was in grad school. He was about 2 years old when I adopted him, and it was the best decision I could have ever made. Because he was already 2, he was past that "expensive puppy" stage. Sure, I had vet bills, but they were far less than what my family had when we got a dog as a puppy. Also, he was already potty trained and could stay at home for longer periods of time when I had class. He was more "settled" and didn't require the constant attention that puppies often need.
And, most importantly, because I adopted him, I was saving a little guy who would otherwise possibly not have a home.
Given where you are in your life, I really think that adopting an adult dog (maybe one that's 1 or 2) is the way to go. You'll likely have fewer expenses and a dog who is more suited for where you are in your life.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.