Cheapest Dog Breeds: Finding A Furry Friend on a Budget

If you’re looking for the cheapest dog breeds to own, don’t focus only on the price of bringing the dog home.

The true cost of a dog is the cost of caring for that animal throughout its life.

Food, veterinary care, vaccinations and parasite prevention, grooming, training, toys, boarding or pet sitting, insurance and unexpected medical treatment can eventually cost far more than the initial adoption or purchase fee.

That means there isn’t one dog breed that’s guaranteed to be the cheapest.

However, certain characteristics—such as smaller size, a low-maintenance coat and fewer specialised grooming requirements—can help keep some routine expenses lower.

Here’s what to consider if you want a dog but need to keep your budget realistic.

What Makes a Dog Affordable to Own?

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s guide to selecting a pet dog makes an important point: the purchase price is only the initial expense.

Before choosing a dog, consider the following costs.

Adoption or Purchase Price

Acquisition costs vary enormously.

A puppy from a breeder may cost considerably more than a dog adopted from a shelter or rescue organisation.

Price also varies according to location, demand, breeder, age and other factors.

That’s why lists claiming that a particular breed costs a specific amount aren’t universally reliable.

Food

Larger dogs generally need more food than smaller dogs.

That doesn’t automatically make every small dog cheaper overall, but body size can influence one recurring expense.

Dietary requirements can also change if a dog develops a medical condition that requires specialised food.

Veterinary Care

Every dog needs appropriate preventive veterinary care.

Depending on the individual dog and where you live, that may include:

• Routine examinations
• Vaccinations
• Parasite prevention
• Dental care
• Spaying or neutering
• Diagnostic testing
• Medication

Then there are unexpected illnesses and injuries.

A dog that’s inexpensive to acquire can become expensive if significant health problems develop.

Grooming

Coat type can make a considerable difference.

A shorthaired dog that mainly needs routine brushing, bathing and nail care may cost less to maintain than a breed requiring regular professional clipping or extensive coat maintenance.

Training

Every dog benefits from appropriate training.

You may be able to teach many everyday skills yourself, but group classes or professional assistance can become additional expenses.

Emergency Care

Emergency care is one of the easiest costs to underestimate.

An accident or unexpected illness can result in a substantial veterinary bill.

A realistic dog budget should therefore include emergency savings or another plan for handling unexpected veterinary expenses.

Is There Really a “Cheapest Dog Breed”?

Not reliably.

A Chihuahua may eat less than a large dog, but an individual Chihuahua could develop an expensive medical problem.

A Beagle may have relatively straightforward grooming needs but still requires food, veterinary care, training and appropriate exercise.

A supposedly inexpensive puppy could also come from irresponsible breeding and later develop preventable or inherited health problems.

Rather than asking only:

“What’s the cheapest dog breed?”

A better question is:

“Which dog has care requirements I can realistically afford for its entire life?”

With that distinction in mind, some breeds have characteristics that may help reduce particular routine expenses.

5 Dog Breeds That May Have Lower Routine Costs

These aren’t ranked from cheapest to most expensive.

They’re examples of dogs with characteristics—such as smaller size or relatively simple grooming—that may keep some everyday expenses lower.

Individual costs and health outcomes can still vary considerably.

1. Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are among the smallest recognised dog breeds.

Their tiny size means they generally consume much less food than large dogs, potentially reducing one recurring expense.

Smooth-coated Chihuahuas also have relatively straightforward grooming needs.

However, small doesn’t mean maintenance-free.

Chihuahuas still need routine veterinary care, dental care, training and exercise. The breed can also develop conditions affecting the heart, eyes, and kneecaps.

Potential budget advantage: Minimal food portions and relatively simple grooming, particularly for smooth-coated dogs.

Remember: Veterinary and dental expenses can still be substantial.

2. Beagle

Beagles have short, dense coats that don’t generally require professional haircuts.

Routine brushing can often be performed at home, potentially reducing professional grooming expenses.

They’re also smaller than many popular family dogs.

However, Beagles are active scent hounds.

They need appropriate exercise, enrichment and secure management because following an engaging scent can be highly rewarding to them.

Their ears also need regular attention, and responsible breeders screen for several inherited health conditions.

Potential budget advantage: Relatively straightforward coat maintenance.

Remember: Low grooming costs don’t mean low exercise or enrichment needs.

3. Smooth-Haired Dachshund

Dachshunds come in smooth, longhaired and wirehaired varieties.

If grooming cost is an important consideration, the smooth-coated variety has the simplest coat maintenance of the three.

Their relatively small size may also mean lower food consumption than a large breed.

But Dachshunds require special consideration because of their distinctive long backs.

Keeping them at a healthy weight and reducing activities that could contribute to back injury is important.

Potential budget advantage: Small size and relatively simple grooming for the smooth-coated variety.

Remember: Their body structure makes spinal health an important consideration.

4. Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers are relatively small dogs, and smooth-coated individuals can have straightforward grooming requirements.

Their size can help keep food costs below those of much larger dogs.

The trade-off is energy.

Jack Russells were developed as working terriers and typically need substantial physical exercise, training and mental stimulation.

A low-maintenance coat shouldn’t be confused with a low-maintenance dog.

Potential budget advantage: Small body size and manageable grooming requirements.

Remember: Expect to invest significant time in exercise, training and enrichment.

5. Mixed-Breed Shorthaired Dogs

A mixed-breed dog from a shelter may be one of the most practical options for someone trying to manage the initial cost of getting a dog.

Adoption fees vary, but shelters and rescue organisations may provide services such as initial vaccinations, microchipping or spaying/neutering as part of the adoption process.

An adult shorthaired dog can also provide you with useful information before adoption.

You may already have a clearer idea of the dog’s:

• Adult size
• Coat type
• Activity level
• Personality
• Behaviour
• Grooming requirements

That can make it easier to choose a dog whose needs match both your lifestyle and your budget.

Potential budget advantage: Lower acquisition costs may be possible, and some initial veterinary procedures may already have been completed.

Remember: Rescue dogs still require the same long-term financial commitment as any other dog.

Why I Wouldn’t Call Pugs or Bulldogs “Cheap Dogs”

You may find Pugs and Bulldogs on lists of supposedly affordable breeds because they’re relatively small, have short coats or don’t require extensive professional grooming.

But that overlooks health.

Pugs and Bulldogs are brachycephalic, meaning they have shortened skulls and flat faces.

These physical characteristics can be associated with serious health and welfare problems, including breathing difficulties, eye problems, skin-fold issues and difficulty coping with heat.

The PDSA’s guidance on Pugs specifically highlights significant health concerns associated with the breed’s body shape.

That doesn’t mean every pug will have the same medical problems.

It does mean that describing the breed simply as “cheap to own” gives prospective owners an incomplete picture.

Why Shih Tzus Aren’t Necessarily Budget Dogs Either

A Shih Tzu is small, which can help with food costs.

But coat maintenance is another matter.

Their long hair requires considerable grooming, and owners may choose regular professional grooming to keep the coat manageable.

So while one expense may be lower, another may be higher.

This illustrates why total care requirements matter more than size alone.

What About Greyhounds?

Greyhounds are another interesting example.

Their short coats can make routine grooming relatively straightforward, but they’re large dogs.

That means food, medication doses, boarding and some other expenses can potentially be higher than they would be for a small dog.

Again, no single characteristic determines whether a dog will be inexpensive to own.

Adoption vs. Buying From a Breeder

If your primary concern is the upfront cost, consider adoption.

Both purebred and mixed-breed dogs can be found in shelters and rescue organisations.

Breed-specific rescues also exist for people interested in a particular type of dog.

But don’t adopt simply because it’s cheaper.

The dog’s personality, health, exercise requirements and compatibility with your household still matter.

If you decide to buy from a breeder, don’t choose the cheapest puppy you can find.

Responsible breeding includes appropriate health screening and good care of breeding dogs and puppies.

A suspiciously low purchase price isn’t necessarily a bargain.

Don’t Choose a Dog Based on Purchase Price Alone

Imagine two dogs.

Dog A costs less initially but requires frequent professional grooming and later develops significant medical problems.

Dog B costs more initially but has simple grooming requirements and remains relatively healthy.

Dog A wasn’t necessarily the cheaper dog.

You can’t predict every veterinary expense, but you can research likely care requirements before making your decision.

Consider:

Cost	Questions to Ask
Acquisition	Adoption fee or breeder price?
Food	How large will the dog become?
Grooming	Can I do routine grooming at home?
Healthcare	Are there known breed-related concerns?
Exercise	What daily activity does this dog require?
Training	Can I manage basic training myself?
Housing	Are pets allowed, and are there extra fees?
Travel	Will I need boarding or pet sitting?
Emergency care	Could I handle an unexpected vet bill?

Looking at the complete picture gives you a much more realistic budget.

How to Save Money on Dog Ownership Without Cutting Essential Care

Being budget-conscious doesn’t mean choosing the cheapest possible food or skipping veterinary visits.

Focus instead on expenses you can reduce responsibly.

Learn Basic Grooming

Depending on your dog’s coat, you may be able to handle brushing, bathing and some routine grooming at home.

That doesn’t mean attempting procedures you’re uncomfortable performing.

Ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you appropriate techniques.

Use Reward-Based Training at Home

Many foundational behaviours can be taught at home through short, consistent reward-based sessions.

Professional help can still be worthwhile when you’re struggling or dealing with more complex behaviour.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Feed appropriate portions and provide regular exercise.

Keeping your dog at an appropriate body condition supports overall health.

Don’t Skip Preventive Veterinary Care

Avoiding routine veterinary care to save money can be a false economy.

Preventive care can identify health concerns and allows you to discuss vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental health, nutrition and other needs with your veterinarian.

Create an Emergency Fund

Put aside money regularly, specifically for unexpected veterinary expenses.

Even a healthy dog can become injured or ill without warning.

Pet insurance may be another option, depending on availability, exclusions, premiums and your circumstances.

Costs You Should Budget for Before Getting a Dog

Before adopting or purchasing a dog, make a realistic list that includes:

• Adoption or purchase
• Initial veterinary examination
• Vaccinations
• Parasite prevention
• Spaying or neutering where appropriate
• Microchipping
• Food
• Bowls
• Collar or harness
• Lead
• Bed
• Crate if needed
• Toys and enrichment
• Grooming
• Training
• Routine veterinary visits
• Dental care
• Boarding or pet sitting
• Emergency veterinary care

Some expenses occur once.

Others continue for the dog’s entire life.

The recurring costs are the ones that deserve the most attention when deciding whether you can afford a dog.

Should You Get a Dog If Money Is Tight?

There’s nothing wrong with having a budget.

In fact, thinking about affordability before bringing a dog home is responsible.

But if paying for routine food and veterinary care is already difficult, adding a dog may create financial stress for both you and the animal.

Waiting until your finances are more stable can sometimes be the kinder choice.

You can still spend time with dogs by volunteering with a shelter, helping friends with their pets or fostering through an organisation that covers certain expenses, depending on the programme.

What’s the Cheapest Dog to Adopt?

There isn’t one breed that’s universally cheapest to adopt.

Adoption fees depend on the shelter or rescue organisation, location, dog’s age and other factors.

Instead of searching only by breed, tell shelter staff about:

• Your budget
• Home
• Experience with dogs
• Available time
• Preferred activity level
• Grooming limitations
• Other pets
• Children in the household

They may be able to introduce you to dogs whose actual needs fit your circumstances.

That’s more useful than choosing from an online “cheapest breeds” ranking.

The Bottom Line

There is no single cheapest dog breed.

Chihuahuas, Beagles, smooth-haired Dachshunds, Jack Russell Terriers and some shorthaired mixed-breed dogs have characteristics that may help keep certain routine expenses lower.

But that doesn’t guarantee low lifetime costs.

Health, grooming, food, training, veterinary care and unexpected emergencies all matter.

If budget is your main concern, adopting an adult dog with a known size, coat and behaviour can be worth considering, particularly when some initial veterinary services are included.

Most importantly, don’t choose a dog because it’s cheap to buy.

Choose a dog whose needs you can afford—and continue meeting—for its entire life.