By Cathy M. Rosenthal
When Michael K. of Conneticut was looking for a second Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, he found Ruby, an adorable 12-week-old puppy.
But there was more to Ruby than just how cute she was — she also came with a price tag and future expenses. Ruby cost $1,500 from a breeder, Michael says. “After her vaccinations, spaying is next.”
Although puppies have the power to tug on our heart strings, they can tug on our purse strings, too. How much will a new puppy cost, even if you get him for free?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that basic first-year expenses can cost $1,314 for a small dog, $1,580 for a medium dog, and $1,843 for a large dog.
Here’s a breakdown of those first-year expenses.
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