When you’re looking into buying a dog as a family pet, there are many different things to consider, such as the dog’s temperament and how it will settle in at home.
And one of the more pressing concerns is the expense. This does of course include the price to buy the dog in the first place, but on top of that you also have to consider medical expenses and grooming expenses as well, so it can soon add up.
This is why we’ve put this article together for you. We’re going to quickly run through over 15 of the least expensive dog breeds around, and what they’re like as pets. Enjoy!
(These breeds aren’t listed in any particular order, and the costs can vary quite considerably between breeders.)
1. Manchester Terrier
The Manchester Terrier costs between $100-$200 to buy from a breeder. They’re small dogs with long legs, and they tend to be very friendly toward people.
They’re generally good with children and make great watchdogs. Their coat is short and soft, and they shed less than other breeds. The average lifespan is about 10 years.
2. Schipperke
The Schipperke costs between $300-$500 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium-sized dogs with long legs, short hair, and curly tail.
They’re known for being calm and easy to train. They’re generally good around kids and make excellent guard dogs.
They do shed though, so if you want a non-shedding breed then look elsewhere. The average lifespan is between 12 – 14 years.
3. German Wirehaired Pointer
The German Wirehaired Pointer costs between $400-$600 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium size dogs with long legs, a thick double coat, and a bushy tail.
They’re generally good-natured and make excellent hunting companions. They’re not too keen on strangers, though, and need plenty of exercise. The average lifespan is around 11 years.
4. Beagle
The Beagle costs between $400-$900 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium size, long-legged dogs with a wiry coats.
They’re generally good-tempered and make excellent hunting partners. They’re not too fond of water, though, so don’t get them wet unless you know what you’re doing.
They’re also prone to hip dysplasia, so check their hips before getting them. The average lifespan is approximately 8 years.
5. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi costs between $500-$1,000 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium to large size dogs with a wiry double coat.
They’re generally very affectionate and make wonderful companion animals. They’re not too fussy when it comes to food either, so they’ll eat just about anything.
They’re not too bright, so training them can be difficult. The average lifespan is roughly 9-10 years.
6. Otterhound
The Otterhound costs between $800-$1,200 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium size hounds with long legs, a double coat, and a long tail.
They’re generally pretty laid back but are still protective of their owners. They’re not too bad around kids, but should be supervised closely.
They’re not too smart, though, so training them will require patience. The average lifespan is approximately 13 years.
7. Dalmatian
The Dalmatian costs between $400-$1,200 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium to big size dogs with a single coat.
They’re generally fairly docile and make excellent family pets. They’re not too particular when it comes to food or drink either, so they’ll happily lap up any liquids that fall into the bowl.
They’re not too clever, though, so training them may take some time. The average lifespan is 10-12 years.
8. Chihuahua
The Chihuahua costs between $100-$400 to buy from a breeder. They’re small to medium size dogs with a single fur coat.
They’re generally friendly, and make great companions. They’re not overly demanding when it comes to food and playtime, though, so they’re perfect for first time dog owners.
They’re not very intelligent, though, so training them might prove challenging. The average lifespan is 7-9 years.
9. Cesky Terrier
The Cesky Terrier costs between $300-$700 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium sized dogs with a short hair coat.
They’re generally pretty easy going, and make fantastic guard dogs. They’re not too picky when it comes to food, so they’ll happily chow down on whatever’s put in front of them.
They’re not too sharp, though, so training them could be tricky. The average lifespan is 8-11 years.
10. Field Spaniel
The Field Spaniel costs between $350-$600 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium size dogs with a short coat. They’re generally quite energetic, and make great family pets.
They’re also pretty easygoing, so they’ll adapt well to most situations. They’re not too keen on playing fetch though, so if you want your dog to enjoy this sport then consider another breed.
They’re not too brilliant at learning new things either, so training them will likely be a challenge. The average lifespan is 12-14 years.
11. Redbone Coonhound
The Redbone Coonhound costs between $500-$1,000 to buy from an experienced breeder. They’re large size dogs with a single coat.
They’re generally very active and make good hunting partners. They’re not too finicky when it comes to food, however, so they’ll eat almost anything.
They’re not very bright, though, so training will probably be a little more difficult than other breeds. The average lifespan is 11-13 years.
12. American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pitbull Terrier costs between $150-$250 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium size pit bulls with a single coat.
These dogs have become increasingly popular over recent years, which means there are plenty of places where you can find one. They’re usually pretty lively but need regular exercise.
They’re not too fussy about their diet, though, so they’ll happily consume just about anything. They’re not too smart, though, so training will require patience. The average lifespan is 9-11 years.
13. Pekingese
The Pekingese costs between $50-$100 to buy from a breeder. They’re small to mid-size dogs with a double coat.
They’re generally very friendly and make great family companions. They’re not too particular when it comes to food, though, so they’ll eat just about anything.
They do tend to get bored easily, though, so they may benefit from some extra stimulation. They’re not too clever, though, so training will be a bit of a struggle. The average lifespan is 10-12 years.
14. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise costs between $200-$500 to buy from a breeder. They’re medium-sized, short haired dogs that look like miniature poodles.
They’re generally fairly happy-go-lucky, making them perfect for families who want a playful pet. They’re not too demanding when it comes to food either, so they’ll happily munch through any meal you serve them.
They’re not particularly bright, so training them will be a challenge. The life expectancy is around 14 years.
15. Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher costs between $300-$400 to buy from a breeder. They’re small to medium size dogs with a single coat. They were originally bred as a type of monkey, and still retain a lot of the characteristics of monkeys.
They’re generally very intelligent, and make excellent companion animals. They’re not too picky when it comes to food, so they’ll happily chow down on whatever you feed them.
They’re not too bright, though, so training might prove challenging. The average lifespan is 8-10 years.
16. Dachshund
The Dachshund costs between $80-$200 to buy from a breeder. They’re small, long-haired dogs that are often mistaken for wiener dogs because of their shape.
They’re generally quite energetic and love nothing better than running around outside. They’re also very affectionate, so they make ideal pets for families.
They’re not too choosy when it comes to what they eat, so they’ll happily devour just about anything. They don’t mind being left alone for extended periods, either, so they’re perfectly content to stay at home all day.
They’re not too sharp, though, so training will take time. The average lifespan is 12-13 years.
17. Papillon
The Papillon costs between $150-$350 to buy from a breeder. They’re small, long-haired dogs that originated in France. They’re generally very active, and enjoy playing games.
They’re not too keen on being alone, though, so they prefer to live in pairs or groups. They’re not too selective when it comes to food, however, so they’ll happily gobble up just about everything.
They’re not too brainy, though, so training will probably be a bit of a chore. The average lifespan is 9-11 years.
Wrap Up
So, there we have it, a list of over 15 of the least expensive breeds of dog around today, and their usual range of costs to buy.
But as we said in our introduction, the costs do not stop after the initial purchase, and you also need to consider medical expenses and so on.
We hope you find a breed you like!
