iPom

Hi

I'd like to get a dog but I wonder if anyone here can give me some insight into how much keeping a dog in Australia will cost?

I need vet costs, pet insurance (if such a thing exists here) etc.

I wonder if anyone can tell me how long it takes to toilet train a pup too and should I wait until the weather is better before getting one?

Anything else I should know?

madsad

What type/breed of dog were you planning on getting?

Insurance & food costs vary on certain breeds/sizes etc..

Donna.

madsad

We have a British Bulldog-$2,500

Puppy Vaccinations all in around $200

Registration -$18 for the 1st year & unless de-sexed,training certificate etc it will cost you just under $60 every year afterwards
.
Roxy's food costs us $30, 15kg bag dried food lasts 6-8wks & her fresh food costs around $20 for 2wk supply.

We dont have any insurance for Roxy at the moment,still considering whether it is worth it or not,had it in the UK for our last bully but felt a bit cheated by the limitations of what they would pay out for & excess fees.

Worming/Heartworm tabs,price varies greatly,(have a look in the supermarkets to get an idea of costs)

Vet fee's so far,We got Roxy de-sexed $130,Chest Infection,overnight stay at vets on antibiotic drip + 9day supply of antibiotics total cost $86.

Other costs involved are toys,bedding,bowls,collar etc.. & replacing items through DESTRUCTION!!!

Toilet training is as easy as you make it! when you collect your pup ask what training is in place (usually the paper method) put newspaper at your front door & try to take your pup to the same spot outdoors to do its buisness,take your pup outside after every meal & on wakening up from a sleep,within a couple of weeks your pup is trained

As for weather,i dont think it really matters to the dog its you thats standing freezing at a doorstep at silly o'clock waiting for the pup to wee

Donna.

iPom

Thanks for that. I'm looking at getting a beagle.



I'm trying to keep my common sense in the face of it's utter cuteness factor.

madsad

Lol,what a cutie!!

Go to a breeder & get one,dont go near pet shops or classifieds!

Donna.

Mrs Jackaroo

Oh good god he is gorgeous!! They've got them in the Pet Shop in Richmond at the moment (Beagles that is) and they are sooooo cute!

Have you told the kids that you're thinking of it? Danielle keeps pestering me something cruel to get one - just gotta convince her dad that its a good idea now - I'm already sold on the idea!!

iPom

I've seen some in petshops but they look so young. They look like they should be still with their mum. Beagles are an excellent breed for children ...

I don't know anything about Australian pet shops but I really dislike the way the animals are put in the window - this was outlawed in the UK years ago now. I'm sure the cuteness factor appeals to lots of people who just shouldn't have pets.


I haven't told the kids. I think I'd just surprise them.

Perthforme

We bought our beagle from a pet shop. I would say stop , go find a good breeder , ask the RSPCA who they would recommend . Our dog got very growly and then bit the wife !

iPom

Oh dear.

I think that pet shops take puppy farmed dogs which may have been in terrible conditions ... It's so cruel. You can never really be sure of their socialisation or what checks they've had. You never really know if it's a pet shop.
I'd be happy to buy in a shop if I could see where they've come from, how many litters a year they bread, eye, hip and health checks, pedigree etc. If the pet store can't answer such questions, then buying should be avoided.
I'm looking at rescue puppies.

Perthforme

You could rename it Jeff Leopard
We think ours was from a hunting pack as it was shipped over from east .
Looking at getting a border collie but will get a pedigree one this time .

JackTheLad

If you go to one of the dog pounds... AWL or RSPCA they can give you a good dog for $135 provided you can give it a good home.

I know I keep banging on about this but its because its true. We got our springer spaniel from there, and out of everything we have bought since we arrived, he has been the best buy. Why encourage new dogs when there are so many abandoned and homeless dogs already.

Here, look at these boys & girls:

http://www.awlqld.com.au/dogsmedium.htm

GO ON!! You'll feel better for it too

madsad

dont feel better,want to take em all home

Donna.

JackTheLad

I know We originally went there to get a staffie, and it tore my heart out looking at all those other poor dogs... and then the wifey called me over to see this arrogrant springer spaniel, who just ignored every other dog, even though they were nipping him and biting him and barking in his face. He just stood proud and ignored it all.

And for some reason we took him Best choice we ever made.

But visiting these places is tough, because you do want to take them all, but, I feel just by taking one, you are reducing the problem by 2. Whereas, people buying pure bred dogs are increasing the problem.

madsad

yes..very true.
We have a pure bred but she's a British Bulldog & not seen in rehoming centres,(specialist re-homing),regardless one look at their faces in these places just shouts 'please take me home' & i wish i could, regardless of pure bred or not,my heart just melts.

Donna.

rab

We have two 7 month old kelpie-border collie cross bitches.

They are dear to keep ($20 a week food for the two)
Their de-sexing cost $500+ for the two.
You have to buy a dog licence here about $70 a year for the two
Snake bites kill and if not cost a fortune too like $600+ at least
The good thing is that our dogs cost nothing to acquire (off a farm)

The other thing to bear in mind is that Australia is very dog-unfirendly. In UK you can take your dog a sit with it in the pub, sip your pint and read the paper.

Here your dog is not allowed in - bad hygiene of course. While we have to put up with varying standards of hygiene from our hosts.

You can't leave the dog in the car as it's too hot half the time.

If you want a dog here you have to be keen on the idea.

rab