How Much Is That Doggy?

The UK's Most Affordable Dog Breeds.

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Getting a dog is a big commitment; there’s the time involved, of course, as well as the energy (we're looking at you, Springer Spaniels...) but dog ownership is also a big financial commitment. You have to take into account their food, routine vaccinations and treatments for fleas etc.; then neutering, grooming, toys (and then more toys when that supposedly ‘indestructible’ toy ends up in pieces 10 minutes after you unwrapped it) as well as kennels if you go away. And this isn’t even including the price you pay to buy a dog, the cost of training or how much it might cost to insure them.

But not all dogs cost the same, so we spoke to the experts at The Insurance Emporium to find out which five pedigree breeds are the most affordable, and which are the most expensive, and here’s what they had to say.

The Most Affordable Breeds

Our most affordable breed is the Greyhound, with an average purchase price of £195*.

Next, we have the Patterdale Terrier at £350 and the Jack Russell Terrier at £480.

The Bichon Frise is up next costing, on average, £555 to buy, followed by the Border Collie at £584.

What About the Other End of the Scale?

The first on our list of expensive dog breeds is the Newfoundland, which costs £1,615 to buy. It’s closely followed by the Chow Chow, with its lion-like appearance and distinctive blue-black tongue, it costs a whopping £1,791, on average, to buy. Next, we have the Bulldog, at £1,806; Bulldogs are also Brachycephalic, or flat-faced, so are more prone to health issues such as breathing problems, skin and ear conditions and heart conditions, so they can be more expensive to insure.

The Bull Terrier (miniature) is next on our list, costing £1,834 to buy, followed by the Bernese Mountain Dog  at £1,918.

What Else Do You Need To Consider?

Buying an expensive breed could mean that your dog is more desirable to pet thieves. While dog theft has declined by just over 20% in the last decade, it’s still a huge worry for owners and certain dogs on our list; such as French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Yorkshire Terriers and Shih Tzus are at most risk. Microchipping your dog will help prevent theft, and this is now a legal requirement in the UK – remember to keep your details up to date and taking precautions such as not leaving your dog unattended and keeping them on a lead in busy areas also help. It’s also worth checking whether your insurance covers ‘loss by death or straying’.

You also have to take into account how much it will cost to feed them; larger, or more active dogs, have healthy appetites and can be expensive to feed, whereas smaller dogs tend to cost less to feed, and some studies suggest that they age slower than larger dogs – and therefore live longer – so they don’t deteriorate as quickly or develop the conditions a larger dog may need treatment for.

As dog ownership continues to rise, with the latest figures showing that 36% of UK households now own at least one dog, it’s clear that our dogs are important to us. We want the best for our pooches and while we can’t predict the future, we can do our best to make sure that we’re as prepared as we can be, if the unexpected happens.

The Insurance Emporium’s dog insurance offers a range of different policies so you can find one that suits you, your budget and your dog.

Get a quote today with up to 30% discount** on new policies, including a 20% Introductory Discount and 10% Multi-Pet Discount. 

Visit The Insurance Emporium’s website or call their friendly team on 03300 241 501.

*The average cost owners paid for their pedigree pooch according to The Insurance Emporium’s data from 1/12/2024 to 30/11/2025.

**The maximum available discount is 30% - this is a combination of a 20% Introductory Discount and a 10% multi-pet discount. The Introductory discount is available from the start of the policy until its first review/renewal date. Policy is subject to change at any time. The multi-pet discount is either applied at inception of any new pet policies or at renewal of existing pet policies. 

The Insurance Emporium offers a variety of cover levels, so please check the policy cover suits your needs before purchasing. Excesses may apply. For your protection, please ensure you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy wording, for information on policy exclusions and limitations. 

Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited. The Insurance Emporium ® is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no: 202748.