Costs of having a Puppy/Dog | ExpatWoman.com
 

Costs of having a Puppy/Dog

82
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 14:57

We are thinking about adding to the family by getting a puppy. Assuming that we get a golden retriever/labrador type puppy, can someone tell me the costs of maintaining a dog. This will be our first pet and we are a little in the dark about monthly costs for food/grooming/vaccinations etc. Also, does anyone know much a dog trainer costs per session to help us housetrain the puppy?

TIA

133
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 14:03
Bored? Never? In fact for our girl it's an asset covering the same routes - she has doggy friends she greets on her walks, shoots the breeze with and then moves on, looking for the next friend to catch up with! And if she misses them on her walk for whatever reason, I'm pretty sure she smells them anyway ;) Meadows is a great place to have a dog, all those lovely paths to walk/run them on without cars. The only sad thing for me is not really being able to take her to the beach here. She sulks every time we go without her.
82
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 12:37
Thanks everyone for your input. It sounds like the costs are not always the main issue. Its the lack of places to take your dog. We live in the Meadows so we assumed that walks around there would be sufficient but does anyone know if dogs get bored taking the same route everyday. Last weekend we went for dinner to Arz Lebanon which is on the Marina Promenade and we saw several people walking their dogs around the yacht club area and nobody seemed to complain. I don't know if we saw some isolated cases or whether some places are unofficially becoming more dog-tolerant.
2937
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:28
LOL. I run with a friend and we are doing the 10k on Friday. Look out for us: We will be wearing tshirts that read TWO OLD BAGS on the front and M5 Poop Patrol on the back. We both own dogs and are sick to death of having to dodge horrible piles left by other irresponsible owners! But that's a whole other thread! I'll tell DH to look out for you - DS and I will be having a lie-in at home! :D Enjoy your run.
1759
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:27
As an addition to the raw food diet - it was at least comparable (and sometimes cheaper) if the chicken was on sale - and I didn't feed the pricier bagged dog foods like Eukanuba or Science Diet.
133
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:19
LOL. I run with a friend and we are doing the 10k on Friday. Look out for us: We will be wearing tshirts that read TWO OLD BAGS on the front and M5 Poop Patrol on the back. We both own dogs and are sick to death of having to dodge horrible piles left by other irresponsible owners! But that's a whole other thread!
2937
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:13
I'm out every day with both pups and offspring so I can keep an eye out ;). And I am on poop patrol as I am sick of getting dirty looks when it wasn't my boys who left the offending pile, so I am always on alert!
133
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:12
Did I mention I wear glasses for long distance? Well....it didn't look like it was a spring chicken but I can't confirm that it was a senior citizen :) Don't stress about it though, sure you have enough on your plate with pups and offspring :)
2937
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:08
Hey Dubai Cat, sorry about late response I was away doing other stuff. Given that I see this dog in a bit of a blur as I am slamming on brakes, swerving to other side of the road, I think its a golden Lab, not a golden retriever. It would be great if you could advise the owners to get her to keep it from wandering on to the road while she chats. Dogs, got to love em. :) Is it an older dog? If so I think I know the one. I'll see what I can do!
133
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 22:02
We had our dog operated on here (fingers crossed successfully - 6 months of remission now) for cancer. She had terrific care, and recovered well eventually. It cost a third of what it would have cost us in Australia (my aunt's dog needed the identical operation) and we had a Kiwi vet operating on her. We don't feed Ekanuba, we feed the dog Pal, she's happy and healthy and it doesn't cost a fortune. Like anything else in life, I think you can do it at different price points. I'm not judging anyone else's decisions BTW, just posting an alternative point of view on cost. Doesn't mean anyone loves their dog more/less depending on spend ;)
133
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:59
Hey Dubai Cat, sorry about late response I was away doing other stuff. Given that I see this dog in a bit of a blur as I am slamming on brakes, swerving to other side of the road, I think its a golden Lab, not a golden retriever. It would be great if you could advise the owners to get her to keep it from wandering on to the road while she chats. Dogs, got to love em. :)
4
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 21:51
Negatives: - The actual cost of food is the least of what you need to consider IMHO (its about 350-500AED for a months supply of Ekanuba +). this is a not a dog friendly society - you cant take him anywhere, so he is going to be cooped up in your home for his whole life, except for his 2 daily walks; its like having a baby that does not grow up, need to clear up and mop up all the time, they shed and dribble, needs to be groomed, bathed, fed, carefully monitored to catch infections early on, vet bills are a nightmare -( I think most of the mansions on the palm must belong to the vets here lol.). Most difficult of all is there is no affordable support system to fall back on when you travel - kennels and sitters will cost you more than a bit! Not practical in dubai. Positives: unconditional love, and a bundle of joy, i cant imagine my home without my 4-legged baby.
2958
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 19:56
Please also factor in the cost of taking the animal back to your home country with you should you have to leave Dubai. Sadly, many many animals are abandoned because owners have not realised how expensive it is to fly the animals out. Also make sure that all vaccinations needed for your home country are kept up to date too. good luck I hope you find your forever pet.
2937
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 19:16
Dubai Cat, I know you and your husband used to walk the dogs yourself, but is it your dogs who are being walked by an Ethiopian maid now and have been for a while? She takes really good care of your pair, but I've seen her walk with another Ethiopian maid who lets the dog she is looking after walk out on the road in front of our car. More than once. Remonstrating with her has made no difference and we have almost hit the dog before now. Maybe you know the owner and can speak with them? Nope, we still walk them ourselves (sadly no room for a maid in this house!). But I do know of the pair you're on about - I'll ask DH if he's seen them recently or knows how we could get hold of the owners. What kind of dog is the one being allowed into the road? ETA: Thanks for that, marycatherine. I would definitely consider raw if we had the space for another freezer but it's a squash with all of us in here as it is! :) <em>edited by DubaiCat on 16/01/2011</em>
333
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 18:36
I agree with Jumeriah Jane, it's great that you and your family want to take on a dog, it's a wonderful experience for a family that I would hightly recommend. If this is your first time though perhaps it might be worth considering fostering one for a while to see if it suits your family and lifestyle. They restrict you quite a bit unless you are prepared to take them everywhere you go, or find pet sitters or kennels. Then as others mentioned they need exercise, there's the issue of poo and wee, vet bills etc. Training takes a lot of effort, it's not just a cost, you have to maintain it or they become destuctive and annoying. Don't mean to preach but maybe consider the foster avenue first.
1759
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 18:30
For the allergic dog you might try a raw food diet. When I had a second fridge (and freezer) I fed my dog raw chicken, cooked rice, a green veg (she liked string beans) and carrots (I chopped the veg in a food chopper. It's about 1/3 for each component. The chicken was chopped into pieces (2 pcs for wings and drumstick/thighs and 2 pcs for each breast and back. There is no need to worry about bones - cooked bones are not good as they can splinter but uncooked chicken is OK. I would buy the cases of 10 frozen chickens and defrost 2 or 3 a week. Chop up enough veg for 2 or 3 days at a time and maybe 4 days worth of rice would be cooked at once. She was uncertain about it in the beginning but liked it quite well after the first few days (it is messy though). Her coat was great, it got rid of the tartar buildup on her teeth and the poops were smaller (no grain fillers as in regular dog food). I also have a liver treat recipe which is a sure fire winner - but not suitable for households whose members become nauseous at the smell of liver cooking
476
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 18:28
What about just fostering a pup from one of the animal rescue places for a bit to get the hang of it? That way you are not commited and will gain lots of experience with support?
1052
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 18:25
Yep i second the little bit older dog (toddler lol) our last dog we rescued from the pound, he was about to be put down that day, he developed distemper once we got him home and vet said unlikely to survive the week 9 years later and he is still going strong, he was about 9 months old when we got him our DS was 3 months old at the time, he was an amazing boy, had been treated very bad and was nervous but soon became a loving companion to my DS followed him everywhere, when he started walking, he was always a few steps behind him watching him, never once had a nip at him all the pulling DS did on him too bless him, he was an absolute cracker.
379
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:55
I second Egg's note of getting a puppy from the shelter. Also, whenever we get a pet, I factor into the budget to have enough to repatriate the animal to our home country in the event that we leave (this is assuming you are not a citizen of the UAE). For us, that's about 20k per animal. Bravo to you DesertBoot!!!! If only everyone who takes in a pet would do that!!!!
133
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:55
Dubai Cat, I know you and your husband used to walk the dogs yourself, but is it your dogs who are being walked by an Ethiopian maid now and have been for a while? She takes really good care of your pair, but I've seen her walk with another Ethiopian maid who lets the dog she is looking after walk out on the road in front of our car. More than once. Remonstrating with her has made no difference and we have almost hit the dog before now. Maybe you know the owner and can speak with them?
133
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:52
Aylaali, if this is your first dog, getting a young dog, rather than a puppy might be the best thing for you. Puppies can be really hard work and they jump up on kids, are a bit nippy (exploring boundaries like toddlers), and chew lots. And that's before you think about the puddles lol! I abs. love dogs, and now my kids are 6 and 7 and speak 'dog' really well, I wouldn't hesitate to get a puppy. But 4 years ago when they were babies, we got a 9 month old dog from K9 and it was the right way to go. She was just an angel from day 1 and integrated into our family very easily. We've just fostered the most beautiful puppy and 4 years ago I would have been tearing my hair out. Now the kids are older, they were very much in charge when she jumped up on them and not at all disturbed. Just throwing that out there. If you want a puppy, the most gorgeous, loving desert dog (our fostered pup) has just gone back to Sharjah Cat and Dog Shelter after 4 weeks of learning her manners and being totally spoilt. But if you want an older dog, there was a full grown golden retriever there today who had obv. come from a loving home and was eager to go back to one. Broke my heart - who could leave such a loving guy (or girl - hard to see under that coat lol)? Good luck Aylaali, and good on you for researching this thoroughly and apols for the length of this post!
2937
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:21
We have two golden retrievers and kennels for them when we're away are the biggest expense. They stayed in kennels for almost three weeks over Christmas and it was over 3,000dhs (if I remember rightly). They are a lot of work and a big responsibility! Two good walks a day, lots of attention and did I mention fur all over the place?! But we wouldn't be without the big oafs :D. We use the municipality vet and it's very reasonable. The only thing I've found they don't do - so far - is the kennel cough vaccination, which they need before they go to the kennels, and it's around 250dhs per dog at the private vets. One of ours is allergic to loads of things so finding food for him was a challenge. Luckily for us, one he isn't allergic to is one we get in Geant, and it's much cheaper than the brands you can buy in the vets. He used to have Eukanuba and it set us back 250dhs a big bag. Turned out it was giving him itchy bits too.
145
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:47
Other posters have already given you some estimated cost.... am just here to inform you that should you wish to 'save money' - you can have your dog vaccinated and municipality tagged done at the Municipality Vet in Khawaneej for half the cost (160 for vaccine and 10 for the tag). Grooming can cost you between 150 - 300 per visit. Alternatively you can wash the dog yourself and buy the inital haircutter (which is about dhs 500) and cut the hair yourself - though the nails we still get the pet shop to do it. Check with friends and families (if you have them living here) if they would be open to dogsit your dog whilst you are on holiday ... this arrangement can help you save the money and put it in the medical backup cost for the dog. Dog is part of family and you cna't just leave them behind because financially you can't take care of them ... got to save the money NOW! :)
33
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:39
You can get dentistix at Spinneys and at Carrefour, they are about 10aed for a packet of 6.
33
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:37
I have two small dogs (10kg each). Vet fees are approx 400 each per year. I spend about 60aed per week on food for them. (together)
1430
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:35
To comment on the food, I have a Retriever/Collie cross - his food (Royal Canin) is 185dhs a bag and it lasts about 5 weeks - the Dogs Trust told us if you feed them poor quality food it is generally full of additives and fillers - that's why it's cheap. On top of that he has a dentistix each day for his teeth (visitors bring in from UK as they are hard to get here!) but they work out about 40dhs a week based on UK costs. I buy flea treatment (Advocate) which we dose once a month from the UK which costs about £80 a year. I think the last time we had boosters they were 300dhs plus the municipality tag which I think was 90dhs? As a previous poster has mentioned - give K9 a call I am sure they will give you the whole picture as they really want to rehome their dogs. Also I would have a contingency for emergency vet bills as they are massive and there is no pet insurance here, it's not uncommon for a relatively minor visit to the vets to cost you well in advance of 1,000dhs if you're lucky. Our dog is part of the family we would not be without him, but do consider the costs and the tie of having them, kennel costs can mount up too if you plan to be away on holidays. ps lucky you and your DH's co repatriating pets ... we have our savings fund for ours x
82
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 16:07
We may well get a dog from K9 friends so the example we used was more for size than anything else. Disregarding costs for getting the puppy and repatriation costs (work pays for repatriation of family (and pets)), I would love to get an idea of the food/trainer/vaccination costs.
870
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 15:31
only get a big dog if you have a big enough property and are willing to walk a big dog twice a day minimum half hour twice daily and that you are willing to clean up the poop when u are walking the dog. big dogs eat a lot, hard crunchie dog food is best and is expensive if you buy a decent brand. vet fees are expensive. injections yearly every year. plus chipping dog. plus any incidental costs re accidents and emergencies. worming. then there is municipality registering yearly for tag add on cost yes if you have to go home and take with you. plus shampoo to wash dog, or grooming fees. house training will have to be done by yourselves - the trainers only teach you tricks of the trade. you dont mind a big dog digging/pooping etc in your garden. we bought our small dog as the rescue dogs we looked at were all too big for our house at the time, he was fine and well and vet said perfect no signs of illness or inbreeding. we love him to bits, cant imagine life without him now. good luck if you do get a dog. they give you unconditional love if well looked after. mine always seems to be smiling :) and he makes me smile too.
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 15:22
I second Egg's note of getting a puppy from the shelter. Also, whenever we get a pet, I factor into the budget to have enough to repatriate the animal to our home country in the event that we leave (this is assuming you are not a citizen of the UAE). For us, that's about 20k per animal.
1052
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 15:10
Goodness, i imagine its very expensive over here and you have to be careful as a lot of puppies from sale over here are from puppy farms which are not too good by all accounts, think the cost of a puppy alone would be well over 10,000 AED, then there are vet fees on top and regular vet check ups, a friend of mine bought a pup cost her 12,500 within 2 weeks he had died, she contacted the breeder, who said oh sorry here is another one, she was given another one, which had numerous health issues and cost her in excess of 20,000 to get him right and sort of healthy, he is permanently on medication, very sad. Just be very careful when choosing one, have you tried K9 friends, they have lots of animals looking for a loving home even puppies, might be worth a shot, we have never had breeded dogs only rescue ones and the ones we have been fortunate enough to have in our lives have been the most amazing animals we felt very lucky with all of them. Good luck :)
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY