If you’re looking to bring a fluffy bundle of energy, you can’t go wrong with an American Eskimo Dog. This wonderful breed is the ideal family pet, with loads of affection to offer paired with a playful, intelligent personality. But how much is it going to cost to bring this joy into your home? Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the true cost of owning an American Eskimo Dog. We’ve got the lowdown on the initial purchase price, the costs of ongoing care, and even how much you’ll need to put aside for those essentials they need for a happy and comfortable life with you.
The first thing to think about is how much it’s going to cost just to buy an American Eskimo Dog. This will vary depending on whether you choose to go through a registered breeder, which will cost between $2,000 and $4,500, or an adoption shelter, who will charge an adoption fee of around $300 – $800.
This is obviously quite a big price difference, and there’s a lot that goes into this, which will look at in a moment. However, one very important thing to note is that, while it might be tempting to buy a cheaper pup from a listing you’ve found online, this is something to avoid at all costs. These are likely being sold by unregistered breeders who will prioritise profit over the health of the puppy, potentially leading to serious health and behavioural issues later in life. So, make sure you only either adopt through a shelter or purchase from a registered breeder.
If you feel buying from a registered breeder is the best option, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,500 for an American Eskimo Dog puppy. Things like the dog’s lineage and the breeder’s reputation will influence the total price, with pet-quality puppies sitting at the lower end of the price range compared to those with champion bloodlines.
Adopting an American Eskimo Dog is a budget-friendly option, and it comes with that good feeling of knowing you’re giving a dog in need a second chance. You’ll likely be charged between $300 and $800 in adoption fees, which cover the dog’s vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing. However, since American Eskimo Dogs aren’t as common in shelters as other breeds, you might need to do a bit of searching to find one, or you can register your details with organisations like Rescue Me, who will be able to tell you when one becomes available.
There are a few different things that go into determining where an American Eskimo Dog is priced between that $2,000 and $4,500 average, including:
To start, a highly reputable breeder who invests in genetic testing and health screenings will charge more because the costs of conducting these need to be covered. Now, while this does increase the price, you do have the peace of mind of knowing that your puppy is less likely to suffer from fewer issues in the future, which could actually end up saving you money in the long run. Likewise, the breeder will have prioritised the health of the puppies and the parent dogs, so you’ll be getting a pup from a happy, socialised, and well-adjusted family.
Another thing that will influence the cost is whether or not the puppy comes from a bloodline of show-winning dogs or has a lineage with exceptional breed traits. Those that do will always be more expensive than pet-quality dogs, and if they have an especially long lineage of champions in their bloodline, you can expect the price to sit at the higher end of the $2,000 to $4,500 scale. With this in mind, if you do choose to buy through a registered breeder but are looking for a family pet rather than a show dog, you can narrow your search down by only contacting reputable breeders who specialise in companion dogs.
Most people want a puppy, which means 8 to 12-week-old American Eskimo Dogs tend to have the highest price tags, simply because they meet the most demand. However, if you’re happy to take an older dog home, you’ll find the price is lower, especially if you adopt. Just keep in mind when adopting an older dog that, while the initial fees will be lower, they may come with health issues you’ll need to be comfortable covering the expenses of moving forward.
Then there’s the size of the dog. American Eskimo Dogs come in variations of Toy, Miniature, and Standard, and it’s the Toy and Miniature breeds that are usually priced higher because of their demand and the extra care required in breeding smaller-sized dogs. Standard-sized American Eskimo Dogs, on the other hand, are usually more affordable in comparison.
It’s easy to think just buying your American Eskimo Dog is the end of the expenses, but there are also some essential supplies you’ll need to have ready and waiting for them when they come into your home. Here’s a breakdown of these items and their average costs:
Dog crate: $100 – $250 for a sturdy crate that can provide your dog with a safe place to retreat to when they want some downtime.
Dog bed: $80 – $150 for a durable, orthopaedic bed that offers good support and a cooling layer for added comfort during the warmer months.
Dog collar/lead: $20 – $80 for a strong collar and lead set you can use on daily walks.
Feeding bowl: $10 – $40 for a slow-feeder bowl that will reduce the risk of bloating and encourage better feeding habits.
Dog toothbrush: $10 – $30 for a canine toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste design to prevent dental disease.
Dog car harness: $40 – $80 to keep your American Eskimo Dog safe during car rides.
Puppy treats: $10 – $40 per month for treats you can use to train, reward good behaviour, and offer some quiet time with.
Puppy training pads: $20 – $50 per pack to help prevent stains and direct your dog to the right place during the early housebreaking months.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $15 – $40 for a hypoallergenic shampoo that can deep clean a thick coat without irritating the skin.
Dog nail clippers, brushes, & combs: $20 – $80 for a set of grooming tools, including a slicker brush that will help stop their thick coat from matting.
Naturally, there are also going to be some ongoing costs to think about, too. These include food, vet care, and more, and to make sure you’re fully prepared for the costs, we’ll take a look at what you need to budget for below.
First up, food. A healthy adult American Eskimo Dog weight range varies quite a lot depending on their size. But, to give you an average idea of costs, let’s use a Standard American Eskimo Dog who will weigh around 16kg and need about 400g of food each day. When we look at the diet types below, this means your average monthly dog food bill could be between $60 and $360.
It is important to stress here that the amount you’ll spend will depend on several factors, including whether you own a Toy, Miniature, or Standard American Eskimo Dog. Speak with your veterinarian about the best diet for your dog before settling on their food type and feeding amount.
You’ll also need to cover the cost of your American Eskmo Dog’s yearly vet care, which will include several procedures, each of which has its own price range:
Annual vet checkups: $80 – $150 for a health assessment that checks for early signs of issues, a weigh check, and overall wellness advice.
Vaccinations: $100 – $250 per year for C3 and C5 vaccinations that protect against parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough, and other nasty doggy diseases.
Worming and parasite treatment: $10 – $30 per month to stop your dog from catching fleas, ticks, heartworm, and various intestinal parasites.
Dental cleaning: $300 – $600 per session to deep clean plaque and, if needed, carry out any extractions under anaesthesia.
Pet insurance: $30 – $100 per month across different levels of coverage to help with the cost of any unexpected medical expenses.
Because American Eskimo Dogs have long, thick, fluffy coats, they need regular grooming to keep them in the best possible condition. This means trips to the groomer, which you’ll also need to foot the bill for, and depending on the services you need you can expect to pay:
There’s no doubt that you want your American Eskimo Dog to be as happy and well-behaved as possible, and this means you’ll need to invest in some training classes. The cost of these vary, depending on what kind of training your pup needs, but here’s an average breakdown:
We totally get it – American Eskimo Dogs are beyond cute with their fluffy coats and playful personalities. But they’re also a long-term financial commitment and, over the course of their average 13 – 15 year lifespan, you’ll spend thousands of dollars keeping them happy and healthy. So, before you bring one into your home, make sure you’re confident you can afford to give them the life they deserve. If you can, you’ll have a new best friend who will bring joy to your home for many years to come.
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