Being a dog owner is never cheap. But, if you are interested in purchasing a Chow Chow, you are looking into one of the most expensive dog breeds in the canine world, according to the Australian National Kennel Council.
We have calculated what to expect on average regarding the price of these dogs.
As this is one of the most expensive dog breeds in the country, you can expect to pay anything between $3000 to $9000 for quality Chow Chows from a reputable breeder in Australia.
The price you’ll pay for a Chow Chow in Australia ultimately depends on where you buy them from. A Chow Chow from a registered breeder could set you back anywhere from $3,000 – $9,000, depending on the puppy’s lineage, the breeder’s reputation, and more. At the other end of the spectrum, adopting a Chow Chow can cost as little as $100 – $500 in comparison, although, given the breed’s demand and rarity it’s not very common to find a Chow Chow in a shelter.
You might find listings for Chows from breeders that fall below the $3,000 mark, but in this instance, it’s quite likely these are puppies from unregistered breeders. We do not recommend buying from unregistered breeders, as not only are the parent dogs often subjected to unethical breeding practices (like puppy farming), but health screenings and early year care is unlikely to have been provided for the puppies. Instead, always buy from either a registered breeder or give a Chow Chow a second chance from a rescue centre.
Prices for Chow Chows from breeders registered with organisations like the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) generally fall between $3,000 and $9,000. Obviously, this is quite a wide gap in pricing and we’ll look into the finer detail of this later, but, in short, the price will fluctuate depending on the Chow’s bloodline, health, and the breeder’s reputation.
Adopting a Chow Chow is a much cheaper route to take, with adoption fees typically ranging from $100 – $500. This isn’t necessarily a “purchase price”, though, but a fee that covers the costs of vaccinations, desexing, and microchipping. However, given this breed’s rarity and popularity it’s not very common to find Chow Chows in local shelters, so it’s worth registering with organisations like PetRescue Australia, who will be able to tell when a Chow Chow becomes available for adoption.
Several elements can affect the price of a Chow Chow in Australia, including:
Registered and reputable breeders invest a lot of time and resources into making sure both the parent dogs and the puppies are healthy and well-socialised, as well as providing proper health care for them. This dedication and the costs associated often mean higher prices, and a well-socialised puppy with a clean bill of health will be priced at the higher end of the $3,000 – $9,000 range.
Chow Chows from champion bloodlines and with show potential are always going to be more expensive, and the prestige associated with their lineage, combined with superior genetics, will push the price higher towards the $9,000 mark. This is especially true if the breeder has produced puppies from recent or multiple show winning dogs, or if the person looking for the puppies is intending to enter them in dog shows or continue breeding the line.
Puppies that have been screened for certain health issues like hip and elbow dysplasia or eye problems and who have a very low risk of inheriting hereditary diseases will come with a higher price tag. This isn’t only because the costs of conducting these exams is picked up in the price, but because they are seen has being genetically superior, meaning you’re unlikely to have to worry about expensive medical treatment in the future.
Chow Chows come in various coat colours, including red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream. However, some of these colours are much rarer than others and, therefore, more desirable, in which case the price for these will be higher. Also, Chow Chows have two coat types (rough and smooth), and while both are equally valued, availability and demand based on personal preference can affect the cost.
Bringing a Chow Chow into your home means more than just covering the initial purchase price. You’ll also need to buy several items for their comfort and well-being, including:
Dog crate: $100 – $250 for a large, sturdy crate your Chow Chow can use for training and as their own space.
Dog bed: $50 – $150 for a large, comfortable bed that can support their joints and help regulate their body temperature.
Dog collar/lead: $20 – $60 for a durable collar and lead that can withstand potential pulling from a large breed.
Feeding bowl: $15 – $40 for a stainless steel or ceramic bowl shallow enough for a Chow Chow’s shorter muzzle.
Dog toothbrush: $10 – $30 for a set that includes a soft-bristled toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste.
Dog car harness: $30 – $70 for a crash-tested harness that can protect and secure throughout car rides.
Puppy treats: $10 – $30 for high-quality, natural treats that can be used for training and rewarding good behaviour.
Puppy training pads: $20 – $50 per pack for either disposable or washable puppy pads for early months and accidents.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $20 – $50 for a gentle shampoo that can cut through dirt on a thick coat without irritating the skin.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $30 – $100 for a set of brushes designed to tackle a thick, double coat and a set of nail clippers.
An adult Chow Chow can reach weights of 20kg – 30kg, which means they need between 250g – 450g of food each day, depending on their size and sex. In terms of costs, this means (taking the diets listed below into account), you can expect to pay $90 – $450 monthly on average.
Naturally, these costs will vary quite a lot depending on your Chow Chow’s age, the brand you choose, the ingredients each meal contains, and portion size. It’s always best to consult your vet before settling on a feeding plan for your Chow Chow.
Veterinary care is another expense you’ll need to cover, and not just if your Chow Chow becomes ill or gets into an accident. There are preventative procedures they need every year, including:
Annual vet checkups: $90 – $150 per visit for a weigh check, examination of any potential health issues, and advice on their overall health.
Vaccinations: $100 – $200 per year to protect against dangerous diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough through C3 and C5 vaccinations.
Worming and parasite protection: $15 – $30 to prevent your Chow Chow from catching fleas, ticks, and all kinds of nasty worms.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $300 – $600 for examinations and cleaning under anaesthesia, as well as potential extractions.
Pet insurance: $40 – $100 per month to cover accidents, illnesses, and sometimes routine care.
Grooming is a non-negotiable for Chow Chow owners, given their thick, double coats. You’ll need to brush them regularly at home, but they’ll also need to visit a dog groomer regularly to keep their coat and skin healthy, which could cost:
Hydrobath prices: $40 – $80 for a deep clean to remove dirt and loose hair.
Full groom prices: $100 – $180 for a bath, blow dry, brush, de-shedding, nail trim, and ear clean.
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $50 – $100 to clean and trim around these sensitive areas that get dirty quickly.
Chow Chows are pretty independent, and they can be stubborn, so it’s important to get them trained as early as possible to stop any behavioural issues from happening. There are a few training options available, and these come with their own costs:
Basic obedience training prices: $150 – $300 for a 6-week course that covers basic commands, recall, lead walking.
Puppy training class prices: $100 – $250 for a 6-week group course to cover early bad behaviour, house training, and a couple of basic commands.
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $80 – $150 per session to address specific behavioural concerns like aggression, excessive barking, and resource guarding.
There’s no doubt that a Chow Chow can bring years of joy into your life, but they’re also a big financial commitment. You’ll need to be prepared to cover the initial purchase cost, as well as ongoing expenses of vet care, grooming, feed, and more, which, over the course of a Chow Chow’s 8 – 12 year average lifespan, can certainly add up. So, think about the costs before you decide this is the breed for you. After all, a Chow Chow, like any other dog, needs a reliable, responsible human who can give them everything they need.
Several things influence whether your Chow Chow puppy will be on either end of the price spectrum. Some of the most likely reasons are:
Chow Chows come in red, blue, cream, cinnamon or cream. Any other colour that sounds too fancy to be true most likely isn’t true. Watch out for breeders who want to sell you chocolate, champagne or lilac Chow and drive prices up due to that; these colours aren’t part of the breed standard.
Breeding with show-quality parents influences the price of many pure breeds, and you will be paying upwards of $ 5,000 for Chow Chow puppies that have been bred with not just healthy but high-quality dogs as parents.
Responsible breeders will do genetic testing and communicate whether the pups are of high-quality DNA standards and are, therefore, rare. Being a brachycephalic breed (with a shortened skull and nose similar to a French Bulldog), these dogs must be bred responsibly as they otherwise can face serious health issues related to their respiratory system.
The availability of a Chow Chow in your area and whether you are in touch with a highly experienced or novice breeder will impact Chow Chow prices in Australia.
Try to choose a breeder in your area who is a member of an Australian Kennel Club and has been breeding these dogs for a while.
On top of that, a breeder should not give their breed puppies away too early on in life, and you should receive your puppies chipped and already vaccinated with their first round of shots.
Just because you bought yourself a Chow does not mean that the expenditures are now over. There are vet bills to be paid, food to be bought, and their thick coat requires grooming as well.
Here’s what you can estimate to pay for your breed’s maintenance:
Feeding this breed can cost you between $150 to $350 per year, and you should put an additional $350 on average aside for treats and other snacks you might want to give your dog during training phases or simply as general rewards.
You can expect to pay between $500 and $900 in the first year of this breed for all necessary vaccinations, insurance, chipping, and potential neutering or spraying. From then onwards, you can expect to pay about $600 per year on average to cover trips to the vet and necessary medication, such as tick and flea prevention.
If you don’t want to put in the extra effort and groom your Chow Chow by yourself, you will be spending between $75 and $120 per visit to the groomer. That being said, these dogs don’t require special grooming, so you can save a lot of money just by clipping their nails and brushing them yourself.
Whether or not something is worth its price is always a very subjective question and depends on how much you want to have a Chow Chow.
A furry family member rarely comes cheap, but the Chow Chows are some of the most expensive dog breeds.
However, loyal dog owners will most likely go above and beyond to ensure their pups have everything, from a healthy family environment to pet insurance to overly pampered pets.
If you want to buy this rare breed, you should know the higher price you will spend acquiring and maintaining these dogs. If you want to save some initial costs, you can choose adoption from local shelters instead of getting your dog from a chosen breeder.
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