As adorable as they are, owning a dog doesn’t always come cheap. Even if they are adopted from a shelter rather than purchased from a breeder, they can be pricey to ensure, not to mention the money you have to spend on their food and grooming.
And there’s one breed of dog that’s significantly more expensive to own than the rest. The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is the priciest pooch, according to a new study carried out by Pet Insurance Deals. The experts found that this adorable breed of dog costs, on average, £16,250 over the course of its life.
After its average initial cost of £500, this dog would set you back £104 per month for the rest of its life – which is usually around 13 years. That figure includes a staggering £5,789 spent on food alone.
According to the experts, size is a huge factor in determing how much a pet will cost. Seven out of the 10 most expensive breeds in the survey weigh more than 36kg on average, with the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog weighing up to 60kg.
What is a Romanian Mioritic Shepherd?
These striking dogs originate from the mountains in Romania and they’re ‘very impressive in size and character’, according to the American Kennel Club.
They are very loyal, independent and ‘fiercely protective’, and thanks to their long coats, they require a lot of grooming – which no doubt contributes to their high costs.
Despite their strong nature, they are very sensitive too and they need ‘close family ties’ in order to thrive. Daily exercise and training is crucial, and they’re quick to learn too, making them highly effective guardians.
What is the cheapest dog to own?
At the opposite end of the scale, the English toy spaniel was found to be the most affordable breed for British dog owners.
These small dogs cost £5,163 over their 11-year lifetime, or just £39.12 per month.