19-05-2025
The UK's five most budget-friendly dog breeds all with lifetime costs under £15k
Getting a dog is a huge commitment of time, energy, and of course, money. From grooming and vet bills, food and general care, our pups can end up being a surprising strain on our wallets- and that's not even considering the price we pay to take them home in the first place.
But not all doggies cost the same to look after, and experts at Compare the Market have done a bit of digging on which five dog breeds are the absolute cheapest to take care of. And what's more, each of these pooches should cost less than £15,000 over their entire lifetime.
The money experts reviewed the cost of owning some of the most popular dog breeds, covering adoption, insurance, treatments, grooming, and food. The findings reveal which breeds are the most expensive to care for over a lifetime, so you can make an informed choice before adopting a pet that suits your income.
So which dog breeds are the most budget-friendly? Here's what the experts discovered.
The five most affordable dog breeds
1. Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier is the UK's most affordable dog breed, with an average annual cost of £723 and a lifetime cost of £10,973. This lifetime cost is less than half the average dog's lifetime expense of £23,123.
This pooch's small size and longer lifespan contribute to these lower costs, with owners spending approximately £116 per year on grooming and £333 on food.
2. Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Dachshund is the second most affordable UK breed, with lifetime costs of £11,337. Adopting one can cost £1,000, but their small size keeps annual expenses low at £317 for food and £167 for insurance.
However, these pups are prone to spinal issues, so having comprehensive insurance is crucial for potential owners, say the experts.
3. Border Terrier
The Border Terrier rounds out the UK's top three affordable dog breeds, with lifetime costs of £12,284 (£848/year).
Their small size keeps everyday expenses low, although grooming costs about £160 annually due to their wiry coat. With an average adoption fee of £700, they are a budget-friendly choice for dog owners.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Coming up in fourth place is the King Charles Spaniel, which may surprise some, as they are known for their health issues. But with lifetime costs of £14,290, and £982 per year, they are the fourth cheapest dog on the list.
But as they commonly face heart issues and eye problems, it's vital to have proper insurance for this type of spaniel. This may explain why their insurance costs are higher on average than the other budget-friendly pooches on the list, at £2,266.
5. Cockapoo
A last addition to the list of the cheapest dogs is the Cockapoo. Just shy of £15k, the lifetime cost of a Cockapoo came out at £14,934 in the experts' research.
While these tiny pooches had cheaper insurance costs than most of the others on this list, the costs of their dry food came out at a much more expensive £7,555, compared to just £4,276 for the Miniature Dachshund.
