How Much Does a Chow Chow Cost? 2026 Price Guide

The Chow Chow is a dog that has been around since the Han Dynasty in China. The Chow Chow has a thick coat, broad chest, and distinctive scowl. They are loyal, protective, and independent dogs with a dignified bearing. While they can be excellent pets or guard dogs, there are significant costs associated with owning one. If you want to own a Chow Chow, you'll learn more about how much they cost in this article.

Bringing Home a New Chow Chow: One-Time Costs

One-time costs will include what you pay for a Chow Chow. Usually, this is associated with purchasing the dog and any initial supplies you’ll need, including food and a bed.

Free

You may be lucky to find a Chow for free if you know someone trying to rehome their dog. But even then, owners who care about the dog's welfare may charge a small rehoming fee just to make sure the dog goes to someone who will take care of them.

Adoption

$50–$200

Adopting a Chow Chow from an animal shelter can range from around $50–$200. This fee covers purchasing the dog and the cost of vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery for the dog if the dog is old enough. Sometimes, it may cover microchipping as well. However, for Chow puppies, you may receive a voucher to return for spay/neuter surgery once your dog is old enough.

Image Credit: Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock

Breeder

$600–$1,500+

Chow Chows can cost anywhere from $600 to over $1,500, depending on the breeder and the location. This fee may or may not cover vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery; it depends on the breeder’s rules and policies. However, it doesn’t include the travel costs to and from the breeder if there isn’t a Chow breeder in your area.

It’s important to do your research on reputable breeders and make sure they can answer any questions you have about the dog, let you visit the facility, and provide medical records. Be aware of puppy mills and backyard breeders that sell Chow puppies for cheap. These businesses are more interested in making a profit and may not care about the welfare of the dogs, giving you a potentially unhealthy pup.

Initial Veterinary Exam

$50–$150

It is important to take your new Chow Chow for a veterinary exam within the first few days of adoption. This will help you detect any health problems the shelter or breeder might have missed and ensure your dog is in good health and up to date on vaccination, parasite treatment, etc. The cost of the exam can range from $50–$150, depending on the vet you choose.

Initial Setup and Supplies

$50–$200

Before bringing your Chow Chow home, you will need to purchase various items. These include food, bowls, toys, a collar and leash, and a bed. The cost of these supplies can range from $50 to $200.

List of Chow Chow Care Supplies and Costs

ID Tag and Collar	$15
Spay/Neuter	$145–$250
X-Ray Cost	$100–$250
Ultrasound Cost	$250–$500
Microchip	$45–$55
Teeth Cleaning	$150–$300
Bed	$30-$50
Nail Clipper (optional)	$7
Brush (optional)	$8
Toys	$30
Carrier	$40
Food and Water Bowls	$10

Image Credit: Bianca Grueneberg, Shutterstock

How Much Does a Chow Chow Cost Per Month?

$30–$500+

The cost of owning a Chow Chow will vary depending on your location, the dog’s age and health condition, and any additional costs such as grooming or training. Generally speaking, you can expect to spend anywhere from $50–$150 monthly for food, veterinary care, and supplies. Let’s look at a cost breakdown.

Health Care

$0–$500

The health care of your Chow Chow is essential for their long-term well-being. Depending on the age and health of your dog, you may need to cover additional costs such as flea treatments, vaccinations, spaying or neutering surgery, dental cleanings, emergency veterinary care if needed, and preventative medications. These expenses can range from $0 to $500+ in the case of an emergency, but you may not have an emergency every month, so plan for the lower end of this range.

Food

$30–$100

The cost of food for a Chow Chow can range from $30 to over $100 per month. It is important to provide your dog with high-quality, nutritional food designed for their age and size. Remember that Chows are large dogs and require more food than small and medium breeds, so food will be a large portion of your recurring monthly costs when caring for a Chow.

Grooming ✂️

$0–$150

Chow Chows have a thick coat that needs to be groomed regularly. You can groom them at home, but using a professional groomer is usually easier. You will need to factor in a budget for professional grooming costs, ranging from $50–$150 per month, depending on the length and thickness of their fur. However, grooming may also not need to be done every month.

Medications and Vet Visits

$50–$100

You may need to factor in additional medication costs or vet visits if your Chow Chow develops health issues. These expenses can range from $50–$100 per month, depending on the severity of the problem. Flea treatments and heartworm prevention may be monthly or quarterly costs that you must factor in.

With pet health teleservices growing in popularity, you can rest easy knowing you can get instant advice and pet care from the comfort of your home at a fraction of the cost.

Pet Insurance

$30–$50

Pet insurance is not a necessity, but it can help you cover the costs of unexpected veterinary expenses, especially in the case of emergencies. Most pet insurance policies have a base cost of around $30–$50 per month, but this may vary depending on the type and extent of coverage.

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Environment Maintenance

$0–$50

You will also need to factor in the cost of keeping your Chow Chow’s environment clean and replacing supplies as needed. This includes sprucing up their bedding and toys and cleaning any messes they might make. These costs are minimal; however, you may need to budget up to an additional $50 per month for these expenses.

Entertainment

$0–$50

Your Chow Chow will need plenty of stimulation and exercise, so it is important to factor in the cost of entertainment. Toys and activities that can eep your pup entertained can range from $0–$50 per month. This cost can include memberships to dog parks if the ones in your area charge fees.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Chow Chow

$260–$900

Altogether, the total monthly cost of owning a Chow Chow can range from $260 to over $900, depending on their individual needs. Budgeting ahead and planning for these expenses is important so you can provide your pup with the best care possible. In addition to any costs outlined here, be sure to account for any additional expenses that may come up over time. Owning a Chow Chow is a big responsibility, but the rewards of having such an amazing companion are worth it.

Additional Costs to Factor In

Here are some things that we didn’t account for above, which may not occur monthly, that you may wish to factor in depending on your situation.

Obedience Training: $50–$200
Pet Sitting/Dog Walking Services: $10–$20 per hour
Travel Expenses: Varies depending on the destination
Miscellaneous Supplies, such as Leashes, Collars, and Toys: Varies depending on brand and quality
Possible household damage caused by your pet: Varies depending on the degree of damage
Emergency veterinary expenses: The cost depends on the severity of the injury.
Behavioral training: Varies depending on the program
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention medications: $20–$50 per month.

Owning a Chow Chow on a Budget

If you’re looking at the costs and thinking you’ll never be able to own a Chow Chow, don’t worry. Owning a Chow Chow can be expensive, but there are ways to keep costs down. Food and proper vet care are necessary, but you can save money, especially on recurring expenses.

Saving Money on Chow Chow Care

Start by researching the best food options for your pup and buy in bulk when possible. Look for coupons, discounts, and reward programs from pet stores, department stores, and local supermarkets. Also, look into pet insurance companies to see if they offer discounts or special deals.

Regularly grooming your Chow at home instead of taking them to the groomer is a great way to save money, too. Finally, make sure to factor in the costs of obedience training and behavioral training as these can help your pup become better behaved and more obedient, which can lower your costs incurred due to damages or mishaps over time.

Conclusion

Owning a Chow Chow can be rewarding and expensive. The estimated monthly cost of owning a Chow Chow can range from $260 to over $900, depending on their needs. It is important to plan for these expenses by budgeting ahead and researching the best options for your pup. With proper planning, you can ensure that your pup receives the best care possible while still keeping costs to a minimum. Owning a Chow Chow will be one of the best experiences of your life, so don’t let the costs stand in your way. Happy pet parenting!

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