Do you have your heart set on an Old English Sheepdog? Who wouldn’t fall in love with their long locks and sweet expressions? But once you have decided for sure on the breed, it’s time to hash out the numbers. Depending on whether you adopt the dog or buy them from a breeder, you can pay as little as $50 or as much as $2,000. Monthly costs can range between $45 and $1,025, depending on the circumstances.
Owning a dog entails many expenses, including ones that you might not have thought of yet. So, let’s break down each aspect of dog care to make sure everything fits into your budget.
Bringing Home an Old English Sheepdog: One-Time Costs
Luckily, prepping for a new arrival is generally the most expensive part. But one-time costs can be on the high or low end, depending on where you purchase your Old English Sheepdog and the supplies that you get upfront.
Free
There are situations where you might be able to locate an Old English Sheepdog for free. Sometimes owners fall on hard times, and they might need to find a quick home for their pets. While it is uncommon for this to happen with purebred dogs, it is still possible. Keep in mind that a free dog might not always be a sign of a healthy animal, so be careful before committing.
Adoption
- $50–$350
If you find an adorable Old English Sheepdog at a local shelter, you can give that dog a second chance at a forever home. Adoption costs usually cover spay and neuter, vaccinations, and overall care while they are at the facility.
Breeder
- $1,000–$2,000
If you buy your Old English Sheepdog from a reputable breeder, prices are based on quality, competitive rates, and breeder preference. Steer clear of prices that are too low, as this indicates poor breeding or even potential puppy mill situations.
Initial Setup and Supplies
- $215–$365
Initial costs can rack up pretty quickly. But luckily, for most of these things, you will only need to buy them one time. Others you can replenish as needed, and some will even happen before your dog arrives home with you. So, total costs do vary depending on the situation.
List of Old English Sheepdog Care Supplies and Costs
Here’s a quick cost breakdown of starting products that you’ll likely need in order to take the best care of your Old English Sheepdog.
| ID Tag and Collar | $15 |
| Spay/Neuter | $75–$145 |
| Microchip | $0–$55 |
| Bed/Tank/Cage | $30–$50 |
| Nail Clipper (optional) | $7 |
| Brush (optional) | $8 |
| Toys | $30 |
| Carrier | $40 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10–$15 |
How Much Does an Old English Sheepdog Cost Per Month?
- $45–$1,025 per month
Owning a dog will naturally accrue monthly costs. Most monthly expenses are pretty low since they only consist of dog food and toy replacements. However, if your little bundle of joy has any health issues or other potential expenses, numbers can rack up quite a bit.
It’s always best to be prepared for the unexpected rather than blind-sided by costs you weren’t expecting.
Health Care
- $0–$300+ per month
During the first year of your dog’s life, you will have to go to the vet more frequently than you will in subsequent years. The first year requires booster shots and growth monitoring to make sure your pup is up to par physically. Plus, you’ll need to spay or neuter them by 6 months, in most cases.
However, you shouldn’t have any recurring monthly vet care with a healthy dog. The same is not true if your Old English Sheepdog has an underlying or developing health condition.
Food
- $30–$150 per month
When it comes to diet, you’re going to have to replenish their supply as needed. Dog food can range and cost depending on the brand, dietary restrictions, and size of your dog. A large dog like the Old English Sheepdog will eat more than a Chihuahua, for example.
Also, it would help if you considered that puppies gradually eat more as they age. So, your cost might start lower and grow rapidly over time.
Grooming
- $0–$65 per month
Your Old English Sheepdog will need some daily brushing because they have such gorgeous long locks of hair. You can do this at home using a slicker brush or de-shedding tool.
However, when it comes to grooming professionally, you should take them about every 6 weeks, give or take. So, you might not have this charge every month consistently, and frequency is ultimately up to you.
Medications and Vet Visits
- $0–$300+ per month
When it comes to monthly costs, you probably won’t deal with any medication or vet visits every single month. But that doesn’t mean it’s a sure deal.
Some dogs will require medications that range in cost from something as simple as allergies to something as complicated as a heart problem. It depends on the issue at hand, its severity, and the cost of treatment.
Pet Insurance
- $0–$75 per month
Pet insurance is ever increasing in popularity to cover vet care expenses. Many companies now offer specialized plans for pet owners to curb those costs. Many owners feel it’s incredibly beneficial because so many unexpected things can come up.
If you opt for pet insurance, you pay monthly premiums but dish out less at the vet. You can select the company and policy that works best for you.
Of course, you don’t have to spend anything on a pet insurance premium, as it’s not required. However, it is an excellent little safety measure to keep in place.
Environment Maintenance
- $10–$35 per month
Environmental maintenance for your Old English Sheepdog will lessen as your dog enters adulthood. However, there still are a few things that you will have to replace each month.
| Poop Bags | $10/month |
| Kennel Liners | $10/month |
| Puppy Pads (if needed) | $15/month |
Entertainment
- $5–$100 per month
Just like you, your dog is going to need something to do. They require toys, interactive games, and other means of entertainment. Luckily, unless you have a very destructive dog, these costs run pretty low. There are also lots of DIY options you can make with what you already have lying around.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning an Old English Sheepdog
- $45–$1,025 per month
The total monthly cost of owning an Old English Sheepdog will vary depending on your spending style and the supplies you need. Unless your Sheepdog has a particular ailment, you are probably looking at costs between $45 and $65.
However, those can go up tremendously depending on underlying issues with your particular canine.
Additional Costs to Factor In
- Household Damage: Puppies can be destructive little creatures. When they are small, they might chew up just about everything you own. So, you have to consider the destruction level of your dog and the potential cause for additional expenses.
- Professional Training: Many dogs benefit from behavioral training. Whether the dog is a little bit disobedient or has trouble walking on the leash, this type of training can create a well-rounded mannerly pooch.
- Emergency Vet Care: Sometimes you’re not prepared for your dog to eat an entire tug-of-war rope. Emergency surgeries can be costly, upward of $1,000. If you are unprepared for such an expense, it can really wreak havoc on your accounts.
- Boarding Expenses: Unfortunately, we can’t take our beloved pets with us wherever we go. Thankfully, pet sitting and boarding are becoming much more common these days. However, with convenience comes costs.
Owning an Old English Bulldog on a Budget
It isn’t always an option to cut corners when it comes to overall care. However, there are several areas where you can spend less money. The more you save on general expenses, the more you can put aside for emergency expenses and a rainy day fund.
Saving Money on Old English Sheepdog Care
- DIY Projects: Rather than spending a ton of money on toys and bedding, you could try your hand at making these things at home. There are tons of DIY projects online to explore from creative minds who love helping dog owners out.
- Low-Cost Vet Care: Rather than spending an arm and a leg at the vet, shelters, and rescues often offer low-cost vet care to lessen the blow of necessary procedures. They cover anything from vaccinations to spay and neuter surgeries at a fraction of the cost.
- Autoship Discounts: You can save a few bucks a month if you set up autoship pay options. When you do, it will charge a recurring cost on the same day of each month. The amount will automatically be deducted from your chosen method of payment.
- Doggy Packages: Some companies compile specialized boxes of doggie goodies for owners to buy. These monthly packages combine everything that you need for your dog into one box so you don’t have to buy everything separately. This can save on costs, especially if you have a heavy chewer.
Conclusion
So, now you understand that the highest costs typically stem from initial setup costs and purchasing your actual dog. While expenses after this initial period usually remain low, be prepared for unexpected medical care and other anomalies. Don’t ever be caught off guard, and remember that pet insurance is a tool used by many pet owners to make sure everything goes smoothly should their animals face any physical hardships.
Featured Image Credit: benwongp, Shutterstock
