This costs a dog

You've been dreaming about it for years and suddenly you think: let's do it. A dog. Every day when you come home, a wagging little bundle that makes a puddle of happiness because it sees you again. You've probably thought it through well and considered how you're going to handle walking it, etc., but have you also thought about the costs? Here's a summary.

The dog itself
Of course, you can adopt a dog from the shelter or through a nice initiative like Houndation, which saves a dog that is having a hard time. There are also reasons why you might want a puppy from a breed, for which you should expect a purchase price between 1700 and 2500 euros. One-time.

Accessories
A bed, a crate, a leash, a collar, a tag with your number on it, a brush, and a food bowl, and of course biodegradable poop bags. That quickly adds up to 150 euros. One-time.

Puppy training course
That quickly adds up to 100 euros. One-time.

Municipal tax
The amount depends on your municipality. In Haarlem, it's 93 euros for your first dog and 156 for your second. Annually.

Veterinary visit
Think about vaccinations and keep in mind regular veterinary visits. An inflamed ear, an open wound from scratching... If you have a puppy from a litter, he/she has already had their first vaccination when you get them. You will still go to the vet at twelve weeks and after a year. I often spend around forty euros for a visit. Let's say an average of 100 euros per year.

Sterilization/castration
Depending on your dog's weight, but expect around 300 euros. One-time.

Dog walking service
Maybe you don't have time to walk a lot on a certain day. A dog walking service costs around 15 euros per hour. Let's say you do this once a week, fifty weeks a year: 750 euros.

Dog groomer
Depending on the type of coat, but my dog needs grooming every three months and I pay 70 euros for that. Per year: 280 euros.

It's clear that it's going to be fun, but it's certainly not cheap. In the year of purchase, it can easily add up to an amount of 4000 euros. After that, it gets cheaper, but keep this in mind in your considerations.