Choosing a dog
How much does it cost to get a dog for the first time?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Setting up for a first dog usually costs 400 to 1,200 EUR (350 to 1,050 GBP) before you count the adoption fee or purchase price itself. That covers a crate, bed, bowls, a collar and lead, an initial vet visit, and enough food and supplies to get through the first few weeks. Add the acquisition cost on top: shelter and rescue fees commonly run 100 to 350 EUR (90 to 300 GBP), while a health tested puppy from a responsible breeder is usually several times that.
One-off setup items
A crate sized for your dog's expected adult size typically costs 40 to 150 EUR (35 to 130 GBP), and a comfortable bed another 30 to 90 EUR (25 to 80 GBP). Bowls, a collar, harness, and lead together usually run 40 to 100 EUR (35 to 90 GBP), and a first stock of food, treats, and basic toys adds 50 to 120 EUR (45 to 105 GBP).
An initial vet visit, which often includes a health check and sometimes the first or a booster vaccination, commonly costs 60 to 150 EUR (52 to 130 GBP) depending on what is due.
Where the price of the dog itself fits in
Adoption fees from shelters and rescues usually include some of this cost already, such as an initial health check, vaccinations, and often neutering, which is why the headline fee looks higher than it first seems. A puppy bought from a breeder who has done full health testing on the parents will usually cost more up front than a shelter fee, and that price difference partly reflects the screening and veterinary work already done.
Spreading the first year
Because so much of this spending happens in the first few months, it helps to separate the true one-off costs from what will become your ongoing monthly spend, so the first year total does not distort your sense of what the dog will cost going forward.
Key takeaways
- Expect 400 to 1,200 EUR (350 to 1,050 GBP) in setup costs before the acquisition fee or price.
- Crate, bed, bowls, and lead make up most of the one-off equipment spending.
- Adoption fees often already include a health check and neutering, which affects the price you see.
- Separate one-off setup costs from ongoing costs so your budget reflects year two accurately.