Skip to content

How Much MY Basenji Cost is His First Year:

Basenji Talk
  • oh my goodness, if I tried to tally up the expenses of the treats and toys for my baby boy… I love to shower him with fun things to play with. But on the plus side, he has yet to ruin anything in the home after 9 months (crosses fingers)

  • very cool….and I can tell you this...Pippin has been WAY more pricey...starting from day #1..up until now..and he is 10 months old...but...A) you can't put a price on his love, B) I won't tell my husband all of the involved costs and C) I will do it again!!

  • @Kenji24:

    How Much MY Basenji Cost is His First Year:
    Without this plan; when Kenji was neutered it would have cost me nearly $800, but it only cost $210.

    Yikes!!!

    It only cost us ~$384 when we had Blaze neutered…and that INCLUDED having him microchipped, his rabies vaccination, repair his umbilical hernia, pre-anethestic blood work, and the after-surgery medication.

  • @LindaH:

    Yikes!!!

    It only cost us ~$384 when we had Blaze neutered…and that INCLUDED having him microchipped, his rabies vaccination, repair his umbilical hernia, pre-anethestic blood work, and the after-surgery medication.

    I know prices around the country vary, but $800 for a neuter in KY seems really high to me too. Z's spay was significantly less than 1/2 that cost (including pre-op blood work, pain meds and the surgery). And often spays are more $. I would bet the cost of living in co is about the same or slightly more in co compared to ky.

  • In Northern Ca, average spay/neuter is around 400 to 800.00. There are cheaper, however as they say, you get what you pay for.

  • I don't want to count the shoes I have had to repair/replace…our fault for leaving them where the b's can get them.

  • @LindaH:

    Yikes!!!

    It only cost us ~$384 when we had Blaze neutered…and that INCLUDED having him microchipped, his rabies vaccination, repair his umbilical hernia, pre-anethestic blood work, and the after-surgery medication.

    Wow… you did not too bad compared to our costs on the west coast of Canada (we are basically in a suburb of Vancouver). Along with pre-surgery blood work and urinalysis, our bill was almost $700.00. And that was with nothing additional done. Rabies had already been done, no hernias to repair and Kipawa was already microchipped by his breeders.

    I know I could find a less costly vet, but I have built up a very good relationship with them and trust them totally. They were so wonderful when my angel cat Barney got cancer, arranging for us to see a specialist two days later. Everything they do provides peace of mind for me and my animalsis, and I just can't put a price on that.

  • A good vet is worth the price of their services, IMO.

  • Wow, I must confess that I'm often shocked by how much spay/neuters cost on this side of the world, since I never had to do one. Bowpi was already spayed when we got her, and Bowdu was neutered when we were living in Taiwan – for the oh so exorbitant cost of about $60USD. S/Ns are actually subsidized there so the gov't will PAY vets for every spay/neuter they perform, and so vets stand to make a decent chunk of change even when they charge clients such a small amount.

    Anyway, I do think it's important to keep track of expenses like this, and it'll probably help others who want a more realistic idea of the expenses incurred in raising a dog. There's always more than that cute face to worry about, especially for the first year!

  • I have Voodoo now for 3 months, and he is 9 months old now, but here it has been a lot cheaper. Had most of the stuff he needed allready from my other dogs, so only expenses I had was food and getting him ready to enter Sweden (rabi?s-titer, de-worming…). Over here his food is free, vet is free, so now he doesn't cost me anything. With some quick calculations, I spend a total of 140 dollar on him so far.

  • It is important to be able to explain to people the cost of proper care… Many are so hung up on the price of a pup, they do not realize that proper care way out spend the cost to purchase. And when they understand those costs, they can more understand why the price might seem high to them.

    So many people question the price saying "I only want a pet", but the cost to breed that pet is no different then a show/performance puppy if you do it right.

  • @tanza:

    It is important to be able to explain to people the cost of proper care… Many are so hung up on the price of a pup, they do not realize that proper care way out spend the cost to purchase. And when they understand those costs, they can more understand why the price might seem high to them.

    So many people question the price saying "I only want a pet", but the cost to breed that pet is no different then a show/performance puppy if you do it right.

    Excellent comments, Pat!

  • @tanza:

    It is important to be able to explain to people the cost of proper care… Many are so hung up on the price of a pup, they do not realize that proper care way out spend the cost to purchase...

    My thoughts exactly, this is one of the reasons why I posted this.

    @LindaH:

    Yikes!!!

    It only cost us ~$384 when we had Blaze neutered…and that INCLUDED having him microchipped, his rabies vaccination, repair his umbilical hernia, pre-anethestic blood work, and the after-surgery medication.

    Yeah, yikes is right. I did some digging and found that around 800 is on the high end and 200 - 400 is a good number for this area. Thankfully I could do the wellness plan. Since this was my first dog and first S/N, I kinda went overboard on the post op stuff. Meds (which he didnt need), the halo so he didnt lick himself, the laser up-charge and there was another up-charge that i choose. The laser, they said, would heal quicker and is less painful after the op. Apparently they were correct, Kenji was only lethargic that day. the next day he was close to normal. he ate well, slept all day and went for a nice long walk. Everyday after that he was back to his old self.

    @MacPack:

    Good post. It's very for anyone to have an idea how much this 'extra mouth' will cost. You didn't have a couch or expensive shoe replacement so you are actually doing really well, haha!
    And best of all, you have Kenji, and that's priceless!

    Thanks, I really do hope this post help future and even current owners. So far Kenji really doesn't like chewing on shoes. he used to chew on shoe laces but hasn't done that in a while. BUT he does like underwear and socks… and still shews on my chairs, :mad: GRRRR :mad:!! But I'd rather replace those then 50 - 100 pair of shoes.

    Like everyone else said he is priceless. I cant put a price on him.

  • @Kenji24:

    Thanks, I really do hope this post help future and even current owners. So far Kenji really doesn't like chewing on shoes.

    Don't believe I'd have said (typed) that outloud. Just sayin.

  • @agilebasenji:

    Don't believe I'd have said (typed) that outloud. Just sayin.

    I knocked on wood right after :p :) ;)

  • And we are learning of better ways to save money on Kenji. After several destroyed plastic frisbees I got him a durable fabric frisbee that he hasn't been able to damage yet. $6 well spent for that birthday present!! :cool:

  • I go my local Joann's and buy fleece. There are plenty of free plans for a no-sew fleece blankets. Fleece is nice - you don't have to finish the edges b/c it won't unravel like other fabrics. it also washes/wears well. In addition to a blanket, i've braided strips and made it into a nice dog toy.

    I also buy toys on sale and put them in the xmas box. All the basenjis have already gotten 2 new coats for the upcoming winter. One for the house and one for outside. Fetchdog.com was having a sale, plus I found an online coupon so for less than $100, I bought 6 coats. The down coat is now on sale for $12 and the fleece jacket (the one being advertised by a basenji) is also on sale.

  • hehe never thought to total up expenses. but this was Hope's expenses for a year. (just for a different view?)

    Out total cost for our first year: $2,454 …. oh my.. wow!

    My cost to buy Hope: $700
    Crate: $50
    Monthly worming $22 (Total $154)
    Vaccinations total:$100 (only had to pay for 2 as first one was free through the breeder along with the microchipping)
    Treats roughly $100
    Toys (shop bought/ebay etc) $100
    Emergency vets due to hip dislocation + care $700
    Collars: $70
    Dog Agility $45 ($20 to join and every time we went until the break over christmas and then Hopes accident)
    Registration with the Townsville City Council (yearly) $75
    Food -for a year: $360 ($30 a month)

    Dont even think twice :)

  • Thanks for the website!! I've been looking for a coat for Kenji and the prices are unbeatable.

  • i kinda figure its your child, what ever it takes, i got a just in case credit card ,cause one never knows,never really tallied up a yearly cost,hard to figure with a big lab to lol, its like my car thing..if i added it up..id be in trouble.. lets not go there :)

Suggested Topics

  • basenji

    Basenji Talk
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    Last I heard, the Breed Club secretaries had more people waiting or wanting pups than were available . You could get on a list for a Basenji next winter but I very much doubt you will find one still unsold. Go to the website of the BCGB, or the Northern Basenji Society as you are in the North and you will find email addresses of the secretaries. They will put you in touch with breeders who may be planning a litter for puppies to become ready to leave the nest in about a year's time. Its a long wait I know, but you have most probably missed the boat for now. You are welcome to post me privately. Good luck!
  • Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    4
    -1 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    D
    Where I am it costs about $2K+ for a dog from a breeder for just about any breed. Goldens may be less because the litters are so large. That may seem like a lot, but, as Debra mentions, dogs cost money to care for. After vet bills and boarding fees and food, it matters little what the dog cost to acquire. Leaving true puppy mills out of the discussion, given the costs of being a responsible breeder -- testing, vet bills, feeding -- and how much work breeding is, I can't imagine anyone doing it for the money. That leads to two problems for people looking for dogs. One is that since breeding isn't really lucrative, there aren't a ton of breeders, which means the supply of pups is low. Second is that most Basenji breeders want to place their pups in the best possible homes -- remember they aren't doing it for the money -- which means they're looking for people who have had Basenjis before. Something of a Catch-22.
  • The Other Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    KipawaK
    I read your blog and find it kind of confusing and ….. your comment about "messing with ..." hmmmmmmm.... Anyhow, yes, it is so cool when you come across another basenji, because they totally understand each other and how they want to play. We were fortunate once to have another basenji play chase with Kipawa at a dog park. I just don't think there are many basenjis in the Lower Mainland. :(
  • Basenji Song-Moon Over Basenji

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Oh Barklessdog, you are a brave person. I must now stand with you in insane-solidarity and admit I bought it too. It is awful but when you get the line "we couldn't say goodbye so we took him home" part, you know you got to help support the woman. lol
  • First Bath and First Rain Walk

    Basenji Talk
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    3k Views
    youngandtiredY
    I have a cat that will walk around in the rain, she likes it. :eek: But if it is thundering, she heads for her cat door in the garage, hates thunder. My Basenji, Sahara hates wet grass, but is better about getting a bath now that I give her a treat when we are done. We carried her out in the boat, with her lifepreserver on and she liked it Ok. She is getting better but won't go outside to potty when it is raining unless Mom goes with her on a leash and an umbrella. Hence, her name Africian Queen Sahara!!!!!!:D
  • Basenji New Year's Resolutions

    Basenji Talk
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    6k Views
    AndrewA
    @Lenora: As some of you may know, Abbey turned the Big 3 on Christmas Day. She has made a few resolutions for 2007 which I think reflect her new maturity. (1.) I will not kiss any more kitties even if they are my cousin, because my nose is still sore from last time. (2.) If given a choice between a bath and going out in the rain, I will choose the rain if I have to tinkle really bad, and going out in the rain may actually delay having to get a bath. (3.) I will not get up from a nap when my mom is taking a shower and knock the ironing board over on my head. (4.) This year I resolve to eat healthier. No more bath sponges, bath scrubbies, socks, catalogs, leaves off the airplane plant, or my Santa's nose. (5.) When my mom has Important Visitors I will not excuse myself from the room and return carrying a bra. This causes my mom to make very loud noises which hurt my ears and makes me ashamed of my little joke for nearly a whole minute. Happy New Year from Abbey and Lenora! I should probably get my own username on this forum, so I'm not continuing to write about my own undergarments & such under my boyfriend's name… My boyfriend's basenji mix loves dirty clothes. Andrew used to have two female roommates, and Bandit would pull their dirty undergarments out, chew the crotches out and leave crotchless panties lieing around in embarassing places. I felt so sorry for them! Another time, he ate the hems off of Andrew's pantlegs. We came home one evening to find something sticking out of Bandit's butt. Upon further investigation, Andrew ended up pulling out two 6" pieces of pant hems from Bandit's rearend. Bandit also loved to dig through Andrew's roommates' bathroom garbage & pull out the really nasty items and eat those. Many a small string has been found dangling from his mouth while trash is strewn about the bathroom floor... Yuck! Carrie