I've wanted a pug my whole life, and now that I live on my own I figure it's probably the time. I have a month off uni after Christmas, so I figure that'd be a good time to get him (he will be called Henry), or if not I'll have to wait til I break up in may, as I think it's kind of unfair to get a dog when I'm at uni all day with no time to train him (I'm at uni normally, but only 4 days a week, and I have 3 hour gaps twice a day in which I'd come home to play with him, feed him and such). Basically, I'm looking at what the costs would be? Both initially and weekly or monthly? Cost of the dog, injections, and anything else I'd have to get at first, and then cost of food/anything else I'd have to buy regularly? Thanks.
Cost of getting first pet (a pug!)
Pugs have major health problems, so make sure you buy from a reputable breeder who has done all relevant health tests (eyes, hips, patellas?) and breeds from healthy stock.
I think the going cost for a good Pug is £700-800
Jabs are around £40-50 for the puppy vax, around £30 a year after.
Insurance would be £20-30 a month for life time insurance (you can get cheaper, but they only pay out for a year which is no good if your dog gets a life time condition) But watch out for the excess - typically £50 and/or 10% of the cost of treatment. And remember - you usually pay up front and claim the money back. Could you afford £2000 for a hip op for a month or two before the insurance pays you back £1750?
Crate, bedding, bowls, collar, tags, lead, harness (for a pug, you want a collar for the tags but walk it on a harness) - £100 - £200.
Food - not a lot for a pug, even on good food. £1 a day at most? Probably half that.
Flea and worm treatments - £10 a month? About that - prob a bit lower.
Training/socialisation classes - £3 a week. Plus high value treats (a sausage cut up small
)
Toys - I get 'bargain bin' toys (Christmas toys in January) but still spend £50+ a year for three dogs. Plus Kongs.
The problem is, to get a good pug you have to fit in with the breeder's time scales - not yours. There may not be one available when you have time for one.
An alternative is rescue - yes pugs show up in rescue. If you fall lucky, you may find one to fit your time scales, and will be much cheaper (£100 - £200 adoption fee)
If it comes down to a choice between waiting until you finish Uni or buying untested stock from a puppy farm or BYB, Please, PLEASE wait until you finish Uni. Pugs are lovely but unscrupulous breeders are ruining them. If you don't buy from a reputable breeder or adopt from a rescue, you are adding to the problem and the suffering of these lovely dogs.
I think the going cost for a good Pug is £700-800
Jabs are around £40-50 for the puppy vax, around £30 a year after.
Insurance would be £20-30 a month for life time insurance (you can get cheaper, but they only pay out for a year which is no good if your dog gets a life time condition) But watch out for the excess - typically £50 and/or 10% of the cost of treatment. And remember - you usually pay up front and claim the money back. Could you afford £2000 for a hip op for a month or two before the insurance pays you back £1750?
Crate, bedding, bowls, collar, tags, lead, harness (for a pug, you want a collar for the tags but walk it on a harness) - £100 - £200.
Food - not a lot for a pug, even on good food. £1 a day at most? Probably half that.
Flea and worm treatments - £10 a month? About that - prob a bit lower.
Training/socialisation classes - £3 a week. Plus high value treats (a sausage cut up small
)Toys - I get 'bargain bin' toys (Christmas toys in January) but still spend £50+ a year for three dogs. Plus Kongs.
The problem is, to get a good pug you have to fit in with the breeder's time scales - not yours. There may not be one available when you have time for one.
An alternative is rescue - yes pugs show up in rescue. If you fall lucky, you may find one to fit your time scales, and will be much cheaper (£100 - £200 adoption fee)
If it comes down to a choice between waiting until you finish Uni or buying untested stock from a puppy farm or BYB, Please, PLEASE wait until you finish Uni. Pugs are lovely but unscrupulous breeders are ruining them. If you don't buy from a reputable breeder or adopt from a rescue, you are adding to the problem and the suffering of these lovely dogs.
Originally Posted by StressMonkey:
“Pugs have major health problems, so make sure you buy from a reputable breeder who has done all relevant health tests (eyes, hips, patellas?) and breeds from healthy stock.
I think the going cost for a good Pug is £700-800
Jabs are around £40-50 for the puppy vax, around £30 a year after.
Insurance would be £20-30 a month for life time insurance (you can get cheaper, but they only pay out for a year which is no good if your dog gets a life time condition) But watch out for the excess - typically £50 and/or 10% of the cost of treatment. And remember - you usually pay up front and claim the money back. Could you afford £2000 for a hip op for a month or two before the insurance pays you back £1750?
Crate, bedding, bowls, collar, tags, lead, harness (for a pug, you want a collar for the tags but walk it on a harness) - £100 - £200.
Food - not a lot for a pug, even on good food. £1 a day at most? Probably half that.
Flea and worm treatments - £10 a month? About that - prob a bit lower.
Training/socialisation classes - £3 a week. Plus high value treats (a sausage cut up small)
Toys - I get 'bargain bin' toys (Christmas toys in January) but still spend £50+ a year for three dogs. Plus Kongs.
The problem is, to get a good pug you have to fit in with the breeder's time scales - not yours. There may not be one available when you have time for one.
An alternative is rescue - yes pugs show up in rescue. If you fall lucky, you may find one to fit your time scales, and will be much cheaper (£100 - £200 adoption fee)
If it comes down to a choice between waiting until you finish Uni or buying untested stock from a puppy farm or BYB, Please, PLEASE wait until you finish Uni. Pugs are lovely but unscrupulous breeders are ruining them. If you don't buy from a reputable breeder or adopt from a rescue, you are adding to the problem and the suffering of these lovely dogs.”
“Pugs have major health problems, so make sure you buy from a reputable breeder who has done all relevant health tests (eyes, hips, patellas?) and breeds from healthy stock.
I think the going cost for a good Pug is £700-800
Jabs are around £40-50 for the puppy vax, around £30 a year after.
Insurance would be £20-30 a month for life time insurance (you can get cheaper, but they only pay out for a year which is no good if your dog gets a life time condition) But watch out for the excess - typically £50 and/or 10% of the cost of treatment. And remember - you usually pay up front and claim the money back. Could you afford £2000 for a hip op for a month or two before the insurance pays you back £1750?
Crate, bedding, bowls, collar, tags, lead, harness (for a pug, you want a collar for the tags but walk it on a harness) - £100 - £200.
Food - not a lot for a pug, even on good food. £1 a day at most? Probably half that.
Flea and worm treatments - £10 a month? About that - prob a bit lower.
Training/socialisation classes - £3 a week. Plus high value treats (a sausage cut up small
)Toys - I get 'bargain bin' toys (Christmas toys in January) but still spend £50+ a year for three dogs. Plus Kongs.
The problem is, to get a good pug you have to fit in with the breeder's time scales - not yours. There may not be one available when you have time for one.
An alternative is rescue - yes pugs show up in rescue. If you fall lucky, you may find one to fit your time scales, and will be much cheaper (£100 - £200 adoption fee)
If it comes down to a choice between waiting until you finish Uni or buying untested stock from a puppy farm or BYB, Please, PLEASE wait until you finish Uni. Pugs are lovely but unscrupulous breeders are ruining them. If you don't buy from a reputable breeder or adopt from a rescue, you are adding to the problem and the suffering of these lovely dogs.”
That's all excellent info, thanks! I'll definitely wait til a good pug is available, I'm just hoping it'll coincide with some sort of holiday, or I'll end up waiting ages
What does BYB mean? Where do I find a reputable breeder? If I look on somewhere like epupz and it says 'reputable breeder' and has certificates and such, does that mean it is, or are they just trying to sell me a dog?
Originally Posted by Bid-tv:
“That's all excellent info, thanks! I'll definitely wait til a good pug is available, I'm just hoping it'll coincide with some sort of holiday, or I'll end up waiting ages What does BYB mean? Where do I find a reputable breeder? If I look on somewhere like epupz and it says 'reputable breeder' and has certificates and such, does that mean it is, or are they just trying to sell me a dog?”
“That's all excellent info, thanks! I'll definitely wait til a good pug is available, I'm just hoping it'll coincide with some sort of holiday, or I'll end up waiting ages
What does BYB mean? Where do I find a reputable breeder? If I look on somewhere like epupz and it says 'reputable breeder' and has certificates and such, does that mean it is, or are they just trying to sell me a dog?”
BYB is 'Back Yard Breeder' - an American term but it means someone who breeds a 'pet' dog with no regard to health or temperament.
Your best bet for a reputable breeder is to contact the breed club for your chosen breed. Try the internet (google), the Kennel club or the dog papers for contact info.
Epupz is probably one of the worst places for buying a pup - but even reputable breeders do advertise there, especially in this economic climate. Check with the breed club as to what tests are needed, then ask for proof from breeders that their dogs are tested.
ALWAYS see the pups with their mum.
i used to have a pug, and because of all the flaps of skin on their faces they get loads of diseases and sometimes you would hear her choking because of how snotty her nose was, they are very hard to look after
Really if you are hoping to get one for Christmas you should have found it by now!
I have a Cavalier and found a breeder who fitted my requirements (and the pup fitted my criteria) just after she was born and visited when she was a month old.
A good breeder will be happy for you to visit the puppy and get to know it before it comes home with you.
I have a Cavalier and found a breeder who fitted my requirements (and the pup fitted my criteria) just after she was born and visited when she was a month old.
A good breeder will be happy for you to visit the puppy and get to know it before it comes home with you.
I'm with Direct Line for my pets insurance and they pay vets directly so no need to fork out loads of money up front should anything happen. I have the Advance policy which covers up to £6000 per condition with no time limit.
Might be woth a look to see if it suits you http://www.directline.com/pet/welcom.../pet_insurance
If you have a local Vets 4 Pets look out for their vaccination for life. You pay for the first and second jab and on the second have the chance to pay an extra £70 and they will vaccinate your dog free every year for life.
When you dog is old enough also think about getting it micro chipped.
Might be woth a look to see if it suits you http://www.directline.com/pet/welcom.../pet_insurance
If you have a local Vets 4 Pets look out for their vaccination for life. You pay for the first and second jab and on the second have the chance to pay an extra £70 and they will vaccinate your dog free every year for life.
When you dog is old enough also think about getting it micro chipped.
