Cheapest Dog Breeds: Least Expensive Dogs to Own

If you’ve ever bragged about a thrift store find, made a beeline for the clearance rack, or justified buying a good pair of boots because the cost per wear made perfect sense, you’re in the right place. You’re probably not the person buying something just because it has a designer label, and you don’t need a trendy dog breed to find the perfect pup.

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Dog?

According to the 2025 Pet Lifetime of Care Study, the average cost of owning a dog ranges from about $22,000 to more than $60,000 over its lifetime, depending on its size, health, grooming needs, and lifespan. While the upfront adoption fee or purchase price gets the most attention, it’s the ongoing expenses, like food, veterinary care, training, and supplies, that really determine how much you’ll spend over the years.

Cheapest Dog Breeds to Own

That’s why we didn’t build this list around adoption fees alone. Some dogs cost less because they eat smaller meals. Others save you money with minimal grooming needs, hardy health, or lower equipment costs. You’ll even find a few breeds that break the stereotype of what an “affordable dog” looks like.

Keep in mind that breeder prices reflect puppies from responsible breeders who perform appropriate health testing and prioritize the breed’s health and temperament. Prices may be lower from other sources, but those puppies may come with greater health and behavioral risks.

Australian Cattle Dog

• Typical breeder price: $800-$2,000

• Shelter availability: Occasional

• Food: $$

Their high energy level means they often need more calories than less active breeds.

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $

• Overall affordability: ★★★★★

• Best budget feature: One of the longest-living dog breeds, spreading your initial investment costs over many years of friendship.

Beagle

• Typical breeder price: $500-$1,500

• Shelter availability: Very common

• Food: $$

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $$

• Potential medical costs: $$

Ear infections and obesity are among the breed’s more common health concerns.

• Overall affordability: ★★★★☆

• Best budget feature: Beagles are common in shelters and rescues, making adoption more affordable than many purebred dogs.

Bichon Frise

• Typical breeder price: $800-$2,500

• Shelter availability: Common

• Food: $

• Grooming: $$$

Professional grooming every 4-8 weeks is typically recommended to keep the coat healthy and mat-free.

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $

• Overall affordability: ★★★★☆

• Best budget feature: For families with pet allergies, the Bichon Frise’s low-shedding coat may help reduce allergy-related costs.

Border Collie

• Typical breeder price: $800-$2,500

• Shelter availability: Occasional

• Food: $$

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $$

While generally healthy, Border Collies can be prone to hip dysplasia and certain inherited eye conditions.

• Overall affordability: ★★★★☆

• Best budget feature: Border Collies’ natural herding ability allows some owners to replace equipment or reduce labor on farms and ranches.

Chihuahua

• Typical breeder price: $500-$2,000

• Shelter availability: Very common

Chihuahuas are among the easiest purebred dogs to find in shelters and rescues, making adoption a budget-friendly option.

• Food: $

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $$

• Overall affordability: ★★★★★

• Best budget feature: Tiny appetite keeps food costs among the lowest of any dog breed.

Dachshund

• Typical breeder price: $800-$3,000

• Shelter availability: Common

• Food: $

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $$$

Back problems, including intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), can lead to expensive treatment or surgery.

• Overall affordability: ★★★☆☆

• Best budget feature: Their compact size makes Dachshunds well suited for smaller homes and apartments.

Dalmatian

• Typical breeder price: $800-$2,500

• Shelter availability: Occasional

• Food: $$$

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

Potential medical costs: $$

Dalmatians are prone to urinary stones, so some may need a specialized diet or veterinary care.

• Overall affordability: ★★★☆☆

• Best budget feature: Travels easily with many families, potentially reducing boarding costs during trips.

Jack Russell Terrier

• Typical breeder price: $1,500-$2,500

• Shelter availability: Occasional

• Food: $

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $

• Overall affordability: ★★★★★

• Best budget feature: Jack Russell Terriers have a coat that is easy to maintain at home with little need for professional grooming.

Miniature Pinscher

• Typical breeder price: $800-$2,000

• Shelter availability: Common

• Food: $

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $

• Overall affordability: ★★★★★

• Best budget feature: Miniature Pinschers don’t typically require heavy-duty toys or oversized accessories.

Miniature Schnauzer

• Typical breeder price: $1,000-$3,000

• Shelter availability: Common

• Food: $

• Grooming: $$$

Miniature Schnauzers need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks to maintain the breed’s signature coat.

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $$

• Overall affordability: ★★★☆☆

• Best budget feature: Smaller crates, beds, harnesses, and other supplies usually cost less than those for larger breeds.

Papillon

• Typical breeder price: $1,500-$3,500

• Shelter availability: Rare

Smaller-than-average litters help keep the Papillon breed relatively uncommon.

• Food: $

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $

• Overall affordability: ★★★★★

• Best budget feature: Thrives on interactive play with owners, so you don’t have to spend a ton of money on excessive toys and puzzles.

Pit Bull

• Typical breeder price: $500-$2,000

• Shelter availability: Very common

• Food: $$$

Their muscular build means they generally eat more than smaller breeds.

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $$

• Overall affordability: ★★★★☆

• Best budget feature: Despite their abundance in shelters, many Pit Bulls become affectionate, loyal family companions when they’re well matched with the right home.

Rat Terrier

• Typical breeder price: $600-$2,000

• Shelter availability: Occasional

• Food: $

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $

• Overall affordability: ★★★★★

• Best budget feature: Hardy heritage contributes to relatively few breed-specific health concerns for Rat Terriers, helping keep veterinary costs predictable.

Whippet

• Typical breeder price: $1,000-$2,500

• Shelter availability: Rare

• Food: $$

• Grooming: $

• Routine maintenance: $

• Potential medical costs: $

• Overall affordability: ★★★★★

• Best budget feature: Lean build means they often eat less than many dogs of a similar height and weight.

Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless)

• Typical breeder price: $2,500-$4,500

• Shelter availability: Very rare

• Food: $$

• Grooming: $

Hairless varieties need regular skin care, including sunscreen and moisturizing.

• Routine maintenance: $$

• Potential medical costs: $

• Overall affordability: ★★★★☆

• Best budget feature: Hairless varieties eliminate many traditional coat-grooming expenses.

Cheapest Mixed-Breed Dogs

If you’re open to a little mystery, mixed-breed dogs are often the ultimate bargain. They may not come with a detailed family tree or a championship pedigree, but they often make up for it with lower adoption fees and plenty of personality.

Because mixed-breed dogs are common in shelters and rescues, you’ll usually have a wide variety of ages, sizes, and temperaments to choose from. That means you can often find a dog that already fits your lifestyle, whether you’re looking for a hiking buddy, a couch companion, or a family pet.

For bargain hunters, mixed breeds check a lot of boxes: lower upfront costs, lots of adoption opportunities, and the chance to bring home a one-of-a-kind companion. Sometimes the best deal isn’t the one with the fanciest pedigree. It’s the dog that’s the perfect fit for your home.

What Makes a Dog Breed “Cheap”?

Value rating: Our overall assessment based on the breed’s purchase price, expected food and grooming costs, common health concerns, and average lifespan. Higher ratings indicate a more budget-friendly breed over its lifetime. Costs are approximate and can vary significantly based on your location, your dog’s size, diet, grooming needs, veterinary care, and overall health.

How Pet Insurance for Cheap Dog Breeds Can Save You Money

Choosing an affordable dog breed can help keep everyday expenses in check, but even the healthiest dogs can have surprise vet bills. A Rat Terrier might break a leg chasing a squirrel. An Australian Cattle Dog could tear a ligament on a hike. A healthy Whippet can still develop cancer later in life. While you can’t predict when an emergency will happen, you can plan how you’ll pay for it.

If you’re already choosing a dog with affordability in mind, pet insurance can be another way to protect your budget over the long term. The right policy can help you focus on making medical decisions based on what’s best for your dog instead of what fits your bank account.

How to Choose the Best Budget-Friendly Dog

Every family’s budget is different, so the least expensive dog for someone else may not be the least expensive dog for you. Use these steps to narrow down your options.

1. Start with your monthly budget.

Think beyond the adoption fee or breeder price. Estimate how much you can comfortably spend each month on food, routine veterinary care, parasite prevention, grooming, and other recurring expenses.

2. Decide which costs you’re willing to take on.

Some people don’t mind brushing a dog every day but want to avoid professional grooming bills. Others are happy to pay for premium food if it means fewer health concerns. Figure out which expenses fit your lifestyle and which ones you’d rather avoid.

3. Rule out breeds with deal breakers.

If monthly grooming appointments don’t fit your budget, cross breeds like the Bichon Frise and Miniature Schnauzer off your list. If you’re concerned about expensive orthopedic problems, you may want to avoid breeds with known structural health issues, like Dachshunds.

4. Think about the long term.

A dog may be part of your family for 10 to 18 years or more. Consider how your finances, housing, work schedule, and family life might change during that time, and choose a breed whose needs you’re confident you can meet.

5. Meet dogs before making a decision.

Once you’ve narrowed your list, spend time with dogs through shelters, rescues, foster programs, or responsible breeders. The right personality fit is just as important as the right budget fit.

The most affordable dog isn’t necessarily the one with the lowest price tag. It’s the one whose lifetime costs, care needs, and personality are the best match for your home.