How much is that doggie going to cost me?

I quite fancy owning a dog; where can I buy one? 

There are a lot of places you can buy pets, and there is probably one in a window somewhere wagging its tale as you read this. But do you really want to buy a dog? Would you not be better off rescuing one? Yes,

you would. It is much cheaper – which is great – but you also get to save a dog that might have been brought into a world in which they were treated with cruelty.

Luckily there are people who save the animals, including those who run the Cara Rescue Dogs centre in Portlaoise. It has been taking care of abandoned dogs for more than five years and has found homes for more than 1,000 dogs since it first opened its doors in 2011.

Cara places dogs it rescues in foster homes until permanent homes can be found. The animals tend to be vulnerable rescues from pounds or vets’ clinics or ones that have simply been abandoned. They are all treated for fleas and worms, are fully vaccinated, microchipped and neutered before rehoming. The Pricewatch pooch came from Cara, and he is brilliant.

There is also Dogs in Distress, an organisation that does not have a centre as such but employs a network of volunteer foster families to look after rescued dogs. The foster families are based in Dublin and the surrounding counties. People who want to adopt a dog from Dogs in Distress need to fill out an application form. As with Cara there will be a home visit to make sure the applicant’s situation is suitable for the dog. After overcoming that hurdle, the applicant will then be invited to meet the dog. If they get along with the dog, they will be invited to adopt. It might sound like a palaver but it isn’t really, and it is worth the effort.

[ cararescuedogs.com ]

[ facebook.com/dogsindistress ]

What if I want to buy a pedigree dog?

You could look to the Irish Kennel Club (ikc.ie) for advice on choosing the best dog for you. We could caution against buying dogs online or from people who won't show you where the dogs have been born, as you could be inadvertently supporting hideously cruel and illegal puppy farms.

How much does it cost to own a dog?

The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a “ready reckoner” to guide would-be dog owners through the annual costs.

Obviously, costs depend on the dog and owner. An Irish wolfhound is likely to need a bit more food than a Jack Russell, and if an owner decides to feed her hound freshly boiled chicken every day, that will add considerably to the cost too. Broadly speaking, food and treats will cost somewhere between €250 and €700, the DSPCA says.

Toys cost between €25 and €150. A dog bed will be at least €50, and you will spend much the same on leads and collars. If you are not overly concerned about grooming your dog, you will get away with spending no more than €30 a year, although you could spend as much as €500.

Routine veterinary care will set you back €100-€300, and you should allow another €100 for supplements and the like. If you want to pay for training classes, it could cost you up to €300, and boarding will cost much the same. Even at the bottom of the scale, you will be looking at about €600 a year overall.

What about insurance?

That’s extra.

Does my dog need it?

Hopefully not. But as with all insurance policies, you are taking a gamble by not taking out a policy. You might get away with it or it might come back to bite you.

The amount you will spend on pet insurance depends on the level of cover and the age of the dog. Accident-only cover (which does exactly what you might imagine it does) is pretty cheap, whereas “lifetime cover” – which covers both illnesses or injuries that require ongoing treatment – is considerably more expensive. In the middle are “per condition, with a time limit” policies, which cover vet fees for accidents and illnesses for a set period. Prices will also vary depending on where you live and your pet’s breed and age. Great Danes, St Bernards and Rottweilers all cost more, and getting insurance for dogs older than five might prove more difficult.

Are there big differences in prices depending on the level of cover?

It depends how you define "big". On petinsurance.ie, the cheapest policy – which covers accidents and dog-related incidents (if the dog bites someone, basically) – costs €99 a year, whereas the lifetime policy costs €164, although you do get an €8.20 discount if the dog is microchipped (more of which anon). Always get several quotes before committing to a policy and bear in mind the types of cover offered when comparing quotes.

What about microchipping?

As of last Friday, dogs are legally required to be microchipped. Microchipping sees a small electronic device – roughly the size of a grain of rice – injected under a dog’s skin between the shoulder blades. It is coded with a unique number, which can be read by a scanner. Once it is inserted, the dog’s body tissue surrounds the microchip, which attaches itself and is there for life.

How does it work?

The memory in the chip contains a unique 15-digit number. A radio signal transmitted from a scanner can be used to read the number through the skin of your pet. All numbers are held on a database, which also contains the owner’s contact details, so if your dog goes missing and is found and brought to a vet or pound, you can be reunited easily enough.

Is microchipping for new dogs or all dogs?

It is for all dogs, although less than 50 per cent of dogs in Ireland are currently microchipped.

What if I don’t get my dog done?

You should, because it means it is less likely to be permanently lost and it is the responsible thing to do. You could also be fined as much as €5,000 for not doing it, although a fine of that magnitude would only apply in exceptional circumstances.

Where can I get it done?

Your local vet will do it, as will local authorities at special events. Animal welfare groups also offer the service.w much does it cost?

You can expect to pay €20-€50.

Does a chip replace the need for a licence?

No. A dog also needs a licence. They cost €20 and can be bought in any post office.