A Complete Price Guide For the Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a popular dog breed but it is also an expensive one if you’re looking for a purebred. There are a few considerations to make before purchasing a Chow Chow. One of them is the cost. The initial price for a purebred Chow Chow is high, but there are ongoing costs associated with ownership. To help you prepare your budget for the financial investment, here is a complete price guide for the Chow Chow.
How much does a Chow Chow Cost?
The average cost of a Chow Chow puppy is between $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the quality of the dog and its registration status. Purebred dogs from reputable breeders are generally more expensive. More outstanding puppies with unique markings and a strong pedigree are on the most expensive end of the spectrum.
Why are Chow Chows so expensive?
The price of a purebred Chow Chow puppy is high because of the overhead cost of breeding and ensuring that the dogs are healthy. Breeders must charge higher prices to help offset the costs of maintenance and upkeep for their breeding stock, which isn’t cheap. They also have a sizable investment in the parents of the puppies they offer for sale. These dogs must undergo medical testing after birth to ensure that the puppies have no genetic health conditions and that they are developing on schedule. Most Chow Chow puppies from reputable breeders are registered, have their first vaccinations, and come with documentation that confirms their medical history and evidence of purebred status. The Chow Chow is a fairly rare dog breed. The price is often based on supply and demand. There is a high demand for Chow Chows in most regions, but the supplies are low, which drives the value higher. It’s possible to find a Chow Chow at a local animal shelter for adoption, but not likely. Most people familiar with dogs know the value of a Chow Chow, and they don’t often turn up at animal shelters. If you’re fortunate enough to find one there, you’ll save a lot of money as adoption prices generally range between $100 to $300, depending on the policies of the shelter.
Pros and cons of adopting a Chow Chow from a shelter
The benefits of buying a Chow chow from an animal shelter are the cost savings, along with the knowledge you’re giving a vulnerable animal a forever home. This also makes room for more animals in need of help at the shelters. On the downside, these pets often come with no medical history, nor documentation of registration status. You cannot use them for breeders because most shelters require them to be spayed or neutered. You have no guarantees that the dog you adopt is healthy, or purebred.
Why is there such a large range of prices?
The quality of the dog is the main driver for the cost of a Chow Chow. Pet Price List breaks down the average costs of a purebred Chow Chow puppy with an explanation of why the prices can vary so greatly. The cost of a Chow Chow can be as low as $600, from reputable breeders. The lowest tier of quality dogs from reputable breeders is between $900 to $1,600 per dog, depending on the local economy and the demand for dogs versus their populations. Dogs of this quality meet minimum conformance to breed standards. They are registered with high breed purity levels with acceptable genetic histories from the parents. The coats are dense and fuzzy with the characteristic chubby body and big face, but no remarkable breed indicators.
Higher breed purity
Chow Chow puppies with more than 99 percent breed purity are valued at $2,000 or more. These dogs come from breed farms with high reputations. They’re raised for breeding or may come trained for participation in dog shows. Dogs in this price range have some indicators of championship ancestry with dog show winners in their history. The puppies also show higher conformance to breed standards with more impressive purebred Chow characteristics. Dogs that are direct immigrants from notable Asian dog breeding farms often from China, the country of their origin, fetch the higher prices. The price of puppies that meet these standards can range anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000.
The ongoing cost of owning a Chow Chow
The initial layout of cash to buy a Chow Chow is high, but the costs of ownership continue as long as you own the dog. The most expensive year of life for a Chow chow is the first year with expenses totaling around $5,500. The average annual cost of ownership is around $150 per month or $1,800 per year. Here is a breakdown of the estimated costs associated with owning a Chow Chow.
The initial outlay for supplies
It’s wise to get the supplies you’ll need for your new Chow Chow puppy before he arrives. Dog supplies are available at most local pet stores but can also be purchased online. The prices for supplies can vary, depending on the brand, style, and quality of the goods you purchase, with an average range from $215 to $850, depending on your preferences. You will need food and water bowls, dog collars, which will need replacing as the puppy grows. You will also need a leash, an ID tag with your phone number engraved, a dog bed, a dog crate, plastic poop bags, and a pooper scooper for cleanup, along with house training pads. Other supplies you will need include spray for removing stains and odors from floors and carpets while housetraining your puppy. It’s also wise to have a first aid kit, a dog brush for grooming, shampoo, conditioner, a tooth brushing kit, and toenail clippers. your puppy will also need plenty of toys to keep him occupied and entertained. You will also need to feed your Chow Chow a nutritious and healthy dog food blend. Avoid cheaper dog foods that can contain ingredients that are unhealthy. Since Chow Chows are prone to allergies, it’s wise to avoid grain-based dog foods and opt for protein-based formulations.
Other expenses
There may be other costs associated with owning a chow. You may choose to take the dog to a professional trainer if you plan to show him at competitions. The average expense for professional trainers is $1,225, according to Pet Budget. Other expenses may include professional groomers unless you do this at home. Chow Chows need frequent grooming to keep their beautiful coats from matting. For the first year of life, your puppy will also need to be seen by an animal doctor. He will need to continue his vaccination series, which will be ongoing for the remainder of his life, but the first year is important to ensure that he is growing and developing on schedule. It’s hard to estimate the costs of veterinary care because each area of the country may have a different economy, some with higher and others with lower costs for vet checkups and other medical services. The average cost of first-year medical examinations runs around $600 unless there are more complicated procedures required. The costs go down for a healthy dog that requires only checkups and vaccinations after that. ranging between $125 to $165 annually.
Potential health problems with Chow Chows
Some Chow Chows develop medical conditions throughout their lifespan. While they’re generally healthy dogs, they are prone to some health conditions that can cost you more in medical expenses. Chows are prone to Cranial Cruciate ligament rupture, with treatments costing from $150 to $3,900 in more extreme conditions. Glaucoma can cost from $300 to $1,500. Pemphis Foliaceus can range from $500 to $1,800 in medical costs, and diabetes mellitus costs between $1,000 to $3,00. These are of medium likelihood. The Highest likelihood health conditions include distichiasis with fees between $1,500 to $2,000, or allergies which can cost between $100 to $2,000 per year, depending on the severity. You can help offset potential medical costs when you buy pet health insurance, similar to that for humans, with an average of $565 per year.
What you need to know about the Chow Chow
You should know what you’re getting into before you make the expenditures that go along with ownership of a Chow Chow. It’s wise to learn as much as possible about the temperament, size, and traits of a Chow Chow to determine if this dog breed is right for you and your family situation. The Chow Chow is an ancient breed originating in the country of China. Evidence of the breed dates back to around 200 BC. Chow Chows have been around for centuries. The dog breed has found its way from Asia to other parts of the world. While Chow Chows are common in China and other Asian countries, they’re not as plentiful in other countries, and therefore, more expensive. According to Dog Temperament, Chow Chows come with pros and cons regarding their temperaments. They’re loyal dogs when properly socialized. Most Chow Chows have a tranquil personality with great affection for their owners. They are above average in intelligence which makes them easy to train, but it’s essential to begin training from puppyhood. They are also independent thinkers and stubborn. If you don’t get on top of it and show them who is in charge, you could have problems down the road. Chow Chows have an aggressive nature with other dogs if left unchecked. This can also spill over into their interactions with humans. They are not patient with children, but you can train them to observe the house rules and appropriate behaviors. Chow Chows cannot be trusted alone with small children, but they do make exceptional guard dogs for the family. They are wary of strangers and will sound the alarm if an intruder is present. Chow Chows do not demand rigorous exercise as some other breeds do. A daily walk is usually sufficient. This time spent with your Chow Chow can also speed up the bonding process, plus it’s good for the health of pet owners. Puppies need to get out daily to help burn off the extra energy they have.
Is a Chow Chow the best choice for you?
Chow Chows are generally adaptable dogs. They do well in various home settings, including small to large homes. They’re not good with kids, but you can train them to tolerate children. Supervise them around kids at all times. This breed is best with families without small children because of the potential for biting. They’re expensive to purchase and to maintain, but Chow chows are intelligent and beautiful dogs that can bring a lot of joy into your life.
Final thoughts
If you’re considering the purchase of a Chow Chow, it’s best to deal with reputable breeders that maintain meticulous records. If possible, avoid buying online because there are a lot of scams out there that take your money and never ship the dog. Travel to the breeder’s establishment, inspect the environment and look at the parents if the bloodlines are factors in making your decision. Reputable breeders will provide proof of medical testing along with the paperwork confirming the ancestry and purity of the breed of your new puppy. We’ve given you a guide to help you determine the fair market value of Chow Chow puppies and what makes them more expensive examples so valuable. Be savvy when dealing with breeders to avoid becoming a victim on a dog deal. Don’t pay more than a dog is worth, and insist on seeing all of the documentation before you complete the sale. Chow Chows are expensive dogs. They cost a lot to raise, but they also have a lot to offer.
