Designer dogs cost UK pet owners £33k

Designer dogs cost an average of £2,000 to take care of in the first year, according to finance experts Ocean Finance. 

The group estimated that a lifetime of caring for a designer dogs added up to £33k.

An analysis of the first year costs of the six “most fashionable” designer dogs revealed that the Cockapoo and Labradoodle were the most expensive breeds, topping £2,700 in average costs for their first year alone. 

Ocean Finance suggested pet owners could save £500 a year by going for a less fashionable breed.

Meanwhile, the most expensive breeds for lifetime costs were Cockapoos and Sprollies, both topping £31,000 in lifetime costs.

The group’s findings also revealed that 26% of UK households have a dog, while owning a dog makes you 24% less likely to die early.

Anastasia Letsos at Ocean Finance said: “Our research has found that Brits are spending an average of £172 per month on their dogs, with the most fashionable designer breeds costing up to £33,000 over their lifetime.

“This equals £2,000 in the first year alone. If you’re willing to go for a less popular pooch it could save you £500 in upfront costs.”

She added: “The UK is a nation of dog lovers, with 26% of us owning at least one. Although our research found that the most popular breeds can cost a staggering £33,000 across their lifetime, a recent study has found that it might well be worth it in the long run as dog owners are 24% less likely to die early.”