Owning and raising a Chow Chow is a great experience. If you want to know how much a Chow Chow costs, you are at the right place.
This guide will help you figure out the cost of buying Chow Chow puppies and the expenses of raising one.
We will also be discussing the different factors that can affect the costs of getting a Chow Chow puppy.
You may also want to consider the differences between a male and female Chow Chow puppy before getting one. Let’s get right to it.
The Average Cost of a Chow Chow Puppy
The average cost of buying a Chow Chow puppy from reputable breeders ranges between $800 and $1,200. If the puppy is from a champion bloodline, the Chow Chow price can increase to $3,000 and upwards.
Keep in mind that you should also consider the startup costs when getting a Chow Chow puppy. Meanwhile, you should also be aware of the long-term expenses of raising a Chow Chow.
Regardless of the dog breed, you should keep in mind that the price of buying a puppy is just the beginning of the overall cost. You will also need to consider the maintenance expenses of owning a dog.
When thinking of owning a Chow Chow, don’t consider only the initial purchase cost as it will not be a one-time expense on your part. Raising a Chow Chow puppy will be a huge financial responsibility, so be sure you are ready.
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Factors Affecting the Cost of a Chow Chow Puppy
The price of Chow Chow puppies can differ depending on which type of breeder you will buy them from. Among the dog breeds with blue tongues, Chow Chows are a rare breed, and because of this, they are usually expensive.
Chow Chows can be soft-coated or rough-coated. In terms of color, they can be black, white, red, fawn, or cream. The color and the type of coat can affect the cost of the Chow Chow puppy.
The prices of these puppies can either increase or decrease depending on the local supply and demand.
Several factors can influence the overall cost of the Chow Chow puppy. Let’s go over these factors below:
- Age: The cost of Chow Chow puppies can increase or decrease depending on their age. This is because many prefer to get their furry buddies as young as possible. With this in mind, you can expect eight-week-old puppies to be more expensive compared to four-month-old ones. The Chow Chow puppies usually cost more than adult dogs, even if they are of the same pedigree.
- Appearance: As mentioned earlier, factors related to appearance can directly affect the prices of these puppies. Some colors are more popular, so puppies of specific colors and coat types might cost more than the others. Color and pattern rarity can also increase the prices considerably. One example of this is the Panda Chow.
- Breeder’s Reputation: You can expect the average Chow Chow price to be a lot higher if the puppy is from a reputable breeder of purebred show-quality dogs. Certified breeders invest more money into breeding Chow Chow puppies.
- Registration Papers: If the puppy has registration papers, this means that they are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) or any other kennel club. You can expect the cost of the puppy to increase because of the additional cost of registration.
- Health Guarantees: Reputable dog breeders always ensure that their litter is properly assessed for medical conditions. These breeders will even have their puppies checked by a veterinarian, dewormed, and vaccinated before they sell them.
- Training and Socialization: In some cases, breeders give group classes or private lessons to their Chow Chows at a young age before putting them up for sale. While this might shoot up the puppy price, you can consider it as an investment as you wouldn’t need to invest time and money into training the puppy yourself.
For general information about the Chow Chow breed, check out the video below:
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How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Chow Chow From a Rescue?
If you get your Chow Chow from an animal shelter or rescue, you usually need to shell out around $150 to $600 for the adoption fee.
This cost usually covers the required expenses of a Chow Chow puppy or adult dog. These include veterinary care, vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and microchipping costs.
It’s important to choose a rescue closest to your location to save on shipping costs. However, some may offer to hand over your adopted puppy directly to your home for a low price.
Most rescue dogs come from dangerous environments like puppy mills or streets. It’s always a noble pursuit to take home a rescued Chow Chow and give it a permanent home.
READ NEXT: 13 Ways to Find Free Puppies in Your Area for Adoption (2023)
Initial Cost of Chow Chow Ownership
After knowing the cost of the Chow Chow puppy, the next step is to figure out the initial expenses you need to prepare upon bringing the puppy home.
You must know how much the accessories and medical expenses will be moving forward. These can include feeding bowls, dog food, toys, grooming tools, vaccinations, vet check-ups, and a lot more.
Below is a complete list of the initial expenses you can expect when bringing home your new Chow Chow puppy:
- Food and Treats: You should know how big Chow Chows get and how huge their appetites are. It will cost you more to feed them compared to providing food for a smaller dog breed. It will cost you around $80 to $100 for a few bags of treats and a large pack of dry or wet food.
- Food and Water Bowls: One of the accessories you should never cheap out on is feeding bowls. After all, this is where your new puppy will be eating from. Ideally, you would need a stainless steel feeding bowl. Plastic feeding bowls are harder to clean and don’t last as long. Stainless steel bowls cost around $10 to $30.
- Bed: Another necessity for your new puppy is a bed. Chow Chows are known to be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. With this in mind, you should make it a priority to preserve their muscle and bone health. High-quality dog beds usually cost between $40 and $180.
- Crate: A crate is another essential item that should be on your list. It will serve as a safe space for your dog when you are away, and it also helps during transport. Chow Chow adult dog crates will cost you around $50 to $370.
- Leashes and Collars: For accessories, you should get a leash and collar for your puppy. Consider the size of your pup when picking one. Leashes and collars can be found in almost every pet store and will net you around $15 to $50.
- Toys: Chow Chows are very active dogs. You will need toys if you are to keep up with their activeness. Because they are big dogs and usually rough chewers, you will need toys that are both large and durable. Sets of chew toys go for $30 to $40 in local pet stores.
- Grooming Essentials: You will need to pay extra attention to your Chow Chow’s coat because they are heavy seasonal shredders. Regular grooming is required to keep your new dog’s fur healthy and tangle-free. Fortunately, grooming essentials don’t cost much nowadays. A set of high-quality grooming tools will only cost you around $40 to $160.
- Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: It’s imperative for every new puppy to undergo heartworm prevention, tick prevention, and deworming. Professional breeders, rescues, or shelters usually deworm and treat their puppies before selling or releasing them. If this is not the case, expect to spend about $50 to $200 on deworming and flea prevention medication.
- Initial Vet Visits: It is recommended to have at least three visits to a licensed vet during the first year of caring for your new puppy. The first trip to the vet should be made at around eight weeks of age. Vet expenses for Chow Chows range from $100 to $300.
- Initial Vaccine Shots: A puppy will need a complete set of vaccine shots during its first year. These shots are usually for parainfluenza, rabies, distemper, parvovirus (DHPP), and hepatitis. Breeders and shelters usually vaccinate their puppies before selling them, but if you buy an unvaccinated puppy, you can expect to spend around $75 to $200 for vaccination.
- Neutering or Spaying: If you are not planning to breed your pup in the future, you should consider having it spayed or neutered. The typical cost of neutering or spaying is between $50 and $500.
- Dog License: If you want to have a formal record of your dog, you should have them licensed. With this, your puppy will become a part of a country-wide registry. Licensing your dog will cost you $10 to $20.
- Microchip: A microchip will be very useful if you lose your puppy. The microchip is implanted into your puppy’s skin and will serve as identification that allows it to be on medical and emergency databases. If ever someone finds your dog, they will be able to identify it by scanning the microchip. The microchipping process costs around $40 to $60.
- Miscellaneous Supplies: You will need other accessories and necessities when raising a Chow Chow. Among these are poop bags, poop scoopers, vitamins, potty pads, inducers, and more. These miscellaneous supplies will cost $15 to $30, depending on your needs.
Here is a list of all the initial expenses for your Chow Chow puppy:
Type of Expense | Cost |
Food and Treats | $80 – $100 |
Food and Water Bowls | $10 – $30 |
Bed | $40 – $180 |
Crate | $50 – $370 |
Leashes and Collars | $15 – $50 |
Toys | $30 – $40 |
Grooming Essentials | $40 – $160 |
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $50 – $200 |
Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $300 |
Initial Vaccine Shots | $75 – $200 |
Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
Dog License | $10 – $20 |
Microchip | $40 – $60 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $15 – $30 |
Total Initial Cost | $605 – $2,240 |
As stated in the table above, you can expect to spend around $605 to $2,240 for your new puppy’s essentials.
Remember that this does not include the price of the puppy. There are other potential expenses, so be sure to set some extra amount aside.
If you want to cut down a little on your expenses, take some time scouting for the best deals from different professional dog breeders in your area. Don’t just go for the first breeder that you find.
In many cases, breeders include freebies with the puppies they are selling. Take advantage of this when looking for your new puppy.
Also, keep in mind that the mentioned prices above are just estimates. They are average prices for medium to large dog breeds. The amount that you will be spending may vary from these estimates.
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Annual Cost of Owning a Chow Chow
The upkeep costs can be quite high because Chow Chows are so large. The equipment cost is usually higher because of their size. Additionally, you should invest in sturdier and larger toys. You’ll need larger beds, too.
Because of this breed’s high maintenance cost, you should learn to budget your expenses. The first year is usually the most expensive.
This is when you will be making a lot of one-time purchases and spending more on veterinary care.
You will possibly spend around $5,000 during the first year. This will already include all the necessary supplies. However, you can expect this amount to be significantly lower in the following years.
Below is a summary of the annual expenses of raising a Chow Chow:
Type of Expense | Yearly Estimate |
Food and Treats | $480 – $960 |
Toys | $25 – $125 |
Bed and Crate | $120 – $420 |
Leashes and Collars | $25 – $35 |
Grooming | $150 – $350 |
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $150 – $250 |
Routine Veterinary Care | $200 – $400 |
Pet Insurance | $500 – $900 |
Vaccinations | $80 – $250 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $30 – $50 |
Yearly Total | $1,760 – $3,740 |
Average Monthly Cost | $147 – $312 |
Reading the table above might make some of you think that the annual expenses of raising a Chow Chow are quite high. However, it is actually just about the same as raising other medium-sized dogs.
It should be worth noting that a large part of your regular expenses is pet insurance. Although a bit expensive, pet insurance coverage is highly advisable. The insurance coverage cost for Chow Chows ranges from $500 to $900 annually.
If you want to keep your puppy healthy and safe from diseases, routine veterinary care is highly advised.
Regular visits to the vet can help you avoid health issues that will cost you a lot in the future. For routine veterinary care, you can expect to spend around $200 to $400.
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Other Potential Expenses
You may come across other expenses when raising your Chow Chow.
These additional costs can include dog walking services, pet daycare services, dog boarding services, and professional training fees.
Here is a list of other potential expenses that you might encounter:
- Pet Daycare: If you travel or are out of town a lot, finding a pet daycare should be one of your top priorities. Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to find pet daycare facilities nowadays. Daily rates of pet daycare facilities range from $20 to $30.
- Pet Sitter: If you don’t want to leave your dog in a daycare facility, you can opt for a good dog walker or pet sitter instead. Pet sitting services cost lesser than pet daycare fees. You can usually find pet sitters for about $10 to $20.
- Grooming Services: The Chow Chow needs a moderate amount of grooming if you want to keep its fur in great condition. You can always groom your Chow Chow at home yourself, but an occasional trip to a professional groomer would also be a good idea. Grooming costs for dogs the size of Chow Chows usually go for around $100 to $120.
- Kennel Club Registration: If you plan to participate in shows and competitions, you should have your purebred Chow puppy registered. Registering your Chow Chow with the AKC or the American Kennel Club goes for $40 to $80. Kennel registration is also advisable if you want to keep track of your puppy’s bloodline.
- Emergency Medical Costs: Encountering emergency situations when raising a Chow Chow is only normal. Keep in mind that medical emergencies are non-negotiable. The average emergency treatment cost for Chow Chows ranges from $1,000 to $5,000. You can find out more in this CNBC news report.
It is highly advised to set aside some money for emergencies. Aside from emergency treatment, the expenses mentioned above are all optional. This means that you can save money by cutting down on some of the things on the list.
Places to Find Chow Chow Puppies for Sale and Adoption
After knowing how much you’ll be spending as a Chow Chow owner, your next focus should be on finding places where you can get one.
Expertise is required to breed Chow Chows so if you are planning to buy a puppy, make sure that you get one from a reputable breeder. You should look for breeders capable of delivering healthy Chow Chow pups.
While it could be tempting to get a puppy from backyard breeders, puppy mills, and pet stores, it is generally not a good idea. Health and behavioral problems might pop up in the future, and you’ll end up spending more money.
Below is a list of reputable breeders where you can buy your Chow Chow puppies from:
- Fluffy Cute Chow Chow Bears – A Veteran Owned and Family Operated organization that has been around since 2000. Known to breed only the highest quality Chow Chows, all of their puppies are implanted with a microchip ID. This makes it easier for you to find the puppies in case you lose them. They strongly oppose breeding processes in which the well-being of the dogs and puppies is compromised.
- D&M Farm Kennel – This is another breeder known to provide the finest quality Chinese Chow Chows at a fairly reasonable price. They specifically breed Chow Chows with broad, medium-length noses, soft clear eyes, and strong legs. They can also provide you with puppies that will meet your color preference.
- Heavenly Chows – This breeder has been providing Chow Chow puppies to many families since 1999. All of their pups come with a health certificate upon release. Their puppies are also microchipped and will be registered in your name.
You can also check out our guide on places to find Chow Chow puppies for sale for more breeder options.
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If you are looking to adopt a Chow Chow, there are a couple of options available to you. Here are some rescues that you should check out:
- Chow Chow Rescue Society – Started in 2016, this organization was created to help Chow Chows that need immediate attention. This applies to whether the Chow Chows are homeless, abandoned by dog owners, or from shelters. They are a small yet dedicated group focused on helping Chow Chows find a new home.
- Chow Chow Rescue of Central New York – This all-volunteer rescue group was started in 2001 by Cindy Stone, a Chow enthusiast. To adopt a Chow Chow from them, you will need to fill out an adoption application and pay a certain fee. This fee will help cover the costs of running the rescue. All of their Chow Chows are up to date with their shots, heartworm tested, and neutered/spayed.
- Houston Chow Chow Connection – This group of dog lovers and rescuers focuses on specifically helping Chow Chows in need. Since 2013, HCCC has rescued and rehomed over 950 dogs. They also don’t discriminate when it comes to their rescues, so you can find purebred dogs of different varieties among their rescues.
Before filling out an application form, you should also know that adopting a dog requires a lot of effort. Interviews and house visits are typical rescue organization protocols.
If you want to get their approval successfully, follow some of the tips included in our ultimate dog adoption guide.
READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to Dog Adoption: Process, What to Ask and Tips to Get Approved
Money-Saving Tips for Chow Chow Owners
There is no shortage of fun times when you have a dog as your best friend, especially one that is as active as a Chow Chow. However, keep in mind that dog ownership will cost you a hefty sum of money.
Luckily, there are many ways to help lessen your expenses. Keep in mind though that cost-cutting does not mean sacrificing the quality of care and comfort of your dog. You should never cheap out when it comes to these aspects.
Here are some tips that can help you save money when raising your Chow Chow:
- Buy high-quality accessories. While this might not sound like a money-saving tip at first, you’ll realize its impact in the long run. The better the quality of your dog’s accessories, the longer they’ll last. This means that you won’t have to spend more money replacing the lower-quality accessories after they break down after a short period of time.
- Groom your Chow Chow at home. Chow Chows are actually easy to groom if you know what you are doing. This means that you can save a fair amount of money grooming your dog at home instead. You can find a lot of grooming tutorials online to help you get started.
- Prepare homemade dog food. Some dogs can be picky eaters. In this case, you will end up spending a lot of money on dog food. A great way to save up on the cost of food is by preparing your dog’s meals yourself. For homemade meals, veggies and white meat are ideal as they are both tasty and healthy.
- Visit the vet regularly. Visiting the vet regularly is recommended even if you think your Chow Chow is in good shape. By having your dog checked regularly, you’ll be able to spot health problems earlier. Doing so will help you avoid potentially expensive medical treatment in the future.
These tips may not sound much but doing them regularly will save you a lot of money in the long run. These are also applicable to most dogs.
Final Thoughts
Owning and raising a Chow Chow will cost you thousands of dollars over the course of many years. However, it should be worth noting that the cost is not so different from owning other dog breeds.
Aside from the initial costs, you should be prepared for the ongoing annual expenses of your Chow Chow. As much as being a financial obligation, having a Chow Chow requires emotional preparedness and responsibility.
I hope that the information provided in this guide helped you decide if you want to own this breed or not. If you think that the price of raising a Chow Chow is worth it, don’t hesitate to get one!