The cheapest small dog breeds

Small dogs (under about 25 lb) eat little, but some cost more than you'd think: clipped coats need a groomer every few weeks and toy breeds often need yearly dental cleanings. Chihuahua is the cheapest small breed at about $2,060 a year.

#BreedSizePer yearFirst yearLifetime
1ChihuahuaSmall $2,060$5,950$35,700
2Miniature PinscherSmall $2,090$4,980$32,800
3Italian GreyhoundSmall $2,170$4,810$36,000
4Jack Russell TerrierSmall $2,190$4,740$33,900
5Rat TerrierSmall $2,210$4,110$35,900
6Chinese CrestedSmall $2,250$5,740$40,400
7PapillonSmall $2,260$5,750$38,200
8Border TerrierSmall $2,280$4,670$34,900
9BasenjiSmall $2,290$5,190$35,700
10PomeranianSmall $2,350$5,990$37,200
11DachshundSmall $2,360$5,750$37,100
12Shiba InuSmall $2,370$5,260$39,200
13Cairn TerrierSmall $2,380$5,020$36,600
14PugSmall $2,410$5,390$37,400
15Japanese ChinSmall $2,440$6,110$30,600
16Boston TerrierSmall $2,470$5,610$33,000
17PekingeseSmall $2,510$5,800$36,400
18Brussels GriffonSmall $2,510$6,900$40,200
19Shetland SheepdogSmall $2,540$5,830$36,800
20PomskySmall $2,550$8,190$42,000
21HavaneseSmall $2,570$6,060$42,800
22MalteseSmall $2,570$6,260$40,300
23Yorkshire TerrierSmall $2,570$5,960$37,200
24Coton de TulearSmall $2,590$6,480$49,000
25CockapooSmall $2,630$5,620$46,100
26Shih TzuSmall $2,650$5,570$40,700
27Toy PoodleSmall $2,660$5,950$41,200
28CavapooSmall $2,670$6,320$41,700
29French BulldogSmall $2,710$7,100$34,300
30Lhasa ApsoSmall $2,720$5,110$41,200

Per year is a typical adult year with mainstream food, a groomer where the coat needs one, no insurance and average US prices. First year and lifetime assume a puppy from a reputable breeder. How we estimate costs

The cheapest dog breeds to own

The most expensive dog breeds to own

The cheapest large dog breeds