Originally Posted by blackjack11

At the end of the day the cost is irrelevant when you think of the love and companionship they give you.

Originally Posted by PARIS&TROY

Hi
As everyone has said it can cost a small fortune but they are worth EVERY PENNY!
I suggest that you write out a list using what people have said and do a "dumpy shop". find the vet you will use and ask for the prices on the basics. Jabs etc My vets do a VIP PET CLUB where you can pay for all of the basics, monthly by DD which is a good way of spreading the costs. It also gets us discount off products and some non included treatments plud free microchipping. This might not be the cheapest way to go but makes it easier to swallow!
Lloyds the Pharmacies do most pet products that the vet uses so if you can work out what you need you can get the stuff a LOT CHEAPER directly from them.
As for stuff like beds and crates the classified ads in the papers or Ad mags are a good place to look, CHEAPER to second hand than to shop buy.
Food you need to find a good wholesalers and buy a big bag of dry or packs of tinned. Its cheaper to buy bulk than running down to the corner shop when you have run out of dog food. It's the little bits that add up.
Toys and treats, you can do the charity shops, but buy CAREFULLY you can get old second hand baby toys, NO PLASTIC EYES OR NOSES TO SWALLOW! I see if its safe for a under 3 years its safe for a dog/puppy to rip up and chew in to little pieces! Or go to somewhere like pets at home a big pet store who put seasonal stuff on sale, like christmas toys and treats in January or halloween treats in December? Wilkinson also put their Christmas pet stock on sale, I picked up two half price doggy selection packs with a sale buy date of 01/06/10 which mean you have perfectly good treats for 18months! Puppies don't care what they chew!
As for how much you pay for a dog the sky is the limit, rescues can be the best deal, I believe the RSPCA do a deal where you pay an amount and the puppy is jabbed, wormed, microchipped and you get a voucher for the neutring! It also means the dog will/should have been vet checked!
A LOT of it is will power as sometimes its hard not to spend money on them!
One thing nobodys mentioned is the potential cost of your relationship with your partner as if he DOESN'T WANT A DOG AS MUCH AS YOU it may brake you up. My man took a good 6 months to get over having our two and he bought them both for me! If the dog bonds with you more than him or the dog doesn't see him as more dominant he could get between you and him. Troy the male dog will push himself in between the two of us if we have a kiss and a cuddle. Which start of cute but can develop in to aggressive behavior if not kept in check. Plus there will be times when you will need him to help with the dog.
If that's not scared you off having a dog, you then need to start thinking about Saturday nights out or weekends away never mind holidays! I have a great set of neighbors who have two dogs as well who we can share those times with and a VERY AMAZING MUM, who sits for her grandpuppies if we are out for the night or weekends.
sorry if there is a bit to much information, it lack of information and research that gets dogs and owners in trouble and ends with another dog in a rescue center or worse!
Good luck with the dog and you're defiantly going about it the right way and read both of the dog whisperer books and anything you can get your hands on !