Cheapest Dog Breeds in the World

What's better than being greeted by a happy dog?

While many people want to bring a dog into their family, not everyone feels like they can afford it. The good news is some dogs are more inexpensive to buy and own than others.

These are the cheapest dog breeds.

How to Find the Most Inexpensive Dogs

To find the most inexpensive dog breeds, consider several factors:

• A general measure of how much they eat. This will provide a sense of how much they cost to feed.
• How much they need to be groomed. Dogs that have high grooming needs are more likely to require a groomer. Dogs that shed frequently means more cleaning bills.
• How hard they are to train. Dogs that are more difficult to train will more likely need a trainer, adding to bills.
• How much it costs to buy a puppy from a breeder.
• Predisposition to health problems.

That said, it's always cheaper in upfront costs to adopt a dog from a shelter. Adoption fees can be as cheap as $50, and the dog will come with its first round of shots and be neutered. Kill shelters are the cheapest places to adopt from, and you'll be saving a life. Most shelter dogs are mutts, and mutts are more "resistant" to the predisposed health conditions of purebreds. 

But if you are looking for something specific, here are the cheapest dogs. And they're also plenty cute.

25. Boston Terrier

Weight: 16-32 pounds

Lifespan: 11-13 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,300*

*We used Dog Breeds List for this information unless otherwise noted.

Boston Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Low

Trainability: Very easy

Bottom Line: Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers are super-friendly little guys that don't shed, barely bark, and are easy to train. They're good for city living because of their small, apartment-friendly size and low-ish daily exercise requirements, which can be met with a long walk. 

Health-wise, Boston Terriers do need some extra care. Those big eyes are susceptible to irritation and should be flushed out with a saline solution when signs of redness are apparent. The breed is also susceptible to cataracts, corneal ulcers, deafness and glaucoma, which aren't cheap to treat. 

24. Border Collie

Weight: 30-55 pounds

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,200

Border Collie Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Medium to high

Grooming needs: Medium

Training difficulty: Easy

Bottom Line: Border Collie

Border Collie puppies are relatively cheap, and their small size means they won't eat you out of house and home. However, larger Border Collies that are active will need a considerable amount of food. These dogs are super active. If you're living in an apartment or in a house without a yard, this is probably not the dog for you. 

Border Collies have a double coat that needs to be brushed at least twice a week. Professional grooming is optional. This breed lives a long time, which means it's more susceptible to getting cancer than other dogs. In particular, lymphoma is more common in Border Collies than many other breeds. 

23. American Hairless Terrier

Weight: 12-16 pounds

Lifespan:14-16 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $900-$1,200

American Hairless Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Very low

Training difficulty: Easy

Bottom Line: American Hairless Terrier

American Hairless Terriers are descended from Rat Terriers, and they're native to the American South (specifically, they came from Trout, Louisiana in the 1970s). These Terriers are small, standing up to 16 inches at the shoulder. 

Despite their name, American Hairless Terriers can have a short coat. But whether they're hairless or not, these dogs require little grooming aside from a brushing once a week, and you'll want to keep the hairless ones away from the hot sun because of sunburns. Likewise, they don't do great in cold weather.

Skin problems are rare, and they're a generally healthy breed. They're active and, because of their small size, generally only need about one cup of food per day. However, these dogs can be hard to find depending on location. 

22. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Weight: Up to 30 pounds

Lifespan: 12-13 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $1,000-$2,000

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low to medium

Grooming needs: Medium

Training difficulty: Very easy

Bottom Line: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

A Pembroke Welsh Corgi doesn't come cheap, but you can always adopt. These Corgis are super-smart, extremely playful and great with kids. They need frequent exercise but as long as they have enough walks and playtime, they can live comfortably in an apartment — although Corgis generally like to run and play fetch outdoors. 

Corgis have pretty low-maintenance grooming needs, although they shed constantly. You'll want to brush them regularly and invest in a pet vacuum.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are generally a healthy bunch, but you'll want to watch out for back problems. 

21. Bolognese

Weight: 5.5-9 pounds

Lifespan: 12-14 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $1,200-$2,000

Bolognese Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Very low

Grooming needs: High

Training difficulty: Medium

Bottom Line: Bolognese

Bolognese dogs are fluffy little white dogs that originally hailed from Italy (and while they might want spaghetti Bolognese, don't feed it to them). These dogs are pretty high-maintenance when it comes to grooming and require brushing two to three times a week. Some owners trim their hair around the face, while others prefer the moppy look. 

Despite their curly hair, Bolognese dogs hardly shed and are considered hypoallergenic for mild allergy sufferers. They're generally calm and don't require much exercise, don't require much food, and are fine with apartment life.

Bolognese can be a bit expensive if you want to purchase them from a breeder. 

20. Shetland Sheepdog

Weight: 15-25 pounds

Lifespan: 12-14 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,000

Shetland Sheepdog Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Medium

Grooming needs: High

Training difficulty: Medium

Bottom Line: Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdogs, or Shelties, are playful small dogs that are very friendly. They love to play but don't need too much exercise, making them good dogs for city living, although they're very vocal. They're good family dogs as they're great with children and adaptable to their family's lifestyle. 

Shelties are highly intelligent and eager to please and shouldn't be too difficult to train. Their coat is thick and dense and requires a considerable amount of grooming, with about two-three brushing sessions a week.

They shed a moderate amount compared to other dogs, but since their hair is long, that shedding is noticeable. Invest in a vacuum! 

19. Bichon Frise

Weight: 12-18 pounds

Lifespan: 14-15 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $1,000-$1,500

Bichon Frise Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: High

Training difficulty: Medium

Bottom Line: Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise are adorable small dogs that have bursts of energy, zipping around the house or yard like a little white ball of lightning. They're friendly with kids, dogs and people. 

The biggest drawback of owning a Bichon Frise is their grooming needs. This includes not only daily bushing, but also taking care of any allergies that the dog may have. Bichons frequently suffer from allergies that can cause some serious skin issues. If the dog is constantly itching or growing hot spots, it's important to take them to the vet and isolate the source of the allergy. 

On the upside, Bichons don't shed much and are hypoallergenic. 

18. Shih-Poo

Weight: 7-20 pounds

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $600 on average

Shih-Poo Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Very low

Grooming needs: Very high

Training difficulty: Medium

Bottom Line: Shih-Poo

Shih-Poos are designer dogs born of a Shih Tzu and a toy poodle. They're tiny love sponges that only need about one cup of food a day and don't require much exercise. They're prone to the same kind of genetic disorders and diseases Shih Tzus and poodles face, but because they're a mixed breed, they're generally healthier.

Because of their excessive hair, Shih-Poos require a lot of grooming to keep those locks beautiful. Their hair needs to be brushed regularly and will look best when professionally groomed every four to six weeks. 

As a designer breed, Shih-Poos are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Puppy cost can vary widely. According to Next Day Pets, the average cost out of 12,195 Shih-Poo sales was $600, with a median price of $1,175. Some top-of-the-line Shih-Poos sell for $5,000. 

17. Shih Tzu

Weight: 9-16 pounds

Lifespan: 10-18 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder:  $800-$1,500

Shih Tzu Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Very high

Training difficulty: Medium

Bottom Line: Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus come from Tibetan dogs, with a pedigree dating back several hundred years. To be sure, these tiny, grand-looking dogs can be extraordinarily expensive. If you're looking for the ultimate show-worthy dog, Shih Tzus can cost $10,000. 

But if you're reading this article, we're assuming you're not looking to win the next Westminster Kennel Club. Out of 28,727 Shih Tzus sold on Next Day Pets, the average price for one of these dogs is $700. According to Shih Tzu Daily, puppies go from $500 to $1,000. 

Shih Tzus also require regular grooming, and house training can be a pain because of their stubbornness. They make this list because they're small, don't require a lot of food, and are a very healthy breed.

16. Dachshund

Weight: 12-32 pounds 

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,500

Dachshund Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Medium 

Training difficulty: Medium

Bottom Line: Dachsunds

Dachshunds are long, wiggly dogs with big floppy ears that make great watchdogs (they love to bark). They're pretty low-maintenance doggies and aren't overly active. However, it's important to keep this dog active. Because of their build, Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disk disease — back problems— and require exercise to keep those back muscles strong.

Likewise, don't let them get overweight. These dogs should be kept at a low weight and only need a cup or two of dry food each day, depending on their exercise level and size. 

Dachshunds have three types of coats: smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired. Smooth-coated Dachshunds require the least grooming, while longhaired Dachshunds need more frequent brushing. Wirehaired may need some trimming around the face, and owners might want to opt for professional grooming a few times each year. Their droopy ears also need to be checked for ear infections. 

15. Australian Terrier

Weight: 15-20 pounds

Lifespan: 11-15 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $1,000-$1,500

Australian Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Medium

Training difficulty: Easy

Bottom Line: Australian Terrier

Australian Terriers are active little dogs that are loyal and great with kids. They're a rather healthy breed, smart, and pretty easy to train. They're a bit hairy, though, and they shed frequently and need weekly brushing.

Aussies are active, so they need some space to run around, or they need to be walked every day. As long as they get that exercise, they're suitable for apartment living. Expect to feed them half to one cup of dry food each day, generally. 

14. Japanese Chin

Weight: 7-11 pounds

Lifespan: 10-12 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $900-$1,500

Japanese Chin Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Very low

Grooming needs: Medium

Training difficulty: Low

Bottom Line: Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin always looks surprised, but they're a chill dog that doesn't bark or require much exercise. They're great for apartments, but they're not the easiest dogs to train. These little ones are more like cats when it comes to taking directions. They're hairy, and they need to be brushed twice a week.

Because of their small size and moderate exercise, Japanese Chins don't need much food, sometimes only half a cup or less of dry food per day. They're generally a healthy breed, but owners should look out for irritation caused in their big eyes and regular checkups for early-onset heart murmurs.

Because of their coat, Chins don't do well in hot climates.

13. Maltese

Weight: 7 pounds or less

Lifespan: 15-18

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,500

Maltese Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Very low

Grooming needs: Medium to high

Training difficulty: Medium

Bottom Line: Maltese

Maltese are sweet-tempered little dogs with long white hair that are smaller than their Bichon cousins. They're not very active, eat very little — less than a cup of dry food each day — and are good for apartment living (although they do tend to bark). 

Maltese grooming can be expensive or time-consuming, depending on how far you want to take if. They have a long, luxurious white coat that looks best when brushed daily and washed frequently, and many owners have their Maltese professionally groomed.

On the plus side, because they don't have an undercoat, Maltese don't shed, so you won't have to rack up cleaning bills. 

12. Jack Russell Terrier

Weight: 10-18 pounds

Lifespan: 13-16 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,300

Jack Russell Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Medium

Training difficulty: Very easy

Bottom Line: Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers are classic, awesome little dogs. Jack Russells are easily confused with Parson Russell Terriers. The Jack Russell has a longer body and shorter legs, while the Parson Russell has a shorter body and longer legs.  

Jack Russells are super-active dogs that need a lot of room to play (they're frequently in agility competitions) and, as such, are not suitable for apartment living. There are three types of Jack Russell coats: rough coat, broken coat and smooth coat. The smooth coat requires the least amount of maintenance while the rough coat, which forms a beard and hair over the eyes, requires the most. Rough coats will require some grooming and cutting, probably professional. All coats shed frequently. 

Health-wise, Jack Russells are hearty, but the breed is prone to lens luxation, a disorder that can cause blindness and glaucoma. 

11. Toy Fox Terrier

Weight: 3.5-7 pounds

Lifespan: 13-15 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,200

Toy Fox Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Very low

Grooming needs: Low

Training difficulty: Very easy

Bottom Line: Toy Fox Terrier

Toy Fox Terriers are tiny, short-haired dogs that are exceptionally bright. They're active and low-maintenance, although they do shed year-round.

While these guys are good for apartment living, they may not be great with kids, and tend to be a bit shy around strangers. But Toy Fox Terriers are super trainable. They were frequently used in travelling circuses as trick dogs in the early 1900s. 

These puppers are a toy breed, so while they are susceptible to small dog health issues, they are otherwise a healthy breed. They only eat about a quarter to half a cup of dry food each day. 

10. Beagle

Weight: 20-25 pounds

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $500-$800

Beagle Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Medium

Grooming needs:  Low

Training difficulty: High

Bottom Line: Beagle

Beagles are friendly, super-cute dogs that are energetic and family-friendly. They don't require much grooming and, since they're pretty small, don't need a whole lot of food each day. However, beagles love to gorge, so it's important not to overfeed them. They'll get fat and happy fast. 

On the downside, they're not the easiest dog to train and may require a trainer. And health-wise, beagles are more prone to idiopathic epilepsy than most other dogs.

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Weight: 4-7 pounds

Lifespan: 11-15

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,500

Yorkshire Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Very low

Grooming needs: Very high

Training difficulty: Medium-low

Bottom Line: Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, are intelligent English dogs that are very small, with a target weight of just seven pounds. They generally eat less than a cup of food a day, are moderately active and are good dogs for apartments or smaller living spaces. 

They are, however, high-maintenance. On top of separation anxiety issues, Yorkies have a luxurious coat that needs to be brushed daily, and the hair on their head needs to be trimmed or pinned away from their eyes to avoid irritation.

They require weekly baths and, while they eat very little, require frequent feeding. You'll want to get them to a professional groomer every so often, too. 

8. Manchester Terrier

Weight: 12-22 pounds

Lifespan: 15-17 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $600-$1,000

Manchester Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Very low

Training difficulty: Easy

Bottom Line: Manchester Terrier

Small, curious and bright, the Manchester Terrier is a great companion animal. Manchester Terriers aren't as hyper as their Jack Russell cousins, although they do need to be walked or played ball with regularly. But they're still hunting dogs and will pursue small animals, so keep them leashed or within a fenced yard.

Manchester Terriers love their owners but aren't too fond of strangers. As such, they make excellent watchdogs.

7. Border Terrier

Weight: 11-15.5 pounds

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,200

Border Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Medium

Training difficulty: Easy

Bottom Line: Border Terrier

Border Terriers are loving, happy little dogs that are very active. They don't necessarily need a large area to play, though, and will be happy living in an apartment as long as they can spend their energy elsewhere. 

These dogs have a wiry outer coat that will need weekly brushing. During shedding season, you'll want to strip the dead hair away. Since their wiry outer coat functions as protection against dirt, they don't need to be bathed frequently. Use a wet towel instead. 

While Border Terriers are generally healthy, there is a disease called epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS), or Spike's disease, that is specific to Border Terriers. CECS is an epileptic disorder that's triggered by gluten, and Border Terriers require a gluten-free diet. Special care must be taken so Border Terriers don't get into any foods with gluten. 

6. Cairn Terrier

Weight: 13-14 pounds

Lifespan: 13-15 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,200

Cairn Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Very low

Grooming needs: Medium

Training difficulty: Medium

Bottom Line: Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers are also known as the Toto Dog because it's the same breed as Toto from "The Wizard of Oz." They're pretty easy to care for, with weekly brushing, occasional shedding, and only needing a moderate amount of exercise. They're smart and friendly, but they're a bit difficult to train. 

Cairn Terriers are good with kids and can live comfortably in an apartment dwelling, although they bark a lot.

Cairn Terriers also are hypoallergenic.

5. Havanese

Weight: 7-13 pounds

Lifespan: 14-16 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,200

Havanese Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Medium

Training difficulty: Very easy

Bottom Line: Havanese

Havanese are adorable long-haired dogs that are happiest sitting on the couch or on your lap. They're not very active, don't bark much and are great with kids. Their long coat requires frequent brushing — ideally, daily— but they hardly shed and are hypoallergenic. They're super easy to train, too, so you probably won't need a specialized trainer. 

Because of their laziness, Havanese are prone to gaining weight. Try to resist feeding them table scraps and stick with a regular feeding schedule and amount (usually one cup of dry food or less per day). 

4. Schipperke

Weight: 10-20 pounds

Lifespan: 13-15 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,100

Schipperke Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Low

Training difficulty: Easy

Bottom Line: Schipperke

Schipperkes are small, black dogs with tufts of thick hair and a fox-like face and tireless personality. Schipperkes hail from Belgium and were used as vermin-catchers. They're known as "little black devils" because of how one writer in an 1882 Belgian magazine described them: 

"The Schipperke is a little, all black devil, but minus the cloven hoof and tail. A very demon for rats, mice, moles and every vermin. An indefatigable watchdog, he rests neither day nor night. Always on foot, nothing escapes him that goes on within or without his dwelling. ... He is a prodigy of fidelity and attachment and with children he is gentleness personified."

Not much has changed in the 138 years since that description. Schipperkes need lots of exercise, are very playful and great with kids. Their thick coat does need some weekly brushing, which is easy enough. They're also extremely smart and easy to train. Plus, they rarely bark.

3. Chihuahua

Weight: 3-6 pounds

Lifespan: 14-18 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $800-$1,500

Chihuahua Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Very low

Grooming needs: Very low

Training difficulty: Medium to difficult

Bottom Line: Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are the world's tiniest dog breed, with most experts saying that Chihuahuas should not weigh more than six pounds — although half of all Chis weigh more than that, according to PetChiDog. Generally, the less a Chi weighs, the less likely it will have health issues.

Chihuahuas eat very little, too, often scarfing down less than a cup a day in food, making the food bill very inexpensive. They need little grooming and shed very little. They're a little stubborn, so they might require a trainer, but due to their small size (and inability to do any real damage to a person), training costs aren't of huge importance. However, they're not good with kids. 

Chis also do not have any real predisposed health conditions. But because they're so small, they can easily be injured by clumsy people and short falls. 

2. Rat Terrier

Weight: 10-25 pounds

Lifespan: 12-18 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $300-$600

Rat Terrier Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Low

Grooming needs: Low

Training difficulty:  Easy

Bottom Line: Rat Terrier

Rat Terriers are small, smart, and energetic dogs that are easy to train. Despite their high energy, they're rather patient and are very good with kids. They have no special grooming needs — bathe them when needed — although their short coat sheds year-round especially during the spring and fall. It's a good thing they're a short-haired breed. 

The little balls of muscle are healthy, too, with low risks of genetic health disorders. They love to hunt. It's what they were bred for. The Rat Terrier gets its name from rat-baiting, an old (and now illegal) blood sport wherein people used to bet on how many rats it could kill in an enclosed area. It was a common "sport" in 19th-century London. 

1. Miniature Pinschers

Weight: 8-10 pounds

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Estimated cost of a puppy from a breeder: $900-$1,300

 

 

Miniature Pinscher Facts and Figures

Daily food intake: Very low

Grooming needs: Very low

Training difficulty: Easy

 

Bottom Line: Miniature Pinschers

Miniature Pinschers are a toy breed that are affectionately called "King of the Toys" because of their popularity and big personalities. Min Pins stand about 12 inches at the shoulder and have a high-trotting gait — and they're not related to Doberman Pinschers. These puppers have been around for hundreds of years and are believed to be from a cross of Dachshunds and Italian Greyhounds. 

Min Pins are great with kids, don't require too much exercise, and are very low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. They have a big personality and like to bark. Min Pins are healthy dogs and have a long life expectancy, which is always welcome.