This Is the Most Expensive Dog Breed to Take Care Of

Budgeting for pet care is crucial if you're bringing an animal into your home. Pet insurance can cover costs when things go wrong, and is a vital purchase to make sure a beloved pet gets the care they need if they're sick or hurt. But there are also other routine expenses to consider, ranging from wellness care to food and toys.

While pets are well worth the cost to most people, it's important to realize they can do a number on your bank account -- especially if you end up with an expensive breed. So, which dogs cost more than others? Here's what you need to know.

Caring for this animal comes at a high price

One dog stands out from the crowd in terms of how much pet parents are paying for care: the goldendoodle. According to a Rover.com survey of pet owners, those with goldendoodles spent an average of $100 to $149 per month on their animal's care during the year. That adds up to a whopping $1,788 annually, at the high end of the scale.

Other dogs within the $50 to $99 range in terms of monthly care include:

• Golden retrievers
• Dachshunds
• Beagles
• Labrador retrievers
• Pit bulls
• Australian shepherds
• Mixed breed dogs
• Chihuahua
• German shepherds

Goldendoodles took the top spot in terms of cost, though, in part because they are a designer breed. As a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle, Doodles often need expensive grooming -- especially if their coats trend toward the curlier coat of the poodle that makes up half their genetic history.

Goldendoodles can also be susceptible to the health issues that affect poodles and golden retrievers. This means they could develop expensive conditions like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and progressive retinal atrophy -- each of which could cost a lot to treat.

These dogs are also expensive to buy in many cases, so owners who invest a lot upfront in their animal may spend more each month on luxuries like fancy toys or doggie daycare.

How to keep pet care costs affordable

Whether a pet owner opts for a designer goldendoodle or a mixed breed from the local shelter, they must have a plan for covering their pet's costs -- especially when those costs are close to $1,800 annually.

One of the most important steps to take is to buy pet insurance to pay for serious illnesses and injuries. This can help parents avoid having to make tough choices if their animal develops a medical condition that's costly to deal with. The sooner pet insurance is purchased, the better, since a policy won't cover anything that's a pre-existing condition (one diagnosed before a policy is in place).

Pet insurance will typically only pay for injuries and illnesses, though, unless a wellness plan is bought as an add-on, but often that's not worth the price since it can be cheaper to just pay for routine care directly. Dog owners need to be ready for other costs like routine care, grooming, activities, food, toys, and bedding.

Before adopting any particular dog, it's helpful to research the breed and expected expenses to make sure the estimated care is within budget. If it's feasible, start a special dog account to contribute to each month so the money is there and ready when your animal companion has something they need. That way, your pet won't be a source of financial stress, but instead can be the source of pure joy that they were born to be.