ONE-TIME COSTS - These costs are for items that you will only need to purchase once. They are the minimum you can expect to pay from a catalog or from a wholesale pet supply store (i.e.: Care-a-Lot Pet Supply in Virginia Beach)

$200.00 Cost of GRREAT dog
60.00 Basic Crate
7.00 Collar and 6' lead
5.50 Identification tag
8.00 (2) Stainless Steel Food/Water bowls (Plastic can be eaten and/or crack)
9.00 Nail Clippers and one bottle Kwik-Stop
3.00 Tooth Scaler
15.00 Pin Brush, Flea Comb, Curry Brush and Comb
307.50 TOTAL (AT LEAST!)

RECCURRING COSTS - These costs will recur yearly or monthly, depending on your dog. The veterinarian costs are for a HEALTHY dog with no medical problems, fleas, parasites or injuries.

46.00 Per year for monthly heartworm prevention. This estimate is for Heartguard Plus or Interceptor brand prevention purchased from a mail order catalog. This cost could be as high as $64 or more if purchased locally.
100.00 Estimated MINIMUM veterinarian bills. This includes the yearly heartworm test (occult), yearly distemper series of shots (including the Corona vaccine), one yearly fecal exam, and 2 office visits.
24.00 Rabies Vaccine. This is every three years.
180.00 Per year (estimated) for a PREMIUM dog food purchased by the 40lb. bag (usually cheaper to buy per pound then smaller bags) One active Golden will probably eat about 20lbs. a month.
45.00 Miscellaneous items i.e.: Shampoo, conditioner, flea spray, toothpaste, ear cleaning solution, etc. (one of each of only BASIC items)
5.00 Yearly city license.
$400.00 THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM A DOG WILL COST YOU PER YEAR

This figure does not include any medication (other than heartworm prevention), boarding costs, flea treatments, vitamins or supplements, toys, biscuits or cookies, etc., etc. This is intended to be a guide to explain what items and costs are absolutely minimum. Most people spend a great deal more on their dogs (i.e.: toys, chewies, cookies, poofie toys, squeekies, etc., etc., etc......). Most dogs at one time or another (and some dogs all the time) will require a medication or food supplement or unexpected veterinary bill. Please view this as an ESTIMATE ONLY.