How Much Is that Doggie in the Window?

What's the most expensive dog to own over a lifetime?

Believe it or not, says doggie insurance company esure, it's a chihuahua, whose owners are prone to buying fresh meat, vegetables and gravy for their dog's dinner, as well as buying them jewelled collars and designer doggie-outfits. For the record, 88691 pounds sterling works out to be over $143,000.

Of course, the three top expenses associated with dog ownership, as always, are veterinary fees, food and kenneling.

Of the 3,000 people surveyed, 39 per cent admit they didn't realise how much their pooch would cost them, and a quarter of the people said they even regretted getting their pet.

What's the cheapest dog to keep of the 20 breeds looked at? A Jack Russell Terrier! It's also one of the longest-living breeds included in the survey!

And, for the record, I do not spend anything like this on my dogs, and you do not have to either, provided you follow the veterinary tips on this blog (and in this book), feed your dogs grocery store kibble (Purina keeps my dogs in fine fettle), and use a little common sense.

• Releted Posts:
  ** Terrierman's Top Ten Tips for Avoiding Expense & Misery
  ** The Price of Putting on the Dog
  ** Vet Care Reaches Human Care Costs
  ** Veterinary Trades Say It's Time to Rip-off the Rubes
  ** Is Your Veterinarian Clean? Don't Count On It
  ** A Business Plan Based on Fencing Out the Truth
  .