Model review, 14 October 2026: the examples below now come directly from the current calculator. They replace older incomplete totals and unsupported national rankings. Underlying price inputs are illustrative starting assumptions, not measured current market ranges; internal agreement is not market validation.
Build a family-dog shortlist around the individual animal, your household and the care you can provide. A breed reputation or a low model total cannot establish safety with children, temperament or a best-value national ranking.
Current calculator examples
AUD · VIC · breeder purchase · mid-range spending · insurance included · professional grooming allocation · basic training for dogs, indoor living for cats · no boarding, walking or daycare. Reserve: $0, separate from spending. These are model scenarios, not verified national prices or individual quotes.
Swipe the table sideways if needed. Monthly figures spread ongoing spending over 12 months; first-year setup is separate.
| Breed | Monthly ongoing | First year | Annual ongoing | Lifetime spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | $221 | $7,366 | $2,648 | $39,142 |
| Mixed Breed Dog | $219 | $4,821 | $2,628 | $36,357 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | $244 | $9,097 | $2,929 | $41,316 |
| Maltese Cross | $208 | $6,861 | $2,493 | $39,270 |
| Labrador Retriever | $286 | $8,475 | $3,432 | $46,227 |
| Australian Kelpie | $214 | $6,132 | $2,564 | $39,464 |
| Beagle | $211 | $6,996 | $2,528 | $39,860 |
Lifetime spending uses each profile's rounded midpoint lifespan at constant prices, without inflation or age-related premium changes. Unexpected treatment and dental procedures are excluded; no health-probability allowance is added. A reserve is money set aside, shown separately in the calculator.
Generated from the same inputs and engine as the calculator, so these examples update with the model. Inspect sources and assumptions or edit your own scenario.
Compare Daily Care With Paid Services
Consider the time, space, exercise, training and care arrangements your household can maintain. Ask the rescue, breeder and appropriate professionals about the individual animal. Include the walking, daycare, boarding or training services you expect to use; the displayed example selects no walking, daycare or boarding.
Look Beyond the Purchase Fee
Check acquisition and setup separately from ongoing spending. Confirm procedures included in an adoption fee and use the inclusion controls for anything payable separately. Registration has independent once-only and annual rows, so you can represent the actual fee period rather than repeating a lifetime charge.
Coat and Food Assumptions Matter
The selected profiles use different sizes and coat-care allocations. A low food estimate is not a feeding recommendation; use a suitable diet and quantity for the individual dog. Ask a groomer about the service and interval rather than assuming every dog in a breed needs the same appointments.
Budget Without Predicting Illness
The model does not rank inherited-health risks or predict treatment bills. Unexpected treatment and dental procedures are excluded. A user-entered contingency reserve is available from year one and shown separately from spending. Insurance suitability depends on the actual policy and circumstances; it is not mandatory by breed.
Use the comparison tool, Labrador versus Golden guide and hidden-cost checklist to inspect your shortlist, then replace assumptions with quotes.