Before choosing to have a baby, most couples will at least consider the implications and discuss whether they are prepared to take on the emotional, physical, educational, and yes, financial responsibilities of having a child. However, having those same realistic conversations before adding a canine friend to the family may not occur quite as often. Adding a Schnauzer to your life can be more expensive than you may realize, and being as prepared as possible for the responsibility is wise. We added our Miniature Schnauzer, Livi, to our family after we had three kids, so we were fairly aware of how expensive both human babies and fur babies can be. However, some of the costs added up more than we had initially expected, and I would like other families to be more prepared. Here are some of the specifics you need to know.
How much do Schnauzers cost to own? After the initial purchase of your Schnauzer (which can range between $875-$5,500 depending on the size and quality you choose), the annual cost of owning a Miniature, Standard, or Giant Schnauzer can range from $1,200 to $4,500 per year. This can add up to a lifetime cost of between $27,074 and $50,545, excluding medical emergencies, which can range between $500 and $5,000.
The reality is that these are estimates and ranges, based on reported and documented costs. The exact costs will depend on the size of Schnauzer you select and where you live. However, knowing the possible range of costs you can expect will at least give you a good reference point.
Before we get to the approximate cost of each Schnauzer breed, let’s consider some ways to keep the cost of having a Schnauzer manageable.
Effective Ways to Minimize the Cost of Having a Schnauzer
I’ll be honest and say that I don’t believe in adding a Schnauzer to your life and then skimping on offering excellent care and resources.
However, there are smart ways to manage unnecessary costs, so let’s take a few of them into consideration.
Effective ways to minimize the overall cost of a Schnauzer:
- Although vaccinations and yearly checkups cost money, they could save you a lot of money in the long run if you catch a serious illness early (not to mention potentially save your Schnauzer’s life). An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.
- Spay or neuter your Schnauzer. Again, the initial cost prevents more serious health issues, unwanted puppies, and all of the associated costs down the road.
- Small dogs tend to be less expensive that large dogs, overall. For example, grooming, boarding, and food will all be less expensive. That would be true when comparing the relative costs of a Giant Schnauzer compared to a Miniature Schnauzer.
- Choose a healthy breed. When health is a primary consideration, choosing a Standard Schnauzer would be the top choice.
- Keep up with teeth brushing. Brushing your Schnauzer’s teeth from day one, and continuing the habit throughout her life, will prevent a cascade of health problems. It will also limit the dental interventions she may need (such as addressing cavities, periodontal disease, and tooth extraction) and will prolong her health and well-being.
- Learn how to train your Schnauzer. Even if you invest in early puppy training, knowing the most effective ways to ensure that your Schnauzer is well-trained is critical. You will experience less chewing, urinating, and overall damage if your Schnauzer is well-trained early on, and you have the skills to continue training (or even re-training) him.
- Learn basic grooming skills and how to effectively bath your Schnauzer. Grooming Schnauzers, especially Giant Schnauzers, can really add up. While professional grooming is (I believe) a good and consistent thing to invest in, knowing how to trim your Schnauzer’s eyebrows, clean her ears, and trim her nails are all basics you should know.
- While maintaining a strong relationship with your veterinarian is essential, you don’t need to purchase your medications from her office. Consider purchasing any medication your Schnauzer may need through an online service such as Medi-Vet.com or 1-800-PetMeds.com, or Amazon.
How Much Can Your Expect to Spend on Your Schnauzer?
The remainder of this article breaks down the cost of each Schnauzer breed: Miniature, Standard, and Giant.
Again, these ranges are based on actual reported costs, but will vary depending on where you live and which organizations you choose to provide the services and products you need.
The Costs of Owning a Miniature Schnauzer
Initial Purchase
The initial purchase of a Miniature Schnauzer can range approximately between $875 to over $5,500.
The initial cost depends on what you are looking for in this breed. If you are looking for a superior pedigree and breeding lines for the purpose of having breeding rights or purchasing a show-worthy Miniature, expect to pay a premium.
Median Price: $875.00
Average Price: $900.00
Top Quality: $3,000.00 to $5,500.00
Annual Costs
The annual costs below are approximate and do not take into account price fluctuations over time or variations in your geographical location.
The costs include ranges representing personal purchase preferences and the varying cost of services depending on the service provider you choose.
| Spay/Neuter | $100 (one-time cost) |
| Vaccinations | $100 |
| Annual Checkup | $150 |
| Dental Cleaning | $300+ (as needed) |
| Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medication | $300 |
| Health Remedies and Supplements | $50-$250 |
| First Aid and Misc. Hygiene Supplies | $50-$100 |
| Grooming | $600+ |
| Quality Food | $600+ |
| Insurance | $30-100 |
| Microchip & Monthly Service | $45 for Microchip, then $45-$120 annual registry fee |
| Training | $100-$500 + (as needed) |
| Crate, Kennel, Carrier | $35 (basic) to $1,000+ (decorative) |
| Gates | $35-$150 |
| Bed | $35 (basic) to $1,00+ (decorative) |
| Collar, Leash, Tags | $35-$50 |
| Toys, Sports, Treat Puzzles | $35-$300 (oftentimes a one-time purchase) |
| Treats | $35-$100 |
| Wireless Fence | $200-$300 (one-time purchase) |
| Misc. Expenses | $50-$100 |
In addition to the ongoing, essential costs of owning a Miniature Schnauzer, keep in mind that injuries and unexpected health issues can arise. The veterinary and animal hospital care for these situations can range between $500-$5,000 depending on the needed medical treatment.
As a pure breed dog, Miniature Schnauzers are good candidates for pet insurance due to known health issues. Although Miniatures are moderately healthy, having pet insurance can give you peace of mind.
The Costs of Owning a Standard Schnauzer
Initial Purchase
The initial purchase of a Standard Schnauzer can range approximately between $800-$4,300.
The initial cost depends on what you are looking for in this breed. If you are looking for a superior pedigree and breeding lines for the purpose of having breeding rights or purchasing a show-worthy Standard, expect to pay a premium.
Median Price: $600.00
Average Price: $800.00
Top Quality: $1,500.00 to $4,300.00
Annual Costs
The annual costs below are approximate and do not take into account price fluctuations over time or variations in your geographical location.
The costs include ranges representing personal purchase preferences and the varying cost of services depending on the service provider you choose.
| Spay/Neuter | $100 (one-time cost) |
| Vaccinations | $100 |
| Annual Checkup | $150 |
| Dental Cleaning | $300+ (as needed) |
| Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medication | $300 |
| Health Remedies and Supplements | $50-$250 |
| First Aid and Misc. Hygiene Supplies | $50-$100 |
| Grooming | $600+ |
| Quality Food | $600+ |
| Insurance | $30-100 |
| Microchip & Monthly Service | $45 for Microchip, then $45-$120 annual registry fee |
| Training | $100-$500 (as needed) |
| Crate, Kennel, Carrier | $35 (basic) to $1,000+ (decorative) |
| Gates | $35-$150 |
| Bed | $35 (basic) to $1,000+ (decorative) |
| Collar, Leash, Tags | $35-$50 |
| Toys, Sports, Treat Puzzles | $35-$300 (oftentimes a one-time purchase) |
| Treats | |
| Wireless Fence | $200-$300 (one-time purchase) |
| Misc. Expenses | $50-$100 |
In addition to the ongoing, essential costs of owning a Standard Schnauzer, keep in mind that injuries and unexpected health issues can arise. The veterinary and animal hospital care for these situations can range between $500-$5,000 depending on the needed medical treatment.
As a pure breed, Standard Schnauzers are good candidates for pet insurance due to known health issues. Although Standards are generally very healthy, having pet insurance can give you peace of mind.
The Costs of Owning a Giant Schnauzer
Initial Purchase
The initial purchase of a Giant Schnauzer can range approximately between $1,300 to over $5,500.
The initial cost depends on what you are looking for in this breed. If you are looking for a superior pedigree and breeding lines for the purpose of having breeding rights or purchasing a show-worthy Giant, expect to pay a premium.
Median Price: $1,300.00
Average Price: $1,000.00
Top Quality: $2,100.00 to $5,500.00 +
Annual Costs
The annual costs below are approximate and do not take into account price fluctuations over time or variations in your geographical location.
The costs include ranges representing personal purchase preferences and the varying cost of services depending on the service provider you choose.
| Spay/Neuter | $100 (one-time cost) |
| Vaccinations | $100 |
| Annual Checkup | $150 |
| Dental Cleaning | $300+ (as needed) |
| Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medication | $300 |
| Health Remedies and Supplements | $50-$250 |
| First Aid and Misc. Hygiene Supplies | $50-$100 |
| Grooming | $700+ |
| Quality Food | $700+ |
| Insurance | $30-100 |
| Microchip & Monthly Service | $45 for Microchip, then $45-$120 annual registry fee |
| Training | $100-$1,200 + (as needed) |
| Crate, Kennel, Carrier | $35 (basic) to $1,500+ (decorative) |
| Gates | $35-$150 |
| Bed | $35 (basic) to $1,500+ (decorative) |
| Collar, Leash, Tags | $35-$100 |
| Toys, Sports, Treat Puzzles | $35-$300 (oftentimes a one-time purchase) |
| Treats | $35-$100 |
| Wireless Fence | $200-$300 (one-time purchase) |
| Misc. Expenses | $50-$100 |
In addition to the ongoing, essential costs of owning a Giant Schnauzer, keep in mind that injuries and unexpected health issues can arise. The veterinary and animal hospital care for these situations can range between $500-$5,000 depending on the needed medical treatment.
As a very large, pure breed dog, Giant Schnauzers are good candidates for pet insurance due to known health issues. Although Giants are moderately healthy, having pet insurance can give you peace of mind.
And finally, from one pet parent to another, discover my all-time favorite resources designed to cover your every Schnauzer need. I’ve done the legwork for you so you can spend more time with the people and fur friends in your life.
A portion of all profit earned on this site is donated to Pet Partners
whose mission is to improve human health and
well-being through the human-animal bond.
They train and register pets to become therapy animals,
and have local chapters in many states.