Spinone Italiano – PetBudget | Pet Costs & Saving Tips

As you prepare to welcome a new Spinone Italiano into your home, budgeting should be on your to-do list. In fact, there are many expenses to consider when raising a dog: vet fees, training costs, food, supplies, medical costs, grooming and more. To help make things easier for you as well as your new Spinone, we have come up with a cost calculator that will give you a personalized estimate as to how much it should cost you to raise your furry friend. A Spinone Italiano puppy is likely to cost between $1,000 and $2,000 with the average price being $1,750. First-year expenses are around $3,880 and will be about $1,835/year (or $153/month) after that. Through the dog’s lifetime, the average cost of owning a Spinone Italiano is $22,230. As detailed in this post, these figures include most essentials. But you may incur additional optional costs such as insurance, dog walking or boarding services. You might also decide to spay or neuter your dog. All this could bring the overall cost of ownership between $58,125 (for less expensive areas and/or wallet-friendly products and services) and $119,100 (in more expensive areas and/or for more sophisticated purchases). Through the course of the article, we discuss how these costs factor in and delve into why many of them may prove necessary. You will also find professional opinions from two licensed veterinarians, a dog trainer, a dog groomer as well as a dog walker and various tips to help you with your Spinone Italiano. At the very end, we have added our cost calculator that will generate an accurate estimate as to the overall cost of purchasing and raising a Spinone Italiano according to your situation. Quick Links What is the price of a Spinone Italiano puppy? We have searched on sources like the American Kennel Club, NextDayPets, breeders websites, and PuppyFind, to find the average price of purchasing a Spinone Italiano puppy to be $1,750, with prices mostly ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. But Spinone Italiano puppies are rare and buying one in the US will be a challenge. Puppy CostRangeAverage CostSpinone Italiano$1,000 - $2,000$1,750 Adoption might be a more affordable alternative, with rehoming fees ranging from $50-$500. And you would be saving an animal. If you are actively looking for a dog, we strongly recommend doing some research and finding a reputable breeder or shelter. This will make a big difference in terms of your Spinone Italiano’s health and well-being. The cost of supplies for a large dog Ideally, you will want to have a certain amount of supplies on hand to welcome your Spinone Italiano into your home. For a dog of this size, you will be looking at a $450 initial investment on average for the first year. This is based on the analysis of 250 products on famous marketplaces such as Walmart, PetSmart, and Amazon. Supplies PricesRangeAverage CostFood & Water Bowls$10 - $40$20Dog Collars (x2) $10 - $40 $20Leash $10 - $30 $15ID Tag with Phone Number $5 - $20 $10Dog Bed (36" or 42") $20 - $85 $50Dog Crate (36" or 42") $30 - $120 $55Plastic Poop Bags (900-1080) $15 - $110 $55Pooper Scooper $10 - $30 $20House Training Pads (75-100) $15 - $45 $25Stains and Odors Removal Spray $5 - $20 $10Toys $50 - $155 $90First-Aid Kit $15 - $50 $30Brush $5 - $45 $15Shampoo $5 - $20 $10Tooth-brushing Kit $5 - $15 $10Toenail Clippers $5 - $30 $15 As your Spinone Italiano grows, the price of supplies does ease up. For each subsequent year, your expenses are likely to range between $95 and $385, putting the average cost at $215. This considers all the items that need to be repurchased, such as toys, bed, shampoo, sanitary bags, tooth brushing equipment and the like. Total Supplies CostRangeAverage CostFirst Year$215 - $855$450Subsequent Years$95 - $385$215 The quality of products and the store choice will have a notable influence on prices. Additional equipment or items may be necessary in some cases, such as clothing, a play pen, fences, anti-chew sprays, muzzles, and harnesses, but are not included in our necessary expenses. Take that into consideration when planning costs. To help save, consider looking at second-hand stores and websites. Do Spinoni Italiani need professional training? Spinoni Italiani are famous for being easy to train. Based on her experience as a dog trainer and animal behaviorist, Alexa Diaz, Ph.D., states that professional training is usually not necessary for this breed as they could be properly trained by an experienced dog owner. However, a Spinone Italiano could still benefit from a few group lessons to learn basic obedience, be socialized, and stop excessive barking or jumping if it's an issue. These sessions usually range from $150-$200 for five weekly one-hour sessions. Training CostRangeAverage CostSpinone Italiano$0 - $200$100 A great way to get ready to welcome a dog into your house is by reading a dog training book beforehand. You can find good inexpensive ones online to find out more about dog behavior and the best ways to interact with them. Medical costs to consider for a Spinone Our licensed veterinarian, Leslie Brooks, DVM, shared her knowledge and experience to establish the medical expenses related to raising a Spinone Italiano. The following figures can obviously vary depending on many factors such as location but still give a reliable and trustworthy picture of what a Spinone owner should expect. Medical CostRangeAverage CostFirst Year Vet Cost$425 - $830$630Spay/Neuter (optional)$50 - $450$250Gastropexy (optional)$200 - $400$300Adult Year Vet Cost$425 - $925$675 Vet cost for a Spinone Italiano puppy According to Leslie Brooks, DVM, a Spinone Italiano puppy will require three vet visits through their first year ($65-$170 each time), with the first visit being at 8 weeks of age. This will include all the essential: physical exam, essential vaccines, fecal examination to make sure no deworming is needed as well as heartworm and flea prevention first three doses. She would also advise purchasing heartworm and flea prevention medication for the rest of the year. They respectively cost $75-$120 and $85-$125 for a puppy. Moreover, your pup may require some additional vaccines that depend largely on lifestyle and activity. If your Spinone spends a ton of time camping or hiking and is generally exposed to wildlife and standing water a lot, Leptospirosis vaccine ($15-25) can be recommended. If your dog is boarded or kept in a kennel for extended amounts of time, Influenza vaccines may be necessary ($70-$90 including a booster shot). Additionally, if your dog goes camping, hiking or lives in a wooden area or on a farm, it will be more exposed to ticks, and Lyme shots are strongly recommended ($60-$80 including the booster shot). The yearly costs will therefore range from $425 to $830. A neuter (male) or spay (female) procedure on a Spinone, generally cost $150 to $450. Depending on the location, it is possible to find low cost clinics that will charge as low as $50-$100. As Spinoni tend to be large, deep-chested dogs, Leslie Brooks recommends a Gastropexy procedure, which usually costs $200-$400 when performed at the time of sterilization. It is an efficient way to help prevent the stomach to twist on itself (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus or GDV) which is life threatening and would require an expensive surgery to be corrected. Medical expenses for the following years According to veterinarians like Dr Brooks, for each adult year, you should make an annual trip to the vet for an exam, vaccines, heartworm test and blood work (for middle aged and senior dogs) to find potential hidden problems. This should run you $125-$265 depending on location and the clinic. Leslie also recommends following through with heartworm and flea prevention medication, which usually cost around $100-$200 and $200-$300 for the year, respectively for a Spinone. The lifestyle vaccines, Leptospirosis ($15-$25), Influenza ($35-$45) and/or Lyme ($30-$40) may also require annual booster shots. Finally, if your Spinone is regularly in contact with other pets or shows inconsistent stool quality, a fecal examination ($40-$50) will be recommended. Spinone Italiano potential health issues The table below introduces some of the potential health problems a Spinone owner might have to deal with during his dog’s life according to Dr Brooks. Health ProblemLikelihoodTreatment Cost EstimateGastric Dilatation and VolvulusMedium$1,500 - $3,000Cranial Cruciate Ligament RuptureMedium$150 - $3,900AllergiesMedium$80 - $2,000 per yearEctropionMedium$850 - $1,500CancerMedium$500 - $10,000CataractsMedium$1,500 - $3,000 Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is most common for middle to older aged dogs, but it can also happen to younger dogs (1-3 years old). The ideal treatment recommendation is usually surgical repair, which can come to $2,000-$3,500 on top of diagnostics before surgery, such as x-rays and blood work that cost between $200 and $400. Also, know that 50% of dogs who tear a ligament in one knee will eventually pull the ligament in their other knee, which would double those costs. If the owner elects to avoid surgery and provide pain management, physical therapy, and rest instead, one can expect to pay $50 to $300 per month for 3 or 4 months. In such cases, it takes longer for the dog to get back to his average activity level, and it could develop more severe arthritis in the knee later, with associated costs. Allergies: this depends if the pet has allergies throughout the year or just 1-2 flare-ups per year. It would also depend on the owner's decision to proceed with allergy testing and injections. Note that the pet may also need to be fed prescription food, which can easily be as high as $75 per month. Ectropion: $850-$1,500 for surgical correction. Cancer: the cost depends on the type of cancer and whether an owner pursues aggressive therapy and all the recommended treatments versus electing to keep the pet comfortable with medications. Cataracts: this is a cost estimate for diagnostics and surgery per eye affected. Pet insurance price Some dog owners will get pet insurance for their dog. Know that the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry report put the average price of accident and illness coverage plans for dogs at $565. If you opt for an accident-only plan, expect to pay around $190 per annum. These prices will obviously vary a lot depending on many factors and you will need to contact insurance companies or brokers to get a more precise estimate. The cost to feed a Spinone Italiano Considering adult Spinoni Italiani can easily weigh 75 lb. (usually 60 to 85 lb.), your food-related expenses can be calculated after combing through prices across best-selling brands available. On average, a Spinone Italiano puppy is likely to consume close to 240 lb. of dry food, putting the average first-year cost at $265. An Adult Spinone Italiano generally needs close to 330 lb. of dog food, bringing your average cost for each following year around $300. Note that there is a huge price gap between cheap and premium dog foods and the final cost will greatly depend on the chosen brand. Yearly Food CostRangeAverage CostPuppy$180 - $355$265Adult Dog$160 - $495$300 We have also estimated the yearly cost of treats for large dogs reviewing the price of the 27 best sellers on Walmart, PetSmart, and Amazon. Treats CostRangeAverage CostYearly Treats$125 - $715$345 Four dog food brands compared A Spinone Italiano puppy will eat around 240 lb. of food during the first year. Note that it can vary depending on many factors including the dog’s level of activity and its size. Puppy Food BrandsQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PricePurina - Puppy Chow36 lb.7$27.78 (Walmart)$194.46Purina One - Smart Blend Puppy16.5 lb.15$21.98 (Walmart)$329.70Pedigree - Puppy36 lb.7$25.83 (Walmart)$180.81Blue Buffalo - Puppy30 lb.8$44.08 (Amazon)$352.64 An adult Spinone Italiano will eat close to 330 lb. of food every year. Again, it will depend on the variables mentioned above as well as the dog’s age. Adult Food BrandsQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PricePurina - Dog Chow50 lb.7$22.98 (Walmart)$160.86Purina One - Smart Blend40 lb.9$40.36 (Walmart)$363.24Pedigree - Adult50 lb.7$25.83 (Walmart)$180.81Blue Buffalo - Adult30 lb.11$44.98 (Amazon)$494.78 Generally, it works out cheaper as you get much better deals if you purchase dog food in bulk. Although it is a perishable commodity, it can be stored for long periods of time, making bulk purchases a very practical option. It is also a good idea to consult your vet as to what food would be the most appropriate for your Spinone Italiano. Example for a more expensive premium brand Royal Canin - Size Health NutritionQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PriceLarge Puppy35 lb.7$73.99 (PetSmart)$517.93Large Adult35 lb.10$68.99 (PetSmart)$689.90 This illustrates the price difference between budget-friendly and premium dog food. Spinone Italiano grooming cost According to Corryne Smith, our certified dog groomer, Spinoni Italiani are large dogs that would benefit from being professionally groomed 2 to 6 times a year. On average, your yearly cost should range between $120 and $450, with an average expense of $285 for professional grooming services. This is based on a price per session that ranges between $60 and $75. Yearly Grooming CostRangeAverage CostSpinone Italiano$120 - $450$285 Professional grooming generally includes a bath and shampoo, hair removal if necessary, brushing and styling, ear, teeth, and eye cleaning as well as nail trimming. The price of grooming services varies depending on the dog size, coat condition, health and age, dog behavior and the services requested. If you have the skills and time, a more affordable option could be picking up a grooming kit that allows you to groom your Spinone Italiano at home. Generally, these can be found for anywhere (Walmart, PetSmart, and Amazon for example) between $25 and $290, with an average cost of $75, depending on the equipment you require. Additional costs to consider for a Spinone Italiano Additional CostsRangeAverage CostLicense$10 - $20$15Microchip$25 - $50$40Dog Walking (per day)$15 - $25$20 Dog Boarding (per day)$25 - $85$40 License On average, licenses for a dog fall between $10 and $20 in the U.S.A. If your dog is not spayed or neutered, this cost could be a little bit higher. Across the U.S.A, you might get into legal problems if you have an unlicensed dog, so we strongly suggest licensing your Spinone Italiano as early as possible. It also makes locating your dog easier in any sort of emergency, making it even more important. Microchip Microchips help create a unique identification for your dog, allowing them to be on common medical and emergency databases. Many states require dogs to be microchipped, so you will likely need to spend $25-$50 for your Spinone Italiano. Dog walking If you cannot take your dog outside during the day, Tamaria Reddick, a well-reputed dog walker and dog sitter with over 10 years of experience, highly recommends hiring a dog walker for a daily 30-minute walk. Spinoni Italiani are energetic and need regular exercise and outdoor time. On average, these are affordable. A 30-minute walk usually costs between $15 and $30 ($20 to $50 for 1 hour) depending on your location. But you must be aware that those costs add up very quickly if you need a dog walker five days a week all year long. To find a dog walker in your area and validate the price, you can use apps like Rover or Wag. An owner might need to pay for private walks if the dog is not well socialized. These are obviously more expensive. Traveling It is highly inadvisable to leave a Spinone Italiano alone, particularly if you are traveling over days or weeks. In the case that you must leave your dog somewhere, dog boarding services are generally available and accessible. Expect to pay anywhere between $25-$85 per day, depending on location and time of year. During particularly busy stretches of the year, such as the holidays, be sure to book dog boarding or sitting services in advance, as you are likely to get much better prices. Affordable alternatives include looking to see if any friends/family would be open to hosting your dog, as these prices can add up very quickly. Finally, you might be able to take your dog with you, as many airlines and train companies offer special provisions to help move your pets. You will have to submit a formal request ahead of time though, so make sure to plan your trips early. Moreover, the cost varies drastically, as it depends on several variables. Yearly and monthly cost of a Spinone Italiano The first year with your Spinone puppy On average, the first-year cost that comes with a Spinone Italiano puppy ranges between $2,100 and $5,475. This comes down to an average cost of $3,880, with the bulk of the major expenses taking place within the first few weeks. First Year CostsRangeAverage CostPuppy$1,000 - $2,000$1,750Supplies$215 - $855$450Training$0 - $200$100Medical$425 - $830$630Food & Treats$305 - $1,070$610Grooming$120 - $450$285License$10 - $20$15Microchip$25 - $50$40First Year Total$2,100 - $5,475$3,880 You might also want to consider some of the additional costs listed below. Optional First Year CostsRangeAverage CostSpay/Neuter$50 - $450$250Gastropexy$200 - $400$300Insurance$350 - $780$565Dog Walking (30 minutes per day)$15 - $25$20Dog Boarding (per day)$25 - $85$40 If you choose to neuter/spay your dog and get pet insurance, the cost rises to $4,995 on average for the first year. Add to that a week of dog boarding and a dog walker five days a week for 42 weeks and it will cost you around $9,475. Potential First Year CostRangeAverage CostWith Spay/Neuter and Insurance$2,700 - $7,105$4,995With Spay/Neuter, Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$6,025 - $12,950$9,475 Yearly and monthly cost of a Spinone Italiano for the following years The costs that come with owning a Spinone Italiano do go down after the first year. For each adult year, supplies, medical expenses, food, treats, grooming services and license renewal will run you anything between $935 and $2,990, with an average cost of $1,835 (if we break it down further, this comes down to a monthly cost in the $78-$249 range and averages $153/month). Adult Year CostsRangeAverage CostSupplies$95 - $385$215Medical$425 - $925$675Food & Treats$285 - $1,210$645Grooming$120 - $450$285License$10 - $20$15Adult Year Total$935 - $2,990$1,835Estimated Monthly Cost$78 - $249$153 With insurance, 30-minute dog walks five days a week for 50 weeks and dog boarding for seven days, the average cost climbs to $7,680 for the year (or $640 every month)! Potential Adult Year CostRangeAverage CostWith Insurance$1,285 - $3,770$2,400With Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$5,210 - $10,615$7,680 Cost of ownership of a Spinone Italiano In total, the cost of owning and raising a Spinone Italiano for 11 years boils down to the $11,450-$35,375 range, with the average cost being $22,230. Total Cost of Ownership (11 years)RangeAverage CostSpinone Italiano$11,450 - $35,375$22,230 With additional expenses tacked on, such as spay/neuter, insurance and dog-based services as described in the previous sections, the price of raising a Spinone Italiano falls in the $58,125 to $119,100 range through the course of its lifetime, which on average will be 11 years (usually 10 to 12 years). The average price of raising a Spinone Italiano can then be estimated to be $86,275. Potential Total Cost of Ownership (11 years)RangeAverage CostWith Spay/Neuter and Insurance$15,550 - $44,805$28,995With Spay/Neuter, Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$58,125 - $119,100$86,275 Thank you for reading us! Stay tuned for more information about pet costs, product reviews and saving tips. PetBudget Spinone Italiano cost calculator The cost of a Spinone Italiano – A summary in 7 questions 1- How much is a Spinone Italiano puppy? On average a Spinone Italiano puppy will cost $1,750 in the USA. Most puppies can be found between $1,000 and $2,000. The price will vary depending on the breeder and location as well as the dog’s bloodline, color, and age among other things. 2 – How much are dog supplies? A new owner can expect an initial investment between $215 and $855 in supplies when welcoming a large dog. Every year, the cost to renew some of them should be between $95 and $385. Prices vary depending on location, stores, brands, and products quality. 3 - Does a Spinone Italiano need training and how much will it cost? A Spinone Italiano could be trained by an experienced dog owner and usually do not need professional training on top of that. But like any breed, the dog would still benefit from a few group classes for basic obedience, positive leadership, socialization, barking, and jumping which should cost between $150 and $200 on average. 4 - What is the cost of preventive medical care for a Spinone Italiano? Preventive medical care should amount to around $425 to $830 for a Spinone Italiano puppy during the first year and around $425 to $925 every adult year. This does not include spay or neuter and gastropexy procedures (usually $150 to $450 and $200 to $400 respectively). 5 - How much food does a Spinone Italiano eat and how much will it cost? A Spinone Italiano puppy will eat around 240 lb. and an adult close to 330 lb. of dry food yearly (it varies for each dog and food brand). Annual expenses should be between $180 and $520 for a puppy and $160 to $690 for an adult dog. Other types of food and treats would increase the costs. 6 - How often should a Spinone Italiano be professionally groomed and how much will it cost? A Spinone Italiano should be professionally groomed 2 to 6 times every year. Most dog owners will not be able to groom the dog themselves. Each visit to a grooming salon should cost from $60 to $75 for this breed depending on the dog and the services offered. 7 – Are there any other expenses to expect? In the United States, a dog license usually costs between $10 and $20. The cost could be slightly higher if the dog is not spayed or neutered. Having the dog licensed is mandatory almost everywhere. A dog microchip costs $25 to $50 on average in the US and is generally implanted during a medical appointment. It is placed under the skin usually between the shoulder blades. Dogs adopted from a shelter or bought from a breeder sometimes already have a microchip. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry Report, the average annual price is $566 for accident and illness coverage plans or $190 for accident only plans. Dog walkers usually charge $15 to $25 for 30 minutes group walks and $20 to $50 for 1-hour long ones. Prices vary mainly depending on location. Private walks are more expensive. A dog owner should budget $25 to $85 per day for dog boarding services. Prices vary depending on location, time of the year, and the level of service among other things. To help you out, this guide contains all the primary expenses that are necessary to ensure your future dog's well-being. Make sure to take these considerations seriously before adopting or purchasing a Spinone Italiano, as they are imperative to your dog leading a healthy, happy, and comfortable life in your home. Moreover, the dog should not be a financial burden on you or your family, so make sure to carefully read through each section to better understand the expenses that come with owning a Spinone Italiano. Figures provided in this article are for informational purposes only. A dog owner should always find the actual costs applicable to his own situation before making any decision. References and Resources Leslie Brooks, DVM – Licensed Veterinarian Mendi Baryzk, DVM – Licensed VeterinarianAlexa Diaz, Ph. D. – Animal BehavioristCorryne Smith – Dog GroomerTamaria Reddick – Dog Walker, Pet SitterOrthopedic Foundation for AnimalsThe American Kennel ClubNorth American Pet Health Insurance AssociationAssociation of Professional Dog Trainers This article is original content from PetBudget.