Illinois Dog Breeds: Top Choices And Their Lifetime Expenses

Every January, a lot of us in Illinois take a hard look at our budgets. Credit card statements, holiday hangovers, the usual. And apparently… a whole lot of people are also Googling dogs.

A new study breaks down Illinois’ most searched dog breeds and the true lifetime cost of owning one. And spoiler alert: this is not a “buy a leash and you’re done” situation. Owning a dog is a 10–15 year commitment that can quietly turn into a $30,000-plus decision.

The Dog Breeds Illinois Is Searching the Most

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Here are the top five most searched dog breeds in Illinois right now:

Golden Retriever
Australian Shepherd
Boxer
Chihuahua
Dachshund

Not exactly surprising. These are family favorites, apartment dogs, and “we’ve always talked about getting one” breeds.

What a Golden Retriever Really Costs

Golden Retrievers top the Illinois search list, and they’re also one of the pricier commitments. Over a lifetime, you’re looking at roughly $27,600, factoring in food, vet visits, grooming, and insurance.

The Small Dog Cost Myth

Think smaller dog means cheaper dog? Not so fast. A Chihuahua can cost nearly $29,650 over its lifetime. A Dachshund comes in around $30,200. Fewer food bowls, sure… but long lifespans and ongoing care add up.

Boxers and Aussies Aren’t Budget Dogs Either

Boxers land around $31,000, and Australian Shepherds are just over $26,000. High energy, higher vet care, and long-term needs matter more than size.

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January Is the Reality Check Month

According to the study, purchase price is only a small piece of the puzzle. Food, vet care, grooming, and insurance quietly stack up year after year. So before that “let’s finally get a dog” conversation turns into a car ride home with a puppy… January might be the perfect time to do the math first.

If you want the full breakdown by breed, the complete study is worth a look at CompareTheMarket.com.au.

LOOK: Longest-living dog breeds

To find out the longest-living dog breeds, Stacker examined data from the journal Genetics and American Kennel Club's 2023 breed popularity rankings.

Gallery Credit: Sophia June

RANKED: Here Are the 63 Smartest Dog Breeds

Does your loyal pup's breed make the list? Read on to see if you'll be bragging to the neighbors about your dog's intellectual prowess the next time you take your fur baby out for a walk. Don't worry: Even if your dog's breed doesn't land on the list, that doesn't mean he's not a good boy--some traits simply can't be measured.

Gallery Credit: Sabienna Bowman

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Gallery Credit: Rachel Cavanaugh

Source: Illinois’ Most Searched Dog Breeds — And What They Actually Cost to Own

Filed Under: dogs, pets, dog breeds

Categories: Articles, Local News