Start with the costs you can verify
A purchase price is only one part of the budget. Compare what each seller or shelter includes, then obtain quotes for your dog’s initial and ongoing care.
| Cost | Evidence or next step |
|---|---|
| Purchase | One seller, Puppy Singapore, advertises S$3,288–12,888 across its listings. This is its own range, not a market average. |
| Adoption | Ask the shelter for the fee and included veterinary procedures. |
| Licence | AVS publishes the statutory fees below. |
| Veterinary care | VetsNow lists vaccination at S$60 and consultation separately at S$50. Confirm the appointment total. |
| Food and grooming | Price the food quantity and grooming frequency appropriate to your dog. |
Seller and clinic pages were accessed on 15 September 2026. Prices can change; inclusion in this guide is not an endorsement. Compare the puppy price examples.
What are the AVS licence fees?
For a dog among the first three kept, AVS lists these base fees:
| Licence | Sterilised dog | Unsterilised dog |
|---|---|---|
| One year | S$15 | S$90 |
| Two years | S$25 | S$165 |
| Lifetime | S$35 | Not offered in this category |
There are separate provisions for puppies under five months, additional dogs and longer unsterilised licences. AVS lists a 10% rebate for online, GIRO or AXS payment. Check the official fee table before applying.
How should I estimate monthly costs?
Our cost calculator uses illustrative planning allowances, not verified market averages. Choose size, coat, buying or adopting, insurance and boarding nights. It shows every allowance so you can compare it with your own quotes.
The calculation is:
- First year: one-time costs plus one year of ongoing care.
- Monthly allowance: annual ongoing care divided by 12.
- 13-year scenario: one-time costs plus 13 years of ongoing care.
The 13-year period is a scenario, not a lifespan prediction. The model holds costs constant and excludes inflation, emergency treatment and extra care for chronic illness. A yearly vaccination allowance does not mean every vaccine is due every year; follow your vet’s schedule.
What could make my budget higher?
A prescription diet, frequent grooming, illness or regular boarding can change your costs substantially. Insurance also varies by age, cover and exclusions. Get a personalised policy quote and review its waiting periods before relying on it.
Keep an accessible contingency separate from the routine budget. Decide its size using local emergency-clinic quotes and your circumstances; no single buffer guarantees enough cover.
What should I check before committing?
- Confirm that your housing permits the particular dog.
- Ask what is included in the purchase or adoption fee.
- Get written clinic, grooming and boarding quotes.
- Test the ongoing budget against your household spending.
- Revisit the budget when your dog’s needs change.
Plan vaccination appointments or compare insurance features.
