Crufts 2024: How much does it cost to raise a show dog?

Experts at online comparison site idealo and Debbi Palmer who owns two old English sheep dogs have revealed how much money is involved.

Debbi has highlighted the costs that can be curbed and the ones that can’t while the team at idealo has shared some money saving tips for anyone who wants to get their dog show ready for Crufts next year or pamper their furry friends for less.

Katy Phillps, senior brand and communications manager at idealo, comments: “After speaking with Debbi it was clear that some costs are fixed when it comes to dog showing but there are certainly some areas where per parents can be savvier when spending.”

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How much does it cost to raise a show dog?

On average, raising a Crufts show dog can cost £600 a month, the experts say.

Dog-friendly accommodation - £400

Pet owners who have travelled to the high-profile championships may have come a long way and need somewhere to stay and if they do, their dog will need to be accommodated as well.

Debbi Palmer said: “The cost of accommodation is one part of dog shows that often gets under looked.

“When looking for places to stay near the NEC while my dogs are competing, I’ve found that prices for hotels close by creep up around the time of the event, and you could end up paying on average £300-£400.”

Entry costs - £35

When you and your dog are ready to compete at championship level, you’ll need to pay anywhere between £30 and £35 to enter while open shows cost around £8, Debbi explains.

This year, any dog owners who want to enter Crufts need to be invited by The Kennel Club and pay an entry fee of £35 per dog.

Grooming - £10 per month

A big part of these championships is having a well-groomed dog and Debbi explains that she grooms her dogs herself to save on costs.

However, she said: “The cost of grooming products varies but I spend on average £10 a month restocking sprays, shampoo’s, conditioners and brushes.”

The cost is expected to be a lot higher if you send your dog to a professional groomer.

Katy said: “Anyone looking to take on dog grooming themselves will most likely be hit with high prices for premium dog show products but I would always recommend using price history trackers to compare on dog grooming products such as grooming bushes, paw protection sprays and shampoo to get the best deal possible.”

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Training - £60 per month

Dogs who enter shows are well-behaved and must go through strict ringcraft training.

Debbi said: “On average ringcraft classes cost about £15 per week and this involves many hours of practice and dedication to build the necessary skills needed to do well in a competition.”

It could take several months for your dog to be fully trained so for £60 a month this is another big expense.

Food - £70

The cost of dog food varies and some pet parents will spend more than others when it comes to feeding their pets.

Premium quality food could cost around £70 per month, not including treats from time to time.

Debbi said: “I like to use food tubes for training my dogs but sometimes the only positive reinforcement they need is a bit of chicken from Aldi or a cocktail sausage which can be relatively inexpensive.”

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Katy explained: “There are definitely ways to be savvier when it comes to topping up the dog food.

“I would always suggest doing some research to work out if buying in larger quantities will work out cheaper in the long run.

“You may pay a larger sum upfront, but these larger batches of food could last longer.

“Again, using price comparison tools to check when and where you can purchase your desired brand or product is key to keeping costs low.”