The 25 Most Expensive Dog Breeds On 2/16/21 at 7:00 AM EST Owning a dog can be expensive depending on the dog breed you choose, with some requiring more medical care than others, in addition to other costs. Americans reportedly spend an average of $1,675 per year on their dog, with purebred dogs costing five times more than a mutt or mixed dog, Prudent Pet Insurance reported last year. Purebreds, short-nosed dogs and large dogs have the highest pet insurance rates, while mixed breeds have the lowest rates as they "are less prone to genetically predisposed ailments," the North American Pet Health Insurance Association notes.