The cost of adopting a dog varies. If you adopt at an animal shelter that is funded by the government, the adoption fee is typically around $75-$125. The reason it’s so cheap is that most of these shelters rely on donations and volunteers to keep running.
If you adopt from a private shelter or breeder, expect to pay a few hundred dollars. Sometimes, private shelters have more expensive dogs because of their breed or appearance. Also, some private shelters charge more because they provide you with training and support.
The prices of dogs vary and the price is usually based on breed. The more popular breeds, such as golden retrievers and border collies will usually start at $50 and up. For less recognized breeds, such as German shorthaired pointers or Australian cattle dogs, you can expect to pay between $20 and $50. Most shelters have coupons or adoption specials that are usually advertised in the newspaper, so you can keep an eye out for those.