Car-sized price for keeping a dog in Britain

The average dog in Britain costs 20,000 pounds to look after over the course of its lifetime, more than a luxury car or round the world cruise.

The average dog in Britain costs 20,000 pounds to look after over the course of its lifetime, more than a luxury car or round the world cruise, a pet insurer said Sunday.

In its annual Cost of a Dog report, Churchill said the Great Dane was the most expensive dog, costing 31,840 pounds over its average 10-year life, followed by the Rottweiler at 24,340 pounds.

Mongrels costs 20,998 pounds, while Jack Russells were a relative bargain at 17,476 pounds, said the insurer, which released its findings ahead of Crufts, the world's biggest dog show, opening Thursday in Birmingham, central England.

By comparison, a Jaguar X-type, Saab 9-5 or Volkswagen Passat sell in Britain for around 20,000 pounds, which is also the same price for a round-the-world cruise on Queen Elizabeth II.

"With hundreds of dog lovers expected to visit Crufts this week, many will come away keen to add a pedigree dog to their family," said Julie Owens, Churchill's head of pet insurance.

"However, getting a dog is a serious, long-term financial commitment. We advise prospective dog owners to take a great deal of time choosing the most suitable pet for their finances and lifestyle".

The findings emerged from a survey of 2,000 adults conducted by polling institute YouGov.