Unfortunately, I'm in America and can't really tell you how much prices will compare to what things cost over there. But as far as food and treats, for my small breed on a good quality kibble, I'd say it's around $40-$50 a month. $60 including treats, I'd say.

Her initial puppy vet visits/vaccinations/spay have totaled $600 total, which isn't outrageous for my area at all. Though, in my area, the local humane society offers cheaper vaccinations/visits/spays for those who can't afford it at a very minimal cost.

And since she's a shih tzu, that means frequent grooming. She goes about every 6-8 weeks at about $55 dollars a visit, which can add up. Grooming at home is possible and definitely cheaper, it's just difficult with a shih tzu. Our golden gets at home baths, ear cleaning, nail trimming, etc. which is way more time consuming, but significantly cheaper and just a matter of investing in the right tools. So that's something to be aware of when looking at specific breeds.

Plus you have the initial fees of a crate (if you choose to use one), dog bed, leash, harness/collar, toys etc. On top of all of that, there are also unforeseen medical expenses that can pop up.

It is expensive to own a dog, for sure. However if you are money savvy and take advantage of cheap/free vaccinations that some humane societies offer, take the time to do grooming yourself, and invest in monthly pet insurance or have a savings for emergencies, and look for a good quality kibble that's not obscenely priced (definitely possible), you can definitely cut down on some of these expenses.