If you are not sure about where to get a puppy from- an animal shelter or pet store, the cost of adopting a dog might lure you towards the former. It is definitely cheaper to adopt a dog than to buy one. If you plan on buying, be ready to spend anywhere between $500 to $1000. The price is even higher for some exotic breeds. On the other hand, the cost of adoption ranges from merely $50 to $200. If you wish for a purebred dog, you can find them in shelters as they are also given away for adoption.