Dog Supplies
Dogs have several needs, most are not expensive, and some can be made from things you likely already have. Use the links below to jump ahead.
The absolute basic needs for getting a dog are a bag of food, a leash, a collar and at the very least a vet trip for rabies and other basic shots. Legally most areas will also require you to get a license.
I was once on a dog forum where someone was posting about a dog they had just gotten from the humane society. They got it because it was sweet and its time was up. She was saying how she wasn't sure she would be able to afford a vet trip, she wasn't able to neuter him and he was going to be eating cheap food. For some reason a number of other people responded with the dog would be better off dead, and how she was doing something terrible. My response was different.
I pointed out shot clinics were cheap, and many people went to them rather than a vet. I replied that having his testicles wouldn't make him suddenly drop dead, dogs have been keeping them for thousands of years without a problem. She never said she wouldn't bring him to the vet if he had an actual problem. As long as she kept him from breeding I didn't see an issue. And really, cheap dog food? He was going to be dead. Heaven forbid he live in a house eating cheap dog food rather than be dead. I was her only positive response. She found the dog a home within a week anyway, which had been her original plan. So a dog ate cheap dog food for a week, didn't see a vet, then went on to a home with more money. How is any of that negative?
My point is there are many level of dog care. Some people are a bit nuts about it and others are not. My dogs eat ridiculously expensive dog food, but they don't get professionally groomed, they don't go to dog parks, and they seem quite happy.
Collars | Leashes | Bowls | License | Bed | Treats | Food | Vet Care
Collars
A collar is the most important item to get for your dog. Collars make it so that you can grab your dog before he gets out that door, and keep an id tag on him so that if he had gotten out someone would know he was yours. The best kinds are a nylon or leather buckle collar or a rolled leather one. Chain collars should be for training purposes only, and not worn when not training. The nylon collar should be buckle rather than snap because the plastic snaps have a tendency to break and metal buckles break much less often. Leather collars should be checked periodically to make sure they aren't stretching.
You want to be able to fit 3 or four fingers between your dogs neck and the collar. On this collar should be at least 2 tags a license and an id tag with your phone number and/or address on it. I recommend Boomerang Tags for the address information. they make a flat metal tag that will slip onto a flat collar, and won't jingle. They cost slightly more than the chintzy ones you carve yourself at the pet store. If your town requires it you may have to include your rabies tag on the collar. I don't as I do 3 year rabies, and to get the license I have to have the rabies paperwork. I've never had a problem, but my dog's don't get loose.
Leashes
A leash is the second important item. A standard six foot leash is best, though there are many variations. Choose one with a strong buckle for the size of your dog, and a comfortable handle. If you want a retractable leash, go right ahead, but make sure to get a standard leash for a backup.
Another leash it would be good to have is a 30 foot training leash. This makes it easier to train come and distance stays without giving up control of your dog. Dogs should not be allowed off lead unless legal in your area, and under complete voice control.
A note from all the pet store employees out there: If you have a retractable leash please NEVER bring it in a pet store. Even if you lock it. It is rude and obnoxious to have a dog wander around a corner and lunge at you while the owner is distracted. One more note. if your dog doesn't like children, other dogs, people, or small animals DO NOT bring it to a pet store. Certainly don't bring it on a retractable lead and laugh as it lunges at children walking by through the front windows. I also have no interest in helping you get a harness for your growling lunging terror. Buy two different sizes and return one, that's what every one with a brain is doing.
Bowls
Your dog needs two bowls, one for food, and one for water. You can get as fancy as you want, but stainless steel and ceramic are normally more aesthetically pleasing, and easier to keep clean. The water bowl should always have clean water in it. I use a large glass mixing bowl, but the dogs really don't care. I like the glass because I can glance at it and tell if it's still clean.
License
Most towns require that dogs over 6 months of age be licensed. Some towns require getting a license right after your dog gets their rabies shot, which is sometimes different than 6 months. This license often pays for your towns animal pound. It also makes it easier to get your dog back if it is caught by animal control. The fee is normally very low ten dollars or so being the norm.
Bed
Dogs will take almost anything as a bed. Most people like buying them a bed to match the decor. Concerns are that the cover be removable for washing, and that is be cushioned enough to be a comfortable bed. Dogs will also adopt old pillows, or couch cushions, as well as adapt to sleeping on your bed. If you allow them to sleep on your bed make sure that the dog has to be invited. Beds are often seen as top ranking positions, and can be very volatile. It is normally better to get your dog their own bed so they can sleep near your bed, but not on it. That way the dog knows that yet again you command the best resources.
In my case I reserve bed privileges for the cat, and the dogs have to sleep on the floor or their own beds. I do however have one dog that keeps trying to sneak onto the couch.
Treats
Dogs love treats, and there are many kinds to choose from. You could go with a box of dog biscuits, or to the canine bakery, either way your dog will probably enjoy them. Those from a canine bakery are probably better for him though. Dogs can also eat people food in sparing amounts. Hot dogs are a common treat, and non flavored ones are best. Dogs also enjoy cooked chicken, ham and turkey with NO bones. The food loses some nutrition by being cooked, but cooking lessens the risk of bacteria. Never give them any cooked bird bones.
Other ready made dog treats include, cow hooves, cow ears, pig ears, pig snouts and all manner of rawhide chews. The first four look exactly like they sound, right off the animal. Rawhide is at least shaped, so less easy to discover the origins of. Most of those ready made treats are fine for dogs provided they chew them enough. If your dog bolts food he should probably not be given anything that requires chewing, or he could end up with a blockage due to an unchewed treat.
My dogs get raw beef ribs when I have time. I freeze them for a few days than offer them frozen on towels when I can watch them. Occasionally one of the dogs has coughed up a bone chunk a day later, but most of the time they are fine. I emphasize that both my dogs thoroughly chew their bones, and I remove them once they get too small, or get overly sharp.
Food
Dog food is one of those things you get what you pay for. Lower price dog food is almost always lower quality. Most low quality dog foods are filled mainly with corn or rice, and not the corn or rice we would eat. Corn could be husks left over from processing, or even stalks of the plants. Rice is also often what it left over.
You are better off with a higher quality dog food, as the ingredients are normally higher quality as well. In fact dogs have a high incidence of allergies to lower quality food, and the preservatives in it.
You want to avoid foods that repeat ingredients too much, and preferably you want a food with a main ingredient protein source. Avoid anything that says by-product. Avoid protein sources that are vague, such as meat vs chicken. i avoid fish at the moment due to worrying about mercury. I had my dogs on one food, but they changed owners and started swapping ingredients. I switched to another food and both dogs started itching. I switched again. I don't know what was causing the itching, but it was driving me nuts. The dogs would stop mid run to scratch.
Vet Care
Dogs need to go to the vet at least once a year, if a puppy several times to get shots. The most important vaccination is against rabies, but there are several others that your dog needs to get, and could become very sick without. Parvo and distemper come to mind as a very unpleasant way for a dog to die.