The Price of Boerboel Puppies & Adult Dogs (with Calculator)

If you are planning on welcoming a Boerboel at home, you will need to account for several expenses for your big furry friend. These include the cost of the puppy or dog itself, vet fees, training expenses, food, supplies, grooming and more. To help you budget and plan, we have developed a cost calculator that lets you estimate your yearly and overall costs when it comes to raising a Boerboel.

A Boerboel puppy is likely to cost between $1,200-$2,500 with the average price being $2,000. First-year expenses are around $5,295 and will be about $2,180/year (or $182/month) after that. Through the dog’s lifetime, the average cost of owning a Boerboel is $24,915.

These figures are based on essential expenses. Supplies, training cost, medical expenses, food, treats, grooming costs, license registration and microchip are included. Optional costs, such as sterilization and insurance, as well as dog boarding and dog walking could add up to these amounts. For example, if you spay/neuter your dog, buy pet insurance, have your dog walked every working day and send your dog to a boarding facility one week every year, your total cost of ownership could rise to the $55,170-$116,410 range.

If you are living in an expensive area and/or are planning to purchase high quality products and services, you will want to consider the higher end of the price range. The lower end of the spectrum indicates prices in less expensive areas.

In the rest of the article, you will find a comprehensive explanation of the expenses that come with raising a Boerboel. At the end we have added a cost calculator that lets you assess your habits and needs, and ultimately, generate a much more accurate estimate as to the overall cost of owning this breed.

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For general information about the cost of puppies and dogs, you can read The True Cost of a Dog (50 breeds compared) on our blog. If you are serious about adopting or buying this breed, keep reading this article. To compare the cost with other ones, visit our All Breeds page. You can also read our New Dog Owner Guide to learn everything about welcoming a dog home.

Quick Links

• Puppy Cost
• Supplies Cost
• Training Cost (dog trainer’s opinion)
• Medical Cost (veterinarian’s opinion)
• Food Cost
• Grooming Cost (groomer’s opinion)
• Other Costs (dog walker’s opinion)
• Total Cost
• PetBudget Cost Calculator

The price of Boerboel puppies

80% of the puppies found after reviewing more than 40 ads for Boerboels from reputable sources like breeders websites, the American Kennel Club, NextDayPets, and PuppyFind fell within the $1,200 to $2,500 range. The average cost being $2,000 for puppies under 6 months. For purebred dogs with documents, prices can be as high as $3,500.

Adoption offers a more affordable alternative, with rehoming/adoption fees typically being between $50 and $500, depending on the shelter. You would also be rescuing an abandoned animal, supporting a charity, and breaking the cycle of pet overpopulation.

Whether you decide to buy or adopt a Boerboel, make sure to find a reputable breeder or shelter as you want your future dog to have been properly cared for and reduce the chances to get a sick or behaviorally troubled animal.

WONDERING HOW AND WHERE TO FIND A BOERBOEL PUPPY TO BUY OR A DOG TO ADOPT? Our Guide will help you find a dog near you. We share the 22 best places to find your perfect pet.

This data is 100% original and has been collected by PetBudget’s team.

If you want to know more about the price of puppies in the US or compare this breed with 150 others, check our puppy prices article based on the analysis of close to 50,000 ads (for 151 different breeds).

Factors affecting the price of puppies and why prices vary for the same breed.

Purebred or mixed. Usually, mixed-breeds are sold at a lower price than purebred dogs.

Bloodline and breeder’s reputation. If the parents are purebred show quality dogs from a reputable breeder, the price will be substantially higher. These breeders also tend to invest more money than others to take care of their breeding dogs and puppies.

Registration papers/pedigree. Some breeders are members of kennel clubs, the most famous being the American Kennel Club (AKC). They can also have their breeding dogs and puppies registered which would also add to their fees.

Health screenings and medical expenses. Serious breeders will have their breeding dogs and/or puppies evaluated/tested for different medical conditions. Moreover, some will take their puppies to the vet for an exam, deworming, vaccines, and/or microchip implantation prior to selling them. This drives the price higher but also reduces the risk to get an unhealthy dog.

Training and socialization. Some breeders sell their dogs after they are trained and socialized. It will increase the puppy’s price but generate savings as you most probably won’t have to invest in more training and also gives a better chance to get a well-behaved dog.

Breed popularity in the buyer’s location. Local supply and demand will have an impact on puppy prices. For example, small dogs tend to be more popular in metropolitan areas where people live in smaller spaces. Some breeds are more in demand in colder climates, others where hunting is popular, etc. It is worth looking for prices in different locations, but it is risky to buy a dog without having seen it before or at least have met with the breeder and visited the kennel.

Age. As most people want to get their puppy as young as possible, prices tend to be lower when the dog gets older. For example, on average a 6-month-old pup is likely to be less expensive than an 8-week-old one.

Coat color and markings. Coat color trends can change quickly. For any breed, some colors are more popular than others, sometimes temporarily. When the interest for a specific coat color grows, puppies get more expensive as an increase in demand leads to a higher market price. Also, for purebred dogs, only specific colors and color combinations are accepted by kennel clubs. Finally, puppies with rare colors can be very expensive as well.

What supplies do you need for your dog?

We have listed all the essential items a new dog owner will probably have to buy and analyzed over 250 best seller prices from Walmart, Amazon, and PetSmart to get an accurate estimate of the cost of supplies. A Boerboel owner should budget between $245 and $925 the first year and $105 to $410 every year after that when it comes to supplies for such a large dog. Prices can vary depending on store, brand, location, and product quality.

A new dog owner will need to buy most items on the list before welcoming the new pet, hence the higher initial investment of $495 on average. After that it will only be necessary to replace or replenish a few things lowering yearly expenses to about $225. This accounts for new toys, changing the bed and replenishing poop bags, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

Other items are not included in this list. For example, you might consider buying a harness, a muzzle, dog clothing, fences for the yard or add gates inside the house. For a more accurate estimate, you can add these expenses in the supplies section of the cost calculator at the end of the article. A simple way to save a lot on supplies is to buy from previous dog owners on second-hand websites or visit second-hand stores.

Check our Dog Supplies Guide and get tips to choose the right items for you and your dog (bowls, collar, leash, bed, and crate size, etc.). Learn everything about costs, and find the best products available.

If you are on a budget check our special selection and buy everything new for less than $200.

Leave your email at the top or bottom of this article to get our free supplies checklist with tips to select the right size for each product.

Training cost

According to expert animal behaviorists like Alexa Diaz, Ph.D., training is recommended for a Boerboel and should cost between $700 and $1,000. Training should include 3 to 5 private lessons for positive leadership, house manners, crate, and potty training ($550-$800) as well as five 1-hour group training sessions to cover basic obedience, barking, and socialization outside the home ($150-$200).

A good dog training book is also a good idea and should help you get a grasp on the basics and can make training your dog much easier!

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If you want to know whether to train your dog yourself or hire a professional and learn about the cost of training classes and supplies, check our article written with a certified dog trainer.

Medical costs for a Boerboel

Based on consultation from a licensed veterinarian, Leslie Brooks, DVM, we have put together a list of the medical costs associated with raising a Boerboel. Obviously, these costs can vary depending on many factors such as location and the dog’s health. But in general, you can expect to pay an average of $665 for the first year (to which you may add a one-time expense of $575 on average for spay/neuter and gastropexy) and $800 each adult year.

Vet cost for a Boerboel puppy during the first year

For puppies, licensed veterinarians like Leslie Brooks recommend making at least three trips to the vet through the course of the puppy’s first year, assuming the first visit is at about 8 weeks of age. Each trip should cost between $65 and $170. These three visits will cover all the medical requirements that are necessary such as physical exams, fecal examination, vaccines, heartworm prevention and flea prevention.

She also highly recommends the dog owner to purchase heartworm prevention (to prevent development of heartworm disease, especially in the Southeast US where this disease is rampant) and flea prevention supply for the rest of the year which should cost $75-$150 and $100-$150, respectively for a puppy.

Depending on your lifestyle some additional vaccines could be recommended:

• Leptospirosis if the dog is exposed to wildlife, goes camping often, hikes, plays in puddles, lakes, or ponds ($15-$25 and sometimes already included in the visit).
• Influenza if the dog goes to doggie daycare or is kenneled/boarded often and if the daycare or kennels require it due to intermittent influenza outbreaks ($70-$90 for two doses).
• Lyme if exposed to ticks often, such as if the dog goes camping or hiking, or if it lives in a wooded area or on a farm ($60-$80 for two doses).

As your puppy grows, you might want to consider neutering (male) or spaying (female) your Boerboel, which can range from $200 to $500, depending on your location and the clinics in your locality (there are low-cost clinics that may do a low-cost spay or neuter for $50 to $100). Typically, spays are more expensive.

For large breeds and deep-chested dogs such as Boerboels, Leslie Brooks, DVM, also recommends performing a gastropexy at the time of their spay or neuter. This procedure typically costs between $200 and $400 but helps prevent the possibility of Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) later in life. GDV is when the stomach twists on itself and is a life-threatening condition that must be corrected with surgery.

Veterinary expenses for the following years

Apart from the early costs, regular trips to the vet should also be accounted for. Yearly visits are likely to run you anywhere between $125 to $265, while offering comprehensive check-ups to ensure everything is alright with your dog. The visit should include the exam, vaccines and if needed a heartworm test and blood work (to detect any hidden medical condition for middle aged and senior dogs).

On top of that, Leslie highly recommends continuing heartworm prevention ($150-$250 for the year) and flea prevention ($250-$400 for the year) as your dog continues to grow.

The lifestyle vaccines mentioned above may also require annual booster shots ($15-$45 each) and fecal examinations could be needed if the pet is regularly exposed to other dogs or wildlife or has inconsistent stool quality ($40-$50).

Boerboel most common health problems

The following table presents some Boerboel known potential health problems and an estimate of the cost to treat them according to Leslie Brooks, DVM.

This price range for hip dysplasia is very wide because of the variety of treatment options an owner may pursue. Conservative treatment including pain management and physical therapy is usually the cheapest alternative ($500-$2,500 per year), while total hip replacement costs about $5,000-$6,500 per affected hip.

Elbow dysplasia: the cost estimate is for surgery per elbow.

Eye Abnormalities (entropion, ectropion): $800-$1,500 for surgical correction.

Vaginal hypertrophy: spaying can correct it usually, unless there is another underlying reason for its occurrence.

Pet insurance price

You should also consider enrolling your pet in an insurance plan. The North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry Report says that the average cost of insurance is $565 for both accident and illness coverage and $190 for accident-only plans. If you want to safeguard against any major medical expenses in the future, an insurance plan is a great idea.

These are some of the most important expenses you will want to plan for as a potential dog owner, as they can play a vital role in the well-being of your dog.

It is also possible to get complete health coverage with some insurance companies but it gets much more expensive.

If you wonder whether or not you should get pet insurance, we have a simple step by step guide to help you make the decision. This could save you thousands of dollars.

As mentioned, some medical conditions can be expensive to treat. Although purebred dogs may have a higher incidence of some inherited disorders, mixed breed dogs are also likely to develop health conditions, such as cancer and heart disorders. No dog owner should have to make critical decisions about their pets based on their ability to afford care. That’s why pet insurance is more popular every year in the US.

When comparing pet insurances, price is a significant factor, but it is also essential to consider:
– Deductible type (per incident or per year) and amount
– Reimbursements percentage and limits
– Services included (emergency visits, hospitalization, surgery, medications, specialists, cancer treatments, pre-existing conditions, etc.)
– When coverage will start

The price will vary depending on multiple factors, including the dog’s breed, age, location, and the plan chosen. You can compare pet insurance prices on comparison websites like PetInsuranceReview.

Read our article titled a veterinarian explains medical costs for a dog to learn more and get tips to save on vet expenses.

The cost to feed a Boerboel

Boerboels are giant dogs and can easily weigh 175 lb. (usually 150 to 200 lb.). As a result, Boerboel puppies tend to consume close to 580 lb. of dry food for the first year. This puts food-related expenses in the $440-$880 range. Adult Boerboels generally eat up about 610 lb. of dry food a year, resulting in costs ranging from $300 to $945. These figures are based on the prices of four popular dog food brands detailed below.

Treats to reward your dog can add another $125-$715 to yearly expenses, based on the price of more than 25 best-selling treats seen at Walmart, PetSmart and on Amazon. Naturally, expenses will depend on the quality of food or treats you buy, premium grade brands being considerably more expensive.

This cost estimation for treats is based on the premise that the dog gets one big treat every day. If you give your dog a treat every other day, you can divide these amounts by two. If it is once a week, divide them by seven, and so on. Enter the relevant information in the calculator at the end of the article to get your personalized cost estimate.

Four dog food brands compared

A Boerboel puppy will eat close to 580 lb. of dry food during the first year.

A Boerboel owner should expect to buy around 610 lb. of food every year for his/her adult dog.

Dog food is perishable but can be stored for extended periods of time. This means that bulk purchases are a viable option and will give you the best bang for buck on the market, so consider bulk-purchasing food for your Boerboel. Also make sure to consult your vet on the type of food you should be giving to your dog.

Example for a more expensive premium brand

This illustrates the price difference between budget-friendly and premium dog food.

Boerboel Grooming

According to Corryne Smith, dog groomer, one visit at a grooming salon should cost anywhere between $60 and $80 for a Boerboel. Luckily, this breed is low maintenance and most owners could groom the dog themselves at home if they wanted to. Otherwise, 6 sessions with a professional groomer each year should be enough.

Professional dog grooming services usually include the following: bath, shampoo, hair removal (if needed), brushing, styling, nail trimming, teeth brushing, eye and ear cleaning. Rates will vary depending on the actual grooming time which is determined by the services requested as well as the dog (age, size, health, behavior, coat condition).

If you would like to do the grooming at home, you will need some equipment on hand to make the process effective and easy. This entails a $25-$290 expense. Grooming kits are available online and typically cost $75 on average.

Additional costs to consider for a Boerboel

License

On average, licenses for a dog fall between $10 and $20 in the U.S.A. If your dog is not spayed or neutered, this cost could be a little bit higher. Across the U.S.A, you might get into legal problems if you have an unlicensed dog, so we strongly suggest licensing your Boerboel as early as possible. It also makes locating your dog easier in any sort of emergency, making it even more important.

Microchip

Microchips help create a unique identification for your dog, allowing them to be on common medical and emergency databases. Many states require dogs to be microchipped, so you will likely need to spend $25-$50 for your Boerboel.

Dog walking

Tamaria Reddick, a well-reputed dog walker and dog sitter says that Boerboels are exceptionally large dogs but only need a moderate amount of exercise due to their calm nature. If you cannot take your dog out during the day, she would recommend hiring a dog walker for 30-minutes sessions, as it is best that your Boerboel gets the opportunity to move and spend some time outside.

These 30-minute walks usually range from $15 and $25 each, ($25-$50 for a 1-hour walk). These costs can add up if you need a dog walker throughout the year, so take that into consideration when planning for the expenses that come with a dog. Dog walkers can be found on apps like Rover or Wag.

Because of their size, your options might be limited as not every dog walker will be willing or able to take care of such a large breed. If the dog is not properly socialized, it might need private walks which are more expensive.

Traveling

It is highly inadvisable to leave a Boerboel alone, particularly if you are traveling over days or weeks. In the case that you must leave your dog somewhere, dog boarding services are generally available and accessible. Expect to pay anywhere between $25-$85 per day, depending on location and time of year.

During particularly busy stretches of the year, such as the holidays, be sure to book dog boarding or sitting services in advance, as you are likely to get much better prices. Affordable alternatives include looking to see if any friends/family would be open to hosting your dog, as these prices can add up very quickly. But finding someone willing to do it could be a challenge with a dog this big.

Finally, you might be able to take your dog with you, as many airlines and train companies offer special provisions to help move your pets. You will have to submit a formal request ahead of time though, so make sure to plan your trips early. Moreover, the cost varies drastically, as it depends on several variables, so make sure to plan when traveling with your Boerboel.

Yearly and monthly cost of a Boerboel

The cost of a puppy during the first year

The average cost for the first year when buying a Boerboel puppy is around $5,295 and usually ranges between $3,185 and $7,455. Note that most of the major expenses are required soon after buying your puppy.

Depending on your situation you might also need to consider some of the optional costs below.

For example, the average cost for the first year will be $6,435 if you spray/neuter the dog and have pet insurance. With additional services tacked on, such as dog walking (five times a week for 42 weeks) and boarding services (one week), this amount can rise as high as $10,915 on average for the first year!

Yearly and monthly cost of an adult Boerboel

After the first year, supplies, medical expenses, food and treats, grooming and license renewal will run you anything between $1,065 and $3,645 with an average of $2,180 per year (or $89 to $304 with an average of $182 per month).

Once again, with insurance and additional services (dog walking five times a week for 50 weeks and dog boarding for one week), the average cost rises to $8,025 per year ($669 per month) and ranges between $5,340 and $11,270 a year ($445 to $939 a month).

Total cost of ownership of a Boerboel

Using the figures detailed above and considering an average life expectancy of 10 years (usually 9 to 11 years), we estimate the total cost of owning a Boerboel to fall between $12,770 and $40,260, with an average cost of $24,915.

For those willing to spay/neuter their dog and pay for insurance, the average cost of ownership will be around $31,140. Finally, if five professional 30-minute dog walks a week for fifty weeks and one week of dog boarding are necessary every year on top of everything else, the total cost of ownership can be as high as $55,170 to $116,410 averaging $83,140 over the course of the dog’s life!

Thank you for reading us! Stay tuned for more information about pet costs, product reviews and saving tips.

PetBudget Boerboel cost calculator

The cost of a Boerboel – A summary in 7 questions

1- How much is a Boerboel puppy?

On average a Boerboel puppy will cost $2,000 in the USA. Most puppies can be found between $1,200 and $2,500. The price will vary depending on the breeder and location as well as the dog’s bloodline, color, and age among other things.

2 – How much are dog supplies?

A new owner can expect an initial investment between $245 and $925 in supplies when welcoming an extra-large dog. Every year, the cost to renew some of them should be between $105 and $410. Prices vary depending on location, stores, brands, and products quality.

3 – Does a Boerboel need training and how much will it cost?

Having a Boerboel professionally trained is usually recommended (both private and group training) and should cost around $700 to $1,000. For this breed, training should mainly focus on basic obedience, experiences outside the home, barking, positive leadership, crate training, potty training, and house manners.

4 – What is the cost of preventive medical care for a Boerboel ?

Preventive medical care should amount to around $440 to $885 for a Boerboel puppy during the first year and around $525 to $1,075 every adult year. This does not include spay or neuter and gastropexy procedures (usually $200 to $500 and $200 to $400 respectively).

5 – How much food does a Boerboel eat and how much will it cost?

A Boerboel puppy will eat around 580 lb. and an adult close to 610 lb. of dry food yearly (it varies for each dog and food brand). Annual expenses should be between $440 and $1,260 for a puppy and $300 to $1,245 for an adult dog. Other types of food and treats would increase the costs.

6 – How often should a Boerboel be professionally groomed and how much will it cost?

Grooming a Boerboel is easy enough that most owners should be able to do it themselves. Those who prefer having their dog professionally groomed can expect up to 6 visits to a salon every year. Each session should cost from $60 to $80 depending on the dog and services needed.

7 – Are there any other expenses to expect?

In the United States, a dog license usually costs between $10 and $20. The cost could be slightly higher if the dog is not spayed or neutered. Having the dog licensed is mandatory almost everywhere.

A dog microchip costs $25 to $50 on average in the US and is generally implanted during a medical appointment. It is placed under the skin usually between the shoulder blades. Dogs adopted from a shelter or bought from a breeder sometimes already have a microchip.

According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry Report, the average annual price is $566 for accident and illness coverage plans or $190 for accident only plans.

Dog walkers usually charge $15 to $25 for 30 minutes group walks and $20 to $50 for 1-hour long ones. Prices vary mainly depending on location. Private walks are more expensive.

A dog owner should budget $25 to $85 per day for dog boarding services. Prices vary depending on location, time of the year, and the level of service among other things.

Newsletter Subscribers get:

Before & After you Get a Puppy (2 eBooks)
+ Our Dog Supplies Checklist
+ Coupons & Discounts
ALL FOR FREE

“Allow me to help you prepare for your new dog, make the best decisions, and save.”

Johann – PetBudget Founder

What is the next step? Check our New Dog Owner Guide. It’s a 5 minutes read packed with useful information for future and new dog owners.

Other breeds you might like

Or learn more about the cost of owning a dog. This article is THE reference when it comes to budgeting for your pet.

To help you out, this guide contains all the primary expenses that are necessary to ensure your future dog’s well-being. Make sure to take these considerations seriously before adopting or purchasing a Boerboel, as they are imperative to your dog leading a healthy, happy, and comfortable life in your home. Moreover, the dog should not be a financial burden on you or your family, so make sure to carefully read through each section to better understand the expenses that come with owning a Boerboel. Figures provided in this article are for informational purposes only. A dog owner should always find the actual costs applicable to his own situation before making any decision.

References and Resources

• Leslie Brooks, DVM – Licensed Veterinarian
• Mendi Baryzk, DVM – Licensed Veterinarian
• Alexa Diaz, Ph. D. – Animal Behaviorist
• Corryne Smith – Dog Groomer
• Tamaria Reddick – Dog Walker, Pet Sitter
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
• The American Kennel Club
• North American Pet Health Insurance Association
• Association of Professional Dog Trainers

This article is original content from PetBudget.