There is something truly special about the Boerboel dog breed. When you look at one you must notice how large and a little scary this working dog is. I am sure your first thought is: this must be a great guard dog!
Well, this is definitely true, so if you find this intimidating, but at the same time, beautiful and loving family dog interesting, continue reading to find out all about how much a Boerboel will cost you.
What Is The Average Boerboel Cost?
Let me first inform you briefly about Boerboel’s origins. The Boerboel is also known by names such as the South African Boerboel or South African Mastiff.
These farm dogs were bred in South Africa. Farmers used Boerboels to help them protect their livestock from lions, hyenas, and other predators.
Nowadays, the Boerboel is known as a kid-friendly dog and as a great companion to many families across the world.
The name of this dog breed, Boerboel, comes from the Dutch and Afrikaans languages and can be translated as farmer’s dog.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Boerboels are dominant dogs, so early socialization is really important with this dog breed.
Also, Boerboels are capable of learning many commands.
Their main task is to protect the people they love. Boerboels are very trainable, but they might not be the best option for first-time dog owners.
When talking about Boerboels’ lifespan, the average life expectancy for this dog breed is from 10 to 12 years.
Have Boerboels already fascinated you? Let’s continue and find out how much money will take you to become a Boerboel owner.
If you are interested in Boerboels, beware that the Boerboel cost range goes from $1200 up to $3200 or more.
The average price for a male Boerboel in the USA is $2620, while the average price of a female Boerboel is $2500.
If you are a fan of dogs that come from champion bloodlines, be ready to pay around $2830 for a champion Boerboel.
The most important step in buying your new Boerboel pet is choosing reputable breeders.
Be sure to meet the breeders in person and ask them everything you want to know about your future dog. In this way, you will also be able to see the relationship between the breeders and their Boerboel puppies.
As you can see, the price for this large breed dog is pretty high, so be sure you analyze all important factors of this dog breed before you decide to become a Boerboel owner.
Also, please be sure this dog breed is right for you since Boerboels can be quite challenging and demanding.
5 Key Factors Of Boerboel Cost
We are now familiar with the price range of Boerboels. So, what are the most important factors that actually determine the Boerboel cost?
Health Condition
Were you shocked to hear the price for a Boerboel when you contacted certain breeders? Bear in mind that some breeders take additional steps to ensure their Boerboel puppies are in the best health condition before they go to their new home.
Some of these additional steps refer to regular vet checks, vaccinations or even implanting microchips in the dogs. This makes it clear why the price of such Boerboels is quite high.
Let’s see the difference in Boerboel cost: the average price of a Boerboel with a health certificate is around $3250, and the average price of a Boerboel without a health certificate is around $2300.
Since reputable breeders give much attention to their Boerboels’ health condition, you should know the health issues your Boerboel might suffer from. The most common health problems for Boerboels are the following:
• Ectropion: This is a deformation of the eyelids, which occurs when the lower eyelid is extended outwards or “twisted” outwards, resulting in lowered lower eyelids.
• Entropion: this health condition, besides in Boerboels, also occurs in other dog breeds, such as the Bulldog or English Springer Spaniel. Entropion is a disorder that causes the dog’s eyelids to roll inward. It can affect the upper or lower eyelid or both of them.
• Elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia: these two conditions are typical for large dog breeds such as Boerboels. If your Boerboel suffers from this health condition, he will have an unusual formation of the hip socket which will result in hip dysplasia. The ball and socket are not formed properly in this condition. This disorder affects other dog breeds like the Rhodesian Ridgeback too.
Purebred Affects The Price
The price of the Boerboel depends on the Boerboel breed: is the dog purebred or mixed? If you want a purebred Boerboel with all its documents, be ready to pay around $3500. Boerboel mixes will probably cost you significantly less than a purebred Boerboel.
If you are curious about comparing the Boerboel cost with the cost of some other similar dog breed, let’s go with the Bullmastiff breed as an example. The average price of a Bullmastiff goes from $1500 to $2500.
Breeders
If you are looking for Boerboel puppies for sale, you should know that there are very different Boerboel breeders out there.
Two extremes are to be given special attention to. The ones that don’t care about the proper training, nutrition, or health conditions of their puppies who just want to make money and the ones that spend a lot of money to be sure they are raising the best Boerboels. The second ones are the reputable breeders.
Therefore, it is pretty clear why there are differences in the Boerboel cost among different breeders.
If you have decided to contact reputable breeders, be prepared to pay from $3100 up to $7000 for your Boerboel.
Training
Do you want a well-trained and early-socialized Boerboel? Well, be ready to pay a higher price for these.
Even if at first glance it might look like you are paying too much money, with time passing you will see how much time and energy you have saved by choosing a well-trained, well-bred Boerboel.
Age
Boerboel puppies cost far more than adult Boerboels. This is because most people want to buy young dogs, so, thanks to the law of supply and demand, Boerboel puppy prices are significantly higher.
Except for these most important factors when it comes to Boerboel cost, there are some other Boerboel features that are crucial for certain dog owners.
For example, the color of the Boerboel. The average price of a black Boerboel is between $1800 and $2125, while the price of a brindle Boerboel ranges from $1588 to $2500.
If you are a fan of white dogs, be prepared to pay a very high price for white Boerboel – around $4500!
Are There Any Additional Costs For Boerboel Puppies?
There might be some additional costs for Boerboel puppies.
For example, food and water bowls for your Boerboel will cost you around $20 per year. For more details on Boerboel nutrition you can check the Boerboel feeding chart.
The average annual cost for your dog’s collars and leash will be between $15 and $20.
Your Boerboel definitely needs his dog bed, doesn’t he? Be prepared to pay around $60 or $70 to make sure your puppy is comfortable while napping.
If you thought toys for dogs are not a cost at all, well, you are wrong! If you want your Boerboel to enjoy some real toys, be prepared to pay around $90 a year.
Brushes, nail clippers, and shampoos – all necessary too! The average annual price for all three is around $15.
Also, there might be expenses for spaying or neutering and if you are a serious dog owner who doesn’t like surprises of any kind, you might also pay for pet insurance for your South African Mastiff.
5 Things You Need To Know Before You Buy A Boerboel Puppy
Now that you are familiar with the costs involved in owning a Boerboel, you might also consider the following Boerboel characteristics before you buy or adopt a Boerboel dog.
The Boerboel is a mix of a couple of dog breeds.
It is actually relatively unknown which breeds Boerboels came from. However, according to records, some of the dog breeds that were present in South Africa in the 19th century were Mastiffs, Bulldogs, Pointers and Terriers.
It seems that the Boerboel is the best possible mix of all these agile dogs!
Boerboel dogs might be aggressive.
This is especially the case towards dogs of the same sex and the same breed. This does not mean that a Boerboel is a dangerous dog by default – this means that a Boerboel dog needs to be properly socialized and trained from an early age.
Boerboels are great guard dogs.
Boerboels make great watch dogs! Their original function was related to the protection of farmers’ properties and livestock. Therefore, your house will be safe with a Boerboel in your yard.
The Boerboel is indeed a family dog.
Boerboels are great with people, especially children. Just be sure he knows who the boss is!
Boerboels are banned in some locations.
Thanks to their undeserved reputation as “dangerous dogs,” Boerboels are banned in some countries such as places in Denmark, France, Switzerland, and even in some cities in the United States.
According to some opinions, Boerboels resemble Pitbulls in appearance, and Pitbulls are also dogs that are banned in some locations.
However, Boerboels are not dangerous dogs; they are actually very loving and loyal, but you do need to be very diligent in their training and care. Boerboels are just not for everyone.
So, what can we conclude?
If you are a first-time dog owner, a Boerboel is probably not the best dog for you. The person that is the best for this dog breed is an experienced and dominant owner who will have enough energy to deal with their Boerboel’s challenging temper.
If you adore large dogs, a Boerboel is probably the right dog for you. Just make sure he is trained and socialized at an early age! If not, he might show aggressive behavior.
What else can tell you are the right person to own a Boerboel? You should have a large, secure yard! Boerboels need daily exercise for up to two hours so be sure you are in good shape before getting one.
What Is The Average Yearly Cost For A Boerboel?
Now that you know the most important features of Boerboels and their average price as well, I am sure you also want to know what is the total average yearly cost for Boerboel maintenance.
During the first year of a Boerboel living under your roof, you will need to provide him with the essential supplies that will cost you from $200 to $900. Supplies mentioned include food, leash, dog bed, brush, toys, shampoo, and tooth-brushing kit.
But don’t be put off by this amount! Remember that many of the things you buy for your new puppy in his first year, you won’t have to buy again soon. So, your average yearly cost for a Boerboel in the following years should not go over $400.
Of course, unforeseen circumstances can always arise. Just make sure your Boerboel has everything he needs to be a healthy and happy pet!
Final Thoughts
Do you and your family members think that a Boerboel is the best dog for you? Now that you have a better insight into the Boerboel cost, go ahead and find a good breeder.
Just be sure that your house has a big enough yard, since your Boerboel will not be suitable for apartment living and will need plenty of space due to high activity level.
If the price of this unique dog breed is too high for you, adopting a dog from a shelter is always an option.
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