People often mistake the Boerboel for a mastiff or Mollosser type of dog. This isn’t too far off considering the fact that the relatively rare African dog breed might have descended from the Mollosser. In fact; another name for the Boerboel is South African Mastiff.
Are you looking to buy or adopt a Boerboel? Wondering how much a Boerboel puppy costs when you buy it from a reputable breeder? Want to know how to budget for such a large dog? Then read on: this guide is for you!
How Much is a Boerboel Price?
Owning a South African Boerboel puppy isn’t cheap. This is a relatively rare dog breed in the USA – therefore, finding Boerboel puppies on sale could be tricky. You might even have to import your puppy from South Africa, which can be expensive.
The average price of a male Boerboel puppy is around $2500; female Boerboel is only slightly cheaper. You might find yourself spending almost $2500 to $5000 on your Boerboel puppy in its first year.
After the first year, the expenses of raising this giant dog could drop slightly to $1200 to $2500 – provided there are no emergency costs. Since Boerboels have an average life expectancy of 10-12 years, the lifetime cost of owning one could easily exceed $10,000 to $35000.
Initial Costs of Owning a Boerboel Dog Breed
As mentioned earlier, the first expenditure of owning a dog is the puppy price. Reputed Boerboel breeders charge an average of $2500 for this breed. You could save some money by adopting a Boerboel from a rescue home. However, finding this rare dog breed in American animal shelters could be a hassle.
If you do find one, then the cost of adopting Boerboel puppies or adult dogs could be between $300 and $500. This could include vaccinations, spaying/neutering, tick-flea prevention, and deworming costs.
- Boerboel dog purchase – $2500 (average price)
- Microchipping, de-sexing – $400 to $500
- Adoption fees – $500.
Always buy your Boerboel from a reputed breeder. Puppy mills and backyard breeders may provide cheaper options but their dogs aren’t the healthiest.
The Cost of Setting up Your Home for your Boerboel
The initial costs of puppy ownership also include the cost of equipment and basic supplies for your Boerboel puppy. Every dog needs some basic supplies like food and water bowls, leashes and collars, a bed and a crate, and dental chews and toys. Here is a cost break-up for these items:
- Bed, crate, bowls, and toys – $100 to $700
- Collars and leashes – $50 to $200
- Chews and toys – $30 to 75
Dog Training Costs for Boerboel
There are different options before you when it comes to training your Boerboel. These options are priced differently based on the trainer, your location, and the type of training.
- Board and train – this is intensive training for Boerboel puppies 6 months and over. Your Boerboel puppy will learn commands like come, sit, etc. The training could also address specific behavioral issues like anxiety and aggression. The cost of this residential training is $2000 to $4000 for 2 weeks.
- Puppy socialization – Early training and socialization will help your Boerboel puppy interact confidently with people and other dogs. This training could cost between $100 and $150 for 5 lessons.
- Private lessons – If you want your Boerboel to be trained in basic obedience commands like come, sit, heel, wait, and off, then this is a great option. You can expect to pay between $1000 to $1500 for private training sessions conducted daily over 6-8 weeks.
Dog Food Costs for Boerboel
The cost of feeding this large farmer’s dog breed is highly dependent on the quality and type of food you choose. On average, a high-quality diet for large dog breeds like Boerboels can cost almost $40 a week.
Dog food prices vary a lot based on your location. For example, a Boerboel dog owner in California is bound to spend more on dog food than a dog owner in Indiana. Kibble, canned food, raw food, prescription food, and special veterinary diets all have different prices as well.
On average, large breed dog owners are known to spend between $400 and $1000 annually on dog food and treats alone.
Medical Costs for Boerboel Dog Breed
To keep your Boerboel dog healthy and happy, you must schedule several routine checkups at the veterinary clinic. Also, in your Boerboel puppy’s first year, it will need several vaccinations to prevent canine diseases like parvovirus, parainfluenza, distemper, etc.
Here are typical medical cost estimates for most cities in the USA:
- Annual vaccinations -$45 to $150
- Flea and worm treatments – $200-$400 per year
- One-illness-related vet visit – average $150
- Emergency vet visit/surgery – $1000 to $4000
- Routine vet exams – $40 to $120
- Blood tests – $80 to $200
You can invest in pet insurance to cover most of these costs. For most dogs, pet insurance ranges from $20 and $44 a month. However, mastiffs and other large dog breeds like Boerboels could require spending almost $73 per month on pet insurance.
Other Costs of Owning a Boerboel
There are several optional costs that come with owning a Boerboel. These costs mainly depend on your lifestyle and circumstances.
- Dog daycare – 3 times a week for 48 weeks at $35 a week comes to $1680 per year
- Rental deposits – Landlords are known to charge $200-$300 for potential damage due to pets
- Holiday/travel care – if you travel 10 nights a year, then $50/night at a pet boarding facility sets you back by $500 a year. A dog sitter could charge $30 to $50 per day to watch your dog.
- Grooming – this massive farm dog does not really need professional grooming. However, a basic grooming package at a professional groomer facility could cost around $40 per session.
Summary – Africa Boerboel Price
Budget anywhere between $2000 and $3000 for buying your African Boerboel puppy. The average Boerboel puppies on sale price in the USA is $2500 (a female Boerboel is slightly cheaper).
You might want to factor in between $2500 and $5000 for your Boerboel puppy’s first year.
After the first year, the annual expense of raising Boerboel puppies could be between $1200 and $2500 – provided there are no emergency costs.
Since Boerboels have an average life expectancy of 10-12 years, the lifetime cost of owning one could easily exceed $10,000 to $35000.
