Bouvier des Flandres roughly translates as the “cowherd of Flanders”. This is a calm and docile dog that makes an excellent family pet. With proper training and socialization, the Bouvier des Flandres can be an excellent companion for individuals and families for years to come.
If you’re planning to buy or adopt this lovely dog, then it is a good idea to know how much it can cost to raise. This guide explains the various costs of Bouvier ownership in detail.
How Much Do Bouvier des Flandres Cost?
The average price of a Bouvier des Flandres puppy in the US is $2000.
The first-year cost of raising this large dog breed usually comes to $3000 to $4500.
After that, you can expect to pay almost $1750 to $2200 per year on raising the Bouvier des Flandres.
Since this dog breed lives, on average, for 10-12 years, you could easily spend over $25,000 over its lifetime.
How Much is the Bouvier Dog For?
Our team analyzed around 20 advertisements to bring you the latest puppy prices of Bouvier des Flandres. Here is what we found:
- The minimum price for a Bouvier des Flandres from a reputed breeder was $1500 and the maximum was $2500.
- The national average cost of an American Bouvier from a reputed breeder came to $1800-$2000.
- Some show-quality Bouvier dogs cost up to $3000.
- The price of adopting an American Bouvier was just $300.
Price of Basic Equipment
Every dog needs some basic tools and equipment. These are needed to keep it more comfortable and also ease the process of training it.
- Crate, bed, liner – A crate is not a punishment tool, rather; it will keep your Bouvier more comfortable by giving it a safe and secure place to rest. Add in a bed and a liner and toss in some toys to keep your puppy happy in it. Most crates cost between $100 and $400. A bed and liner can cost around $50-$75 although you can get better quality for higher prices.
- Bowls – choose non-skid, no-tip bowls for food and water for your pet. These cost between $10-$30 per bowl.
- Basic grooming kit – this should have a brush, shampoo, nail clippers, and pet wipes along with a dental care kit for dogs. This may cost around $45 to $60.
- Toys – these will keep your puppy entertained. Some toys will also soothe its gums when it is teething. Expect to pay around $30 to $50 for high-quality toys.
- Training and other accessories– these include collar and leash, pee pads, potty bags or poop scooper, wipes, sprays to eliminate urine smell, etc. These cost around $40 to $100 depending on the quality.
Medical Costs for the American Bouvier des Flandres
The average cost for routine vet visits in most cities is $40-$100. Your American Bouvier will need at least 2-3 such visits along with several vaccinations in its first year. In addition, you will also spend on its spaying/neutering surgery to prevent unwanted puppies. Internal and external parasite protection are some other medical costs pet owners need to consider.
Here are some medical costs for dogs:
- Vaccines – $100 to $500 per year
- Spay/neuter procedure – $100 for neutering and around $500 for spaying.
- Routine or wellness checkups – $50-$100
- Microchipping – $25
- Heartworm test – $45
- Flea and tick prevention – $200 per year
- Deworming – $20 to $55 every 3 months
- Dental cleaning – $100 to $400 per visit
- Emergency surgery – $1000 to $5000
Bouvier des Flandres are generally healthy dogs if you purchase your puppy from a reputed breeder. However, from time to time, diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, thyroid-related issues, and epilepsy are seen in the breed.
The cost of treating these conditions can be very high. Pet insurance plans could cover some or all of these costs. Many plans cover emergency and routine checkups as well as the costs of supplements and alternative therapies. You can expect to pay between $300-$500 a year on pet insurance for your Bouvier des Flandres.
Dog Food Costs for Bouvier des Flandres
Feeding your pet a nutritious diet is important for its health and well-being. Since Bouvier des Flandres weigh between 60-90 lb. and measure around 36 inches, they need at least 64 lb. of dog food a month. Here are some monthly food costs you could incur:
- Low-price dog food costs $1.75 per lb. which brings your monthly cost of food to $113.
- Medium-range dog food costs $3/lb so the monthly cost of food alone is $194
- High-priced dog food costs $5/lb and that can bring your monthly cost to $320 and the annual cost to $3800 on dog food alone.
Miscellaneous Costs of Owning a Bouvier des Flandres
Dog Training Costs
Dog training costs tend to vary from place to place. On average, you can expect to pay $2000 a year for training your Bouvier des Flandres. Options like training at home using online video tips can help you save money.
Grooming
The Bouvier des Flandres will need grooming every 4-6 weeks for nail trimming, bath, and coat brushing. You can expect to pay around $40 per session for a basic grooming package.
Travel/Pet Boarding
It is best to board your pet at a pet hostel unless you can travel with it or leave it with a friend. Most dog boarding facilities generally charge between $40-$65 per night. If you travel with your pet, then you may expect to pay $250 on airfare for a round trip with separate layover charges.
Dog Walker
An American Bouvier will need at least 2-3 walks of 15-20 minutes each. If you are too busy, you might want to enlist a dog walking service. Most dog walkers charge between $10-$30 per short walk.
Other Costs
You also want to consider costs like replacing broken equipment, an annual license for your dog, pet rental damage charges, etc. This could come to over $200 a year.
Summary – How Much Does a Bouvier des Flandres Cost?
The average puppy price of a Bouvier des Flandres from a reputed breeder is around $1800 to $2000. The first-year cost of raising this large dog could come to nearly $3000 to $4000.
The annual cost of ownership of an American Bouvier dog is almost $1500 to $2000 (if you choose to feed high-priced food, then this cost can exceed $4000 a year). This brings the average lifetime cost of owning an American Bouvier to over $25,000.
