How Much Does A Pitbull Cost?
Contrary to popular belief that Pitbulls are a specific dog breed, they are a type of dog that includes many different breeds sharing similar physical characteristics. People tend to like them for their playful behavior, and they also tend to be quite affectionate. Interestingly enough, prices of different Pitbull terrier breeds generally vary from one to another. Let’s take a look at how much a Pitbull costs.
Puppy Price (Buying From A Breeder)
Depending on the country, the breeds usually recognized as parts of this group are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Bully, and the American Bulldog. While Pitbulls tend to be very popular among pet owners, some countries and regions have chosen to regulate several breeds part of this dog category.
The price of a Pitbull can vary based on many factors, much like many other types of dogs. Puppies are always more popular than adult dogs, so they cost significantly more. Besides some physical attributes, the price will also depend on the intended purpose that the dog owner has.
If you are looking for a regular dog that you only intend to keep as a pet, you will be looking to pay between $500 to $2,500. On average, most Pitbulls in good shape will cost around $1,000. These dogs will still be considered purebreds but of regular value.
Female dogs tend to cost more than male ones because they have the potential to give birth to new puppies. Therefore, many new breeders are willing to pay extra because they will gain some profit from future litters of their own.
New owners hoping to purchase a Pitbull for competitions and dog shows would be looking for higher-class purebreds from recognized and possibly award-winning bloodlines. That would raise the price even higher, sometimes exceeding $5,000. In these cases, the dog will come with pedigree documentation to prove the bloodline value.
Prices can generally fluctuate depending on the Pitbull breeder you are working with. If you work with a reputable breeder specializing in award-winning dogs, the price will possibly be relatively high. If you are looking for a more affordable but still ethical Pitbull breeder that would provide you with a healthy dog, you would be able to get one around the $1,000 – $2,000 mark.
Price Factors
A dog breed categorized as a Pitbull can cost more than others in the same category simply because it is more popular with people. Therefore, there is no specific cost for a Pitbull as each breed can have a completely different price.
Costs can also vary based on the dogs’ appearances, such as size and strength, coat color, and even the color of their noses and their eyes. Indeed, certain traits are very popular with people, so many are willing to pay more to get a dog with such an attribute. However, it is important to be wary of the so-called “backyard breeders.”
They are essentially breeders that focus on creating dogs with these specific physical characteristics, generally considered rarer than others, and they can then charge extra for them. While many people get convinced to pay more for a dog with a specific nose or eye color, these Pitbulls are generally quite average in every other way.
Of course, the main problem with backyard breeders is that they tend to resort to inbreeding to retain these rare physical attributes. This intense focus on specific traits is prevalent in people who breed Pitbulls, and it leads to dogs with a lot of genetic health conditions.
Much like puppy mills, backyard breeders are a big problem. These breeders are driven solely by profit, so it is recommended that new pet owners first do their research and make sure that they select an ethical breeder. If you find a Pitbull puppy that costs less than $500, you should question the breeder because the dog might suffer from serious health issues.
Additional Expenses
Like every other dog, you will also have additional expenses with your new pet. You will have to purchase dog food and water bowls, a dog bed, a leash and collar, toys, etc. A dog crate is also an item that is suggested to a new pet parent as it generally can be used to train young puppies and shape their behavior inside the household. These items are usually cheap individually, but all together can account for a considerable amount. Thankfully, most of them will only have to be purchased a handful of times.
You will also have to budget for monthly, quarterly, and yearly costs. Quality dog food should be something that you invest in as it helps you keep your dog’s health to a standard point. Consider yearly vet expenses and potentially acquire pet insurance.
While pet insurance is optional, it could save a pet owner a lot of money in the long run. Every month, you should expect to pay between $100 to $200 for your dog’s expenses, which is an average amount most pet owners pay for their dogs.
Usually, many puppies have already had their initial round of checkups, so the pet owner will not have to spend any money on that as breeders tend to account for these costs into the Pitbull pup’s initial sale price.
Depending on the breeder, you might receive a pit bull puppy that has also already been trained, spayed or neutered, and even microchipped. Some breeders offer these services as part of the sale, so you might initially pay a higher amount, but you will not have to spend more money or time on these afterward.
Adult Price (Buying From A Shelter)
Adopting a rescue from a shelter is always a rewarding choice as you gain a new companion while also providing a home to an adult dog in need of a family. Just the feeling you get afterward is rewarding enough to make you understand that you have made the right choice. A great benefit of rescuing an adult dog is that it is also generally cheap. Compared to the price of a puppy, a rescue’s cost is much lower. You can easily find adult Pitbulls in shelters, and they can cost up to a maximum of $500.
An adult dog also saves you a lot of money as you won’t have to spend extra on training, spaying or neutering, and vaccinations. Usually, shelters take care of most of these things, including microchipping.
However, an important thing to consider is to make sure that you are aware of the dog’s history. Besides the medical history, which new owners usually receive, other things you need to look into are the conditions the dog was raised in. Several Pitbulls have fallen victims to abuse by humans who raise them to be aggressive.
Pitbulls have been used in dogfights, and they have been bred to have aggressive attitudes specifically. New pet owners need to be cautious about these things as you wouldn’t want to end up with a dog you cannot handle. Thankfully, many shelters tend to rehabilitate these animals before they put them up for adoption, but there is always the chance that you might have to spend some more money on extra training.
How Much Does a Pitbull Cost?
Different Pitbull breeds have different prices, mainly based on popularity. Not all breeds are the same as some cost more for certain traits than others. In most cases, age is the determining factor for a Pitbull’s cost. However, prices can also vary based on sex, pedigree, coat color, health conditions, renowned lineage, and rare physical attributes. Puppies also tend to come with additional costs such as training, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, etc.
Highly sought-after physical traits also allow certain breeders to charge much more than what puppies without these rare attributes cost. Prospective buyers need to be cautious of unethical breeders that breed solely to produce those traits and even resort to inbreeding. These tactics ultimately harm the animals and produce unhealthy dogs, whose medical expenses will cost a pet owner much more than anticipated.
Rescues are more affordable than puppies due to their age. They also have fewer additional expenses. Besides how rewarding adopting can be, pet owners need to get informed well before taking a Pitbull pup in. Older dogs face more health issues, but Pitbulls specifically can have more aggressive attitudes due to past abuse, which might demand additional training and rehabilitation expenses, if these have not been fully taken care of by the shelter.
Regardless, Pitbulls can be loving and excellent companions and become a great new addition to a household. Their popularity has raised their value, but there are a lot of dogs that can be found at more affordable prices, especially if you are seeking just a friendly new pet.
