A Complete Price Guide For The Boxer Dog
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The Boxer is a dog breed that is popular in most parts of the world. People love them for their fierce appearance, and their loving and affectionate personalities. If you’re thinking about bringing a Boxer into your family, you may have questions about the price of a puppy, or how much it will cost to take care of a dog this size. You’re in the right place to find out. We offer a complete price guide for the Boxer dog to give you a solid idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
How much does a Boxer cost?
The average price of a Boxer is between $800 to $2,800 for a healthy purebred. The reason for the big gap is because the cost for each pup depends on the quality of the dog, according to Hepper. Reputable breeders charge more than puppy mills, but you get a far better deal in the long run. The health of a dog is the most important factor to consider.
How is the price of a Boxer determined?
The price of purebred Boxer dogs is set per the calculated value of the dog. The value is assessed by many factors. Dog quality is based on the degree of conformance for each dog, compared to breed standards established by the American Kennel Club. It is also based on the markings of the dog, verification of bloodlines, quality of ancestry, geographic location, supply and demand, and reputation of the breeder.
Conformance to AKC breed standards
The American Kennel Club sets standards for the ideal build for a Boxer. It is a strict set of criteria that involves the ideal height range at the shoulder, the shape of the head, eyes, ears, muzzle, the colors of the dog, markings, and proportions. Boxers that fit the closest to the breed standards fetch the highest value. If your goal is to buy a show-quality dog for competition, or a dog for breeding purposes, plan to pay top dollar, which can exceed $2,800 for some dogs. Pups that do not meet breed standard requirements may be purebred, but their appearance varies and they’re usually priced around $800 if the purity of the bloodlines is high.
Pedigree
Boxers with pedigrees are also more valuable. Puppies of parents with championship bloodlines have higher value, as they’re most likely to produce similar offspring. Purebred Boxers may be registered with the American Kennel Club if the new owner desires. The owner obtains the transfer information from the breeder, completes the paperwork, and registers the dog in their name. Some Boxers without papers or partial registration due to less than pure bloodlines may also sell for $500 – $800, depending on the current demand and quality of the dog.
Geographical location and supply and demand
The local economy is often the driver on the price of everything, including registered purebred Boxer dogs. Areas, where there are low wages and plenty of breeders, may offer purebred dogs at a lower price, but it’s fairly rare, as people have been known to come from out of state to buy a purebred Boxer.
Breeder reputation
The reputation of the breeder is one of the most important factors when buying a Boxer puppy. Reputable breeders take the best care of their animals. Every dog has a clean and healthy environment, with plenty of room for exercise. These dogs eat nutritious foods to give them a healthy start in life. These dogs get regular medical checkups, testing, and vaccinations. They’re also properly socialized. Reputable breeders put a great deal of effort, time, and money into their dogs. Pregnant dogs are monitored for normal development. Puppies are taken for medical exams to confirm their progress and development, receive genetic testing to rule out disease and inherited medical conditions, and receive their first series of vaccinations. Reputable breeders know the value of their dogs and charge appropriate prices. They provide new owners with medical and registration papers.
Most reputable breeders ask prospective buyers to spend a few moments with the animals before agreeing to the sale. They want to see how you interact with the dogs and how they interact with you. Their goal focuses on placing the dogs in good homes. Their hope is for each put to live a happy and healthy life. They may ask questions about your experience with dogs, the living environment, and so forth. Disreputable breeders and puppy mill operators are more concerned with the money than the health and well-being of the dogs. They often raise dogs in unsanitary and crowded conditions. Some of them stack docks in small cages without enough room for exercise. The quality of the food they eat is not always the best, and they may not receive genetic testing or the healthcare they need. These breeders may not always offer vaccination or other medical records. They might not have verification of breed purity. Many puppy mills charge lower prices than reputable breeders, but it’s not worth the one-time savings to take the chance of buying a sick dog. Whenever possible, do your research and check the credentials and reputation of the breeder before you enter into negotiations on a Boxer. Avoid puppy mills and inspect the grounds where the dogs are born and raised whenever possible. Avoid dealing with parties online that offer to ship the dog via freight. There are a lot of scams out there. They steal pictures and other information from reputable dealers, but after you pay for the dog, they disappear with the money and you never receive the shipment.
Can you adopt a Boxer from a pet rescue?
Adopting a Boxer from a pet rescue is possible. The Boxer is a breed that is in high demand, but, there are quite a few Boxers that end up homeless. Some do end up in shelters. The purity of the breed is usually questionable because they don’t usually come with a medical or family history unless the owner surrenders the dog. In most cases, you won’t know the exact age of the dog or anything about its parentage. Most shelters require spay and neuter per terms of the adoption, so you won’t be able to breed the dog in most cases. On the plus side, adoption gives a vulnerable pet in need of a family a happy home. It also makes room for other needy animals at the shelter. The price of adoption is also less than buying a Boxer puppy. Depending on the shelter policies, the adoption fees may range from $50 to $300.
Supplies for a Boxer puppy
The first year of life is often the most expensive for owners of Boxer puppies. You will need to go shopping to buy the supplies your puppy will need before you bring him home. Dog Temperament estimates the cost to welcome your new puppy is about $650, but it depends on the brands you purchase and how expensive your tastes are. If you’re a thrifty shopper you can get by with about $300 for the initial layout. You should plan to buy a pet taxi to transport your new puppy home and keep him safe when riding in vehicles. You’ll need it for taking trips to the vet or going on family vacations. It’s hazardous to allow puppies to roam freely in a moving car. Your new pup will also need a collar to hold his dog tags when you get them and a leash to take him out for his daily walk.
Boxers are not prolific shedders. Their hair is short, but he will still need occasional grooming. Dog shampoo costs from $5 per bottle to $20 or more. It depends on the brand. He will also need a dog brush to keep his coat looking its best and remove loose fur. Other necessary supplies include a bed for him to sleep in. A crate is optional but they come in handy for training new puppies. He will also need a food and water bowl, and high-quality puppy food. You will also need a toothbrush kit to keep his teeth and gums healthy. Your new puppy will need toys of his own to play with. If you don’t supply him with toys, he will chew on anything he can find. Chewing is an instinctual behavior. Your puppy has to do it. When your Boxer teethes, he will chew constantly. Providing toys helps him satisfy his chewing instinct. It also gives him things to play with to prevent boredom. You may also buy gum relief gel to help ease the itching and discomfort of swollen gums while he is teething. You will also need to have a poop scooper and plastic bags to dispose of his waste. Healthy treats and snacks are also good to have on hand for training him and giving him rewards for good behavior.
Other expenses
Your puppy will need to see the vet soon after he arrives at your home. It’s best to find a local vet and get him in for his wellness checkup, and establish regular medical care for him. The vet will need to see any medical records you have for him to determine when it’s time for his next vaccinations. He will examine your puppy to look for any signs of problems, then contact you when it’s time for his next visit. If you’re not planning to breed Boxers, you will need to schedule an appointment for spay or neuter. If your Boxer is healthy, this should be the most expensive time in his life, unless he encounters health problems, or has an accident. If you’re concerned about medical expenses, you can opt to purchase pet healthcare insurance to cover medical appointments, procedures, and prescriptions. The cost is around $40 to $50 per month, and it helps to pay bills in the event of illness or injury. While your dog is getting his vaccinations, you should also consider having him micro-chipped. The chip is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted under the skin. It’s no more painful than a vaccination. The chip is loaded with your contact information and makes it possible for animal shelters to contact you if they pick your dog up off the street.
Training, walking, and grooming
Some dog owners prefer to do all the grooming, walking, and training themselves. It gives you precious time to bond with your pet. If you’re a busy professional and you are away from the house for hours at a time, you may need to hire a professional to help you with these tasks. Some owners hire dog-sitters or dog walkers to see that their pet gets his daily exercise. Professional trainers can also help you to train your puppy in the right way, through positive reinforcement. If you’re an inexperienced dog owner you can learn a lot from a trainer, to avoid common pitfalls. Dog groomers are also available to bathe and brush your Boxer and trim the toenails. The rates for these services can vary depending on where you live and the size of the dog.
Final thoughts
Bringing a boxer into your home can be expensive for the first year of his life. You’ll not only pay the cost of the dog from the breeder or shelter, but startup expenses can also be high. After you’ve made the initial expenditures, the monthly bill should go down. Your dog will need his regular vaccinations, quality food, snacks, and replacement of other supplies as they wear out, but you won’t need to spend a lot every month after he is an adult. Whether you buy or adopt a Boxer, it’s a financial commitment that is likely to cost a minimum of $1,000 or more. If your dog is healthy, the cost will level out and become more reasonable.
