How Much Does an American Bulldog Cost?

American Bulldogs are considered the closest in appearance to the old English bulldog, which was brought to the US back in the 1800s. Bulldogs were originally bred in England for bullbaiting. Bulldogs found new opponents with bears and buffaloes when they were brought into the American frontier. The breed was brought to the New World and kept in the South. Bulldogs are put to work to hunt wild boar and cattle. They are awesome at hunting vermin that destroyed farms and produce. Although the blood sport of bullbaiting was prohibited ages ago, these friendly pets found a new purpose which is bonding with their human owners and becoming part of the family. They are also awesome as guard dogs with their loyalty and confidence. This article answers the question of how much does an American Bulldog cost?

How Much Does an American Bulldog Cost?

American bulldogs can range from $800 all the way up to $8000 dollars. This varies greatly because of the pedigree of the American bulldog you may be purchasing. The average price to own an American bulldog is roughly $1000. They can be quite expensive to obtain but are amazing dogs.

How Much Does an American Bulldog Cost

Having a dog in your life is an investment of both your time and money. Bulldogs are not cheap, and you should be prepared for this fact before you purchase one. You might be asking why Bulldogs are so expensive, especially the American bulldog. What makes them cost more compared to other breeds?

The Cost of Bulldog Puppies

When looking around for a Bulldog puppy, you should not be surprised if you find a wide range of different prices. It would be best if you were cautious when it comes to the price. Do not pay too much nor too low for a puppy. If the cost is cheap, it is likely an indication that the puppy is coming from an inexperienced breeder. It might also indicate the puppy doesn’t have a good pedigree. On the other hand, you don’t want to pay more than a purebred Bulldog puppy’s worth.

A fair price, according to the AKC, is between $1500 and $3000. The reason Bulldogs are extremely expensive is they need to be delivered by cesarean section. They have huge heads that are too big for the mother to deliver them naturally. The cost of surgery must be factored into the final price of the puppy.

What Makes a Bulldog so Expensive?

One of the main factors that should be considered when determining Bulldog puppies’ price is the cost of raising them. A breeder must carefully select a breeding pair and put each of them through DNA testing to ensure they are not carriers of hereditary diseases. Once a pair is selected, breeding takes place. In a majority of cases, the breeder must pay for stud service and have the female undergo artificial insemination. These procedures are costly.

While gestating, the female Bulldog will need a high-quality diet as well as veterinary care to make sure that both she and her puppies enjoy good well-being. When the dog starts to labor, she must be taken to the vet hospital for a cesarean section. The time of delivery will also impact the cost of the procedure, especially if the dog labors after business hours. When the puppies are born, they must be monitored carefully and examined by a vet once every couple of weeks. Once the puppies reach between 4 to 6 weeks old, they will require flea, tick, and heartworm shots.

Aside from the steep price of a Bulldog puppy, it is also costly to maintain. Bulldogs have robust bodies and short faces, which makes them vulnerable to brachycephalic syndrome. Because of this, they need to be carefully monitored. Bulldogs are also susceptible to health issues such as allergies of the skin, hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as heart problems. These diseases are all expensive to treat

Although Bulldogs are one of the costliest dogs to breed and kept as a pet, they are worth it. One look at your Bulldog’s lovable face is all you will need to fall instantly in love.

American Bulldog Expenses

How Much Does an American Bulldog Cost

If you want an American bulldog might want to consider the American Bulldog rescue. It is a nonprofit organization focused on rehoming Bulldogs. The adoption fee only costs $400.

American Bulldogs are awesome at dog sports such as weight pulling and obedience. They can also participate in iron dog competitions. But for you to participate in these competitions, you must register your American bulldog at a kennel club.

Other one-time expenses for your American bulldog will be a microchip. You might also want to have them neutered. You also need to invest in accessories such as a collar, leash, and ID tag. It would help if you also had a proper crate.

The following are the typical prices for these one-time expenses for your American bulldog:

  • Microchip including registration- $40-$90
  • Neutering or spaying – $125
  • Dog collar- $8-$15
  • Leash – $9-$30
  • ID tag – $9-$23
  • Crate – $100

The Cost of Maintaining an American Bulldog

You will need to invest in the medical healthcare of your American Bulldog. This dog must undergo a regular schedule for vaccinations as well as numerous wellness checks yearly at a vet clinic.

Vaccinations are crucial to prevent strains of viruses that harm domesticated dogs. These diseases are rabies, canine distemper, and Bordetella. The following are the average prices for these repeat expenses:

  • Wellness examinations – these checks cost around $50 and must be done once are a couple of times each year.
  • Vaccination shots – every vaccination price will range between $20 and $40 per shot.
  • Food – expect to shell out over $60 per 47-pound bag.
  • Relocation – in case you want to travel with your dog, professional fees may reach up to $1000

Buyer’s Guide – How Much Does an American Bulldog Cost?

Before you purchase an American bulldog, there are several things you need to consider if it is indeed the best breed for your lifestyle.

A Bulldog requires constant companionship. If you’re not home most of the time, this may not be ideal for you. Bulldogs enjoy exploring, so make sure you have a wide yard with a fence that has a height of 6 to 8 feet. It keeps them from escaping and going on adventures outside your property.

Although the Bulldog is a sociable breed, your Bulldog may be suspicious of strangers, especially if they have not undergone training classes yet.

This breed is also susceptible to various health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia. They also suffer skin and allergy problems as well as hereditary deafness. You must have enough finances if you want to raise a Bulldog properly.

A Bulldog will also require a protein-heavy diet. You must have a stock of kibble, canned food, and treats. Never exhaust your Bulldogs with too much exercise before they reach the mature age of 18 months. Physical activities must be minimized to short walks, games, and playing.

Highlights of the Breed

How Much Does an American Bulldog Cost

Although the bulldog was utilized for bullbaiting, they were since developed to become farm dogs as well as family companions. The breed was almost extinct by the end of World War II. But the breed was revived by fanciers.

There are several types of American Bulldogs in modern times. American Bulldogs have a white coat in many cases, but they now come in numerous patterns and colors.

This breed does not enjoy being left home alone for long periods. Compared to other Bulldogs, they have high activity needs. This breed is not suitable for apartment life, and they prefer a large fenced in yard to roam and explore.

American Bulldogs are often confused with American Pit Bull Terriers. But the American bulldog tends to be larger. Keep in mind that American Bulldogs are suspicious of strangers and can be territorial. Because of this, they are good watchdogs. They need socialization training, so they know how to behave around people and guests.

Size

Compared to the English and French Bulldog, the American Bulldog stands quite a bit taller. This adorable breed can grow up to 20 to 28 inches in height and weigh 60 to 120 pounds.

Although these sizes are typical of the breed, the American bulldog can veer away from the standard and can be larger or smaller.

Personality

American Bulldogs have a friendly, intelligent, and affectionate temperament. However, their affectionate disposition can cause them to become territorial and extremely suspicious of strangers. They make great family dogs and watchdogs. They can be integrated into families with children. But they will need socialization training to get along with other pets, strangers, and other dogs. Fortunately, their intelligence makes them easy to adaptable as well as trainable.

American Bulldogs are notable for being playful with high exercise needs. They will enjoy being with an active family. These dogs enjoy plenty of walks and playtime. These dogs will feel limited in apartments and small spaces, which doesn’t allow them to expend the excess energy. If these dogs don’t get enough physical or mental stimulation, they might develop destructive habits and chew on things in your home.

Health

This dog is generally a healthy breed. They can live up to 10 to 16 years. American Bulldogs are susceptible to certain medical issues such as cataracts, mange, as well as hypothyroidism. They might develop hip or elbow dysplasia.

Although they have a more prominent snout compared to English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs, they are still somewhat brachycephalic. They might not be able to tolerate hot weather, especially when exercising. It is crucial to ensure they have constant access to water. Ensure they are not having breathing difficulties.

Coat Color and Grooming

Several different colors are accepted in the standard for American Bulldogs. Traditionally their color is white with patches of brindle, red, and black. But there are several other variations in color in modern times. They will have patterns that include shades of black, red, brindle, brown, and fawn.

Typically, American Bulldogs have black spots on the nose and have rimmed eyes. The typical eye color of this breed is brown. Although these are standards, American Bulldogs are known to have coats with shades of blue.

American Bulldogs have short coats. They shed moderately throughout the year.  Because of this, they only require minimal grooming. Weekly brushing and a bath schedule should keep their coats under control.

Children and Other Pets

Similar to other breeds, American Bulldogs should undergo socialization training. As long as they are trained optimally, American Bulldogs are awesome with children. They are loyal to every member of the family. It is also crucial to train your children on properly handling and treating the American bulldog to make sure there are zero incidents. Even with properly trained dogs, make sure to be vigilant when your children play with them. It is crucial things don’t get out of hand. American Bulldogs are huge animals and extremely energetic, which might accidentally cause injuries.

The same can be said for other pets. As long as the American Bulldog is trained and socialized, they usually get along fine with other dogs. Keep an eye on playtime, especially with smaller dogs that can get hurt easily when playing with a large and muscular dog such as the American bulldog. Overall, this breed is amiable. But keep in mind that injuries may result when they are playing rough, too eager to play, or clueless about their strength.

Rescue Groups

If you want to have an American bulldog in your life, you might want to adopt one from a rescue group. Go to American Bulldog rescue, which is a nonprofit group that focuses on rehoming this breed. You can also look for options at local shelters near your location. You can check adoption pages that allow you to search by breed and ZIP Code for American Bulldogs for adoption.

Final Thoughts – How Much Does an American Bulldog Cost?

Every dog requires care and maintenance, and the same is true for the American bulldog. How much does an American bulldog cost? Since they are susceptible to several health issues, they will require yearly vet checkups and shots. Before adopting this breed, you must have finances as well as space. Compared to other Bulldogs, the American Bulldog is not laid-back and can be your ideal companion in sports and other physical activities.

Author

  • Brad

    Hi I'm Brad, the founder of bulldogpapa.com. Having been a vet of 6 years I work alongside our team to provide valuable insight into your dog's health. I have a frenchie myself named Senzu who is my pride and joy!

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