How Much Does a Rottweiler Cost?
The Rottweiler is known to be a natural herder that demands exercise daily.
This intelligent, working dog loves to be around their owner and works exceptionally well with those who him.
How much does a Rottweiler cost?
Depending on the dog’s bloodline, titles, age, quality, the breeder, inclusions with the adoption and geographical location, the cost of a Rottweiler puppy can range anywhere from as little as $500 to as much as $2,500+. A show quality AKC bred Rottweiler will cost about $1,500 to $2,500, whereas a backyard breeder with no paperwork could charge $450 to $750. Albeit rare, if you’re able to find a Rottweiler imported from Germany, the costs can well exceed $4,000 if it had the appropriate paperwork. A “pet quality” dog often means the dog will have faults, such as a coat insufficient for a dog show, and a “show quality” dog will have non-detectable faults and can be show worthy.
At the official AKC Marketplace, the breeders who did list their prices asked for $1,800 to $2,500 for their puppies. These puppies, which came from AKC registered parents, were eligible to be registered with the AKC. From what we noticed, AKC breeders would include all health screenings (AKC Ch. Von Seagawn’s V Star Indigo, OFA, Elbows, Heart and Eyes), vaccines, a comprehensive veterinarian, a microchip and introduced to crate training.
On PuppyFind.com, there were close to 500 listings at the time of this writing, with prices ranging from $600 to $1,500.
If you were able to find an older dog, which is often fairly common with local rescue groups, then the costs could be as little as $150.
This Reddit thread talks about the costs you should pay for one, and according to the replies, $850 to $1,250 should be the standard if the dog were checked for any health conditions and was of “quality.”
What is going to be included in the adoption fee?
A reputable breeder should include a written contract, registration, veterinarian examination, up-to-date vaccinations, worming a health guarantee, and if you’re adopting an AKC puppy, then the AKC paperwork should be included as well. Some breeders may also spay/neuter, remove the dew claws, dock the tails, include a microchip, offer a genetic defect guarantee and/or include a travel crate if the puppy needs to be shipped via an airline.
What are the extra costs?
Factor in the recurring costs with any dog, such as the dog food, registration, accessories, flea medication, vet visits, grooming sessions and/or dog sitter visits. A healthy dog can easily cost more than $700 while a dog with health issues could cost triple this.
If the breeder has to ship the dog, this can be an additional $200 to $400.
Most breeders will ask for a non-refundable deposit to reserve the puppies in the future, which is usually around $150 to $400, depending on the value of the puppies. This, of course, will be applied to your final price once you commit and pick up the puppies on the designated date. If not, your deposit will be kept by the breeder.
Obedience classes, as with any dog, should be done at a very young age to teach it the basics of sit, stay and lay down.
Tips to know:
Their average height, from the shoulders, ranges anywhere from 24 to 27 inches, with females slightly smaller at 22 to 25 inches. As for weight, the males weigh 95 to 135 pounds, with females in the 80 to 100-pound range.
As long as healthy with a proven health history, its life expectancy is nine to 10 years on average.
Most breeders won’t allow you to take the puppies home until they reach the age of eight weeks.
The Rottweiler is very reserved with strangers but extremely affectionate with its owner and family.
Their energy levels tend to be very active, and because of this, you should be prepared to take your dog out for at least two brisk walks daily to satisfy their exercising needs.
The Rottweiler can get along well with children as long as introduced at a younger age; however, it’s highly advised you keep them away from other dogs and household pets due to their demeanor.
Always visit the breeder’s home or facility to check on the conditions and see the parents. Pay close attention to the cleanliness, the yard, the overall conditions and the parent’s of the puppies you’re looking to adopt. You’re going to want to pay close attention to their personality to make sure it’s something you’re looking for. A good, clean facility often means an organized breeder. Regardless of who you buy from, always ask for documentation.
A breeder should always include a health guarantee of some sorts to protect your investment. At most, the breeder should allow you to bring the puppy back within a few days if your vet were to find something wrong.
How can I save money?
As you can see, buying a dog from a breeder can cost thousands of dollars. To save money, highly consider avoiding those who are breeding for a profit and littering the world with unnecessary dogs and adopt a dog. While there’s a good chance you can find an older Rottweiler, you may find a dog that closely resembles one. Adopting is a great way to control the world’s pet population, help a local cause and potentially save a life. Plus, you can save a lot of money in the meantime.
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