How much does a Bull Terrier cost? The price of the Bull Terrier is on the higher end of the market, but there are cheaper options available.
As you allocate the budget for your puppy, you need to realize that it is just the beginning. There are a lot of associated expenses to consider as you take care of your Bull Terrier in its lifetime.
To help you budget accordingly for all the factors in owning a Bull Terrier, I have prepared this guide that you can follow. This will allow you to determine your readiness as you take the first step in acquiring your puppy.
The Average Cost of a Bull Terrier Puppy
The average price of a Bull Terrier puppy ranges from $800 to $2,000. This pricing is for standard Bull Terrier puppies from reputable breeders. If you plan to get one from champion bloodlines, the price may reach $4,500 or even higher.
Bull Terriers may seem expensive compared to other popular dog breeds, but many factors come into play when purchasing one.
The Bull Terrier price depends on the pup’s age, bloodline or pedigree, temperament, conformation, health guarantee, and even color.
The smaller version of this breed, or the Miniature Bull Terrier (MBT), is even more expensive. The average price of the Miniature Bull Terrier is between $1500 and $3500.
The rarity of the standard Bull Terrier breed, also known as the English Bull Terrier (EBT), is another reason affecting its price.
Bull Terriers cost even higher in places where breeding or owning the breed is heavily regulated or restricted.
Expect the English Bull Terrier price from leading breeding farms to be in the upper range, given their reputation. If buying one may be outside your budget, adopting one will be a great way to save money.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Bull Terrier Puppy
The price of a certain dog breed is not just formed or assigned randomly. It is the result of a lot of different factors that justify its cost.
As one of the most expensive dog breeds on the market, let us look at the aspects that influence the Bull Terrier cost. This also applies to the miniature Bull Terrier cost. These will help you choose the perfect Bull Terrier for you.
Here is a listing of the factors affecting the price of a Bull Terrier:
Age: Similar to other dog breeds, the price of an English Bull Terrier puppy is higher than an adult one. Though puppies are more expensive, the satisfaction of raising a Bull Terrier puppy to adulthood is an experience that comes along with the price of getting a puppy.
Appearance: Currently, there are 21 color variations of the Bull Terrier that are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Colors that are harder to produce may fetch higher prices. As an example, red Bull Terriers with good markings may be priced higher than the common white Bull Terrier. Miniature Bull Terriers cost higher than the standard ones as well, which is influenced by their popularity in the market.
Bloodline: The pedigree or bloodline of a particular breed has a significant role in pricing a puppy. High-quality Bull Terrier puppies from a strong champion lineage may be priced $1,000 more than the average.
Breeder’s Reputation: Breeder’s reputation is something you need to pay attention to if you want to have peace of mind when buying a Bull Terrier. They would have higher price tags compared to puppies or dogs coming from small breeding farms, but you can be assured of the quality, health, and even the temperaments of their production.
Location: The travel and transportation cost of puppies is an expense that adds to your Bull Terrier price tag. Whether dogs or puppies will be picked up or delivered, the distance of the breeder’s location is something you need to consider when you do your search. Also, this breed will cost higher in nearby places where it is heavily restricted.
Registration Papers: Without a registration paper, a Bull Terrier costs much less. However, if you are particular about the health status, lineage, conformity to breed standards, and authenticity of the purity of your breed, then you may request one from the breeder for a fee. These may come from the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), Continental Kennel Club (CKC), and other reputable organizations.
Health Screenings: Bull Terrier puppies from a reputable breeder are mostly screened for health problems. Some even run DNA tests to ensure that their puppies are free from any hereditary issues. Expect a higher price tag if your English Bull Terrier or Miniature Bull Terrier comes with a health guarantee or certificate.
Training and Socialization: Due to the possible tendency of a Bull Terrier to be aggressive with other dogs or animals, some breeders subject their puppies to socialization at an early age. They may also do housebreaking and obedience training before selling them. Training is not cheap and would significantly increase the puppy’s cost.
If you think the list above is long enough, there are a few other factors that affect the Bull Terrier price, such as gender, spaying or neutering, reservation fees, and the like.
You may want to consult with the breeder of your targeted Bull Terrier puppy and check if their pricing is reasonable based on the above factors.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Bull Terrier From a Rescue?
Adopting an English Bull Terrier from a local shelter or a rescue would only cost you around $150 to $500. This will not only save you at the very least $650, but you will also do your part in saving a dog’s life.
If you plan on saving more, you might want to consider looking for an adult Bull Terrier to adopt. There are also more choices for adult or young adult Bull Terriers that have been rescued compared to puppies.
Many of these Bull Terriers for adoption have already been thoroughly checked by the veterinarian for health issues, are already either spayed or neutered, have been vaccinated, and may have been microchipped for younger dogs.
There are many rescue organizations and local shelters that specialize in the rescue of Bull Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers, and their mixes. We will get to know more about these later on in this article.
Initial Cost of Bull Terrier Ownership
Now that you are familiar with the Bull Terrier cost and the factors affecting it, it is now time to consider the other expenses involved in the nurture and maintenance of your dog.
The list below should cover all the essential needs of your Bull Terrier as you welcome them into your homes. This will also help you plan financially for the overall cost of having new family members.
Here are all the initial expenses for a Bull Terrier:
Food and Treats: High-quality kibbles and dog treats are essential in providing the best nutrition for your Bull Terrier. These are key components for them to reach their optimum lifespan. These may cost you anywhere between $80 and $100.
Food and Water Bowls: Your Bull Terrier should have its own water and food bowl for its comfort and familiarity during meal times. Go for stainless steel bowls that are sturdier than plastic and easier to clean. A good pair should cost you around $10 to $30.
Bed: As you bring your Bull Terrier home, you would want to consider its comfort. Buying a soft yet sturdy bed for your dog will help relieve him of stress. A quality dog bed should be anywhere between $40 and $180.
Crate: Crate training is an essential part of the overall training of your Bull Terrier. Having its own crate gives a sense of personal space, calms anxieties, and reduces aggressive tendencies. Expect to pay around $50 to $370 for a medium-sized crate.
Leashes and Collars: Investing in a good quality leash and collar for your Bull Terrier will be useful when walking or leash training them outside. If it comes with a metal nameplate, choose a non-corrosive one. This will run you about $15 to $50.
Toys: Due to their high ball drive, Bull Terriers love their rubber balls. They also enjoy their soft chew toys. I suggest that you invest in ones that are sturdy enough for your dog to bite and play with. A set of toys may cost you around $30 to $40.
Grooming Essentials: A Bull Terrier is very easy to groom compared to other breeds. Its short coat just needs weekly brushing. They would still need their own grooming kit though that would include shampoo, brush, clippers, and other essentials. Prepare a budget of around $40 to $160 for this.
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: If your Bull Terrier does not have deworming or flea and tick treatment yet, this should be one of your priorities. These treatments will prevent worse health conditions from occurring in the future. You can set aside around $50 to $200 for these medical procedures.
Initial Vet Visits: One of the steps in ensuring that your Bull Terrier continues to be healthy is having a routine visit to your local veterinarian. Initially, this will set you back between $100 to $300.
Initial Vaccine Shots: Expect Bull Terrier pups to already have their initial set of vaccines when you acquire them, whether they are coming from a reputable breeder or a rescue. In the unlikely case that they do not have one or may need additional vaccines, set aside $75 to $200 to get this done.
Neutering or Spaying: If you do not have any plans of breeding and will just keep your Bull Terriers as pets or family companions, then having them spayed or neutered will have a lot of health advantages. This surgery may cost you anywhere between $50 and $500.
Dog License: Some of the advantages to having a dog license would be easy identification of your dog in vet records, location of your whereabouts in case your dog bites a stranger, and easy tracking in case your dog gets lost. Expect to pay $10 to $20 for a dog license.
Microchip: A microchip is a very small and safe device implanted into your dog. The microchip should contain all the relevant information about the owner and should help in getting your dog back in case it gets lost. Microchipping a Bull Terrier should cost you around $40 to $60.
Miscellaneous Supplies: Cleaning up after your dog’s mess, whether inside the house or when you take them for a walk, also entails some cost. This includes carpet cleaners, poop bags, poop scoopers, potty inducers, and others. Allot around $15 to $30 for these supplies.
Here’s a summary of all the initial expenses for your Bull Terrier puppy:
From the table above, you will realize that there are a lot of things to initially budget for upon acquiring your Bull Terrier puppy. From our estimate, you’ll need around $650 to $2,240 to accommodate everything.
If you are already a veteran owner of dogs, or other animals or pets, you might already have some of the items listed above. You may recycle them and save up on costs.
Furthermore, if your breeder has already taken care of many of the procedures listed above, like the initial vaccines, vet visits, or even microchipping, then that should take out some of the expenses from the overall budget.
Another way to save money is to look for breeders who offer a lot of freebies packaged at the price of the Bull Terrier puppy. This may include free dog food, treats, toys, leash and collar, food and water bowls, or maybe even a bed!
Annual Cost of Owning a Bull Terrier
Now that you have considered the initial budget needed to acquire a Bull Terrier, let us look into the annual expense of keeping one in your household. This projection should help you manage your budget in the longer term.
These recurring items you need to incorporate in your yearly allowance would include costs for maintenance, health, and grooming of your Bull Terrier, amongst others.
Here’s a summary of the yearly expenses of owning Bull Terriers:
You might think that the yearly total might be a lot, but if you break it down into a monthly expense, you will see that it is not so bad.
If you want your Bull Terrier to maximize its life expectancy of 10 to 14 years, a regular visit to your veterinarian should not be missed. Setting aside $200 to $400 annually for the routine check-up of your dog is like an investment.
Part of your dog’s care also means allocating for pet insurance. You wouldn’t know when an emergency might hit your precious pets. Having insurance at $500 to $900 a year outweighs the cost of unforeseen medical emergencies.
One thing to take note of is that the figures indicated above are mere estimates. Your actual expenditures may either be higher or lower, depending on a lot of different factors.
Always remember to strike a good balance between providing the best for your pets while being smart and practical with your expenses. This is the key to the happiness of both the pets and their owners.
Other Potential Expenses
So far, we have discussed set and expected expenses that you need to consider both initially and annually. Now, let us try to check some other potential expenses that may or may not happen, depending on circumstances.
Here’s a list of other potential expenses for an English Bull Terrier:
Pet Daycare: If you are going on a long business trip or simply having a vacation and no family members will stay behind to take care of your dog, pet daycare is going to be a viable option for you. This is run by professionals, so you should be worry-free. This will set you back by $20 to $30 per day.
Dog Walking Services: Many owners hire dog walkers if they lack the time or energy to walk their dogs due to a busy schedule at work. This would cost you around $15 to $25 for a 30-minute walking session.
Pet Sitting: Hiring a pet sitter is like getting a nanny for your dog. They take care of your dog’s needs while you are out. This includes feeding, exercise, and even grooming. Dog sitters may charge you $20 to $30 a day.
Kennel Club Registration: If you have plans to join dog shows or sporting events, or if you just simply want to make sure that you have a certificate of authenticity for your dog breed, you can have your Bull Terrier registered to the American Kennel Club (AKC) for $80 to $200.
Emergency Medical Treatment: No matter how well you have taken care of your dog, accidents and medical emergencies are unavoidable. These procedures usually chip out a large chunk of your budget unexpectedly. Emergency treatment for a Bull Terrier may be between $1,000 and $5,000.
These potential expenses would all depend on your circumstances and are not required, except for emergency medical treatment.
It would be smart to set aside some money little by little so that you have something to pull when the need arises. Also, I suggest investing in pet insurance to avoid the high cost of medical procedures.
Places to Find Bull Terrier Puppies for Sale and Adoption
To get the best deal for Bull Terriers given the budget you have, always go for reputable breeders of the breed. They will not just provide quality puppies but also offer health guarantees and even add freebies to your package.
Avoid puppy mills and irresponsible breeders who may sell puppies with health issues. Avoid being scammed by reading through our ultimate puppy buying guide as you search for your Bull Terrier puppy.
Here are some of the top breeders where you can find Bull Terrier puppies for sale:
Bullards Bull Terriers & Cattle Dogs – This breeder based in Sacramento, California is focused on breeding Bull Terriers that live up to the AKC standards of the breed. You can save on microchipping costs with this breeder since all of their puppies bred since 2005 have been infused with microchips. All their puppies also come with a health guarantee.
Omega Miniature Bull Terriers and St. George Bull Terriers – This Ohio-based breeder has a combined 30 years of experience in judging, competing in dog shows, and breeding both Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terriers. They earn the distinction of being an AKC Breeder of Merit. They are also a member of the Miniature Bull Terriers Club of America (MBTCA) and the Bull Terrier Club of America (BTCA). Their Bull Terrier price is fixed at $2,500.
Delicious Bull Terriers – This Texas-based breeder focuses on furthering the standard of the Bull Terrier breed as defined by the AKC. They are also a member of the Bull Terrier Club of America (BTCA). All their puppies have updated vaccination and health certificates, microchip, 30 days insurance, limited AKC registration, and a spay/neuter contract.
If you wish to discover more reputable breeders of both the Bull Terrier and the Mini Bull Terrier, feel free to check our top 10 picks of the best Bull Terrier breeders.
If you prefer adoption over buying from breeders, please go through our ultimate adoption guide first to make the process easier for you.
Here are a few Bull Terrier rescues for you to check out:
Blue Ridge Bull Terrier Club, Inc. (BRBTC) – BRBTC is a Virginia-based rescue focused on rehoming unwanted, abused, and abandoned Bull Terriers. All their rescues receive the appropriate veterinary care and are spayed or neutered before being put for adoption.
The Bull Terrier Rescue Mission, Inc. of New York – This new rescue organization was just established in 2020. Its board members have a combined experience of 20 years, with 200 cases of rescue dogs. All their rescues are also given professional care and are spayed or neutered before being rehomed.
Recycla-Bull Terrier Rescue – This rescue based in South Carolina is foster-based. Their goal is to provide the highest quality of care for Bull Terriers in need of rescue and rehoming. They have transport services available to rehome dogs along the East Coast and Midwest.
For more options, you may check with your local veterinarians as well. They make contact with breeders of different dog breeds. They can connect you accordingly so you can inquire about Bull Terrier costs within your area.
Here is a guide to further help you in your search for free puppies in your area for adoption. Combining all the suggestions mentioned so far should increase your chances of finding the right Bull Terrier for you!
Money-Saving Tips for Bull Terrier Owners
Giving your Bull Terriers a safe, happy, and healthy environment entails serious financial commitment. Yes, caring for this breed may be expensive, but it does not mean that we can not cut back on costs.
In this part, let’s go through some means of saving money while keeping our dogs happy and satisfied:
Invest in high-quality essentials. Purchasing high-quality items for your Bull Terrier may be pricey at the onset, but it is very practical in the long run. This breed may live up to 14 years. Choose items and materials for your dog that would last that long.
Groom your dog at home. Remember that the Bull Terrier, and even the Mini Bull Terrier, is a very easy dog breed to groom. The Bull Terrier fur is short and non-shedding. There are a lot of tutorials online on how to groom dogs of different breeds properly.
Visit the vet regularly. Early detection is one of the best ways for owners of dogs to avoid the very high cost of medical procedures, medicines, and professional fees. Make this a habit.
Train your Bull Terrier yourself. The Bull Terrier’s history shows that for a time, it was bred for dogfighting, bull-baiting, and other rough activities. This explains its tendency to be aggressive with other animals. Studying videos and materials online on how to do obedience and early socialization training on your own can save you a lot of money.
These tips will help you be more cost-effective. However, this should not be at the mercy of sacrificing the health, nutrition, and overall welfare of your dogs.
Final Thoughts
Owning a Bull Terrier is a lifetime financial commitment. The Bull Terrier price, the initial costs of acquiring a puppy, the annual expenditures, and other potential expenses for this breed may seem to be overwhelming at first.
If you contemplate it further, with the proper budgeting, balance, and diligence, you can save a lot of money and simply enjoy the affectionate and playful nature of your Bull Terrier.
I hope this article has given you insight into the costs of owning a Bull Terrier, plus useful tips on how to save your money. If you have related questions, drop them in the comments below! Watch out for our latest posts too!
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