How Much Does a Pitbull Cost? (2024 Price Update)

Few dog breeds divide public opinion in the way that a Pitbull does. On the one hand, it is a loyal and loving companion dog that is lively and great with family and strangers. On the other hand, the breed has a checkered history, having been raised for bloodsports like bullbaiting, used for illegal dog fighting, and the subject of numerous dangerous dog breed bans and negative pieces about its behavior. However, as long as the dog comes from a reputable breeder and the new owners undergo socialization and training, there is no reason that a Pitbull won’t make a great pet.

Potential owners should expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars for a Pitbull, primarily depending on its lineage. It is also worth noting that because Pitbull isn’t a specific breed, but incorporates several breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, this can also impact the price.

There are areas where you can save some money without your Pitbull suffering, though, and we highlight some cost-saving tips below, along with a breakdown of the costs associated with owning one of this breed.

Bringing Home a New Pitbull: One-Time Costs

The cost of buying a Pitbull usually represents the largest up-front cost but is actually only a small portion of what an owner will pay for the dog over its lifetime. The cost depends on the actual breed, its lineage, and also where the owner buys the dog.

Free

Free dogs usually come from friends and family, although some rescue centers and shelters may waive any adoption fee for old dogs or dogs that they have struggled to rehome. Always do your due diligence before accepting a dog for free. Why is the current owner getting rid of the dog? Does it have health problems or behavioral problems that you need to know about?

Adoption

Adopting a dog provides that dog with a second chance and adoption typically attracts a lower charge than buying from a breeder. However, no matter how much information the shelter provides, you can never be entirely sure of what you are getting. Adoption fees vary according to location as well as factors such as the age of the dog and even the breed. It may be difficult for shelters to rehome Pitbulls, so the adoption fee could be lower than if you were looking for a different breed.

Breeder

Generally, you should expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,500 for a Pitbull, but some can cost multiple times this amount, especially if they are bred from well-known Pitbulls. The actual breed is the biggest factor that determines price, with Staffordshire Bull Terriers the most likely to reach the top end of the price bracket and American Pit Bull Terriers to be at the lower end of the scale. When buying from a breeder, ensure that they breed the dogs as pets, that the puppies are socialized from a young age, and that the parents have undergone appropriate health screening.

Initial Setup and Supplies

The cost of the dog itself is only a part of what you will have to pay when you first bring your new dog home. You will need items to give your dog an appropriate living environment, to ensure their health and safety, and a host of other items. If you have had dogs before or have other dogs now, you may be able to save on some of these costs, but your new dog must have everything it needs.

If your new puppy has been spayed or neutered, had flea treatment, and been microchipped, the costs will be much lower, and if you choose not to use a crate, this will also mean lower initial costs.

List of Pitbull Care Supplies & Costs

How Much Does a Pitbull Cost Per Month?

There are so many factors to take into account when determining the monthly cost of owning a dog that it can be difficult to budget, but over the course of the dog’s life, it will usually average out to around $150 or less per month. If your dog is fit and healthy, well-behaved, and you can groom and care for them yourself, the costs will generally be much lower.

Health Care

There are numerous important aspects to caring for a dog, including general healthcare. This includes costs such as deworming and flea treatment, as well as the cost of food. Although pet insurance isn’t strictly necessary, and it can add a substantial amount to monthly costs, it will prove financially worthwhile if you are ever hit with a large vet bill following an accident or unexpected illness.

Food

The food your dog eats matters. Ensuring that their nutritional requirements are met and that you don’t over or under-feed your Pit Bull, will go a long way to ensuring optimal health and minimizing additional costs. This cost also includes any treats, although you should always take these into account when calculating your dog’s daily calorie intake. Pitbulls can be prone to putting on too much weight which, in turn, can lead to illness and other problems.

Grooming

The large variance in grooming costs comes from whether you groom your dog yourself or have them groomed by a professional. Pitbulls are not high maintenance when it comes to grooming, but regular brushing needs to be combined with claw trimming and tooth brushing to make sure they are comfortable and healthy. Some professional groomers may charge more for certain breeds, including Pitbulls, and some may refuse to groom the breed at all.

Medications and Vet Visits

The cost of vet visits and medication will depend on whether your dog gets ill and the kind of treatment required to help, but some medications are essential, including deworming and flea treatments. These routine medications are rarely included in pet insurance policies, either, but you may be able to take out wellness coverage or preventive care coverage, and these can help manage and reduce costs.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is not a requirement but it does help plan for the unexpected. Policies range from accident-only to fully comprehensive, and the cost of the policies is as varied as the coverage. Insurance for Pitbulls tends to be more expensive than a lot of other breeds, especially because of the public liability coverage that is incorporated.

Environment Maintenance

Environment maintenance costs tend to be low for a dog because they share our homes and live among us. However, you may need to pay for items like cage liners and dog poop bags and you may need to replace items like cushions, blankets, and bedding. Dog bowls will usually last several years, but these may still need replacing from time to time.

Entertainment

Pitbulls are lively and energetic dogs that love to play. And playtime is a great way to wear your active dog out while also building a bond between you. With that said, you don’t have to spend a fortune on toys. Buy some tennis balls for fetch, tug toys for energetic one-on-one playtime, and maybe some interactive or treat dispensing toys to help keep your Bullie mentally and physically active. Toys can also help reduce the likelihood of separation anxiety.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Pitbull

Owning a Pitbull can be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience for the whole family, but it does come with certain responsibilities that you need to meet to ensure your dog is healthy and well-balanced. You should expect to pay for food, should consider pet insurance to protect against the unexpected costs of illness and injury, and allow some money for other unexpected costs.

Additional Costs to Factor In

There are some additional costs that you might need to allow for at certain times, but you won’t have to pay every month. For example, when going away, if you can’t take your dog with you and you don’t have a family member or friend to lean on for help, you will need to pay for kennels. If you are out at work for several hours a day, it can also be a good idea to have a dog walker come and take your Bullie out for a walk or two.

It is also a good idea to take your new puppy to training classes. Not only do they teach your dog the basic commands and some basic behavior traits, but they teach you how to train your dog throughout its life and provide good socialization. Group training and puppy training classes are relatively inexpensive and certainly less expensive than having to pay for behavioral treatment later. The energy of a Pitbull means that it would also benefit from agility or canine sports classes, and as well as the cost of the classes themselves, you will need to factor in the cost of any equipment and accessories needed for these.

Owning a Pitbull on a Budget

There are certain ways you can save money on Pitbull ownership and care. For a start, do consider adopting one rather than buying, but also ensure that you meet any dog you are considering adopting at least twice before you take it home and try to get as much backstory as possible. Rather than feeding expensive fresh foods, you can make your own dog food—research the required protein, vitamins, and minerals for the breed and follow a plan to ensure that you feed good ingredients. If you do buy commercial food, stock up when it is on offer but make sure you will use it all before it goes bad.

Ask friends and family to help out with walks, either when you’re at work or if you plan on going away and leaving your best friend at home. Wellness plans, or preventive care plans, can save you some money but if you are thinking of buying one of these plans do the math first to make sure that you really will save.

Conclusion

The Pitbull is a somewhat controversial breed of dog but it can make an excellent family pet and companion dog. Expect to pay around $1,000 for a puppy with good breeding and decent heritage, as well as around $1,500 for the initial supplies you will need.

On a monthly basis, you will need to budget at least $250 per month to ensure that your pup is well cared for, although this figure will fluctuate each month according to factors like healthcare costs.

Do ensure you buy and give good quality food because this can help keep healthcare and veterinary costs down in the long run. While pet insurance might look like an unnecessary cost, it can, at the very least, provide you with the peace of mind that if your dog does get ill or is involved in an accident, you won’t have to worry about the cost of treatment.

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• Blue Brindle Pitbull: History, Pictures, Facts & More

Featured Image Credit: Sophia Tr, Shutterstock