You’re here for the answer to one question: how much does a Boxer cost? Indeed the Boxer dog price tag and then what it will cost you over the dog's lifetime is important.
However, while the typical Boxer is an affordable dog, there’s a lot more that goes into paying for that dog than what you pay to own him.
And you surely won’t want to pay anything if you discover the breed’s temperament is not a perfect fit for you and your family.
For this reason, it is important to learn all you can about the Boxer before you even consider whether you’re willing to pay his price tag.
Boxer Temperament and Personality
Understanding the Boxer’s personality is key when it comes to deciding whether you want to bring one of these dogs home.
Let’s break down some of the temperament traits common to this breed.
Boxers are cheerful and energetic dogs. They’re playful, confident, and loyal.
They do have a strong hunting instinct, though, so you can’t really let them off-leash.
Plus, they are incredibly athletic, so they need some serious outdoor time to run off their extra energy.
However, they’re also sensitive to extreme temperatures, so you can’t keep them outside too long in the heat or cold.
Of course, no two dogs are alike, so this is just a rough idea of what to expect from the breed. But you can bet that if you bring a Boxer home, he’s more likely to resemble the traits mentioned above.
So, that said, do you think you two would make a great match?
If so, then you can feel more comfortable with the money you choose to spend – even if it’s higher than you initially wanted to go.
If not, then it’s a good thing you researched the breed first before spending the money.
You certainly don’t want to bring home a dog whom you may eventually have no choice but to surrender to a shelter due to incompatibility.
The Boxer’s History
A breed’s history can tell you a lot about the kind of dog you’re welcoming into your home.
For instance, in the Boxer’s case, his ancestor was a hunting dog who hunted bear, deer, and wild boar.
Specifically, the dog would catch and hold the prey until his hunter could come and retrieve it.
This is important to know because today’s Boxer has very much the same hunting instincts as his ancestors.
Therefore, if you have small animals at home, the Boxer may not be a good match for you, since he may consider them prey.
And if you don’t have small animals, you may have to reconsider whether you’d ever want them with a Boxer around.
This alone may be enough to convince you not to lay out the money for a Boxer.
Boxer Size
Full-grown, healthy adult Boxers weigh, on average, between 55 and 70 lbs.
As far as height goes, they grow to a maximum of between 21 and 25 inches tall.
You could, therefore, consider a Boxer to be a mid-size dog.
This is good because he won’t eat you out of house and home. Plus, he’s not so small that he’s fragile, and he’s not so large that it impacts his lifespan.
The Boxer Dog Price – How Much Do Boxers Cost?
Here it is…the answer you’ve been waiting for.
Drum roll, please.
The Boxer price range is, on average, anywhere from $700 to upwards of $10,000.
If you’re just looking for a good family dog, then you can expect to pay closer to $700.
However, if you’re looking for a show dog, then you can expect to pay the higher end of the spectrum of the Boxer price range.
Demand
Boxers are one of the most popular dogs in the U.S.
In fact, CBS News reported that people have referred to the Boxer as the “George Clooney” of the dog world.
In 2017, the Boxer reached number 11 on the AKC’s “Most Popular” dogs list.
You may be thinking, what does this matter? It actually can, and does, have an effect on the price of the dog.
For one thing, a disreputable breeder may exploit this popularity to cause the purebred Boxer price to skyrocket.
However, in less nefarious terms, this can affect whether there is a dog available when you’re ready to buy.
You may have to wait a while if there is a long line ahead of you with the breeder of your choice.
After all, a bitch can only have so many pups in a litter!
Boxer Rescue and Adoption
You can save yourself thousands of dollars off the Boxer cost by choosing to adopt a Boxer, rather than buy one from a breeder.
However, you should be aware that you are more likely to end up with an adult dog or even a senior.
And chances are good that the dog will be a mixed breed, or “mutt,” because people are less likely to part with purebreds.
Either way, you may find the American Boxer Club incredibly helpful insofar as helping you find a rescue organization or shelter near you.
You can also use their website to locate a reputable breeder in your area.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
Boxer Cost of Ownership
While weighing the Boxer dog price, you also have to consider something called the “cost of ownership.”
The cost of ownership refers to the sum total of all the costs involved with owning that particular dog.
For instance, you need to consider regular costs, like food and vet checkups, as well as plan for the unexpected, like sudden medical problems.
Here are some of the costs of ownership you can expect as a Boxer owner.
Cost of Food
A Boxer is a mid-size dog. This is good because he won’t cost you a lot in food, depending on the brand you buy.
However, you can also use the money you’d save in food by not purchasing a larger dog to buy higher-quality food for your Boxer.
Dog food typically costs about $35 to $50 a bag, so you’ll need to factor this into your overall monthly grocery bill.
Health Care Expenses
A breed’s health conditions are crucial to know before you invest hundreds to thousands of dollars in a dog.
And, unfortunately, there are many health conditions that can affect the Boxer breed, such as:
- Allergies
- Bloat (which is more serious than it sounds)
- “Boxer colitis“
- “Boxer eye ulcers“
- Cancer
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Dystocia
- Entropion
- Epilepsy
- Heart conditions, like aortic stenosis and “Boxer cardiomyopathy“
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Intestinal problems
- Spondylosis deformans
Of course, keep in mind that every dog is different. Just because these conditions are common for Boxers does not mean you will end up buying a sick dog.
However, this is invaluable information inasmuch as you can know beforehand how much money to save in case that rainy day ever comes.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: Our Health is #1 Priority. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. Help your friend make it to 14 yrs+ without pain and suffering.
Grooming Costs
The Boxer can save you on grooming costs at least because of his very short coat.
A weekly once-over with a hound glove and the occasional bath when he smells should do the trick.
Though, you may want to consider taking him to a groomer if you’re not comfortable brushing his teeth or clipping his nails.
Some dogs also won’t let you get near their feet, so you may need a groomer if this is the case.
It is important these things still get done, no matter who does them, and no matter how much it costs.
Training Programs
Thankfully, while some people need to enlist the help of a trainer with their dogs, Boxers tend to take well to training.
You, therefore, should be able to train your dog yourself with no problem and save a couple of bucks on the Boxer dog price.
However, if your schedule simply does not allow you to train your dog before he’s old enough for the bad habits to stick, then you may need help.
In that case, you’ll have to budget a little extra for a professional trainer on top of everything else.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Final Thoughts on the Price of a Boxer
When deciding whether the Boxer puppy price is too rich for your blood, there’s a lot more to consider than just the Boxer price.
The Boxer average price is around $700. This is, of course, just the price of the dog.
You also need to factor in other necessities, like food, toys, a bowl, and a leash, as well as higher-priced items, like professional groomers, trainers and vet care.
And, of course, Boxer puppies’ price depends largely on whether they are of show quality or not.
You’ll need to weigh the appearance and temperament of the Boxer with his health concerns and hunting instincts before coming to a final conclusion.
These are all things you may not have known when the Boxer first grabbed your eye. That’s why it is so important to research before you buy.
This includes everything from the dog’s personality to the person you ultimately buy him from.
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.
Looking for a Dog Breed Price that Meets Your Budget?
Check out our