The American Pit Bull Terrier is among one of the most famous breeds of dogs in America today. The reputation of the breed has come a long way over the years, and more and more families are wanting a Pitbull puppy of their own. Raising a Pitbull puppy to a balanced adult is going to cost more than just your time however.
How much do American Pit Bull Terriers cost? The price of Pitbulls can range from $1200 to upwards of $15000 for a Pitbull puppy. This price range varies based on coloring, sex, appearance, and bloodline of your American Pitbull Terrier. Raising your Pitbull puppy can cost between $3290-$8140 per year.
Providing your American Pitbull Terrier with the high quality life they deserve is something you need to prepare for. Having the information ahead of time to evaluate the lifetime and monthly cost is going to be important.
Below is a breakdown of some of the expenses you will be looking at to raise a happy, healthy American Pitbull Terrier Puppy in your first year, and the years after.
How Much Do American Pit Bull Terriers Cost?
| PURCHASE | MONTHLY | YEARLY |
| Puppy Purchase** | $1200-$15000 Average cost $3000 |
|
| Premium Food & Treats | $30 – $75 | $360 – $900 |
| Harness & Leash* | $30 – $50 | |
| Food & Water Bowls* | $10 – $35 | |
| Toys & Chews | $20 – $40 | $240 – $480 |
| Dog Bed* | $30 – $75 | |
| Dog Crate* | $40 – $60 | |
| Grooming | $30 – $75 DIY $150 – $200 Groomers |
|
| Vet Bills & Preventative Care | $700 – $1500 | |
| Training* | $20 – $300 | |
| Insurance | $60 – $110 | $720 – $1320 |
| Registration & Tags | $10 – $20 | |
| Misc.. Poops bags, wipes, towels | $100 – $200 | |
| Total In First Year | $358 – $678 | $3490 – $8140+ |
| Total Yearly After Start Up Costs | $180 – $385 | $2160 – $4620 |
** One time expense / * First year expense that will last years
How Much Are American Pit Bull Terrier Puppies?
The cost of American Pit Bull Terrier puppies has a very broad range when looking online. Costing $1200 – $15000 the Pitbull has a variety of factors to their price.
The rough average I have found is between $2500-$3500 for puppies with UKC registration papers, and good breeder standards for health, temperament and health certifications.
The choice is ultimately yours when deciding on a specific American Pit Bull Terrier breeder and the prices they list. Some dogs come from renowned bloodlines with championship show dogs and competition awards, others come from more rare colorings like the Blue Nose variety of Pitbull.
A good healthy family companion dog without the accolades and rare colors, are a more prudent choice for most however.
Choosing your American Pit Bull Terrier puppy from a breeder should be based on the breeders commitment to health and temperament. Many breeders have now begun breeding the Blue Nose Pitbull for example based purely on the looks. Though they are pretty, these dogs can have health issues associated with the recessive genes responsible for their coloring.
A reputable breeder should be providing you with health certifications of genetics conditions, a list of screenings that have been conducted, and be able to answer any question you may have without hesitation.
Anyone selling you an American Pit Bull Terrier that is unwilling to provide these simple requests should be avoided at all costs.
Investing in a reputable American Pit Bull Terrier breeder can save you $1000s in potential vet bills and medications. These puppies are bred to be the best specimens of the breed. Paying for a certified healthy puppy is something that can save you many trips to the vet, and give you that peace of mind.
Sources:
- Redwood Kennels
- Pack of Pits Kennels
- Bayou Blood Kennels
- Delware Red Pitbulls
- Finest Pit Bulls Made
Factors Influencing American Pitbull Terrier Price
If you are wondering, how much does an American pitbull terrier cost? They usually cost between $2160 to $4620. However, the American pitbull terrier price depends on various factors like appearance, pet guarantee, dog license, breeder reputation, and ancestry. The American pitbull puppies’ price depends on the different types of breeds. How the dog looks like his nose, the color of their coat, height, and weight also bring a difference in the American pitbull cost. Red and blue nose dogs are more expensive than others. The reputation, where they come from, affects the American pitbull price. Health guarantee of the dogs like 2 years increases the American pitbull puppies price.
What is the American Bulldog Pitbull Mix Price
The American bulldog pitbull mix price varies on the different sizes and weights of the dogs. The medium to large category measures around 20-25 inches tall and weighs around 70-120 pounds. American bulldog pitbull mix puppy comes between the range of $1000 to $2000 from a reputable breeder. These dogs look strong and masculine yet they are kind and loyal to their owners. This breed is popular by the name “bully pit”. Where American pitbulls cost between $1300 to $2500, American bully pitbull price or American bully pitbull mix puppy price is more expensive and ranges from $1000 to $50000. The lifespan of bullypits is 10 to 13 years in general. Hybrid dogs tend to inherit health issues from their parent breed.
What Should I Feed My American Pit Bull Terrier? – The 5 Best Options
With any dog you want to ensure they are getting a premium quality dog food. The American Pit Bull Terrier is no exception. Special attention to the protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals provided in your dog food is important.
The American Pit Bull Terrier, like many of the Bully breeds, is susceptible to skin and joint issues, as well as some potential food allergies. Ensuring your Pitbull is being fed a top quality food rich in Omega fatty acids can help with many skin and joint issues, and be great preventive care.
I have written extensively about some of the best premium quality dog foods on my resource page. My top recommendations for your Pitbull would be:
- ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato
- Wellness CORE Grain-Free
- Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe
- CANIDAE All Life Stages
A premium quality dog food is your best bet to maintain a happy and healthy dog. The cost can be a little more than your low quality brands, so expecting to pay $30 – $75 a month should come as no surprise.
Including some supplementation for skin, joint, and heart health, like some Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil, can further enhance the health of your American Pit Bull Terrier.
High quality diets will lead to less Vet visits in the future, so the upfront cost is well worth it for your wallet.
American Pit Bull Terrier Harness & Leash – The 5 Best Options
Getting the proper gear for your Pitbull can be overwhelming when it comes to the choices. Hopefully I can simplify that for you to make the best decision possible when it comes to harnesses and leashes for your American Pitbull Terrier.
My first recommendation when it comes to gear for your American Pit Bull Terrier is to get a proper harness rather than a collar.
Your Pitbull is going to be a strong adult very soon, and I find that harnesses are the best option with Bully breeds. A good harness and leash setup can cost between $30 – $50 and will last for years.
Harnesses are the better option than collars for a few reasons.
Excellent for training
Teaching your Pitbull puppy to walk on leash with a harness can prevent tangles and trip ups. Not only can this make learning to walk on leash easier, but can also prevent injuries from tangle ups.
Provides better control
A harness allows for great control of your dog’s movement, and with the large and strong American Pit Bull Terrier, this is especially useful. If your dog is still learning leash manners, or you are in a busy area, having greater control of your dog can provide that extra layer of safety.
Discourages pulling
The way that a harness fits makes pulling on leash a lot less easy for dogs than a collar. Wearing a harness can reduce the amount your Pitbull pulls on leash, and makes training leash manners much easier.
Safer for the dog
Collars, especially for your American Pit Bull Terrier puppy, can create situations where an injury is more likely to happen. A sudden jerk or pull in the wrong direction can hurt and and injure your puppy’s neck.
Prevents escape attempts
Most dog escapes happen when they slip from a loose collar, or a collar breaks. A harness is designed to be a lot more difficult to slip out of, and the likelihood of a harness breaking compared to a collar is far less.
When it comes to getting a leash for your American Pit Bull Terrier my recommendation above all else is to NEVER USE A FLEXI-LEASH.
Those extendable leashes that let your dog wander wherever they like are dangerous and teach your extremely bad habits.
Some gear recommendations for your Pitbull’s harness and leash needs would be the following highly quality, top rated items.
- Rabbitgoo Dog Harness, No-Pull Pet Harness
- WALKTOFINE Dog Harness No Pull Reflective
- RUFFWEAR, Front Range Dog Harness
- iYoShop 6 FT Strong Dog Leash with Comfortable Padded Handle
- Blazin’ Safety LED Dog Leash
Source – AKC
Reviews & Resources – The Best Leashes, Harnesses, & Collars for Bully Breed Dogs
American Pit Bull Terrier Bowls & Accessories – The 5 Best Options
Food bowls don’t have to be a complicated affair, and can be a very affordable purchase that will last the lifetime of your Pitbull. For me it is important to have a sturdy food and water dish setup for my Staffy to prevent messy eating.
Some dogs can be very fast eaters, and along with some training, things like slow feeders bowls can be a great investment. A slow feeder bowl can slow your dogs eating considerably, and add some extra mental stimulation for your Pitbull.
A good bowl setup will cost between $10 – $35 if you are not looking for anything to boujee and designer made. No judgement if you want to go that route, I myself have made a couple purchases from the Posh Puppy Boutique.
Getting a few Kongs to keep at the ready is a must in my books. Kongs are such a versatile and essential feeding and training tool. They can provide mental stimulation, slow your dog’s eating, help with crate training and be great for dogs with separation anxiety.
I myself keep 4 Kongs in the house to make sure I always have one ready to go.
My top food bowl and accessories recommendations for your American Pit Bull Terrier would be:
- URPOWER No Spill Dog Food Bowl
- UPSKY Double Dog Bowls No-Spill Resin Station
- Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl
- YETI Boomer 8, Stainless Steel, Non-Slip Dog Bowl
- Pawfect Pets Premium Elevated Dog Diner
- Super Chewer Kongs
American Pit Bull Terrier Toys – The 5 Best Options
American Pit Bull Terriers can be powerful chewers, and enjoy a fair deal of challenge and mental stimulation when it comes to toys. Providing your dog with a strong, durable and exciting toy will be your best option to avoid constant replacements.
My Staffy is a big chewer, and those cute little fluffy toys don’t stand a chance when it comes to longevity. She can have the squeaker out and the toy’s fluff stuffing all over my living room within an hour.
Over the years I have found some amazing options to keep her entertained, and my monthly toy budget down to a cost of $20 – $40
I admit it might seem like I have more toys around than my Staffy needs, but I typically rotate her toys to keep her interested. She can get bored with some toys, so putting those away and bringing out other toys that have been in the cupboard, reinvigorates her interest to play with them.
These are some of your best toy options for a Pitbull.
- Benebone Bacon Flavored Wishbone Chew Toy
- Arm & Hammer Super Treadz Gator & Gorilla Chew Toy
- LECHONG Dog Rope Toys
- Petstages Dogwood Tough Dog Chew
- Bark Box Super Chewer Subscription
Resources & Reviews – The Best 15 Dog Toys & Chews for Aggressive Chewers
American Pit Bull Terrier Beds – The 5 Best Options
Dog beds come in a range of prices, from the most basic not so comfy ones, to the over the top posh ones. Getting a comfortable sleeping area for your Pitbull to have a snooze and relax is a basic necessity if you don’t want them in your bed, or on the couch.
Crate training your American Pit Bull Terrier is one of your best moves when it comes to potty training and prevention of your dog developing separation anxiety. Getting yourself a crate that will work from the time your dog is a puppy to an adult can save you a lot of money.
The iCrate comes with a divider that allows you to adjust the size and space your dog has as they grow from puppy to adult. A bestseller, and what I always recommend to any new dog owner. Grab one on Amazon.
Getting a dog bed with a removable, machine washable cover is probably the most important feature next to comfort. You will need to wash the stink, hair and food bits from your dogs bed on a regular basis.
My recommendations for affordable, comfortable, and easy care beds will cost between $30 – $75 and these beds can last several years with proper maintenance.
- Frisco Plush Orthopedic
- Frisco Pillow Dog Bed
- Furhaven Pet Dog Bed – Orthopedic Ultra Plush
- Furhaven Pet – Plush Orthopedic Sofa
- BarksBar Large Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed
If you really want to spoil you Pibble, get them a top notch Bully Bed at BullyBeds.com
American Pit Bull Terrier Cost of Grooming
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a low maintenance breed of dog when it comes to grooming. A weekly brushing of their short coat, and a bath every 6-8 weeks is all it will take to keep them smelling good and looking shiny. Additional costs of toe clippings can remain fairly cheap whether you do it at home, or take them in to a groomer.
The cost of grooming at home with your own supplies will cost you between $30 – $75 a year.
Get yourself a good brush, shampoo, and nail clippers and you are all set. I use a gentle hypoallergenic shampoo on my Staffy because of her sensitive skin, and I would recommend the same for your Pitbull.
Recommended Grooming Tools
- KING KOMB™ – Deshedding tool
- FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool
- PetNeat Pet Grooming Brush
- SleekEZ Original Deshedding Grooming Tool
- Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Dog Shampoo
- Casfuy Pet Nail Trimmer: Painless Paws Grooming & Smoothing
If you would rather take your Pitbull to a groomer, this can cost you $150 – $200 a year depending on where you live and what sort of spa package treatment you choose. Thankfully you can save a few bucks on hair cuts with your Pitbull, as they will never need one.
Resources & Reviews – The 15 Best Dog Grooming & Bathing Products
American Pit Bull Terrier Cost of Training
Depending on your own personal experience when it comes to training dogs, giving your American Pit Bull Terrier the foundations for a well behaved and balanced life is crucial. The American Pit Bull Terrier, though known as a gentle breed, is a still a strong, powerful and sometimes stubborn breed.
The cost of training your Pitbull can range anywhere from $20 – $300. This includes supplementary materials and tools. There are a number of options one can take when training their dog, and depending on your needs and budget you can achieve this through group classes, 1:1 sessions, books, and online video courses.
Puppy and Group Training Classes
Enrolling your puppy in a 6-8 week group puppy class is a great way to lay a foundation of learning not just for your dog, but also for you as the owner.
Training classes are meant to introduce your puppy to basic commands, walking on leash, and socialization skills. Keeping these new skills going with consistent training after the 6-8 weeks is up to you, not your Pitbull puppy.
Puppy and group training classes can range in price between $20-$25 a session, or $120 – $200 for the full course program. This can vary depending on where you live, but is about the average cost.
Over the course of these 6-8 weeks you will learn all the basics on how to communicate effectively with your Pitbull puppy, and use positive reinforcement techniques. The trainer of these courses should equip you with everything you need to get a great start on your puppy’s learning path.
1:1 Private Training Sessions
Private training sessions with your American Pit Bull Terrier will cost anywhere from $35-$75 a session, sometimes more depending on the trainer and your specific need.
The purpose of a private training session is typically far beyond learning the basics of sit, stay, down, and walking on leash. These sessions are usually for a specific behavior you are needing help correcting.
A single session with a private trainer is unlikely to resolve whatever issue you are looking to fix. Expect to have multiple sessions with this trainer to work on the consistency of the training they are providing. Ask about package rates to perhaps get a lower rate per session.
Typically the trainer will be able to come to your home and evaluate how your Pitbull’s interacts with you and your family. The private trainer should be able to provide tools and techniques to everyone in the family to help guide your dog’s behavior and consistently work your way towards the desired behaviors.
Some examples of the issues you are wanting a private trainer to assist with could be:
- Dog jumping on people
- Separation anxiety
- Differents forms of aggression
- Digging, Chewing, and destructive behaviors
- Excessive barking
Always do your research ahead of time and properly vet your potential trainers for certifications in their field, as well as any available reviews from previous customers. A trainer who practices positive reinforcement techniques, along with skills on being a pack leader are always preferred.
Dog Training Books
There are many fantastic dog training books that are out there. I used a few myself to supplement my group training sessions with my Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy Ruby, and they were a tremendous help.
Learning as an owner should never end with your puppy or obedience classes. Getting yourself a few good books to continue will make a world of difference.
When I first brought Ruby home I picked up a few books that her group trainer had recommended and dove right into learning as much as I could. Cesar Millan, Dr. Ian Dunbar, and Dr. Patricia McConell all provide valuable insights, lessons, and techniques that have stayed with me all these years.
Each of these books provided me with similar yet different approaches to try and I was able to find what worked best and adapt them to my training with Ruby. I would highly recommend you check out these books, as well as a few more recent books that come highly recommended.
How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond by Cesar Millan
Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Behaved Dog by Dr. Ian Dunbar
Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution
The Puppy Primer by Dr. Patricia McConnell
Online Dog Training Classes
Online learning and dog training apps can be a great alternative to in person group classes. Though you will be missing out on the socialization aspects, so be sure to be socializing your dog as often as you can. They learn so much from other dogs as well as from us as owners.
At the time of writing this article the world is currently in the middle of a global pandemic, and many group and indoor activities are cancelled. This can create issues for the many people who have brought a new puppy home, or are looking to add some additional obedience training to their adult dog’s regime.
Online classes can provide you with just as much knowledge as an in person group session, and you can always go back to review the lessons afterwards. This is such a handy way of approaching your Pitbull’s training so long as you are putting in the actual work.
There are some great online classes you can start right away online that are taught from professionals and cover a range of different material. Online classes can range from $20-$150 per course depending on the depth and breadth of the material you need.
Pupford Academy is an online based training academy with a huge selection of courses. The Pupford Academy has real certified CPDT-KA trainers with 10-20 years of professional dog training experience.
With their step-by-step instructions, video based training modules, and specific behavior type problems sections, you are well equipped to raise the well behaved puppy of your dreams.
The Dunbar Academy – The Dunbar Academy offers dozens of courses to help you with general as well as very specific dog training programs. This online learning is provided by the world renowned training expert Dr. Ian Dunbar and his family.
Resources & Reviews – The Best Dog Training Courses, Books, & Tools
American Pit Bull Terrier Veterinary Expenses
One of the highest costs of owning an American Pit Bull Terrier will be your medical and preventative care bills. Even with a healthy dog these are an annual or semi-annual cost you must incur to maintain and prevent future illness that can result from lack of care.
A healthy Pitbull should be seeing their vet once to twice each year during their adult life. When you add up the consultations, shots, dental care, and preventative treatments this can cost on average between $700 – $1500 a year.
If your American Pit Bull Terrier is sick or needs emergency treatments such as surgery, these costs can go much higher. In the case of cancer treatments and consultation with a specialist and treatment can cost between $1500-$6000.
The first year of your Pitbull’s life will have an upfront cost of between $75-$100 to get the first rounds of vaccinations. Puppies should receive 3 cycles of vaccines in the first year or so of their life that cover all the core DHLPP vaccinations. These include:
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
- Parvo
- Parainfluenza
Additional vaccinations like bordetella and rabies are highly recommended, and oftentimes required by law, or to have your dog participate in group activities such as training classes, or boarding.
Health care for you American Pit Bull Terrier is a top priority and responsibility of any pet owner. Keep your dogs shots up to date and book your annual or semi-annual check ups. Accidents can also happen, and these can be costly.
A torn ACL, a broken leg, or an emergency stomach surgery to remove a child’s toy. These can and do happen. Consider getting insurance for your Pitbull to help mitigate some of the financial risks.
American Pit Bull Terrier Insurance Cost – The 7 Best Options
Having pet insurance for your Pitbull can be a lifesaver financially when it comes to unexpected expenses. Accidents can happen, dental care will be needed, and having some options for holistic treatment coverage may be desired.
In doing some research for this article I obtained a series of quotes from about 10 different insurance providers. I kept all the information as consistent as possible when getting the quotes. I found that for a Male American Pit Bull Terrier, that has been neutered the cost of monthly pet insurance can range from $60-$110
These numbers are based on a $500 deductible, $10,000-Unlimited claim limits, and an 80% reimbursement. All insurance providers have limits to coverage plans, and those vary from quote to quote.
Personally I have looked at dozens of different pet insurance companies for my Staffy. I know how daunting it can be to sift through the various options for coverage, deductibles, and annual payout limits.
In my search I did find some of the best options. The insurance coverage I chose was specific to my needs of my dog. These are some of the best providers I have found.
Eusoh
Touting themselves as not an insurance company but a community health sharing plan. Eusoh has a very unique, and admirable business model that does not rely on premiums to make their profit. They are a member based reimbursement network, that is fast, affordable, and honestly pretty cool. GET A QUOTE
Trupanion
One of the most trusted, reliable, and established pet insurance companies on the market today. Trupanion has one of the most custom tailored plans you can get. They also use a specially developed technology that can pay your vet directly. Saving you time on claims immediately. GET A QUOTE
PetPlan
PetPlan has a great comprehensive package that covers everything from exam fees, to dental, even to chronic and hereditary conditions. The quote I received was about average cost, but the coverage was fantastic. GET A QUOTE
Pets Best
Offers great plan options to suit your specific needs, and coverage along with stellar service, and fast payouts. This company offers a versatile set of plan options and great customer service access. GET A QUOTE
Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace coverage is very comprehensive from basic accidents to cancer treatments, prescriptions, and behavioral therapy. You are not limited to a specific network of vets, so Embrace works at any clinic. GET A QUOTE
Pet First Insurance
One of the fastest payout networks on claims. With a very robust selection of plans to help tailor your coverage to your budget and your pets needs. Great coverage options including exam fees and holistic options. GET A QUOTE
Pet Premium
Among one of the most affordable pet insurance companies. Pet Premium offers great support for your pets health insurance with open transparency on coverage. GET A QUOTE
American Pit Bull Terrier Exercise Needs
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a very energetic breed of dog. When you have an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy and have to leave for work everyday, they are going to need some exercise and a potty break. This is true of adult dogs as well.
Hiring a dog walker to provide your American Pit Bull Terrier with their exercise needs is your best bet for keeping your dog happy. Leaving your dog home alone all day can lead to some mischief and destructive behaviors, not to mention smelly accidents.
The average cost of a dog walker is $20 – $30 for a 30-60 minute walk with your dog. This can vary depending on where you live and the dog walking service you choose.
There are many options to source out a good and reliable dog walker or dog walking service. Word of mouth is often the best method, so talk to people at your local dog park who use a dog walker.
There are also services like Rover and Wag Walks that have a fast and convenient way for you to schedule in a dog walk for your American Pit Bull Terrier.
Both services are comparable in price, and allow you to set you specific appointments and instructions. The dog walking services have a large network of vetted walkers in thousands of US cities and towns. They also offer pet sitting and boarding options as well.
Conclusion
The cost of owning an American Pit Bull Terrier doesn’t end once you have paid your initial adoption fee from a breeder. There are many hidden costs that can jump up and surprise you if you’re not paying attention. Planning ahead, and making a budget for your new family member will make your life a whole lot easier.
Finding the right breeder, the right food, the right gear, insurance, and dog walker are necessary steps to becoming a good pet owner. I have gone through all of this myself, and wish I had a blog post like this to reference when I was first adopting my Staffy.
Through my years of experience I have compiled this article into the most comprehensive yet concise set of monthly and annuals costs you can anticipate. It may seem like an American Pit Bull Terrier is going to cost you a lot, but the gift of your furry companion will pale in comparison.