Rottweilers are some of the most interesting and recognizable dogs on the planet. Rotties are good-natured, intelligent, and incredibly loyal dogs. They also have an unmatched sense of vigilance, making them excellent guard dogs.
If you’re interested in welcoming a Rottweiler to your house, one of the first things you should consider is their initial cost and ongoing expenses, and that’s where this guide comes in handy!
In today’s guide, we’ll walk you through a complete Rottweiler cost guide, so you can have a better idea about the necessary budget for the Rottie!
What Is the Average Cost of a Rottweiler?
Rottweilers are always in high demand, which is why they’re more expensive than many other dog breeds.
In fact, the price of a Rottie can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, including where you buy it from. Here’s a quick look at the average cost of a Rottweiler from various sources:
Dog Breeders
If you’re buying a Rottweiler puppy from a dog breeder, you should expect it to cost you anywhere between $800 to $3,000. This huge gap in prices is due to other factors that play a role in controlling the dog’s cost.
Despite being the most expensive route, buying a Rottweiler from a certified breeder provides the highest guarantee of the puppy’s quality and background.
This is because breeders put a lot of care and time into the process, which helps in ensuring a healthy Rottweiler with the best features.
Rescue Shelters
Adopting a puppy from rescue centers and shelters is another way to get yourself a Rottweiler without paying a lot of money.
In most cases, adopting a Rottweiler should cost you an adoption fee that ranges from $150 to $650. This fee is meant to cover the expenses of the dog before you adopt it.
Of course, adopting a dog comes with many advantages. For starters, it can be significantly more affordable than buying from a breeder.
In fact, some adopted dogs are also properly raised and trained, adding more value to the money you paid!
Additionally, it can be an amazing experience because you’ll be providing a loving home to an innocent dog.
However, the main downside of adopting a Rottweiler is that you can’t guarantee the dog’s quality and it’s very hard to learn about the dog’s past.
Private Sellers and Puppy Mills
Besides registered kennels and breeders, there are also private breeders and sellers who may list Rottweilers puppies for sale locally or online.
These usually cost an average of $600 to $1,500, although some might be even higher or lower, and the prices are usually negotiable.
Although these breeders are usually cheaper than registered kennels, it can be quite a risky gamble because you don’t know about the quality of the dogs or the breeding practices.
Factors That Affect the Price of a Rottweiler
As you can see, the cost of a Rottweiler can vary significantly, even from the same source. This is because there are several factors that play a role in determining the quality and price of the dog. Let’s have a quick look at them:
1. Age
The first few months of a Rottweiler’s puppy life have a huge impact on the dog’s behaviors and personality as it grows up.
A lot of people start training their puppy from the 8th week or earlier, which is why younger pups are more expensive than older ones.
This is even more critical if you want to raise a Rottweiler as a family dog. You’ll need to socialize the dog from a very old age so that it’s familiar with family members and can maintain a friendly attitude toward strangers.
2. Breeder’s Reputation
Breeders put a lot of effort, time, and money into raising quality Rottweilers. Since they’re running a business, they need to add a markup that covers the expenses they pay and keep their business profitable.
For that reason, buying a Rottweiler puppy from a reputable breeder that conforms to all the standards of the American Kennel Club (AKC) is going to cost you more.
Since these breeders are certified, registered, and approved by the AKC, they offer the highest level of guarantee for the quality of the dog.
2. Pedigree and Bloodline
Dogs inherit most of their traits from their parents. For that reason, the bloodline of the dog has a huge impact on the quality of puppies produced in a litter.
Show quality and purebred dogs are bred carefully to maintain a decent record of the puppy’s lineage.
Maintaining ethical standards while breeding such high-quality Rottweilers increases their prices dramatically.
For instance, a Rottweiler puppy that comes from a champion or show-grade bloodline can easily cost you up to $4,000 or more.
3. Location Rates
The price of a Rottweiler with the same lineage and quality will vary dramatically, depending on where you’re buying it.
This is because, like any other service or product, the rates are highly impacted by the local economical conditions.
After all, breeders will pay taxes, salaries, and expenses, depending on the rates where they live.
For instance, a recent report by Fox News shows that Orlando is the cheapest place to buy or adopt dogs while San Francisco is up to several times more expensive than the national average.
4. Hybrids and Mixes
If you’re buying a Rottweiler mix, the price will change depending on the other breed and demand.
For example, the Rottweiler Lab mix is only $300 to $600 with a few expectations. Rottweiler German Shepherd mix is also highly affordable at around $250 to $800.
On the other hand, breeding Rotties with Huskies results in more expensive puppies at around $800 to $1,200.
5. Training
Training is another aspect that costs time and money. Expertly trained Rottweiler puppies are usually on the higher end of the price scale, costing anywhere between $2,000 to $3,000.
Of course, it’s much easier to buy a young puppy and train it yourself. However, not everyone has the skills or the time necessary to do that properly.
6. Medical Assessment
The puppy’s immunity is at its lowest during its first few months. During that time, experienced breeders will give the dogs all the necessary vaccines to keep them healthy.
Vets can also provide a medical assessment to check the Rottweiler puppy for any health problems that can affect the dog in addition to genetic risk factors.
The evaluation affects the price of a puppy because those with perfect health are sold at the highest possible price while unhealthy dogs can be a lot cheaper.
7. Local vs Imported
Rottweilers have been introduced to North America since the early 1900s. This means that the purebred varieties in America have deviated from the original bloodline for over a decade.
This led many people to classify Rottweilers in American and German varieties. In fact, the General German Rottweiler Club (ADRK) has its own standards, which are slightly different from the AKC.
In addition to carrying the native bloodline, importing dogs overseas can be very expensive and add a significant markup to the puppy’s price. In fact, an imported Rottweiler puppy can cost you around $3,000 to $4,000.
8. Rare Features
Lastly, Rottweilers have a variety of physical characteristics that are in massive demand.
However, since these features are quite rare, you might need to shell out thousands of dollars to find a puppy that has them. Let’s check them out:
Coat Color
According to the AKC standards, the original hair coats of a standard Rottweiler are:
- Black and Mahogany
- Black and Tan
- Black and Rust
Mahogany and rust markings are more common than lighter tan. However, the demand for black and tan Rottweilers makes these puppies a little more expensive.
Besides these colors, there are two colors that aren’t recognized by the AKC but are still in high demand.
This includes the red and blue coats. The red coat is super rare and is often a result of unethical inbreeding while the blue one is a rare genetic mutation. These dogs can sell for up to $1,800+, even without training.
Hair Coat Length and Texture
Rottweilers have a rare gene that can result in a long-hair dog. These dogs are similar to standard Rotties in everything except for the length and texture of the coat.
Despite being unrecognized by the AKC, the low availability and high demand for long-hair Rotties skyrocketed its price.
A healthy long-haired Rottweiler puppy can cost you around $1,500 to $2,000.
What Are the Initial Costs of Keeping a Rottweiler?
After buying or adopting a Rottweiler puppy, there are other expenses that you’ll need to spend before you welcome it into your home.
Luckily, many of these items are one-time purchases that you won’t have to worry about again. These initial costs are usually around $600 to $2,500, depending on your budget and choices.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the initial costs of keeping a Rottweiler through its first few months:
Housing and Essentials
These include bedding, blankets, an outdoor dog house, a travel crate, etc. Additionally, it should cover a suitable leash and collar. The total expenses should cost you from $120 to $700.
This can vary depending on your budget, but paying for a larger bed and crate is a future-proof investment for such a fast-growing breed.
Documents and Registration
This includes registration fees, microchips, and any legal or license fees that are necessary for having a Rottweiler in your home. This varies greatly but it should be around $50 to $100.
Initial Medical/Insurance Bills
The first few months involve a lot of vet visits, especially if the puppy wasn’t previously examined or vaccinated.
The initial expenses are around $275 to $1,200, which covers the following:
- Initial insurance fees
- Vaccine shots
- Necessary tests (bloodwork, x-ray, etc)
- Physical evaluation/screening
- Neutering or spaying
- Deworming
- Necessary medications and supplements
Everyday Supplies
These include all the necessary supplies that your dog is going to use daily. Buying high-quality items here saves you the extra costs for replacements in the future.
The average cost of these essentials is around $100 to $250. Those include items like food and water bowls, litter boxes, poop bags and scoops, puppy toys, etc.
Grooming Tools
You’ll need to brush your Rottie daily to keep its hair coat shiny and healthy. To groom your dog at home, you’ll need brushes, de-shedders, nail clippers, etc.
These items vary in price but you can find bundles and kits sold at around $35 to $150.
What Are the Annual Expenses of Keeping a Rottweiler?
After the initial expenses, you’ll still need to sustain your puppy’s health and quality of life through maintenance and replenishing supplies.
The average annual expenses of Rottweiler are around $1,300 to $4,000. Here’s a quick look at the potential annual expenses:
Food and Treats
As a large-dog breed, Rottweilers need a lot of food to sustain healthy growth. The quality of the dog food you buy has a huge impact on your annual expenses, which can be anywhere between $600 to $1,000 per year.
Grooming Sessions
Rotties don’t need excessive grooming, so you can get away with a single grooming session once every 2 months. The average session costs between $35 to $100.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance saves you a lot of money on medical bills and unexpected surprises.
After the initial fee, you’ll need to pay a monthly or annual fee which varies depending on the insurance program and coverage.
These fees are usually between $300 to $1,500 per year. These are optional but they’re highly recommended.
Routine Medical Checkups
Rottweiler has a limited lifespan of 8 to 10 years. To help your dog lead a healthy and happy life, you must give it a routine medical check every 3 to 6 months.
This should cost around $180 to $600 per year, excluding necessary surgeries, medications, or accidents.
Essentials Upgrades and Replacements
Some of the initial items may also qualify as annual expenses, because you may need to buy them every 1 to 2 years. This includes new toys, litter boxes, bowls, blankets, etc.