Rottweilers are beautiful and majestic dogs, but it is important to research the ins and outs of the Rottweiler price before you bring one home.
The cost of a Rottweiler goes far beyond the initial fee that you pay to a breeder, rescue group or adoption center.
When adopting a Rottweiler, you must also factor in the lifelong cost of feeding, training, and medical care for a very large, active pet.
Full-grown Rottweilers can reach 135 lbs! When you own such a large pet, the cost of food, supplies and especially medications go up significantly.
This article will take you inside the Rottweiler dog price so you can determine if you can commit to providing a loving and stable home for a Rottie.
Is a Rottweiler a Good Match for You?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of the Rottweiler price, let’s first determine if the Rottweiler breed would be a good fit for your lifestyle.
Rottweiler Temperament: Watchful, Protective, Devoted
Rottweilers are beautiful, regal, loyal and lovable dogs. They have a tough exterior when interacting with strangers, but they are actually teddy bears under the surface.
Rotties become extremely attached to their families and they act like silly goofballs when they are playing with their loved ones.
However, the Rottweiler temperament is not for everyone. These dogs do best with confident handlers who have some prior dog training experience.
A Rottweiler is definitely not the best choice for a first-time dog owner.
Rottweilers require a lot of exercise and training. They are active dogs that need daily mental and physical stimulation.
It is crucial to put a lot of time into training and socializing such a large, intimidating dog breed. If you own a dog that is over 100 lbs., you must have it under excellent control at all times.
Rottweilers are naturally protective of their territory, and this trait can get out of hand if they are not consistently socialized with new people and other pets.
Rottweilers should not be left outside in the backyard. They need a lot of human interaction and reinforcement from their guardians.
If you do not have the time to devote to ongoing training and socialization, this is not the breed for you.
The Cost of Purchasing a Purebred Rottweiler from a Reputable Breeder
If you determine that a Rottweiler is the perfect dog for you, there are many avenues for finding a Rottweiler to add to your family.
One option is to purchase a Rottweiler puppy with papers from a breeder.
If you choose to purchase a Rottweiler puppy from a breeder, the cost can vary widely.
The average Rottweiler price is between $1000 and $2000 when you work with a reputable breeder. The price can go as high as $8000 for certain bloodlines or characteristics.
You might be able to find Rottie puppies for less than $1000, but do some extra investigating to make sure the breeder is legitimate.
A good way to start your search for a quality breeder is to contact the American Rottweiler Club. The Club maintains a list of breeders who are in good standing.
The breeders on this list comply with the American Rottweiler Club’s list of mandatory practices.
Once you identify a possible breeder, set an appointment to visit the breeder and ask questions. Ask to see medical records and view the living conditions of the breeding dogs. This is the best way to make sure that your Rottie puppy comes from an ethical breeder and not a puppy mill.
The American Rottweiler Club does not endorse breeders who advertise exaggerated traits, oversized Rottweilers or Miniature Rottweilers.
Check out this article for more tips about finding a good breeder.
The Cost of Adopting a Rottweiler from a Rescue Group or Animal Shelter
Another good option to consider is the option of adopting a Rottweiler to add to your household.
There are many Rotties available for adoption through animal shelters, humane societies, and specialized rescue groups.
The price of adopting a Rottweiler is much lower than the price of purchasing a Rottweiler from a breeder.
Adoption fees are usually in the ballpark of $75 to $300 depending on the organization. The adoption fee generally includes basic vetting such as spay/neuter, vaccines, deworming and a microchip.
Adoption is a good way to save some money, and it is also rewarding to provide a home for a dog in need.
It is also a good option for people who work long hours and do not have the time to train and housebreak a young puppy.
If you would like to explore the option of adopting a Rottie, check out the website for the Rottweiler Rescue Foundation. You can also look for adoptable Rottweilers on Petfinder.com, Getyourpet.com, Adoptapet.com and Facebook.
Do not forget to stop by your local animal shelter and put an application on file so that the staff can alert you when a Rottweiler becomes available. This breed is fairly common in American animal shelters, so probably will not have to wait too long for a call.
The Yearly Cost of Rottweiler Care
Once you bring home your new Rottweiler, you will still need to budget for the annual costs of food, training, supplies, and medical care. Do not forget to set aside a little money for emergencies, as well.
The Cost of Feeding your Rottweiler
Rottweilers are large dogs that consume a lot of food!
Talk with your veterinarian about the best nutrition for your Rottweiler.
Try to avoid cheap dog food with filler ingredients such as corn or animal by-products.
You should be prepared to budget about $50 a month for high-quality dog food.
This does not include supplements such as vitamins, treats or dental chews.
The Cost of Training your Rottweiler
Training can be expensive, but it is well worth the cost.
When you own such a large breed, it is vital to invest time and money into proper training and socialization.
Even if you plan to do some of the training yourself, you should still sign up for at least one puppy socialization class or group training class.
Socialization is very important, and your Rottweiler can only get that socialization from a group setting.
Depending on the class, the cost will probably be between $75 and $200 for 5 or 6 sessions.
If you feel like your Rottweiler needs to work on a specific behavior issue such as separation anxiety or aggression, you will need to hire a private trainer. This can cost anywhere between $80 and $150 per session.
Make sure you find a trainer that uses positive reinforcement training methods. Avoid trainers that use “dominance” or punishment-based training. Never use painful tools such as shock collars or pinch collars.
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.
Positive training methods are more humane, effective and fun for you and your dog.
The Cost of Grooming your Rottweiler
Grooming costs are minimal for this breed.
Rottweilers have short, sleek coats that do not require professional grooming.
You can brush your Rottweiler and bathe him at home. Read our article on successful DIY grooming here.
If you are not comfortable trimming his nails, you can pay a groomer or veterinarian between $10 and $25 to trim his nails a few times per year.
Other Rottie Expenses
Rottweilers are intelligent dogs that need plenty of toys and mental stimulation.
Don’t forget to stock up on beds, bowls, leashes, collars, and an extra-large dog crate.
Rottweiler Medical Costs
Medical costs are one of the most daunting expenses of owning any pet.
Routine Medical Care
You should budget at least $100 to $200 for an annual exam with your veterinarian once per year.
On top of that, you should budget about $30 to $50 per month for monthly flea, tick and heartworm prevention.
Medication is dosed by weight. Since a Rottie is such a large dog, your medical bills will be higher than someone who owns a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier.
All dogs need dental cleanings every few years. This procedure can cost up to $500 or $600 depending on the vet.
Emergency Medical Care
Set aside some money for medical emergencies.
If your Rottweiler needs emergency surgery for something like a broken bone or an ingested foreign body, you will be looking at thousands of dollars in veterinary bills.
You may want to explore the option of pet health insurance. Talk with your veterinarian to see if pet health insurance would be a good idea for your pet.
Rottweiler Medical Issues
Rottweilers are prone to some specific medical issues that can be expensive to manage.
Like most large dogs, they are susceptible to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.
They are also at risk for bloat. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate surgical correction.
Discuss these serious conditions with your veterinarian to make sure that you can handle them if they arise.
Conclusion: Can you Afford the Rottweiler Price?
Rottweilers are wonderful dogs, but they are not for everyone.
They require a lot of training and management. They can also be prone to some pretty pricey medical conditions.
If you are thinking about adding a Rottweiler to your family, make sure you are ready to care for this large breed.
This includes the financial resources to take care of a Rottie for 10 to 12 years.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.
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