The Costs of Buying & Owning a Bouvier

A well-bred Bouvier pup from parents that are AKC-registered, health-certified, and one or both are American champions, will sell for a minimum of $700 for pet quality and $1000 or more for show or breeding quality.

If you see them selling for less, it's because you are getting less — a lot less. A good Bouvier is expensive. But as in most things, you get what you pay for! And while no breeder can guarantee 100% perfection in a pup, a good one will stand by their pups and give you a guarantee. Not only that, a reputable breeder will honor that guarantee — their reputation depends on it.

"If I’m just buying a pet, why should I care about all the fancy show titles in the parents?" Because you want a dog that is structurally sound, with a stable temperament, and which has an excellent chance of living a long and healthy life. Serious breeders measure the quality of their dogs in competitive arenas. The conformation title (Championship, or CH) is evidence that a stud or bitch meets the established standard for the breed.

A poorly-bred pup, purchased from a "puppy mill" or a "backyard breeder" who uses questionable parents, may cost less money up front. But in the long run, it is likely to cost you more money and heartache than if you had bought from a recognized, well-respected breeder in the first place. A good breeder will be able to sell you a healthy, happy, home-raised pup that came from healthy, sound parents. And they will guarantee it in writing.

After buying your puppy, you will have the costs of supporting that dog for the rest of his life. Big dogs cost more than small dogs — they eat more and vet bills are larger, as medications are usually proportional to body weight. Annual costs of maintaining a Bouvier: food and routine veterinary care: $600-900; professional bathing and grooming: $500-1000. Add to this the costs of obedience training, spay/neuter, additional vet care, a crate, dishes and beds, collars and leashes, toys, and basic grooming equipment.