Average price for boxer puppies without papers

The Boxer dog was originally bred to fight and protect, but as all Boxer fans know, this dog has the heart of a marshmallow.

Today, out of 493 American Kennel Club (AKC) registered purebred dog breeds, the Boxer is the 10th most popular companion canine in the U.S.

How much do Boxers cost?

In this focused article, we take a close look at cost so you are informed as you begin your search for your new Boxer puppy or rescue dog.

Calculating The Cost For A Boxer Puppy

Calculating the cost for a Boxer puppy is not quite so straightforward as it may seem.

The reason is because you actually need to do three types of calculations to create the most accurate puppy budget!

How much do Boxers cost?

Cost for a Boxer puppy

First, you need to figure out how much it will cost you just to purchase your Boxer puppy.

As of publication time, reputable, health-focused, purebred Boxer puppy breeders charge between $800 and $2,800 for a Boxer puppy.

What do puppies need? Click here for your new puppy checklist!

We’ll look closer at how such a wide price range is possible in a moment.

Cost for Boxer puppy supplies

Next, you need to figure out what you need to purchase to prepare to welcome your Boxer puppy to your family.

This part of your budget will include both one-time and ongoing purchases.

Cost for unexpected Boxer needs

Finally, you need to figure out how to budget for unexpected costs, such as veterinary care if your Boxer becomes ill or injured.

To figure out how much to set aside for dog care emergencies, you need to know more about the Boxer breed line, possible health issues and how to pick the healthiest possible Boxer puppy.

Expensive Puppies Vs Low Price Puppies

Different types of breeders may charge different prices for Boxer puppies.

This is why, as you start shopping around, you may see both expensive puppies and low price puppies advertised for sale.

Let’s delve deeper into the price variance and why this occurs by taking a closer look at the different types of Boxer dog breeders.

Reputable purebred Boxer breeder

This dog breeder takes breeding Boxer puppies very seriously. This type of breeder will readily share up front that they are not in it for money – they are in it because they love the Boxer dog breed!

A reputable, responsible Boxer breeder will pre-test breeding dogs for all known genetic conditions for which health testing exists. This type of breeder will not breed dogs with known heritable (genetic) health conditions that could be passed down to the puppies.

A reputable purebred Boxer breeder will maintain an active breeder registration with the American Kennel Club (AKC).

This is important, because the AKC can fine or drop a breeder who fails to comply with certain kennel management and breeding standards and then they will lose their show and kennel marketing rights.

When you are considering how much do Boxers cost from this type of breeder, you should receive these benefits as part of your purchase price:

  • Puppy pedigree certification (“puppy papers”).
  • An initial guarantee of good health.
  • A take-back guarantee if the puppy is not a good fit with your family.
  • Written records of all required vaccinations/de-worming.
  • A new puppy pack with food samples and care recommendations.
  • Open access to that breeder’s knowledge and mentoring as your puppy grows up.

Not surprisingly, you will typically pay more on the front end for a Boxer puppy from this type of dog breeder. But there is a reason.

Boxer breeding costs

Take a look at what Boxer breeders often spend to breed, whelp and raise a litter of healthy purebred Boxer puppies!

  • Initial pre-screening health tests: $500
  • Veterinary exam and brucellosis test (canine STD): $150
  • Stud fee: $600+ per attempt
  • Pregnancy/puppy food and vitamins: $150
  • Puppy whelping, weaning and growth supplies: $200 per litter
  • C-section (if needed): $1,500+
  • Post-delivery litter check: $100
  • Puppy vaccinations: $60 per puppy
  • Worming: $80 per puppy
  • Ear cropping (if practiced): $200 per puppy
  • Tail docking/dewclaw removal (if practiced): $20 per puppy
  • AKC registration: $25 + $2 per puppy
  • New puppy packets: $50 per puppy

You can see that a breeder’s costs can add up quickly, especially if there are pregnancy or delivery complications. The set price for a puppy may also fluctuate depending on the breeder’s cost to produce that particular litter.

The good news is, research demonstrates that spending more up front on a purebred Boxer puppy can protect your wallet later by eliminating the possibility that your dog has inherited serious genetic health issues that require expensive ongoing veterinary care.

Backyard Boxer breeder

A casual or “backyard” Boxer dog breeder may see dog breeding as a hobby, a way to make a bit of extra holiday cash, or even an “oops” from that night when the neighbor’s unfixed male dog dug under the fence and knocked up their unfixed female Boxer.

The main point to understand with this type of breeder is that the entire breeding process is conducted casually. It is unlikely that any health pre-screening tests were performed to ensure parent dogs are sufficiently healthy and genetically sound for breeding.

This type of breeder may or may not make sure the puppies are up to date on all required vaccinations, de-worming treatments and other recommended preventative veterinary care.

Sure, the puppies are cute, and the price may seem right, but you are taking a risk with your wallet and your heart by purchasing this type of casually-bred Boxer puppy.

Puppy mill/import breeder

Today’s puppy mill breeders operate both stateside and internationally, often breeding Boxer puppies in places with far less animal cruelty oversight and then importing those puppies to sell to unsuspecting new owners.

Puppy mill breeders are in the dog breeding business to make a profit, plain and simple. The less they can spend on the parent dogs and the puppies, the more money goes back into their pockets.

Puppies are typically kept in squalid conditions, fed inferior food, denied access to preventative veterinary care and sold as “cheap Boxer puppies” online, in pet stores or even out of the back of a pickup truck.

Worst of all, every purchase of a puppy mill-bred Boxer puppy sends the message to breed more puppies.

This important article details how to spot a bad dog breeder.

What about Boxer rescue?

At this point, you might be wondering if you can just rescue a Boxer puppy instead? The answer is yes, and rescuing a relinquished dog is such a great way to give a worthy dog a second chance at a forever home.

Be aware you are more likely to find adult Boxer dogs than Boxer puppies at canine rescue shelters. However, adopting an adult boxer can have its own advantages and the price certainly is right!

Most rescue organizations assess a rehoming fee of between $20 and $500 and some offer this service free of charge.

Average price for boxer puppies without papers

What Is The Cost Of A Boxer Puppy

Now that you understand the nuances between different types of Boxer puppy breeders, you are better equipped to evaluate whether the Boxer puppy you have your eye on is being offered for a fair price.

How much do Boxers cost? The current market value for a purebred Boxer puppy ranges from $800 to $2,800+.

Are There Other Costs With A Boxer Puppy?

As we mentioned earlier in this article, there are three main cost categories to consider and budget for when shopping for a Boxer puppy. How much do Boxers cost? Here’s a summary.

The first category is puppy cost, which you now know can range from no-fee to $2,800+.

The third category is unknown expenses, which your veterinarian can help you budget for after your puppy has had an initial “well puppy” exam.

The second category is what we will explore in this section – these are the one-time and ongoing costs to welcome and care for your Boxer puppy over the next 10 to 12 years.

One-time “welcome home” expenses

  • Food and water bowls. $25
  • Toys and teething aids. $50
  • Dog crate and liner. $75
  • Dog bed. $50
  • Travel crate and liner. $60
  • Leash, collar, I.D. tag. $40
  • Microchipping. $45
  • Spay/neuter. $200
  • Training course. $100 (4 sessions)

Even shopping for deals, you are already looking at an initial cost of $645 – in addition to the puppy purchase price – to welcome your Boxer puppy home.

 

Average price for boxer puppies without papers
 

Ongoing maintenance expenses

  • Puppy food and treats. $60 per bag.
  • Puppy pads. $25 for 150 pads.
  • Toys. $50
  • Veterinary care (annual exam/preventative). $85 per visit
  • Flea/tick/heart-worm treatments. $120 per year
  • Dog license. $15 per year
  • Pet insurance premiums. $40 to $60 per month

Because Boxers have a flat muzzle shape (known as “brachycephaly”) they can be more expensive to own and to insure than many other dog breeds.

Annually, surveys show the average cost to own a large dog breed like a Boxer can range from $1,000 to $1,800+.

How Much Do Boxers Cost?

We hope reading through this article has answered your questions about how to select a healthy, well-socialized Boxer puppy!

  • How much does a dog really cost?

References and Resources

Shames, V., “Buying a Boxer Puppy,” The American Boxer Club, 2019.

Cooke, B., “Boxer Breed Information,” Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue, 2016.

Foster, J., “Couple spent £80k cloning two puppies from their dead Boxer in a Korean lab,” The Daily Mail, 2016.

Walker, J., “How We Determine Our Puppy Prices,” Newcastle Boxers Kennel, 2001.

Orr, S., “Q&A About Boxers,” Missouri Valley Boxer Club, 2008.

Snell, J., “The Truth About White Boxers,” West Coast Boxer Rescue, 2019.

Bell, S., “Cost of Raising a Litter of Well Bred Boxer Puppies,” BellCrest Boxers Kennel, 2019.

St. John, A., “How Much Is That Doggie In The Window? The Surprising Economics Of Purchasing A Purebred Puppy,” Forbes, 2013.

How much is a Boxer pup?

Champion pedigree Boxer puppies will typically cost between $2,500 and $3,500 each.

How much is a full blooded Boxer?

A healthy Boxer puppy costs between $1,000 and $3,500 from a reputable breeder. However, if you're looking for a show-quality puppy, expect to pay beyond this range. Some factors that affect the Boxer dog price are age, breeder's reputation, and appearance.

How rare is a black Boxer dog?

No Such Thing as a Black Boxer Dog These dogs are sometimes referred to as "reverse brindles," but that is actually a misnomer—they are really fawn colored with a large quantity of black stripes. The boxer dog breed does not carry the gene for a solid black coat; therefore, purebred black boxer dogs do not exist.

How many puppies does first time Boxer have?

The average size litter for boxer dogs is five to seven puppies.