American Bulldog Price: How Much Does It Cost?

Want a friendly and affectionate breed that won’t give you trouble during grooming sessions?

Then you’re looking at the American Bulldog breed!

The American Bulldogs have a long history of being a man’s companion.

So it's almost an obvious choice for everyone to pick it as their house dog.

By now, you might be considering the cost of adopting one.

And it's no easy task to navigate around the nuances of buying a dog.

But don’t worry!

This blog can guide you with the price and costs that come when owning an American Bulldog.

In this article, I’ll be taking you along as we discuss the American Bulldog Price.

Here, I’ll guide you with the following topics:

• The price of American Bulldog
• The mandatory costs of owning a dog
• One-time purchases for your American Bulldog
• Monthly expenses to consider

And finally, let’s also talk about the American Breed profile and its temperament.

Read to find out if the dog’s profile and temperament fit your preferences and lifestyle.

Now, with so much to unpack here, let’s start!

American Bulldog Price: How Much Does It Cost?

Dan, how much does an American Bulldog cost?

A lot of dog owners—starting or seasoned—have been asking for the American Bulldog Price.

And here it is!

The average American Bulldog price range is within $800 to $3,000.

But if you want quality American Bulldog puppies, you can get them from reputable breeders.

When you get it from them, the American Bulldog puppies' cost can go as high as $4,000.

Here are more details about the price difference for American Bulldog puppies.

American Bulldog without Papers	$450 to $700
Less Well-bred American Bulldog	$800 to $1,300
American Bulldog from Reputable Breeders with Papers	$1,500 to $4,000
American Bulldog with Papers and Breeding Rights	$3,000 to $5,000
American Bulldog Show Dog	$7,000 or higher

The cost of American Bulldog mix breeds, on the other hand, are less expensive than purebreds.

Why are they less expensive? We'll talk about it more later.

Here’s a table that shows the price range for some of the popular American Bulldog mix breeds.

American Bulldog Mixed Breeds	Price Range
Bullkita (American Bulldog and Japanese Akita )	$500 to $600
Bulloxer (American Bulldog and Boxer)	$900 to $1,000
American Bull-Aussie (American Bulldog and Australian Shepherd)	$600 to $800
American Pugabull (American Bulldog and Pug)	$500 to $2,000
American Bullweiler (American Bulldog and Rottweiler)	$1,500 to $3,000
American Bullhuahua (American Bulldog and Chihuahua)	$1,000 to $1,500

Alternatively, you can visit rescue organizations and shelters to adopt the breed from them.

These organizations ensure that the dogs rescued will receive continuous health tests, deworming, and vaccines to keep them healthy.

However, take note that the parents of these rescue dogs may or may not have undergone health testing.

So, there would still be doubts about its lineage or the potential genetic disease that it’ll get.

Among the many shelters where you can start inquiring now is the American Bulldog Rescue.

They are one of the largest rescue organizations dedicated to saving this breed.

All that being said, buying from pet store chains, advertisements, and online platforms like Craigslist is certainly not recommended.

Sure, it may be cheaper to buy from these sources upfront.

But their healthcare needs can get absurdly expensive in the long run.

So it's better to get a quality breed at a higher expense now than to suffer with the long-term expenses later.

RELATED: 40 Reputable Dog Breeders in the U.S. (2022)

Factors Affecting the American Bulldog Price

There are a lot of factors that can affect the American Bulldog Price.

These are:

• Breeder reputation
• Amount of training given
• The demand of the breed
• Medical history and supporting documents
• Bloodline and Pedigree
• Age
• Coat Color

The price of American Bulldogs up or down depending on quality.

High quality of these aspects will always fetch a higher price.

So always do your research to make your purchase worthwhile.

Breeder

Here’s why buying American Bulldog puppies from a professional breeder is expensive.

When it comes to breeding dogs, professional breeders prioritize quality above anything else—even profit.

Reputable breeders invest their resources in making sure that the litter is healthy.

And when you pay for the price of American Bulldog puppies, you’re not just paying for the cost to breed them.

Rather, you’re also paying for the breeder’s expertise in producing healthy pups.

Without their knowledge of the trade, you’re left with unhealthy puppies and a sea’s worth of veterinary service bills.

Training and Socialization

Training and socialization are extremely crucial aspects of raising pups.

So, premium breeders would go the extra mile to give the litter the necessary training.

And when they do train the pups, it becomes a factor that drives the American Bulldog price up.

Breeders would either hire a dog trainer, which they would pass this cost to the buyers.

If they know how to train dogs themselves, they can train the dogs and charge the buyers for it.

Alternatively, you may want to get the breeds at rescue centers and shelters.

These facilities train their rescue dogs well to make sure that they are ready for rehoming.

And the best thing about it? Training the dogs is free of charge! 

RELATED: Breeder vs. Shelter: Where Should You Adopt a Dog?

Location and Demand

The demand and supply for the breed can thrust the American Bulldog price up or shove it down.

American Bulldog puppies are well-sought-after breeds, not just in the US but worldwide.

But if you live in a more rural area in the country, there might not be many breeders in your area.

They can take advantage of the scarcity and charge you more for the breed that you requested.

Medical History

It only makes sense for the healthiness of the pup to be a factor that makes the American Bulldog price high.

Instead of profit, a professional breeder’s end goal is to produce healthy pups for potential buyers.

To do that, breeders match two suitable and healthy dogs to be the parents of the litter.

They then undergo a series of health tests to make sure they’re physiologically healthy and genetically compatible.

When the pups are born, breeders take them to multiple vet visits to have their health condition checked.

Reputable breeders also deworm and vaccinate their dogs to protect them from infections and infestations. 

They document the process well and won’t hesitate to show you the records to prove the litter’s wellness.

RELATED: Puppy Mill vs. Breeder: Know The Difference

Bloodline and Pedigree

Aside from the pup’s health, breeders are also concerned with improving the dog breed.

And no, I’m not talking about a series of trial and error with the breed.

Instead, it’s about filling the gaps and weaknesses of the parent dogs.

That’s why finding a suitable match is important to breeding.

It complements the desirable traits and fills in the undesirable ones.

So, if the pup came from parent dogs with strong lineage, expect the price of the American Bulldog puppies to be expensive.

It’ll fetch an even higher price in the market if they come from a superior bloodline and show dog lineage.

And that’s not all!

Breeders also have the responsibility to preserve the qualities of the breed.

So it makes sense that pure breeds are more costly than mixed breeds.

Age

Age does, in fact, affect the price of American Bulldog puppies.

The general rule of thumb is that older dogs are inexpensive than a puppy.

But why?

This is because senior dogs are close to their expected life expectancy.

At the dog’s old age, they also often get sick, and they also become less trainable.

It's also why they become less preferable than the young ones.

Coat Color

A lot of breeders would price a breed they own the same regardless of coat colors.

But some coat colors and patterns of the same breed are rarer than others.

It also happens that these rare coat colors are also high in demand.

So, breeders would bump the price to match the rarity of the coat color.

The colors Blue, Lilac, and Merle Blue are rare fur coat colors that spike the American Bulldog price high.

American Bulldog Price: Cost of Mandatory Requirements

Aside from the American Bulldog puppy cost, you also must pay for the other mandatory requirements that come with owning it.

Here's a table to show an overview of these requirements and their corresponding costs.

Mandatory Dog Requirement	Price
Collar and ID Tag	$15 to $30
Microchip	$15 to $45
Spay and Neuter	$75 to $400

Take note that these requirements are not mandated in some countries outside the US or in some states inside the country.

American Bulldog Price: One-Time Expenses to Consider

In your first year as a pet owner, it’s a guarantee that it will be the most expensive year.

The first year is when you’ll be paying huge one-time expenses like the mandatory requirements above.

You’ll also be encountering large one-time purchases in your first year.

Most of these purchases are items for your long-term use.

So instead of considering these items as expenses, you can look at them as long-term investments instead.

Here’s a quick rundown of the essential items for your dog.

Dog Items	Cost
Dog Crate	$50 to $200
Food Bowls	$10 to $20
Leash	$5 to $15
Grooming Tools	$45 to $80
Toys	$10 to $25
Litter Box	$25 to $40
Carrier Cage	$75 to $150

Dog Crate

Dog beds or crate? Which one suits your American Bulldog?

We recommend placing your dog in a crate instead of providing it with a bed to sleep on. Here’s why.

Dog crates are known solutions to separation anxiety—something that American Bulldogs can suffer.

This is because dogs treat crates as a safe area and a place that they can call theirs.

American Bulldogs are also energetic breeds that may resort to destructive behaviors.

And if you give them a bed, they may chew and rip the bed apart before you know it!

So, proper crate training can contain their destructive behavior within the walls of the crate.

Here’s a dog crate that I would recommend to you:

Food and Water Bowls

An American Bulldog will have episodes of destructive behaviors, especially when it feels bored.

So, we don’t recommend food bowls made from plastic materials that the dog can easily chew.

You need the food bowl to be more durable to withstand the chewing tendencies.

A stainless-steel food bowl will do to hold the food that you’re serving to them.

Here’s a food bowl that I can recommend for you:

Leash

As we all know, American Bulldogs are large muscular breeds.

But despite their size, they are obedient and rarely have pulling tendencies.

On the rare occasion that they pull, we recommend a stronger and bigger standard leash to hold against their strength.

Here are some of the leashes that we will recommend to you:

Grooming Tools

Grooming is more than just making dogs pretty!

In fact, you should think about grooming more for hygienic purposes than just for the dog’s looks.

To do that, you need a set of grooming tools; each tool having different purposes.

Lucky for you, American Bulldogs have short furs which is easier to maintain.

These dogs, however, still shed.

So, a moderate amount of brushing per week helps catch furs that are about to fall.

Essentially, with frequent brushing, you are controlling the shedding that your dog will do.

Here’s a dog brush that I can recommend:

Trimming nails is also an important aspect of dog grooming.

After all, long nails can harm your dog in the long run.

It’s best that you keep a schedule on when you should cut their nails short.

As for the type of nail cutter to use, I recommend using plier-type clippers.

These types of nail cutters are beginner-friendly and have enough force to accurately cut the nails.

Here’s a plier-type of dog nail clippers that I can recommend for you:

For toothbrushes, your purchase should be based on the size.

A bigger toothbrush is more appropriate for American Bulldogs because they have larger mouths and teeth than small breeds.

Using a small toothbrush for them is fine too.

But it will take more time to cover and brush all its teeth than you do with a big toothbrush.

Here’s a toothbrush kit that I can recommend to you for your American Bulldogs.

RELATED: 6 Best Dog Grooming Courses Online [Updated 2023]

Toys

When it comes to buying and picking toys for an American Bulldog, bigger is better.

Larger toys are built to withstand the dog’s mouthing.

Its large size also prevents the toy from slipping and becoming a choking hazard for them.

Here’s a recommended toy for this bulldog breed:

Litter Box

Housebreaking is a must-have training for all dogs, including American Bulldogs.

A training potty pad can be a great start in housebreaking your puppies.

But eventually, you need to switch to a sizeable litter box.

Alternatively, you can let them do their business outside.

When you do, make sure to designate a specific place outside for their potty business.

Otherwise, they might poop everywhere outside.

American Bulldog Price: Recurring Cost

Owning an American Bulldog is not just about paying for one-time expenses.

Dogs have everyday needs that you, the owner, must meet.

When you own dogs, you need to understand that it’s a long-term commitment.

You'll be attending to their needs and making them happy all the time.

This means anticipating a recurring cost every month to meet your dog’s needs.

Here’s a quick overview of the expected dog-related expenses that you will be paying every month.

Monthly Expense	Cost
Food and Treats	$60 to $100
Grooming Sessions	$40 to $60
Veterinary Services	$150
Medical Cost	$200 to $450
Pet Insurance	$60 to $75

Food and Treats

American Bulldog puppies need high-quality kibble to grow strong and healthy.

Since dogs have different nutritional needs across their life stages, dog food brands also have different formulations to tend to those needs.

Additionally, be careful about the amount of food you’re feeding your dog.

Too little dog food can lead to malnutrition.

On the other hand, too much food can make your American Bulldog obese.

I recommend feeding your dog 1/2 cup of high-quality dog food per pound of its weight.

Grooming

Even a low-maintenance American Bulldog deserves a good grooming session too!

But if you are inexperienced with grooming, you can just leave it to a professional to do it for you.

With a professional pet groomer on board, he’ll do a better job at making your dog look its best.

Pet groomers also tend to areas that owners often neglect like the ears, nails, and even teeth.

We recommend a once-a-month visit to the pet groomer, which can cost around $50 to $100 per session.

RELATED: How to Find Local Dog Groomers in Your Area

Veterinary Check-Up

Don’t take your dog to a vet visit only when it’s sick.

Make a habit of having your dog checked regularly!

Veterinary checkups are important even when your dog is not sick.

They help detect any health problems that you otherwise wouldn’t notice.

Vets can also spot even those illnesses with zero symptoms.

Aside from that, they check your dog’s lifestyle, from the food that they eat to its living conditions inside your house.

Ideally, you should take your American Bulldog for a vet checkup once every two months.

Pet Insurance

Lastly, enrolling your dog in a pet insurance program can help you better take care of your dog in the long run.

Pet insurance helps shoulder the medical cost should your dog get sick or have an injury.

You never know when you need it, but it does help assure that the costs will be taken care of should the worst-case scenario happen.

RELATED: Does Pet Insurance Cover Vet Visits?

American Bulldog Breed Profile Overview

The American Bulldog is a relative breed of English Bulldogs.

Before they became companion dogs, people used them for bullbaiting, hence the name “bulldogs.”

This athletic dog breed is a medium-sized breed that can reach a maximum height of 25 inches and weighs up to 100 pounds.

American Bulldogs also have a longer muzzle compared to other bulldogs.

As with other bulldog types, the American Bulldog is covered with rough short fur around its body.

They can have a fur color of:

• White
• Black
• Brindle
• Brown
• Tan
• Merle

American Bulldog Temperament

In terms of temperament, the American Bulldog is a friendly and affectionate breed.

And it's these qualities that make it a suitable companion dog inside the house.

But despite their friendly temperament, they still get territorial and extremely wary of strangers.

So, it will take some time before a stranger-turned-familiar-face can see the breed’s soft side.

The American Bulldog is also an intelligent breed which makes training with them a whole lot easier.

However, the downside of having an intelligent dog is that it would constantly require you to mentally stimulate and entertain them.

Lastly, American Bulldogs also need plenty of exercise to keep them in their pristine shape.

It’s also a way to stimulate them while exhausting their energy, so don’t be afraid to encourage your dog to exercise!

American Bulldog Price: Should You Get One?

Eager to own America’s very own bulldog? Go for it!

The American Bulldog has all the qualities that you need from a companion dog: friendly, loyal, and affectionate.

They have an active lifestyle as evidenced by their muscular and athletic build.

So, if you don’t have a lifestyle or a place to match its that can’t match its activeness, then this dog is not for you.

Instead, you may want to check other articles below about the price of owning other dog breeds!

OTHER DOG BREED PRICES:

• Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Price: The Cost to Own This Breed
• Affenpinscher Price: Cost for Owning this Breed
• Alaskan Malamute Price: How Much Does The Breed Cost?