Boerboel cost of ownership
Cost of ownership in Texas · 150–200 lb · 9.51-year median lifespan · AKC rank #112 (2025)
Photo: Jeff · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Source · 7 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Where the money goes
| Category | per year | Share | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & treats2978 kcal/day × $1.42 per 1,000 kcal + 30% treats | $2,005 | 57% | PetSmart · est. |
| Vet & preventive1 exam, core vaccines, heartworm test, dental every 3 yrs, 12 months of parasite prevention | $306 | 9% | CareCredit / Synchrony · est. |
| InsuranceAccident & illness plan, US average, adjusted for state | $812 | 23% | North American Pet Health Insurance Association · est. |
| GroomingHome grooming: brush, clippers, shampoo | $24 | 1% | PetSmart · est. |
| Supplies & gearReplacement toys, waste bags, treats | $58 | 2% | PetSmart · est. |
| Training & boardingUS average yearly boarding spend, adjusted for state | $313 | 9% | American Pet Products Association · est. |
A Boerboel — 150–200 lb, working group, ranked No. 112 of 202 by 2025 AKC registrations — costs a typical owner in Texas about $3,518 a year, or $2,298 to $3,722 depending on food, grooming and insurance. That is 4% below the $3,671 average for giant breeds; the Great Pyrenees is the cheapest in the group and the Black Russian Terrier the dearest.
Food is the largest line at 57%. At 175 lb this dog needs about 2,978 kcal a day — roughly 55 lb of kibble a month — so brand and tier matter more than for a smaller dog: $1,761 to $2,144 a year across the standard kibbles we priced ($2,005 at the median), and several times that on fresh food. Insurance is the next line at 23%.
At No. 112 of 202 registrations it is an uncommon breed: expect a waiting list and some travel to reach a breeder, though that changes the purchase price, not the running costs modelled here. No breed-level survival study covers it, so the 9.51-year figure is the US life expectancy for giant dogs; the AKC quotes 9–11 years.
The smooth coat is the cheap part of owning a Boerboel: no clipping, an occasional bath, and a brush that lasts years. Grooming is 1% of the total at $24 a year.
First-year total: $4,541. Beyond the running costs that includes spay or neuter ($457 at Texas prices) and the puppy vaccine series with its extra visits. A giant-breed puppy outgrows everything: crate, bed, collar and harness are all bought at least twice, so treat the $230 first-month list as the first of two rounds.
The median lifespan of 9.51 years (the US life-expectancy figure for its size group) is short, which keeps the lifetime total at $34,478 even though the yearly cost is above average. Only about 2 of those years are senior years, each adding $-1 in extra check-ups and bloodwork.
Food
Calories from RER = 70 × kg^0.75 scaled for a 175 lb moderate-activity dog; price per 1,000 kcal is the median of our recorded SKUs in this tier.
Source · 2 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Shop dog food at Chewy · partner link
First-month shopping list
- CrateKONG · 48″L x 32″H, Xlarge$90
- BedTop Paw · 38″L x 48″W, X, Large$60
- Bowls ×2Top Paw · 12 fl oz$3
- LeashPetSafe · 3/8 in$5
- CollarKONG · Large$25
- HarnessPetSafe · Small$21
- BrushTop Paw$9
- Nail ClipperTop Paw · Large$8
- Pee PadsGreat Choice · 23″ x 24″$10
- Total$230
Source · PetSmart (recorded by pawdget) · Updated 2026-09-21
First-month gear on Amazon · partner link
Health conditions commonly recorded in Boerboels
We have not yet found a peer-reviewed, openly licensed prevalence study for this breed, so this section stays empty rather than quoting unsourced lists.
Informational only — not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian about your own dog.
Breed data
| Weight | 150–200 lb |
| Median lifespansize-group estimate | 9.51 yrs |
| Breed-club life expectancy | 9–11 yrs |
| Coat | smooth |
| Activity | moderate |
| AKC group | working |
Source · 3 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Questions about Boerboel costs
How much does a Boerboel cost per year?
About $3,518 a year in Texas for an adult on a standard kibble with an accident-and-illness policy, ranging from $2,298 to $3,722. Food & treats is the largest category at 57%.
How much does it cost to feed a Boerboel?
A 175 lb Boerboel needs roughly 2,978 kcal a day, about 55 lb of dry food a month. On a standard kibble that is $167 a month treats included ($147–$179 depending on brand); budget kibble costs about half, fresh food several times more — use the food tier switch to see exact figures.
What is the lifetime cost of a Boerboel?
Around $34,478 over the breed's 9.51-year median lifespan, including $1,023 of first-year set-up costs and higher senior-care spending after age 8.
Last updated September 21, 2026. Figures are estimates built from the sources listed above; your own costs will differ. How we calculate.