Belgian Shepherd Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost, Vet Bills, and More!

Belgian shepherd is an umbrella term for four breeds of dog, the Belgian Malinois, Belgian Laekenois, Belgian Tervueren, and Belgian Groenendae. The key characteristics of these dogs include high intelligence, devotion, and athleticism. The versatility of this breed allows them to mesh well in a variety of homes. If you’ve set your heart on a Belgian shepherd puppy, you can expect a loyal companion who will dedicate themselves to you completely. Although buying a new puppy is usually an exciting time, planning for it financially might feel confusing and stressful. Today, we’ll discuss how much you can expect to pay when welcoming one of these amazing dogs into your home.

How Much Does a Belgian Shepherd Puppy Cost?

The purchase price of a Belgian shepherd will vary depending on a few factors, namely location and the reputation of the breeder. Depending on where you live, the density of Belgian shepherd breeders will differ. Areas with a higher concentration of breeders will inspire more competition, and prices will be driven down. However, if you live in a place where breeders are scarcer, the lack of supply may drive the price up.

The reputation of the breeder will also impact the cost. The more established they are, the higher the premium they can charge for their puppies. When buying a purebred dog, word of mouth is everything. Puppy mills and backyard breeders have run rampant in recent times. Although they may be able to offer more affordable prices, they aren’t doing genetic testing on the animals they’re breeding. This results in a high risk of congenital disorders, many of which are painful for the animals they inflict and expensive to treat. To avoid this, it’s best to purchase from a well-known, ethical breeder, even if the cost is a little higher. On average, a Belgian shepherd puppy will cost between $800 and $2000. If this price is too high, adoption is much more affordable and costs between $50 and $300.

Other Factors That Influence the Purchase Price of a Belgian Shepherd

Things like special coloration and pedigree may impact the purchase price of a Belgian shepherd. According to the American Kennel Club, the standard colors for this breed are “Fawn, fawn-sable, mahogany, red, and red-sable.” Beyond this, there are nine additional colors. Among these, merle, white, and brindle are the three rarest, and finding a breeder that is able to provide you with one of these options may be a difficult task. Due to their rarity, prices will be more expensive.

An additional cost that is often overlooked is the price of microchipping. This procedure is very affordable, and many veterinary offices offer it for around $50. Dogs are highly excitable, and it’s not uncommon for them to run out of the door and get lost. If this happens, the people who find them can bring them to get their microchip scanned. This will contain your contact information, and they will be able to return them to you with ease.

Cost of Vaccination and Other Medical Expenses for Belgian Shepherds

If you purchase your Belgian shepherd directly from a breeder, some medical expenses may be covered. Typically, the first set of vaccinations will be provided before bringing your puppy home. Depending on the age of the Belgian shepherd, neutering or spaying may be offered as well. In the case that you adopt your Belgian shepherd from a rescue or shelter, these services will likely be at your expense, so it’s important to put a little extra money aside for them.

The cost of the first set of vaccinations will be between $50 and $100. Each additional set of booster shots will vary in price, but you can expect to pay about $40 on average. The price to neuter or spay your Belgian shepherd can differ depending on the specific veterinary practice you go to, but in general, the price will fall between $100 and $300. Belgian shepherds are a hardy breed and aren’t plagued by many health issues. However, it’s best to consider getting pet insurance as a safety net in case an emergency happens. We’ll talk more about this later on.

Cost of Food and Supplies for Belgian Shepherds

Although the Belgian shepherd is a medium-sized dog, they are very athletic and have high nutritional needs. On average, you can expect to spend about $40 to $50 per month on dry food. However, those who want to feed their Belgian shepherd a specialized diet can expect to pay a bit more. Raw diets are becoming increasingly popular each year. Out in the wild, dogs would eat a diet rich in natural, unprocessed foods. This philosophy sparked the trend, and many people praise it for the health benefits it offers. Raw diets will cost a bit more at about $120 per month.

If your dog has medical issues, they may have special dietary needs. In this case, feeding your Belgian shepherd can be pricy. The cost of a prescription diet can climb as high as $200 per month, but on average, you can expect to pay about $150. Keep in mind that these price estimates do not include the cost of wet food or dog treats.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Belgian Shepherd?

If you purchase your Belgian shepherd puppy from a well-known, ethical breeder, they will usually offer a health guarantee on their puppies. This means that the breeder has done genetic testing on their animals and promises you that their puppies are perfectly healthy. If your dog does receive a diagnosis covered by this guarantee, you will be eligible for a refund or replacement. However, these agreements don’t last forever, and after about three years, your dog will no longer be covered.

When this happens, it’s best to start looking at alternative sources of medical coverage. One excellent solution is to purchase pet insurance. Vet bills are extraordinarily expensive and can put pet owners under a lot of financial strain. Insurance will help cover the cost of medical procedures and medication in the event your dog does become seriously ill. The monthly cost to insure your Belgian shepherd will be between $20 and $50 on average, depending on the kind of coverage you desire.

How Much Does It Cost to Train a Belgian Shepherd?

Belgian shepherds are incredibly intelligent and train very well. For this reason, it is not uncommon for these dogs to have jobs. This breed makes excellent service animals, herding dogs, or protection dogs. In addition, there are many Belgian shepherds who are employed in law enforcement. In addition to their athletic prowess, these dogs have excellent senses of smell and can track a scent with incredible accuracy for great distances.

Because these dogs are highly trainable, it is best to begin this process while they are still young. Belgian shepherd puppies are eager to please their owners and respond well to positive reinforcement. If you’re too busy to dedicate the time to properly training your puppy, training classes will cost about $40 per session. It is recommended to take your puppy to classes at least once a week for about a year to ensure they are fully trained.

Final Thoughts

Belgian shepherds make wonderful pets and can fill a variety of roles in their owner’s life. Whether your Belgian shepherd winds up in the show ring, working on farmland, teamed up with law enforcement, or simply serving as a companion animal, they’ll take their job seriously and put their whole heart into it.