Written by Dr. Marcelle Landestoy, DVM
Rottweilers are a very loyal dog breed! They’re great with kids and enjoy performing tasks that make them think.
However, they need a lot of exercise, socialization, and training to avoid aggression – which costs money.
It can be expensive to own a rottweiler. You’ll want proper training with an instructor, pet health insurance, quality food, and toys. Rottweilers are wonderful dogs, but you’ll want to understand the cost before committing to this breed. On average, it costs about $478 a month to own a rottweiler.
I’ll help you build a monthly budget for owning a rottweiler in this article.
Keep in mind that the amount to care for a dog changes during different stages of their life.
Everything you need to know about the expenses associated with rottweilers is below!
Food and Supplements
Feeding your Rottweiler proper food is essential! You want to ensure they get all the nutrients they need to stay happy and healthy.
Some rottweilers can be picky eaters, so you’ll want to take note of your dog’s favorite meals.
However, most rottweilers will eat anything.
Rottweilers are big dogs, and they eat a lot! It can be expensive to feed them – most of your monthly budget will probably go towards paying for food.
Of course, you don’t want to overfeed your Rottie either.
You should try to give your Rottie a healthy mix of kibble and wet food. This process ensures that they get enough nutrition in their diet.
A 25 to 30-pound (11 to 14 kg) bag of natural grain-free adult rottweiler food costs about $50 on Amazon.
If you feed your adult Rottie 10 cups (1,280 g) of food a day, split into two meals, that bag should last you 12 days since a 30-pound (14 kg) bag contains about 120 cups (15,360 g) of dry food.
If you want to get enough food for a month, you’d need at least three bags – at least $150.
A nutritious option for dry food would be Nature’s Recipe Dog Food (available on Amazon.com).
It has real meat, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin in the recipe! It also usually comes with a coupon and the option to save money when you subscribe to the product.
Rotties also are prone to canine hip dysplasia, so you’ll want to start giving them a supplement for their joints early on.
According to the American Kennel Club, most of these joint supplements will contain glucosamine, chondroitin, and green-lipped mussel.
Puppy
Rottweiler puppies need to eat two to three cups (256 to 284 g) of food three times daily.
You’ll need to provide them with more food as they grow but fewer meals.
For example, when they reach seven months of age, you’ll feed them two meals consisting of five cups (640 g) of food per day.
Puppy food usually has a higher cost than adult kibble. The most nutritious options tend to cost between $60 and $100 for a thirty-pound (14 kg) bag of puppy chow.
Most pet parents feed their rottweiler puppy mostly dry kibble, with occasional wet food to help them stay hydrated.
This chart helps break down the cost of Rottie puppy food:
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Dry large breed puppy kibble | $60 to $100 per 30 lb (14 kg) bag | $240 |
| Wet puppy food | $20 to $40 per 24 cans | $30 |
Adult
Adult Rottweiler males tend to be larger than females and require more food.
However, it’s usually not a huge difference – you might give a male Rottie a cup or two (128 or 256 g) more than a female.
When your Rottie reaches a year old, you should also start giving them joint supplements.
Most pet parents also prefer to feed their dogs dry food with occasional cans of wet food.
I’ve calculated the average below as if you’d give your pup wet food every third day, but you can always offer it to them more often.
Check out this chart to better understand the monthly cost:
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Adult dry food | $50 to $100 per 30 lb (14 kg) bag | $225 |
| Adult wet food | $30 to $35 per 12 large cans | $32.5 |
| Adult joint supplement | $35 to $55 per two servings a day | $45 |
Senior
Lastly, senior rottweilers require chewier or wet food since they have dental problems.
I’ve calculated the average budget for wet food with this in mind in the chart below. You’ll want to give your senior Rottie a daily can, especially if they have sensitive teeth.
Food with added calcium is essential in a senior Rottie’s diet!
You can also give them a calcium supplement as an alternative.
Still, you need to make sure they receive ample amounts of this vitamin. It helps ensure your dog’s teeth stay healthy and strong.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Senior dry food | $60 to $90 per 30 lb (14 kg) bag | $225 |
| Senior wet food | $27 to $40 per 12 large cans | $67 |
| Senior joint supplement | $35 to $55 per two servings a day | $45 |
| Senior calcium supplement | $25 to $35 per one month supply | $30 |
Grooming and Hygiene
Rottweilers are low-maintenance dogs, meaning they don’t require a lot of grooming.
Still, you’ll want to bathe them every two to eight weeks, depending on their lifestyle.
Doing so ensures they have healthy fur and skin.
You can bring your dog to the groomer if you don’t want to do it yourself. On average, a dog groomer charges more for large breeds.
Since most Rotties tend to weigh more than 100 pounds (45 kg), it’ll probably cost more than $70 to have a professional groom them for you.
If you go to the groomer a few times a month, that can add up fast!
However, if you bathe and brush your dog yourself, you save a lot of money.
All you pay for is the grooming tools once (a brush and nail trimmers), then the shampoo whenever you run out.
A smaller bottle should last you a month or more since Rotties only need bathing a few times per month.
It’ll cost an average of $20 for the brush and $15 for the nail clippers.
Adult dog shampoo falls into a much broader price range, depending on the ingredients and quality of the product.
Burt’s Bees Shampoo for Dogs (available on Amazon.com) is a great option! It’s cost-efficient, natural, smells great, and nourishes your dog’s skin and coat.
Overall, adult dog shampoo costs between $6 and $35 on Amazon, although most tend to land around $15.
Bathing
Luckily, you won’t need to bathe a Rottie as often as other dog breeds.
You’ll want to clean them about every two to eight weeks. Most Rottie parents try to wash their pet at least once a month, but your dog mightn’t need cleaning as frequently.
If your dog is very active or shedding, you’ll want to bathe them more often than you usually do.
Bathing rottweilers is necessary because they have short, dense coats, and bathing helps manage shedding and dander.
You can easily bathe a Rottie at home. All you need is a large enough bathtub and some dog shampoo.
If you request cleaning at a groomer, they’ll likely follow a similar process.
You can also save by choosing a bulk bottle of shampoo! It’ll last you a while since you only need to use a small amount at a time.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Dog shampoo | $6 to $30 | $18 |
Nail Trimming
Rottweilers are a large breed, requiring trimmers that can clip through thick nails.
Not every pet parent feels comfortable cutting their dog’s nails alone. If you hire a groomer to do it for you, it’ll cost about $10 to $25.
However, most groomers also include nail trimming in their general grooming package.
If you bring your dog in for a bath on a monthly basis, you can have them cut their nails during grooming.
However, you’ll save yourself a lot of money if you learn how to do this at home. You only need to buy nail trimmers once!
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Large breed nail trimmer | $15 to $30 | $22.50 (one time purchase) |
Hair Care and Trimming
Rottweilers don’t require any special hair care or trimming.
They shed their coats over time, so their fur should never go past a certain length.
After bathing your dog, you can apply a hydrating spray to their coat to keep their skin and hair moist, healthy, and shiny.
Plus, you’ll want to brush your dog’s fur at least once per week! By doing so, you can help reduce shedding.
You should brush them more frequently during their shedding season, usually in the fall and spring.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Dog brush | $7 to $30 | $18.5 (one time purchase) |
| Dog coat hydrating spray | $5 to $18 | $11.5 |
Dental Care
Grooming can also keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy! Vets recommend brushing your dog’s teeth at least three times a week to remove plaque.
However, that’s a minimum. It’s better to brush your dog’s teeth daily.
Your groomer will help with the deep cleaning, while you should brush your dog’s teeth often at home to prevent tooth and gum disease.
You can either buy a pack of disposable dog toothbrushes or a single toothbrush that you use with toothpaste.
The multipack should include enough for at least one month.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Multi-pack of disposable brushes | $10 to $24 | $17 |
| Reusable dog toothbrush | $5 to $10 | $7.5 (one time purchase) |
| Dog toothpaste | $5 to $20 | $12.5 |
Veterinary Care
Rottweilers are prone to some health issues as they age. Most commonly, Rotties have problems with their eyes, cancer, allergies, and hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia, in particular, is a costly condition. It can cost between $3,500 to $7,000 per hip since Rottweilers are a large breed.
Checkups and Vaccines
You should bring your dog to the vet at least once per year. All dogs also require a rabies vaccination yearly, which is pretty cheap.
As a puppy, your Rottie receives three rounds of vaccines.
Then, as they grow, they receive regular boosters. You must bring your dog to the vet as often as needed.
Puppy
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Core vaccine shots | $75 to $100 | $137.50 |
| Rabies shot | $15 to $20 | $17.50 |
Adult
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Routine vet checkup | $45 to $55 | $50 |
| Rabies booster shot | $15 to $20 | $17.50 |
Senior
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Geriatric Screening | $85 to $110 | $97.50 |
| Rabies booster shot | $15 to $20 | $17.50 |
Insurance
It’s usually good to have pet insurance – you never know when your dog could get sick or injured, and you want to know that you can pay for their treatment.
It can help offset veterinary expenses since many insurance providers reimburse you for taking your pet to the vet.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| PetsBest | $45 to $48 | $46.50 |
| Fetch | $132.93 | $132.93 |
| Spot | $105.92 | $105.92 |
Pet Supplies
Rottweilers don’t require any unique pet supplies. You won’t need to buy everything at once, either.
Many pet parents buy the essential supplies and gather more as time goes on.
You’ll want to have bowls, a leash, and plenty of toys for your new family member!
Necessary
Below are all the required items for owning a Rottie. They don’t have many necessary items, but you can always spoil them!
Many pet parents also spend a lot on chewing toys since this large breed loves to play.
You may find that many toys only last a few months.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Collar | $9 to $15 | $12 (one time purchase) |
| Leash | $9 to $15 | $12 (one time purchase) |
| Dog Bowl | $9 to $20 | $14.50 (one time purchase) |
| Chewing Toys Kit | $20 to $25 | $27.50 |
Optional
Next, you’ll want to consider buying some optional items for your Rottweiler.
Many pet parents like to get large breed dog beds, a dog harness, and a puppy pen.
These items can make your dog feel much more comfortable.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Large breed dog bed | $30 to $60 | $45 (one time purchase) |
| Dog harness | $20 to $36 | $28 (one time purchase) |
| Puppy pen | $40 to $250 | $145 (one time purchase) |
Additional Costs
There are also additional costs that you’ll have to take into consideration.
You’ll want to make sure you have room in your budget to keep your pup happy and make taking care of them easier!
These aren’t fixed expenses but services that you may require on occasion.
For example, if you need someone to walk your Rottie for the weekend or plan on going on a vacation for a week.
Dog Walker
Since rottweilers can struggle with obesity, you need to make sure they get to walk twice a day.
If there’s a day when you can’t take your dog yourself, you can always hire someone to do it for you.
You can find plenty of available dog walkers online anytime you need them!
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Rover | $20 to $30 for an hour walk | $200 |
| Wag Walking | $20 to $40 for an hour walk | $240 |
Daycare or Dog Sitting
Daycare and dog sitting is necessary if you’ll be away from the house for a while and can’t bring your Rottweiler.
You shouldn’t leave them home alone, since they could quickly become bored and get into trouble. Plus, you mightn’t be able to take your Rottie on vacation with you.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Doggie daycare | $10 to $40 for a full day | $200 |
| Dog sitting | $75 to $85 per night | $160 |
Dog Hotel
Dog hotels are very similar to dog daycares. Your pet stays at a “hotel” where they receive plenty of attention and care from staff.
If you have a very social rottweiler, this would be the perfect option if you require dog care.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Dog hotel | $30 to $50 per night | $100 |
Training
When it comes to raising a rottweiler, you’ll need to ensure that you have the proper training!
These dogs are excellent learners and love to perform tasks.
You and your dog can enjoy the classes together, and you can supplement with solo training.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Large breed group training class | $30 to $80 per hour | $300 |
| Individual training class | $80 to $100 per hour | $450 |
Microchip
Microchipping your pet is another expense to consider! It’s not as costly as you think, and your vet can quickly perform the procedure.
You can expect to pay about $45. Still, the exact amount varies greatly depending on where you live and what technology the vet uses.
The chip also lasts your dog’s entire life – there’s no need to replace it!
The chip doesn’t require batteries to work, and it never expires.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Large breed microchipping | $25 to $60 | $42.5 (one time purchase) |
Monthly Budget of Owning a Rottweiler
As you can see, it’ll cost you an average of $478.42 a month to meet the basic requirements of owning a rottweiler.
The chart below lists all the necessary monthly expenses for you.
This table doesn’t include purchases that only happen occasionally.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Food and supplements | $270 (puppy) to $367 (senior) | $312.17 |
| Grooming and hygiene (grooming DIY) | $50 to $60 for shampoo and dental care equipment | $55 |
| Vet care | $67.50 (adult) to $155 (puppy) | $111.25 |
| Total | $478.42 |
You’ll likely want to pay for training, especially if this is your first dog.
References
- Hepper: How Much Should You Feed a Rottweiler?
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital: What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?
- American Kennel Club: How Joint Supplements Help Dogs with Arthritis
- HomeGuide: How much does dog grooming cost?
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
- Tumwater Veterinary Hospital: Dog Hip Dysplasia Surgery – Costs and Other FAQs
- American Kennel Club: How Do Pet Microchips Work and Should My Dog Have One?
Read my post on THE MOST COMMON AILMENTS OF ROTTWEILERS so you can plan in case your pup is affected by any of these.
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| Marcelle Landestoy Veterinary Hospital Director at UCE Dr. Marcelle is a general veterinarian with a Small Animal Medicine Specialty | Director of the UCE School of Veterinary Medicine | Certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society |
