Staffordshire Bull Terrier Price: The Real Cost of Staffies
So, something’s got you deep-diving into the costs of owning a Staffy. What was it? That adorable rescue smile on your Facebook feed? The charm of a friend’s Staffy? Or maybe just the loyal walk-buddy strutting past your window?
Whatever the reason, it’s smart to know the real cost of becoming a Staffy parent before you take the plunge. From food and toys to vet bills and insurance, the true costs are laid bare—from first-year setup to lifelong expenses.
Table of Contents
Adoption vs Buying
One of the first big decisions is whether to adopt a Staffy or buy one from a breeder. There’s no right or wrong choice—it depends on your situation and what you’re after.
Adopting a Staffy
Most UK rescues ask for a donation around £300, which usually covers:
- Health check, vaccinations, microchipping
- Flea/worm treatment
- Neutering (if age-appropriate)
You’ll also be told about any pre-existing health issues. Older dogs may need ongoing care—think joint issues or allergies—which insurance may not fully cover. But many rescues will help you manage long-term costs through vet partnerships or cheaper meds.
Buying from a Breeder
Expect to pay £1,000–£2,000 for a Staffy puppy. That should include vet checks, microchipping, vaccinations, and ideally, a starter pack. Not all breeders are equal, so ask:
- Have the pups seen a vet?
- Are they microchipped and vaccinated?
- Were they raised in a home?
- Can you meet the parents?
- Is there a contract or aftercare?
We bought both our Staffies for £1,000 each, with all the basics included. They weren’t KC registered, but we knew the breeder and trusted the setup—which mattered more to us than papers.
Unsure about the whole Kennel Club thing? You’ll want to read this: Is KC Registered Important? 6+ Myths Busted in This Exposé.
Essential Gear for Your Staffy
Crate Setup – £80 to £120
A good crate is a safe space, and doubles as a training aid. Ours was £55 just for the crate, then extra for the cover and a bed. Now, you can get the full Midwest crate kit for around £80 odd, which includes the cover and mat. It’s what we use and recommend as the best dog crate for anxiety, because it’s like a little hideaway, and it’s so easy for training and calming staffy pups down.
Pro tip: The cover helps block out stimuli and calm an overstimulated Staffy pup.
Collar, Harness & Lead – £30 to £75
It’s worth investing in gear that’s sturdy and comfortable for both you and your Staffy. For leads, I recommend this one because it’s adjustable and can be worn around the waist—super helpful if your Staffy pulls, as it lets you use your body weight instead of just your arm.
For harnesses, a chest plate harness from EzyDog is great for puppies, while the EzyDog Convert is our (now) go-to for more mature, muscular Staffies. It’s strong, fits well, and you can add a front D-ring for no-pull training without needing a new harness.
Collars are trickier in our house—our dogs hate anything around their necks. But legally, your dog must wear a collar with an ID tag (surname and postcode) in public. It’s rarely enforced, but if your dog causes an issue off-lead, the £5,000 fine can become very real.
I found it easier to go into the pet shop, get a feel for the sturdiness of the gear, then bring the dog in for a fitting.
Shop all your Pet Shop needs at Pets At HomeFood & Water Bowls – £2 to £10
Grab budget-friendly bowls from places like Poundland or B&M—just make sure they have non-slip bases to avoid kitchen chaos. If you’re crating, consider a bolt-on bowl to prevent spills.
Bed – £10 to £40
Don’t splash out early—puppies chew. Expect to go through 3–4 cheap beds before they grow out of it. Crate trays make do in the meantime (and usually boost bed appreciation later).
Toys – £6 to £20/month
We keep a rotation of 10+ cheap nylabone-style chews (£2 each), then bring in premium options like Dogwood or buffalo horn every so often (only under supervision). Staffies love to chew, and they’ll destroy toys if left to it.
Related reads:
Grooming Kit – £10 to £15
You’ll need a basic brush, tick remover, and possibly nail clippers (though walks usually handle that). For shampoo, we like Animology—£4 (ish) a bottle and lasts ages.
Puppy Pads & Clean-up – varies
We barely used the puppy pads, but clean-up supplies are a must—especially if your pup gets car-sick. One of ours did for months before adjusting.
Pet Gate – £0 to £25
Great for keeping pups contained or off stairs. Facebook Marketplace often has freebies.
Seatbelt Harness
Ours came with the EzyDog Chest Plate. If your dog’s travelling in the car without a guard, you’ll need a harness to keep them safely restrained.
Vet Costs, Insurance & Planning Ahead
Basic first-year vet costs can be low—around £55 if your pup comes microchipped and you’re keeping things simple:
- ~£30 for the vaccination course
- ~£25 consultation (often required for jabs)
Some breeders and rescues include the first jabs, so check that upfront.
Insurance vs Self-Insurance
Whether you go for traditional pet insurance or set money aside each month (like we do), the key is having a buffer.
We put away £50/month for our two Staffies. That way, we’ve got a fund ready—because even with insurance, most policies:
- Require you to pay upfront
- Have an excess per claim
- Don’t always cover direct vet payments
Insurance: The Reality of Premium Increases
Premiums often rise 10–15% per year, and once your dog hits 6 or 7, expect even steeper jumps. It’s not uncommon for a policy to double (or triple) in cost over 7 years—even with no claims.
Why We Self-Insure
Instead of paying rising premiums, we’d rather build our own pot. If nothing goes wrong, we’ve still got the money. If something does, we’re close to covered.
Most local vets will consider private payment plans—as long as you ask before treatment is needed. It’s not something you can usually arrange after the fact, especially with emergency or animal hospital care, that’s outside of your local practices control.
It’s worth chatting with your local clinic early on about how they handle larger bills. A bit of prep now can make a huge difference later.
TL;DR: Whatever route you choose, plan ahead. Vet bills can come out of nowhere—and they’re rarely cheap.
Ongoing Living Costs
Once your setup is sorted (crate, gear, vet checks, etc.), life with a Staffy settles into a rhythm—feeding, restocking treats, occasional worming, and a bit of saving for unexpected costs. Here’s what that looks like for us with two Staffies.
Food
We feed dry kibble—whatever’s best value at the time. Farmfoods often has the best deal: 2 x 12kg bags for £20 or 3 for £30. That gets us through the month for both dogs.
Tip: No brand loyalty here—just practicality. If you feed dry and can store bulk, deals can bring your food bill down to £10–£15 per dog/month.
Treats & Chews
About £20/month total for both dogs, covering everything:
- Dental chews – supermarket own-label, not daily
- Bonios – 2 boxes/month (two biscuits/day max)
- I Love My Dog Bumper Pack – 2 x 1.5kg bags/month (training & rewards)
More about dental care options: 3 Ways to Take Care of Your Dog’s Teeth
Worming (Roughly Monthly)
We rotate based on what’s on offer:
- Natural – rabbit ears with fur (many believe the fur helps deworm)
- Tablets – VetUK Own-Label (flavoured, weight-appropriate, cheaper than branded)
A 16-pack gets us by for months—around £3–£4/month after delivery.
Supplements & Extras (As Needed)
We occasionally stock up on things like fish oil when they’re on offer (Black Friday, end-of-line sales). Not a regular spend, but useful to have.
Savings for Vet Bills or Insurance
We save instead of insure. You do you. Save or insure—just don’t leave it to chance (unless you’ve got the luxury to).
Situational Extras
These vary depending on lifestyle and location, but here’s what we’ve found:
Training Classes
We paid £15/week for socialisation sessions. That included the group class for an hour and 5 to 10 minutes 1-on-1 with the trainer, and treats (cheapest and best: boiled chicken fillets, chopped small).
Walkers & Daycare
Prices depend on where you live. Try Rover or local Facebook groups to get a feel—most don’t list fixed fees, so expect to message for quotes.
Grooming
Staffies are low-maintenance, so we’ve never used grooming services. But if you need nail trims or specialist care, it’s worth checking local salons for rates.
Nutrition for Your Staffy?
There’s always debate online about whether budget food like Wagg is “good enough” for Staffies. It’s around 20% protein — some say that’s too low for a muscular, high-energy breed.
We’ve stuck with it because it works for our two (and others we know). They’re fed free-access, plus extras like treats, chews, and the odd leftover. It’s not a strict diet plan — just what suits our dogs, lifestyle, and budget.
What You Should Know About Food Choices
If you’re thinking of switching to something higher-end, here’s a rough idea of monthly costs per dog:
- Mid-range kibble (e.g. Harringtons, Burns): £35–£45
- Premium dry (e.g. Orijen, Acana): £60–£80
- Raw diet (complete meals): £90–£120+
- DIY raw: £60–£90 (depending how you source it)
Raw feeding is usually based on weight — a 17kg Staffy eats about 450g/day, or ~13.5kg/month. Costs vary a lot depending on whether you prep yourself or go with a subscription.
Bottom line? Wagg works for us. But if your dog has allergies, skin issues, or tummy troubles, it might be worth looking into alternatives.
One thing to note: it’s always easier to upgrade a dog’s food than to downgrade. Once they’ve had the good stuff, some will happily turn their nose up at anything less.
Optional / Lifestyle Costs
Some costs are for nice-to-haves but not strictly necessary. Depending on your lifestyle, location, and your dog’s needs, they might feel essential. These are the “depends-on-the-dog” expenses that can sneak in over time.
Training
Not all Staffies need professional training, but some benefit from dog socialisation classes or one-on-one behavioural support.
- Puppy/socialisation classes: £40–£80 for a 6–8 week course
- 1-on-1 behavioural sessions: £30–£60 per session
- Training apps or subscriptions: £5–£10/month (good for extra structure or when local classes aren’t available)
We did group socialisation classes, which were more about teaching good behaviour around other dogs. If your dog struggles with reactivity, consider 1-on-1 sessions instead.
Grooming
Staffies are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. They shed minimally and usually don’t need a lot of bathing.
- Bathing/grooming: £10–£30 every few months (DIY is cheaper- just the shampoo)
- Nail trimming: Can often be avoided with regular pavement walks. If you notice overgrown nails, it’s time for a trim.
Tip: While not a strict rule, walking on hard surfaces (pavement, concrete) can help keep nails in check. Still, monitor them regularly.
Dog Walkers & Daycare
If you’re away from home for long hours or need backup care, dog walkers and daycare can be lifesavers.
- Dog walkers: £5–£15 per walk (group walks are cheaper, solo walks are more)
- Daycare: £20–£35 per day depending on location and facility
If you need these services, local Facebook groups or apps like Rover can be helpful. Rates are often customised, so you’ll need to reach out for quotes.
Boarding & Holidays
We usually take our Staffies on UK holidays to self-catering places that allow dogs. If you’re boarding your dog, costs will vary.
- Pet-friendly holiday surcharge: £50–£100 for the first dog, sometimes more for additional pets
- Kennels: £20–£40 per night
- Pet sitters: £30–£60 per night (more personalised care)
Kennel cough note: Boarding kennels often require the ‘Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine’, but even vaccinated dogs can catch kennel cough. It’s a risk with group boarding, though pet sitters may help avoid this exposure.
Final Thoughts
Owning a Staffy doesn’t have to break the bank, but planning ahead makes a big difference.
We’ve found a good balance with budget dry food, a self-insurance savings pot, and being mindful of the smaller costs while still prioritising our dogs’ wellbeing.
But every dog and budget is unique.
What does your monthly Staffy spend look like? Got any money-saving hacks? Share them in the comments — we’re always delighted to hear things that cut costs without compromising care.
