I get it, you would like add a four-legged family member to your family. In particular, you want a goldendoodle. But, you are wondering if you could really afford one.
I did the same before I got Bailey, searched the internet day and night looking at all the cuteness that is a goldendoodle, but also trying to find information on how much they cost.
Don't worry, I looked at a lot of different websites and I am here to give you a breakdown on the average cost of goldendoodles!
How Much Does it Cost To Buy a Goldendoodle
If you get your goldendoodle from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay between $2,000 - $5,000.
However, this depends on a lot of factors. For example, there are breeders that specifically sell goldendoodles that are trained to be therapy dogs. These puppies can cost over $9,000.
Also, the smaller the goldendoodle, the higher the price. Toy and mini goldendoodles usually cost more than standard goldendoodles.
If you decide to buy a multicolored goldendoodle, that will also cost a bit more.
If you decide to adopt (which I highly recommend), the price can be as low as $500.
How Much Does a Mini Goldendoodle Cost?
A mini goldendoodle will cost you around $2,000 to $2,900 but can be a lot higher if you want a toy or teacup goldendoodle.
Also, keep in mind that you’ll be saying your dog’s name in front of other people, so make sure it isn’t something that will embarrass you when said out loud.
How Much Does a Teddy Bear Goldendoodle Cost?
A teddy bear goldendoodle will cost you around $2,000 to $2,900.
How Much Does an English Cream Goldendoodle Cost?
An english cream goldendoodle will cost you around $2,000 to $3,000.
How Much Does a White Goldendoodle Cost?
A white goldendoodle will cost you around $2,000 to $3,000.
How Much Does a Black Goldendoodle Cost?
A black goldendoodle will cost you around $2,000 to $5,000. These goldendoodles are usually more expensive since it is very hard to specifically breed completely black ones.
How Much Does a Brown Goldendoodle Cost?
A brown goldendoodle will cost you around $2,000 to $3,000.
Factors that Determine Goldendoodle Price of a Goldendoodle Puppy
There are a few factors that can affect the price of your goldendoodle puppy.
Breeder Type:
How much you will pay for your goldendoodle puppy depends on the type of Goldendoodle breeder you purchase from.
There are three types of breeders:
-Backyard Breeders: These are people that own a golden retriever and a poodle and decided to have their dogs mate and sell the Goldendoodle puppies. They usually do not know much about breeding and health clearances. You should avoid purchasing from these types of breeders since they are more likely to have health problems.
-Puppy Mills: Like backyard breeders, puppy mills are interested in making a quick buck. They do not care about the health and well-being of their dogs. They will often have sick Goldendoodle puppies that will die shortly after you bring them home. Again, you should also avoid purchasing from these types of breeders.
-Reputable Breeders: Reputable Goldendoodle breeders are interested in breeding healthy and happy dogs. They will do genetic testing on their dogs and will only mate dogs that are cleared. They will also socialize their puppies so they are ready to be a part of your family.
Obviously, a Goldendoodle puppy from a reputable breeder will cost a lot more, but in the end, it is worth it.
If you purchase from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, you will end up spending a lot more in vet bills and your puppy might not even live long. And we know, it's the worst feeling losing a dog.
Location:
Another factor that determines how much you will pay for your goldendoodle is location.
If you live in a big city, chances are the price of your goldendoodle will be higher than if you lived in a small town.
For example, on Puppyfinder in California the average goldendoodle price from reputable breeders is about $3,000 while in Texas the average price is about $1,500.
So if you are looking to save some money on your goldendoodle purchase, you might want to consider traveling to a cheaper state and purchasing your goldendoodle from there.
There are also breeders who will "ship" (don't think like packing it in a box and ship) their goldendoodles to you for an additional fee.
Generation Type:
Another factor that determines how much you will pay for your goldendoodle is generation type.
Different generations have different benefits, for example if you are looking for a more hypoeallergenic dog that sheds less, you should aim for an F2 goldendoodle.
If you want a healthier goldendoodle, your best choice is an F1 goldendoodle as thanks to hybrid vigor they are more healthier.
But, in that case, you should also expect to pay more.
Usually F1B goldendoodles are the most expensive as they shed significantly less.
Goldendoodle Size:
The size of your goldendoodle also determines the price. The smaller the goldendoodle is, the pricier it will be.
Mini, Toy and Teacup goldendoodle became really pricey because of the demand. More and more people are living in apartments and small houses, and they can not have a big dog.
Coat Type:
The type of coat the goldendoodle has also influences the price.
As you might know, there are three types of coats: wavy, curly and straight.
Curly and wavy-haired goldendoodles are more expensive as they are non shedding. If you are looking for a cheaper option, consider purchasing a goldendoodle with straight fur.
Color:
The most common colors for a goldendoodle are black, white, cream, black, apricot, golden and red. If you see a goldendoodle that has a multicolored fur, you can expect to pay a higher price.
Ongoing Costs of a Goldendoodle
Expect to pay around 100$-200$ per year for a healthy goldendoodle on vet visits. This includes the yearly check-up and shots.
Pet Insurance
This goes without saying, but if you want to be on the safe side, get pet insurance.
I pay about 30$ per month for Bailey and it has saved me a lot of money.
For example, when he ate something he shouldn’t have and had to have an emergency vet visit, I only had to pay $100 because the rest was covered by my insurance.
Food
A high quality food for a goldendoodle will cost you around $40-50 per month. I supplement this with chicken that I cook myself, which costs me about $10 per month. There are reward programs in a lot of pet stores that can help reduce this cost.
Dog Treats: I didn't include this in food, because this is optional. Some people like to buy treats, I like to make them at home. I find that it's cheaper and I know exactly what is going into them so it's way healthier.
Grooming
This is a big one. You can either groom your goldendoodle at home or go to a professional.
I prefer going to a professional as they know how to handle Baileys coat and I don’t have to deal with the mess at home.
A full groom costs me around $95 every 3-4 months.
In between, I only have to spend about $20 on things like shampoo, conditioner, detangler.
I also trim his nails and do smaller things at home.
Toys
I highly believe that toys are not a one-time purchase, but rather something you need to continuously buy. Not like they really need it, but I like to spoil Bailey. There are usually a lot of deals in Petco, so I like to wait for those.
I would say that every 6 months or so, I spend around $100 on new toys. This includes things like balls, bones, and plushies.
Daycare / Dog Walker
If you are someone who works a lot or is gone for long hours, you will have to also pay for daycare or a dog walker.
I work from home, so this is not something I have to worry about, but it is something you should factor into the cost.
Daycare can cost anywhere from $20-$40 per day and a dog walker will cost around $15-$20 per day.
Training Classes
I highly recommend taking your dog to at least one set of obedience classes. It's a great way to socialize them and learn the basics. A 6-week class will cost you around $150-$200.
One-off Costs
Puppy shots
These are something that you will have to pay for when you first get your puppy. They usually consist of a series of 3-5 shots that are given 2-4 weeks apart.
The cost will vary depending on the vet, but expect to pay around $400-$500.
Spaying/Neutering
Neutering is not an option, it's a must.
This is a one-time cost that will run you about $200-$500.
Microchipping
This is also a one-time cost and I believe it's important. If your dog ever gets lost, this will help get him back to you. The cost is around $50.
Dog Bed
You will probably purchase more than one dog bed in your goldendoodle's lifetime, but this is an initial cost. I recommend getting a waterproof one as they are easier to clean. They range in price from $25-$200 depending on the size and quality.
Crate
Crates are awesome for training against separation anxiety and also you can enforce a "quiet time" rule. They start at around $25 and go up to $200.
Consider Adopting a Rescue
I know I mention this a lot in most of my blog posts, but if you would like to get a Goldendoodle, you should consider adopting one. There are a lot of dogs that end up in shelters because people decide that they don't want them anymore or as a byproduct of bad dog breeders.
When adopting, you will often have to only pay adoption fees, to help the shelter pay the fees, but the goldendoodle puppy is free.
In this case, of course, you won't know the history of the parent dogs, but who cares if you can give a goldendoodle puppy a new and loving home?
Conclusion
So, as you can see, owning a goldendoodle is not cheap, but it is so worth it. They bring so much joy into our lives and I would not trade Bailey for anything in the world.
Hopefully, this article shed some light on the costs of owning a goldendoodle and you can make an informed decision on whether or not you are ready for the commitment.
Thanks for reading!