How much does a Goldendoodle Cost: Puppy Prices & Daily Maintenance
Goldendoodles can make the perfect family pet. They’re cute, smart, playful, and fluffy. Some Goldendoodles even have a coat type that won’t bother some allergy sufferers. Are you thinking about adding a Goldendoodle to your family? Goldendoodle puppy prices vary a lot by the breeder. I got prices from some of the most popular Goldendoodle breeders on the internet to give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for a Goldendoodle puppy.
How much does a Goldendoodle cost?
Goldendoodle puppies are available from as cheap as $500 to as expensive as $8,770 (for an older puppy with some training). On average, most Goldendoodle puppies cost between $1,000 and $2,500.
Reputable Goldendoodle breeders tend to charge a lot for their dogs, and you can find litters available for much less. Here’s what you need to know about the potential for health issues, behavior and coat predictability, and more to help you decide how much you should pay for your pup.
Here are the price ranges from some of the most popular websites selling Goldendoodle puppies:
- PuppySpot $2249-$2849
- Safari Doodles $2500
- Lancaster Puppies $599-$1500
- Teddybear Goldendoodles $2472-$8770
- PuppyFind $500-$7500
- Creekside Puppy Adoptions $1250-$1450
- Greenfield Puppies $650-$2400
- Blue Ridge Goldendoodle Puppies $2500-$4000
- Next Day Pets $800-$4000
- VIP Puppies $500-$1800
Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Cheaper puppies may come from less respectable breeders who don’t do any health testing and keep dogs in cages at all times.
More expensive puppies usually come with extensive health testing or behavior training.
Bonus Note: Lexie, our Mini Goldendoodle came from Kaos Farm Goldendoodles, located in North Carolina.
Why the Big Price Differences?
A wide variety of factors influence the cost of a Goldendoodle puppy. Goldendoodle price is higher when you get a healthy dog from a reputable breeder. A few considerations include:
- Breeder location. Everything costs more in big cities, and that goes the same for Goldendoodle puppies. Breeders in rural areas may have lower expenses, meaning they can charge lower prices for their puppies.
- Breeder reputation. The reputation of a breeder highly impacts the puppy’s price. Getting a Goldendoodle puppy from a reputable breeder is costly because they go through the odds to breed perfect puppies. Always note that reputable breeders prioritize quality and hence the high prices. Thankfully, you can find a cheap, retailing Goldendoodle puppy from the puppy mills and backyard breeders. However, this is not a good idea as you may spend more than the initial coat on maintenance of the puppy since they are poorly bred.
- Goldendoodle size. The smaller the Goldendoodle puppy you’re looking for, the more you should plan on paying. That’s because it will take several generations of careful breeding to create the small dog you’re looking for.
- Breeder quality and standards. Breeders who do health testing on their breeding dogs and aim to produce healthy puppies will (and should) charge more than people who just throw random dogs together in the hopes of producing quick, cute puppies.
- Coat type and color. Goldendoodle puppies can have straight, wavy, or curly coats, depending on the parents. Puppies with wavy and curly coats are hypoallergenic because their coats do not shed. Therefore, they are more expensive than the ones with straight coats. When it comes to appearance, Goldendoodle puppies can have up to 13 possible colors. While brown and white are the most common colors, getting one with rare colors will cost you extra bucks. All Goldendoodles have unpredictable coats, but brushing and shedding can be kept to a minimum if you choose a dog with good genes, from a breeder approved by the Goldendoodle Association of North America or another reputable agency.
- Training. The most expensive Goldendoodle puppies stay for some basic training before going to their new home. Instead of bringing home an 8-week-old puppy that isn’t potty trained, you could bring home a 12- or 16-week-old puppy that is potty trained and also already knows commands like sit, stay, place, come, kennel, potty (on command), and leash.
- Supply and demand. The higher the demand for Goldendoodle puppies, the more a breeder can charge. Many reputable breeders require deposits on puppies before they’re even born. This is a sign of a breeder who focuses on quality over quantity for the puppies they produce.
- Generation. F1 (first-generation) Goldendoodles are usually the cheapest. They have one Golden Retriever parent and one Poodle parent. There are a lot more variables with these first-generation Goldendoodles, and they’re more likely to shed, so they’re less popular as pets but are required to breed the next generation. Progressive generations (like F1b and F2) need more breeding and more work, so the puppies cost more.
- Pedigree. While Goldendoodles can’t be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the parent Golden Retriever or Poodle may have been. This type of pedigree can increase the cost of puppies because the bloodlines are considered more valuable.
How to Find a Good Goldendoodle Breeder
On the internet, it can be hard to separate the reputable breeders from the puppy mills. The price of a Goldendoodle is one indicator of whether someone is breeding Goldendoodle puppies just for profit. Golden doodle average cost is higher from breeders than what puppy mills produce.
On the other hand, Goldendoodle puppies for sale for $600 could be coming from a good breeder with health guarantees or a puppy mill. Look at information on generations. F2 Goldendoodle price is often higher than F1, F3 higher than F2, and so on.
The most expensive Golden Doodle is likley to be one with very predictable traits, like a gorgeous wavy coat and generations of ancestors free of problems common to the breed, like hip dysplasia.
Anybody can use a cute background in the puppy pictures and claim their puppies are family-raised, even if their breeding dogs and puppies usually never leave their tiny kennels. Here are some tips for finding a good Goldendoodle breeder.
Reputable breeders:
- Ask questions to make sure you’re the right home for one of their Goldendoodle puppies.
- Raise puppies indoors and keep puppies with their mothers as long as possible.
- Let you meet the parent dogs and see the puppies’ living area.
- Test their breeding dogs for genetic conditions and discuss the results with you.
- Include a certificate of health for the puppy from a licensed veterinarian and
- Offers a health guarantee that provides a refund, vet care, another puppy, or another reasonable offer in case the puppy gets sick
- Teach you about vaccination schedules, puppy care, Goldendoodle temperament, and grooming.
Watch out for these red flags:
- Puppies seem afraid of people
- Adults are kept in small cages or poor conditions
- No health screenings are done
- You can’t see where the puppies live
- Pressure for a quick sale
- Very low price
- No paperwork
- Presence of foul odors
- Teacup Goldendoodles (They may be healthy and well-bred, but be extra careful)
Despite a fancy website, many Goldendoodle puppies for sale online come from puppy mills, which house dogs in cruel conditions to produce puppies for profit.
These dogs are more prone to genetic problems due to careless breeding practices and other health problems due to poor living conditions. You may save money on the purchase price, but pay higher vet bills for an unhealthy puppy.
To avoid accidentally supporting a cruel puppy mill, you should avoid having a puppy shipped to you. Go to the breeder to pick up your puppy so you can check out the living conditions first.
While you may think you’re “saving” a puppy from a puppy mill, you are actually supporting the business and sentencing that puppy’s mother and other dogs to a lifetime of cruelty.
Adopting a Goldendoodle
Some people aren’t prepared for the responsibility of having a Goldendoodle. Or, their life circumstances have changed, and they can no longer care for their dog.
Or they thought they were getting a hypoallergenic dog, but they are allergic to their Goldendoodle. Either way, you can sometimes find Goldendoodles in shelters or rescues.
Adopting a Goldendoodle is usually cheaper than buying a puppy, especially when you factor in that vaccinations and spaying or neutering are typically included in the adoption price.
However, young puppies are rarely up for adoption, so you may need to settle for an older puppy or young adult.
Finding a proper Goldendoodle rescue can be tricky. Sometimes, breeders use the word “adopt” for the puppies that they sell to throw off suspicion about their breeding practices.
Real rescue groups typically have 501(c)(3) status and operate as a nonprofit organization.
I’ve done some research, and these places appear to be legitimate rescues that (at least occasionally) have Goldendoodles available for adoption. When possible, I’ve also included the typical adoption fees:
- Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR) Adoption fees depend on the age of the dog and your method of payment and range from $291.50 cash for a dog older than 13 years to $1,036.26 to use a credit card for a puppy under 6 months.
- IDOG Rescue (Labradoodles and Goldendoodles) Adoption fees range from $100 to $750 depending on the dog.
- Doodle Rock Rescue Adoption fee ranges from $150 – $650 depending on age, size, and breed.
- Doodle Rescue Collective Inc Adoption “donations” range from $250-$750 and vary according to the age, health, and temperament of each dog.
- Doodle Dandy Rescue The standard adoption fee is $450, but it can vary by dog.
It’s important to note that rescues often have stringent rules about who they will and won’t allow to adopt dogs from them.
You may be required to have a fenced yard, have no small children, or live within a certain distance from the rescue. Be sure to read each rescue’s adoption rules carefully before applying to adopt a Goldendoodle.
Other websites that focus on adoption but don’t specialize in Goldendoodles include:
These sites don’t handle adoptions themselves. Instead, they show adoptable dogs that meet your criteria, then direct you to the shelter or rescue handling the adoption of the dog you like.
The Puppy Price Is Just the Beginning
Keep in mind that there are a lot of expenses connected with getting a puppy beyond just the price of the puppy itself. Here are some other cost factors involved in the average price of bringing home a new Goldendoodle puppy:
- Vaccinations $75-$100
- Vet bills $100-300
- Spay or neuter $150-$700
collar , leash, food and water bowls, dog bed $25-200- Food and treats $20-$100
And that doesn’t include your ongoing monthly and yearly expenses:
- Food and treats $250-$700 per year
- Toys $25-$150 per year
- Beds $50-$200 per year
- Leashes, harness, and collars $25-$50 per year
- Grooming $50-$600 per year
- Routine vet care $200-$300
- Preventive medications and supplements $100-$500 per year
- Obedience classes or training $25-$300 per year
- Dog walking up to $430 per month
- Pet sitting or boarding $100-$300 per year
- Emergencies and unexpected expenses up to $5000 or more
Additionally, if you rent (rather than owning your home), you may need to pay a one-time pet fee or pet deposit as well as monthly pet rent.
On average, the yearly cost of owning a dog ranges from $1,500 to $10,000. Make sure your budget can handle that before you buy a Goldendoodle puppy.
What are the Initial Expenses of Owning a Goldendoodle Puppy?
Like kids, you must prepare finances for your puppies’ first-hand necessities. The expenses of owning a Goldendoodle puppy do not end with the cost of purchasing the puppy. You have to keep them healthy, happy, and safe.
Below is an overview of the initial expenses you will expect to spend upon owning your new furry friend.
Food and Treats
You are likely to spend $500 on food annually. The cost of food will depend on factors like your puppy’s size and energy levels. Also, note that you should offer your puppy high-quality and nutritious portions.
Grooming Essentials
Although most Goldendoodle puppies rarely shed, they require grooming every four to six weeks to prevent the matting of their coats. Grooming costs will range from around $400 annually. Grooming includes ear care, haircuts, nail care, and bathing.
Veterinary Visits
Goldendoodle puppies require an initial vet visit to ensure they are free from abnormalities. Veterinary care involves dental care, accidental injury treatment, vaccination shots, and regular health checks. Annual veterinary fees are around $800 to $2,00.
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medication
Find out from the previous breeder if the puppy has been dewormed and treated against fleas and ticks. You will need to deworm your puppy every few months, costing you around $300 annually.
Training Classes
They will require training to ensure your puppy grows into a well-behaved and obedient dog. Training costs will be around $700 per year. Training makes your puppy a well-rounded companion.
Neutering or Spaying
Spaying keeps your puppy away from complications. This procedure is essential, and you should ensure your puppy is neutered. The initial cost for neutering should be around $100 to $500.
Dog License
Some dog owners do not consider dog licensure. Licensing your puppy is vital as you can easily trace them when
Other Supplies
Taking care of this fury companion does not end at just providing the basics. It would be best if you considered a lot more. Other potential costs may include:
Daycare: You may require to leave your puppy behind when taking unexpected trips. Daycare may cost $25 to $30 per day.
Kennel Club Registration: If you wish to register your dog with the Continental Kennel Club (CKC), you will require a fee of about $25.
Pet Insurance: Insuring your Goldendoodle puppy will range between $500 to $800.
Other supplies your puppy will need are a bed, leashes and collars, toys, and a crate which will total about $400.
Closing Thoughts
Between the cost of the puppy itself and all the things they need, getting a Goldendoodle puppy can be quite expensive.
However, Goldendoodles are an excellent breed for those who can afford them and give them the exercise, time, and attention they need.
Related Content You May Find Interesting
Here are some more articles that may be of interest to you
- Goldendoodles are a great family pet that are smart, cute, playful, and often hypoallergenic.
- Goldendoodle puppy prices vary widely depending on a variety of factors, with most puppies costing between $1,000 and $2,500.
- Cheaper puppies may come from less reputable breeders who don’t do any health testing, while more expensive puppies usually come with extensive health testing or behavior training.
- Factors that influence the cost of a Goldendoodle puppy include breeder location, reputation, quality and standards, size, coat type and color, training, supply and demand, generation, and pedigree.
- It can be hard to separate reputable breeders from puppy mills, so it’s important to ask questions, see the puppies’ living area, and meet the parent dogs when looking for a good Goldendoodle breeder.