How Much Does A Goldendoodle Cost? Pricing Factors and Ongoing Costs

Goldendoodle is one of the most sought-after hybrid breeds and for many great reasons. They’re social and affectionate dogs with high intelligence levels and allergy-friendly coats. So, how much does a Goldendoodle cost to adopt and what are the average costs of Goldendoodle ownership? You’re about to find out so let’s get started!

Table of Contents

• How Much Does A Goldendoodle Cost?
• Factors that Determine Goldendoodle Price
• Different Types of Goldendoodle Breeders And How Price Varies
• Goldendoodle Cost In The US From Reputable Breeders: Comparing Ethical Breeders In Different States
• Costs of Goldendoodle Ownership
• Where Can You Buy Goldendoodles?
• How Much Does A Goldendoodle Cost: FAQ

How Much Does A Goldendoodle Cost?

The adorable Golden Retriever-Poodle mix is very in-demand and becoming increasingly popular. And as you might guess, Goldendoodle price is not for the faint-hearted. So, how much is a Goldendoodle going to cost you? On average, you can expect to buy a Goldendoodle for anywhere from $2000 and up to $5000. The lowest Goldendoodle price usually starts from $2300 and you can expect to pay more for Miniature Goldendoodles. Of course, that’s not all. You’ll also be paying for your pup’s everyday living costs like food, but also vet visits and training classes. 

So, let’s take a look at the main factors that determine the Goldendoodle price.

Factors that Determine Goldendoodle Price

Genetic Guarantees

Genetic and health testing is probably one of the most important factors that influences the price of Goldendoodle puppies. Firstly, we always recommend you opt for breeders who do extensive health testing to rule out any genetic conditions. Most common health issues in Goldendoodles are often easily prevented by testing the parent dogs. Secondly, reputable breeders usually offer at least a two-year health guarantee for various genetic conditions. Some even offer health guarantees for up to six years! 

“Many people with a “cute little dog” who are going to breed it to their friend’s “cute little dog” and sell the puppies will say, “I don’t need to do genetic testing on the dogs/parents, I am not a breeder.” If you plan a litter of puppies, you are a breeder. Other people will say, “There is nothing wrong with the mother and father, they are perfectly healthy. I do not need to do genetic testing.” Carriers of genetic problems are often invisible and without testing; you cannot predict whether your litter will be at risk for disease.” (Source)

Location

Location is another factor that can greatly influence a Goldendoodle’s price. For instance, you might find that Goldendoodle cost in rural areas can be significantly lower than in highly populated cities. 

Additionally, Goldendoodle cost even between different states can greatly vary. For example, an F1 Standard Goldendoodle price in New York is around $2500, whereas in California you’ll be able to get a standard-sized pup for $2900. That being said, although you might find a reputable breeder at a better price point from a different state, you’ll still have to cover the shipping expenses, which can reach hundreds of dollars. 

Breeder Stock

Another factor to keep in mind is breeding stock, as breeding different generations of Goldendoodles require a certain set of parent dogs. For instance, F1 Goldendoodles tend to be the least expensive option, whereas F1b, F2, and F2b Goldendoodles tend to be pricier. They’re more in demand and breeding them already requires at least one F1 Goldendoodle. 

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Demand

As we already mentioned, there’s high demand for Goldendoodle puppies, which in turn has driven up the cost. Some of the highest rated breeders have waiting lists filled for up to a year. Naturally, we can expect those breeders to also charge higher rates. In addition to that, we can expect Goldendoodles to cost more in areas where the demand is higher. 

Size & Coat Type

Another factor influencing the Goldendoodle price is their size and coat type. As F1b and F2b Goldendoodles are often the most hypoallergenic generations, they usually cost more than the straight-haired pups. What’s more, smaller Goldendoodles usually come at a higher price point than their larger counterparts. You’ll find Standard Goldendoodles at the lowest price point. Minis and Medium Goldendoodles tend to cost more, as breeding them requires more time and effort. 

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Breeder Reputation

Of course, adopting a puppy from a reputable breeder will cost you some extra cash. However, although it’s always important to budget and know your limits, we don’t recommend you to go with the cheapest Goldendoodle breeder out there. 

Responsible breeders charge more because they’ve conducted extensive genetic and health testing for the parent dogs. They’re often also certified members of one or more organizations and breed-specific clubs like the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA), American Kennel Club (AKC), or Continental Kennel Club (CKC). 

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Different Types of Goldendoodle Breeders And How Price Varies

If you’ve decided to adopt a Goldendoodle from a breeder, you might be surprised to learn that not all breeders strive for the same standards or even follow ethical practices to produce new baby Goldendoodles. Let’s take a look at the different types of Goldendoodle breeders and discuss why and how their prices vary. 

Professional Goldendoodle Breeders

The average price of adopting a Goldendoodle from a reputable breeder ranges between $2000 and $5000. We always recommend choosing reputable and responsible breeders whose top priority is the health and wellbeing of the parent dogs and the puppies. These are often professional breeders who have many years of experience in breeding new puppies and responsibly raising them until they go to their forever homes. They’re well-versed in training, socialization, and other activities necessary for the normal development of the puppies. 

Professional breeders are dedicated to only breeding Goldendoodle puppies from healthy, genetically tested parents to prevent the risk of developing hereditary diseases later on in life. They’ll also provide a health guarantee that covers all the genetic conditions. Professional Goldendoodle breeders are often certified by GANA or possess other certifications or affiliations with reputable organizations. 

When adopting a pup from a professional and reputable breeder, it will also reflect on the Goldendoodle price. Keep in mind that this isn’t a bad thing, as you’ll be paying for quality. After all, you want to make sure that you adopt a healthy puppy who has a long and fulfilled life ahead. 

Goldendoodle Cost In The US From Reputable Breeders: Comparing Ethical Breeders In Different States

As we discussed earlier, Goldendoodle prices in the US can significantly vary also based on your location. Below you’ll find a comprehensive chart that we put together so that you’ll have a better idea of what reputable Goldendoodle breeders charge in various states. 

Also, keep in mind that the price includes only the cost of adoption and the puppies are sold as pets only. This means that your puppy purchase contract will include a clause stating that you must spay or neuter your puppy and aren’t allowed to use them for breeding. In addition to that, if you plan to purchase a Goldendoodle puppy a bit farther away from you, you also have to factor in the cost of transportation or having your pup delivered to you with a flight nanny.    

Backyard Breeders

Although some backyard breeders surely do their job with the best intentions in mind, they often lack the necessary skills and experience to produce healthy Goldendoodles. Often, they do not offer any health guarantees or even conduct any health and genetic testing on their parent pups. They also don’t hold certifications or affiliations with any of the organizations or breed-specific clubs. 

Additionally, backyard breeders often do not accept applications, offer contracts, or even question if the puppy is going to a home that’s capable of taking care of the dog. You also won’t be able to get support when any questions arise after the adoption process. Of course, there are some backyard breeders who are committed to breeding healthy litters once in a while as a hobby. However, we recommend you do thorough research before picking a backyard breeder.

When adopting a puppy from a backyard breeder, the average Goldendoodle price ranges between $1000 and $2000. 

Puppy Mills

As the demand for Goldendoodles is only growing, there’s also an increase in puppy mills who are only motivated by their own financial gain. Puppy mills produce new puppies on tight schedules while keeping their cost as low as possible. The parent pups are put under a lot of strain while both the parents and puppies are kept in cruel, filthy, and unsafe living conditions. 

Oftentimes the puppies have serious health problems that require continuous medical attention after you’ve brought them home. Puppy mills also do not care for health or genetic testing, training, socialization, healthy diet, nor do they provide vet checkups for their parents and puppies. 

How much does a goldendoodle cost when purchasing from a puppy mill? In this case, the average Goldendoodle price can be as low as $500 and up to $1000. However, don’t be fooled by the low price, as it’s a dishonest and deceitful tactic to sell as many puppies as possible, without much care for their physical and mental health or quality of life. 

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Costs of Goldendoodle Ownership

In addition to the initial cost of adopting a Goldendoodle puppy, you’ll also have to be prepared for other expenses once you bring your pup home. Here are the typical costs of owning a Goldendoodle:

Food – $450+ annually

Like most other dogs, Goldendoodles can pretty much inhale the food in front of them, especially the larger-sized pups. Depending on your dog’s size, you’ll likely spend anywhere between $40 and $60 per month on high quality dog food.

“Breed factors into the cost of a dog on a number of levels. At its very simplest, size is a huge governing factor, considering medicines and daily food quantities are generally based on body weight.” – Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Veterinary Medical Expert. (Source)

Training – $240+ annually

A crucial part of your Goldendoodle’s puppyhood is training, as it helps them to learn all the necessary skills and behaviors to grow into a well-rounded dog. Physical obedience and training classes can cost about $50 to $100 for a few weeks of training. We absolutely love and recommend the Online Puppy School by Baxter & Bella, which is an exceptionally comprehensive training program that you can implement yourself at home, at your own pace. 

“Big dogs and little dogs need training. When we look at dogs, it’s the larger dogs whose issues are more visible, but we do a disservice to small dogs by not training them. People think that aggressive or nuisance behavior in a small dog is “cute,” but it’s a big deal if a bigger dog is aggressive or exhibiting nuisance behaviors.” – Lynda Lobo, Dog Trainer. (Source) 

Vet Visits – $250-$2,000 annually

As you’re adopting a new four-legged family member, you should be committed and willing to pay for regular vet visits and health checks, preventative care for worms, fleas, ticks, and heartworm, spay or neutering, vaccines, and other basic medical procedures. These expenses can reach up to a few thousand dollars during your puppy’s first year home. Of course, you’ll also be spending an additional few hundred annually for regular vet checkups over the upcoming years.

“Even if your dog has had a clean bill of health for years, you should still take them to the vet for a checkup occasionally. Most vets recommend bringing your dog in for a checkup at least once a year. Routine checkups can help you monitor your dog’s health and spot potential problems before they become more serious. Many chronic diseases are easier to treat when you catch them early.” (Source)

Grooming – $450+ annually

Thanks to their high-maintenance coats, Goldendoodles can rack up the grooming bills rather quickly. Regardless if a Goldendoodle has straight, wavy, or curly hair, they will require regular haircuts. If you’re planning to take your pup to a professional groomer every 6-8 weeks, you’ll most likely have to splash out around $100-$150 each visit. 

However, grooming is the one thing where you can, in fact, cut back on the costs. Namely, by grooming your Goldendoodle at home! Not only is it an easy way to save a lot of money every year, but you can also take it as a bonding experience for you and your furry little friend. 

If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend you check out our course on how to groom a Doodle at home. We’ve created home grooming tutorials for every step of the process like brushing the hair, bathing, nail clipping, hair trimming, and much more.

Time Investment

What many people fail to realize is that all dogs, including Goldendoodles, require your attention, time, and energy. Starting with their daily walkies, training, playtime, to spending quality time on the couch with your furry companion after a long day. Goldendoodles are social and affectionate creatures who love cuddles and kisses from their humans more than anything!

Other Costs – $300+ annually

In addition to the Goldendoodle costs we mentioned above, there are also other expenses to keep in mind. For instance, we recommend you invest in pet insurance, which covers unexpected vet bills for accidents and injuries. Additionally, you might have to splurge some extra cash on dog walkers and pet sitters from time to time.

Where Can You Buy Goldendoodles?

Now that we’ve covered all the basics and talked a little bit more about the different types of Goldendoodle breeders, you might still be puzzled – how to find quality Goldendoodle breeders?

First, we recommend you check out our article on How To Choose A Responsible Breeder, where we discuss in-depth about what to look for in a Goldendoodle breeder and how you can choose a responsible person for the job. 

To make the process a lot smoother for you, we’ve also created our Doodle Breeders Directory, where you’ll be able to find many reputable Goldendoodle breeders across all of the United States. However, we still urge you to research the background of the breeder you’ve selected.  

How Much Does A Goldendoodle Cost: FAQ

When adopting a Goldendoodle, it’s important to keep in mind that the costs don’t stop after you’ve purchased the puppy. Like any other breed, Goldendoodles require your utmost dedication and love. This includes providing them a comfortable home environment, a healthy diet and exercise routine, and regular vet visits. Not to mention, their high maintenance coats require regular upkeep – not just for aesthetic reasons, but also for your dog’s health.

Of course, it might be tempting to adopt a Goldendoodle puppy from a backyard breeder or a puppy mill, where the prices are much lower. However, you’ll most likely end up with a sickly puppy who needs more medical attention in the long run. We hope this article managed to shed some light about the costs of adopting and owning a Goldendoodle, so you can be fully prepared for your new family member. 

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