Goldendoodle Price: How Much Will You Pay for this Low-Shedding Puppy?

Last Updated on April 19, 2023

A cross between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, Goldendoodles are known as being real-life teddy bears.

These dogs are beloved for their curly blonde coats, loving personalities, and playfulness.

They make great companions for families and are often hypoallergenic, meaning they do well will allergy sufferers.

But just how much does one of these popular puppies cost? Are there price differences relating to the type of Goldendoodle you buy?

And just how much can you expect to pay for food, medical expenses, grooming, and everything else required for your dog to lead a healthy life?

Keep reading to find out.

How Much Does a Goldendoodle Cost?

Goldendoodles are in high demand despite being a crossbreed and thus can fetch quite a hefty sum from a breeder.

The average standard-sized Goldendoodle puppy is around $2,100 if you get it from a reputable breeder.

Rarer varieties of this breed such as those with multicolor coats or toy-sized dogs will considerably be more expensive.

These puppies could fetch anything between $3000 and $5000 for a single dog.

What to buy: puppy or older dog?

Puppies are significantly more expensive than older dogs as they are more in demand, so you can save money getting an adult Goldendoodle.

A Goldendoodle that you adopt in its later years will also receive a whole new lease on life. 

An older pup with health issues can be costly, so thinking carefully before buying one is essential.

A poorly trained older dog may also exhibit temperament issues that take considerable time, money, and effort to correct.

Are small Goldendoodles more expensive than large ones?

Yes, Mini Goldendoodles are typically more expensive than medium or standard Goldendoodles.

You can get a Mini Goldendoodle for around $1500 more than its standard counterpart.

Within the mini variety, you will also find toy and teacup doggos, and they are the most expensive because they are so difficult to breed.

How Much Does a Goldendoodle Cost from a Breeder?

Buying a Goldendoodle pup from a breeder will set you back between $1700 and $2500, with various factors influencing its pricing.

These factors include coat color, bloodline, breeder reputation, and location.

How to find an ethical breeder and avoid puppy mills?

A dog is a big commitment and seeing as your pooch will be around for the next 10 to 15 years, you want to ensure you are buying the best pet possible. 

Be wary of anyone advertising a Goldendoodle at a price that seems too good to be true, as this is likely a puppy mill.

Puppy mills don’t care about the health and well-being of their dogs; they are simply in it to make a profit.

A reputable breeder will be able to give you background on the parent dogs and even the grandparents, will perform rigorous health checks on their dogs, and will allow you to see the facilities where the puppies and adult dogs are kept.

The Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) has a list of reputable breeders that you can check when looking for a puppy.

Here are some breeders you can try on your search for the perfect puppy:

• Grace Goldens, Alabama
• Golden Liberty Doodles, California
• Twin City Doodles, Florida

Adoption Fee for a Rescue Goldendoodle

Rescuing or adopting a Goldendoodle will be cheaper than buying one from a breeder.

As far as adoption fees go, you can look to spend between $300 and $500, which often also includes your dog’s vaccinations, deworming, and the price of spaying or neutering your dog. 

You will also get the satisfaction that you will be providing a dog with a much-needed new home.

However, due to the popularity of this breed, it can be challenging to find one available for rehoming. 

Your best bet would be to look at doodle-specific rescue sites where you might be lucky enough to find an older dog needing a new home. Here are a few that you can try:

• IDOG Rescue, Inc, countrywide
• Doodle Dandy Rescue, Texas
• Doodle Rescue Collective 

Factors Affecting the Price of a Goldendoodle Puppy

Goldendoodles and other doodle crosses, such as the Labradoodle, are expensive because they are in very high demand.

Despite being crossbreeds, these dogs are very trendy, which has pushed up the price of these puppies. 

Various factors also influence how much you will pay for your puppy, including his size, lineage, and coat type, and color.

1. Size

There are three accepted sizes of Goldendoodle, namely the standard, medium, and mini. However, within the Mini Goldendoodle category, you can also find toy and teacup pups. 

• Standard: These puppies typically fetch between $2100 and $2500 per puppy. This price increases significantly every year as the demand for these cute doggos continues to grow.
• Medium: The smaller the dog, the lower the price, so while medium Goldendoodles aren’t as expensive as mini dogs, they will be more expensive than standard varieties.
• Mini: These puppies are rarer than standard ones and are thus more expensive. You can expect to pay about $2900 for a Mini Goldendoodle puppy.
• Toy: Micro Goldendoodles that weigh under 15 pounds are extremely difficult to breed and thus will be more expensive. Unfortunately, due to their small size, they can have many health problems.
• Teacup: These pups are the most expensive variety. They fetch on average $3400 a puppy, with multicolored dogs known to fetch upwards of $5000 for a single puppy.

2. Generation and Coat Type

Goldendoodles can come in three coat types: wavy, straight, and curly. The exact type of coat your dog will have is typically affected by his generation.

Dogs with curly coats are more in demand due to their hypoallergenic qualities and will fetch more than dogs with straight coats. 

• F1: These are created using a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. This is the cheapest type of Goldendoodle as their coat is unpredictable, and you could get the straight, shedding coat of the Golden Retriever parent. These dogs can go for as little as $1500.
• F1B: These are created from a Goldendoodle and a purebred Poodle and are 75% likely to have the curly coat of the Poodle parent and be hypoallergenic. F1B Goldendoodles suitable for breeding are very expensive as they are the least likely to shed. These dogs fetch upwards of $6000 per puppy.
• F1BB: This is 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Golden Retriever and, therefore, also unlikely to shed. You should prepare to pay between $500 and $1500 extra for F1BB dogs. 
• F2: It results from two F1 Goldendoodles being bred with each other, or an F1 and an F1B. While a rarer cross to find, F2 Goldendoodles are cheaper than F1B dogs. 
• F2B: These are also a pricier variety. This is because they, too, are likely to be hypoallergenic, non-shedding dogs.
• F2BB: These dogs contain significantly more of the Poodle genetics and thus are likely to have a curly coat and be more expensive.
• F3: Breeding Goldendoodles beyond the second generation are known as F3 Goldendoodles. These are pretty rare as they are quite challenging to breed, and the result of the puppies is unpredictable. These dogs thus do not fetch as much as F1B Goldendoodles.
• Multigen: These are the same as F3 Goldendoodles. These dogs are pretty unpredictable and inconsistent. They could have the straight hair of the Golden Retriever or the Poodle’s curly coat, and thus most breeders stay clear of breeding these dogs.

Don’t miss out: The Difference between an F1 and F1B Goldendoodle

3. Coat color and markings

There are various Goldendoodle coat colors and typically the rarer the coat color, the more expensive the puppy.

The most expensive are multi-colored ones such as the Parti, Phantom, or Tuxedo Goldendoodle.

You could end up paying $1000 extra for pups with these coats.

On the other hand, standard apricot or solid gold Goldendoodles are the most common and will thus fetch the lowest prices.

4. Bloodline and breeder’s reputation

Well-known, reputable breeders will fetch significantly more for their puppies than unknown ones.

It’s essential to read reviews before buying your dog and not simply go with the cheapest breeder out there, as you could get a dog from a puppy mill. 

Reputable breeders who have been doing this for a long time will have spent a considerable amount of time and energy doing health and genetic tests on their dogs to ensure that they are getting the best puppy. 

5. Registration papers and pedigree

As the Goldendoodle is a crossbreed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), and so you will not get registration papers for one of these puppies.

That said, reputable breeders are likely to be registered with the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) and charge more for this stamp of approval.

6. Health screenings and medical expenses

As per the GANA requirements, reputable breeders will check their puppies before sale to ensure that they are free of any genetic conditions.

Reputable breeders will also regularly perform health checks on the parent dogs to ensure that they are of good quality. 

Thus, they will provide you with medical certificates for your dog’s eyes, heart, and joints.

7. Age

A Goldendoodle’s age affects its price, as we mentioned above. They are generally more expensive when young but beware of breeders who sell puppies under eight weeks.

Puppies are dependent upon their mothers for warmth and food throughout the first two months of their lives and should only go to their new homes after this.

8. Gender

There is little difference in the cost of a puppy based on gender.

It is sometimes slightly more expensive to purchase male Goldendoodle puppies since they don’t have the risks of becoming pregnant, etc. 

However, it is still more likely that price based on gender is determined by the number of puppies of each sex in a litter and the client’s demand.

9. Other Factors

Other factors that can influence the price of your Goldendoodle puppy include your breeder’s location and the demand in your area. 

• Supply and demand: Goldendoodles are in high demand and thus are quite expensive. Rather than forcing their dogs to breed more puppies to meet this demand, reputable breeders will instead increase the cost of each individual dog. 
• Breeding stock: As you can see, the different generations of Goldendoodle have different prices. Thus the breeding stock or parent dogs and their lineage will ultimately impact the price you will pay for your puppy.
• Location: The land price in a specific location will also affect the price. For instance, dogs from California will be more expensive than those from the Mid West. If you buy a pup from outside your area, you’ll also need to factor in the shipping fees of your pup. 

Initial and Long-Term Pet Ownership Costs

Before you have even brought your new puppy home, you would likely have to spend between $80 and $100 on food, $10 to $30 on food and water bowls, $40 to $180 on a dog bed, $50 and $370 on a crate for training and transporting your pet, and $15 to $50 on a collar and leash for your dog.

You’ll also need to spend between $30 to $40 on toys for your new puppy, $40 to $160 on grooming essentials for your pooch, $10 to $20 on a dog license, $40 to $60 on a microchip and between $15 and $30 on miscellaneous items such as poop bags, carpet cleaners, and disinfectants. 

Alongside the fees of buying your Goldendoodle pup, you also need to determine if you can afford all the things you’ll need during your pet’s life.

These include food, vet expenses, grooming, training, and more.

1. Vet Bills

If your Goldendoodle is exercised regularly and provided with high-quality food, he should lead a long and healthy life.

However, you will need to visit the vet with any dog for regular check-ups and vaccinations.

Essential vet visits will set you back between $100 and $300, while vaccine shots are around $75 and $200.

You will also need to buy regular deworming medication and flea and tick preventative medication for your dog, setting you back between $50 and $200.

You could look at spending between $700 and $2000 a year on veterinary costs for your dog.

Common health issues and estimated costs to treat them

One of the most common health problems associated with the Goldendoodle breed is hip dysplasia.

Unfortunately, most dogs will need expensive surgery in order to rectify this ailment. The fees for this is between $800 and $6000 per hip.

Thankfully, this disease can be avoided through proper genetic testing.

That is why it is essential to get your dog from a reputable breeder who will provide you with health certificates and warranties for your puppy.

2. Food Consumption

The exact amount your Goldendoodle will eat will depend on his size and energy levels. You should budget around $500 a year for feeding your dog.

Obviously, the bigger the size of your pup, the more food he will eat, and this is one breed that does particularly like its food.

Also read: 15 Best Dog Foods for Goldendoodles

3. Dog Grooming Service

When it comes to grooming, Goldendoodles need to be taken to the parlor regularly.

These dogs do not shed and thus need regular brushing and haircuts to prevent painful mats and tangles from forming. 

Per visit to the parlor, you are looking at spending around $100, and if you do this every three months, you’ll end up spending around $400 a year on grooming your dog.

Each visit should include bathing your pet, giving him a haircut, cleaning out his ears, and trimming his nails.

Learn more about the different types of Goldendoodle haircuts here.

4. Pet Insurance Coverage

If you’re worried about covering the above-mentioned health costs for your Goldendoodle, you may want to consider pet insurance.

This will enable you to have the means to pay for any large unanticipated medical expenses in the future. 

When signing up for your pup for pet insurance, we suggest you do so as young as possible since puppies will cost around $25 a month, but an older pet could spend you $100.

5. Environmental Maintenance

You’ll want to keep your yard and environment looking good, which means spending money cleaning up after your dog.

You’ll likely spend between $10 and $20 a month on a poop scoop and poop bags.

However, during potty training, you could spend more as you invest in puppy lessons, potty pads, carpet cleaners, disinfectants, and more.

6. Chew Toys

If you don’t want your Goldendoodle pup to chew on your shoes or dig up your garden, keep him entertained with toys. You can usually buy a dog toy for between $10 and $20.

If he destroys the toys quickly, you may need to buy more, but it may be worth it to buy more expensive toys from the start since they are less likely to break or be chewed up.

Goldendoodles will also love interactive puzzle-type toys that will stimulate their minds as they are very intelligent dogs.

7. Pet Supplies

You’ll need to pay some fixed costs when getting a new puppy.

This can include buying a dog crate for around $100, investing in a quality dog bed for about $100, and buying all the accessories your pet needs, such as a collar, lead, harness, shampoo, etc.

These accessories could add up to about $500.

Estimated Expenses for Owning this Breed

Aside from the above monthly expenses, you will also spend on some other things during your Goldendoodle’s life.

First of all, you’ll also want to provide your pet with training and socialization classes. These lessons can set you back between $50 and $125 for two months’ worth of weekly group sessions.

In addition, if you plan to go away often, you’ll need to factor in the expenses of his boarding or getting a house sitter which is about $100 a day. 

Monthly Expenses

You can expect to pay thousands of dollars a year just catering to your dog’s basic needs.

When you factor in all of the expenses of pet ownership mentioned above, such as nutrition, grooming, training, vet visits, vaccinations, medications, and accessories, you will likely spend between $1,760 and $3,740 on your dog each year. 

That is an average monthly cost of between $147 and $312.

First-Year Expenses

Aside from the cost of buying or rescuing your Fido, you’ll need to set aside money for buying the initial necessities for your pet.

This includes their food, bowls, toys, lead, collar, bed, crate, medication, grooming essentials, and a dog license if required by your state. 

In addition, the first year of pet ownership is more expensive than any other year due to more frequent vet visits, the cost of setting up your home for a pet, and the expense of neutering or spaying your pup.

In the first year alone, you could spend between $605 and $2,240 as a new owner.

Lifetime Expenses

Goldendoodles have a life expectancy of between 10 and 15 years. During this lifespan, you will likely spend between $11,000 to $16,500 on your dog.

As you can see, owning a pet is a big commitment and not one that should be entered into lightly. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s included in the price of this breed?

There is no hard and fast rule about what is included in the price of your Goldendoodle, and thus, it is necessary to chat to your specific breeder.

Typically, puppies will come with their first set of shots and deworming. The breeder may also give you a puppy blanket, a starter pack of food, and even a toy. 

All reputable breeders should also give you health certificates for your pet, and some may provide a health warranty.

Some breeders may also microchip your pooch or include spaying or neutering when he’s at the right age.

Is a deposit required to purchase a Goldendoodle puppy?

As Goldendoodles are in such high demand, most breeders will require you to put down a deposit to secure your puppy.

You will likely need to pay between $250 and $500 as a deposit on your puppy, and then once the puppies are born, you will be able to visit the litter and pick out the specific dog you want.

Conclusion: Should You Buy a Goldendoodle?

As you can see, there are various factors you need to consider when buying a Goldendoodle.

While you may spend around $2000 purchasing your dog, you will spend considerably more on food, grooming, toys, supplies, and more during your pet’s life. 

Before buying this breed, you’ll need to consider all these costs to determine if you can afford the commitment and if a puppy will fit into your current lifestyle. 

Do you have a Goldendoodle at home? We would love to learn more about your furry friend in the comments below.