Poodle Price: How Much Should You Pay for a Poodle Dog?

Last Updated on April 19, 2023

Originally bred as duck-retrieval dogs, Poodles are a highly intelligent breed loved for their loving natures and fluffy, waterproof, hypoallergenic coats.

Available in a range of sizes to suit your lifestyle, the Poodle is sought-after by pup parents with allergies.

As a highly sought-after breed, they are often crossed with other much-loved pups like Labradors and Golden Retrievers to create a range of different Doodle dogs.

But how much does it cost to buy a purebred Poodle? And what can you expect to pay for looking after your Poodle?

In this article, we will answer these questions, looking at everything from the initial puppy price to the expenses of pet supplies, food, and grooming as you discover how much it costs to own a Poodle.

How Much Does a Poodle Cost?

Poodles come in various sizes, namely the Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Standard Poodle. On average, you can expect to pay between $600 and $1500 for a Poodle puppy.

Despite what you might think, it’s not necessarily the smallest Poodle that is going to be the cheapest. 

Toy Poodles

Toy Poodles are the smallest Poodle variant. They weigh between 6 to 10 pounds (2.7 and 4.5 kg). Despite their size, they are quite active and require moderate exercise daily, especially if they are kept in a small space.

Due to their small and delicate frames, they do not do well around small children. 

They are often the rarest Poodle varieties to find and thus the most expensive. You can expect to pay upwards of $1500 for one of these dogs.

Miniature Poodles

Miniature Poodles are actually medium-sized Poodles with an average weight of between 15 and 35 pounds (7 and 16 kg).

These dogs can adapt well to small sizes as long as they are given moderate daily exercise. They are also very intelligent and alert and make excellent watchdogs.

They are more expensive than Standard Poodles but not as expensive as Toy Poodles. You can typically expect to pay between $1000 and $2000 for a registered Miniature Poodle from a reputable breeder.

Standard Poodles

Standard Poodles are the largest of the three Poodle varieties. They typically weigh between 40 and 60 pounds (18 and 27 kg). They are quite energetic and active dogs, and while they love children, they don’t do well in small sizes.

While they may set you back the most in terms of food and maintenance costs in the long run, Standard Poodles are the cheapest to purchase as puppies.

This is because they’re not as sought after as tiny dogs, and more puppies can be born in one litter. You can expect to pay around $600-$1000 for one of these puppies.

Summary: Breakdown of Poodle Prices

Should You Buy a Puppy or an Older Dog?

It’s unlikely that you will find an older Poodle dog to buy as a pet. This is a highly sought-after breed, so they are in very high demand. You likely even have to put your name down at a breeder if you want a puppy as a pet. 

If you find an older Poodle dog that’s being rehomed, you are likely to pay significantly less than buying a puppy.

Just be careful, though, as some older dogs are rehomed due to behavioral issues, although this is less common with the Poodle breed than other fighting dog breeds.

What is the average price of a Poodle puppy?

On average, you will pay between $600 and $2000 for a Poodle puppy from a registered breeder.

The amount you spend on your dog will depend on various factors, including the size of your Poodle, the breeder’s reputation, and the area where you live. 

How much is a full-grown Poodle?

Poodles are popular due to their striking good looks and hypoallergenic coats. And as a result, buying a puppy will cost you a fair amount. However, this isn’t the only cost that goes into Poodle ownership. 

This is an expensive breed to maintain and care for. By the time your puppy grows into an adult dog, you could have spent as much as $28,260 on your dog.

How Much Does a Poodle Cost from a Reputable Breeder?

Poodle breeders will concentrate on breeding quality dogs. These Poodles will conform to the breed standards for their size.

Typically, they will be sold as show dogs for owners that intend to show or breed their pet dogs for owners that just want a Poodle as a furry companion. The former is more expensive than the latter.

Buying your dog from a breeder is the most expensive way to get a Poodle puppy, but it can actually be cheaper in the long run due to the fact that reputable breeders will have tested their dogs for genetic conditions and health problems and will provide a guarantee on their pets. 

You can expect to pay upwards of $1000 for Poodles from reputable breeders with dogs of exceptional lineages or by show-winning breeders going for as much as $4000 or more. 

How to find a reputable breeder and avoid puppy mills?

Backyard breeders and puppy mills are Poodle breeders that are not officially recognized.

While puppy mills are cruel places only focused on making a profit and churning out as many puppies as possible, backyard breeders are sometimes just naive pet owners who breed their dogs with other dogs down the road. 

Unfortunately, without the right health checks, this can also have negative consequences. The best way to see if a Poodle breeder is reputable is to ask for their health check certificates, vaccinations, AKC registration, and proof of pedigree. 

You can also visit the Poodle breeder to meet the parent dogs and see the people involved and the conditions in which the dogs live.

The Poodle Club of America has a listing of reputable breeders so that you can find one in your area. Here are just three to assist you in your search:

1. Dawin Poodles, FL/Canada
2. Midnight Poodles, CA
3. Sapphire Poodles, VA

Adoption Fee for a Rescue Poodle

Rescuing or adopting a Poodle is not completely free. You will likely spend between $50 and $300 on your dog.

While you will likely pay a bit more at a private poodle-specific rescue site, you are also more likely to find a dog through these channels than at your local shelter down the road. 

The exact amount you will pay depends on your area and the shelter itself, but these costs normally include vaccinations, basic grooming, health care, and looking after your dog when it was in the shelter’s care.

If you’re heart-set on giving a Poodle in need a new lease on life, here are some Poodle and Poodle-mix rescue organizations you can look at.

1. NorCal Poodle Rescue, CA
2. IDOG Rescue, TX
3. Doodle Rescue Collective, RI

Factors Affecting the Price of a Poodle Puppy

The exact amount you pay for a Poodle pup would be influenced by various factors.

This includes the breeder’s reputation, your puppy’s bloodline, if your dog comes with registration papers, what health screenings have been done on your puppy, the age and gender of your puppy, and his coat color.

1. Bloodline and breeder’s reputation

Puppies from championship or award-winning bloodlines will cost significantly more, often setting you back more than $4000 a puppy. The same goes for award-winning breeders. 

If you’re buying your dog from a breeder with multiple accolades to their name, you can expect to pay more for your puppy purely based on their reputation and likely higher demand for the dogs.

2. Registration papers/pedigree

A show-quality dog with full AKC papers with breeding rights will be the most expensive. Purebred dogs with limited AKC registration will be less expensive than show dogs.

They might not have the perfect coat color or body type for a show, but they still make wonderful pets and are still purebred Poodles.

It’s still possible to get a purebred pedigree dog from a breeder that doesn’t have registration papers, and this will of course be cheaper, although this can be hard to find as most reputable breeders do register their pups.

3. Health screenings and medical expenses

Poodles should be evaluated for certain conditions prior to breeding. These screenings include testing against diseases like hip dysplasia and various eye conditions.

A reputable breeder will be able to provide you with these certificates.

The cost of your puppy will likely also include their first set of vaccinations, while some breeders will also include a first vet check with deworming and microchipping.

While these medical expenses can make your dog more expensive, it may be cheaper in the long run as you know you will be getting a healthy dog.

4. Age

Most people want to get a dog as young as possible, so eight-week-old dogs are going to be the most expensive. As puppies age, their price will go down if they haven’t yet found a home.

However, this isn’t very likely with this particular breed since they are in such high demand.

5. Gender

Generally, male dogs are slightly more expensive than female dogs. However, with Poodle littles, the price that gender plays is more likely due to demand.

For instance, if you only have one female puppy in a litter of male dogs, she will probably fetch a higher price.

6. Coat color and markings

Poodles in specific coat colors are more in demand and thus attract higher prices. Black Poodle puppies tend to be the cheapest, selling for around $600, with white Poodles being the most expensive solid color variant selling for between $3000 to $5000.

Brown and red Poodles go for somewhere in the middle, between $1200.

You can also get rare Parti-colored Poodles with a mixture of patterns and colors on their coats, although these dogs will cost a pretty penny.

7. Others

There are a variety of other factors that could influence the price you will pay for a Poodle puppy. This could include your area, the number of breeders, and the competition where you live, which will affect supply and demand.

You may also need to factor in fees like shipping your puppy to your location.

The location of your breeder and the demand in your area can also affect the price of your puppy. For instance, the land price in your area could impact puppy prices.

This would make dogs in California more expensive than those in Arizona. 

Some breeders may also invest time and money into providing your dog with socialization and obedience training. While this can also make your puppy more expensive, you may need to spend less on these costs later.

Initial Cost of Pet Ownership

Bringing your puppy home is an exciting time, but you’ll need to ensure that you are properly set up for his arrival. You could expect to pay between $1000 and $2000 to prepare your home for your new puppy. 

This money will go towards costs like home grooming supplies, your dog’s bed, food and water bowls, puppy training mats, dog toys, and a pet crate.

Are Poodles Expensive to Own?

Yes, due to that curly, fluffy coat and their active personalities, Poodles are a high-maintenance breed, and the costs of looking after these dogs can add up pretty quickly.

If you consider getting one of these beautiful dogs, you will need to factor in these expenses.

1. Veterinary Costs

You should budget at least $50 to $150 a month on vet fees for your Poodle. This will cover your regular vet checkups and any necessary flea and tick preventative medication.

That said, in the first year of life, these expenses could be around $800 to $900 when you factor in the vaccines that puppies need and spaying or neutering your dog.

Common health issues and estimated costs to treat them

Standard Poodles are especially prone to developing Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, also known as bloat.

However, a gastropexy that can be performed at the same time your dog is spayed or neutered can help prevent this life-threatening condition. This procedure will cost between $200 and $400 to perform.

You may also choose to give your dog additional vaccines to prevent common canine diseases. For instance, Leptospirosis and Lyme disease vaccines are recommended for dogs that regularly visit the outdoors and play near wildlife.

These will cost between $15-$25 for Leptospirosis and $60 to $80 for two doses of the Lyme disease vaccine. 

Additionally, if your dog goes to a doggie daycare or visits the kennels often, you may wish to give him an influenza vaccine for $70 to $90 for two doses.

Some other common health ailments in Poodle dogs include Addison’s Disease, a life-threatening condition that can cost between $1,000 and $3,500 to treat epilepsy, the cost of treating which will set you back between $500 and $2,500, and dental disease, which ranges between $400 and $800 in ongoing maintenance.

2. Dog Food Expenses

The exact amount you will spend on feeding your Poodle depends on what size dog you have, but you can budget on spending between $50 and $150 a month on food for your pet.

Obviously, Toy Poodle dogs need a lot less food than Standard Poodles and so will be cheaper to feed. Don’t forget to also factor in the cost of your pet’s treats as well.

Read also: 26 Best Dog Food for Poodles

3. Dog Grooming Prices

The curly hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle doesn’t shed and thus these dogs need regular visits to the groomer to keep their coat trimmed and looking good.

You will also need to brush your dog regularly at home and get their nails clipped and teeth cleaned often. 

The exact amount you will spend at the groomer depends on the specific Poodle hairstyle you choose and the size of your dog, but you should budget between $75 and $250 every few months.

Read also: Different Poodle Haircuts

4. Pet Insurance Costs

You decide to forgo pet insurance, but having this insurance in place can help you pay for unforeseen medical expenses that could save your pet’s life.

Plus, it could actually save you a lot of money on health costs later down the line. 

Different pet insurance companies over different benefits, so do your research carefully, but you’re probably looking at spending around $100 on this each month.

5. Environmental Maintenance

You’ll need to set aside a little bit of money each month to care for your pet’s environment. This includes the cost of cleaning your dog’s crate, kennels, and food and water bowls, as well as things like a pooper scooper and doggie poop bags. 

Thankfully, cleaning supplies are relatively inexpensive, so budgeting around $20 a month for this should be more than enough.

6. Entertainment costs

Poodles are energetic, active, and intelligent dogs that like to be kept busy and play. They will need puzzle toys to avoid them becoming destructive with your shoes and furniture.

You should expect to pay between $10 and $40 monthly for high-quality dog toys.

This breed also needs a lot of exercises and excels at dog sports and agility challenges.

A weekly monthly agility class for your dog will cost $50, or you could spend this money hiring a dog walker if you don’t have the time to exercise your pet yourself.

7. Pet Supplies

You’ll need to stock up on supplies to keep your pet happy and healthy.

These supplies can include a dog leash and collars with ID tags, dog beds, crates and blankets, doggie jerseys, food and water balls, first aid kits, grooming essentials, and more. 

In the first year, you could spend around $410 just stocking up on these supplies, while in subsequent years, you could expect to spend around $185 a year replacing these items and buying new ones as your puppy grows or wears out their old supplies.

Additional Costs that Come with Owning this Curly Breed

Aside from the above monthly expenses, you might also set some budget aside for pet sitters and kennels if you go away regularly. This can cost upwards of $50 a day. 

You also will likely want to invest a bit of time in obedience and potty training for your dog as well as puppy socialization classes.

Buying packages of a month or two at a time will be cheaper where these are concerned rather than just dropping in for the occasional class.

You should also factor in the cost of buying a dog license for your dog, which is about $10 to $20 a license as well as microchipping your pet which typically ranges between $25 and $50.

Average Monthly Cost

As you can see, there are various factors to consider that will affect the cost you spend on your dog each month, but with high grooming needs and boundless energy, Poodles do cost more to maintain than many other breeds. 

On average, you can expect to spend between $185 and $700 each month on your dog, with most pet owners budgeting around $300 to $400 each month on their dog.

First-Year Expenses

As you can see, the first year of your dog’s life is the most expensive. Not only do you need to factor in the cost of purchasing your Poodle puppy, but there are vaccines and multiple vet visits to pay for.

You’ll also need to stock up on all the supplies your new puppy needs and pay for things like puppy training, spaying or neutering, and microchipping.

These first-year expenses can set you back between $1,830 and $5,495, with the average Poodle owner spending around $3,300 in the first year alone, including the price of buying their dog.

Lifetime Expenses

Poodles have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Throughout your dog’s life, you can expect to spend between $14,050 and $43,910 on your dog, with most pet owners spending around $28,260.

Things like paying for daily dog walking or regularly boarding your pet will increase the amount you spend on your dog each month.

Conclusion: Should You Buy a Poodle Dog?

Yes, absolutely, Poodles are a magnificent breed with delightful personalities. They are fun and energetic dogs with bundles of energy but are also highly intelligent and make great watchdogs.

If you love dog sports or agility challenges, you will love having a Poodle as a companion, and if you have kids, the Standard Poodle can make an excellent companion.

Also, the Poodle is a great choice if you suffer from allergies due to its curly, hypoallergenic coat, which doesn’t shed. All that said, you need to be sure you can care for a Poodle throughout its lifetime.

These dogs are a high-maintenance breed and need a lot of grooming care.

Do you have a Poodle dog at home? We would love to hear more about you and your fluffy companion in the comments below.