How Much Are Goldendoodle Puppies?: New Owner’s Guide (2022)


Goldendoodle is a dog breed with a mixed parentage of two of the top and pure breeds of dogs, the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.

Much like Labradoodles, Goldendoodles are designer breed dogs that are very popular in the United States because of their cute appearance.

Their size, weight, coat color, and coat style vary widely depending on their parentage.

But aside from their cute and teddy bear-like appearance, here are some reasons you should own one:

  • Goldendoodles are safe for those with an allergic reaction to dogs. They are hypoallergenic and do not shed too much hair so you’ll save a lot of time cleaning after your dog.
  • They are very gentle and social dogs perfect for kids.
  • They are also highly trainable and intelligent so they are suitable service and guide dogs.
  • Most Goldendoodles have a high energy level due to the parentage from the purebred Golden Retriever. However, small dogs such as Goldendoodles have relatively low energy due to their size.
  • You can choose from a variety of colors, sizes, and appearances.
    • Sizes – toy (10-25 lbs), mini Goldendoodle or medium Goldendoodle (25-50 lbs), and standard (50-90 lbs)
    • Coat Color – cream, apricot, red, chocolate, black, and everything in between
    • Coat Style – short or long; straight, wavy and curly
  • They can stay with you longer as they are relatively healthier than purebreds due to the “hybrid vigor” caused by cross-breeding.

Mix breeds are usually of a healthier stock than their parents.

Are you ready to be a pet owner of one (or maybe more) cute and loveable dog?

We’ve compiled everything you need to know to prepare you to be a responsible dog owner.

Your Guide to Owning a Goldendoodle

How much do Goldendoodle puppies cost?

Many factors are contributing to the price of a Goldendoodle.

This includes:

  • Genetic guarantees
  • Breeder stock
  • Location (cities or rural areas)
  • Size
  • Coat colors and patterns
  • Coat type
  • Reputation of the breeder you will be buying from

Higher demand for this dog breed will also lead to higher prices.

Take a look at the average price for a Goldendoodle depending on its breeder stock:

Average Costs

F1 (Puppy)

F1B Goldendoodle to Multigen (Puppy)

F1 (Adult)

Initial

~1500

~2500

~1000

  1. Here are some traits that put Goldendoodles at a higher price range:
  • Toy-sized; mini and miniature Goldendoodles are more expensive than standard Goldendoodles.

You have to add an average of $1500 as the dog size becomes smaller.

  • The uniqueness of coat color and pattern would usually add at least $1000 to the price.
  • Expect to pay more for patterned Goldendoodles.

For teacup-sized Goldendoodles, with colored and patterned coats, you can expect the price to go as high as $6000.

  • F1B, F2, and F2B sell at higher prices because they are used as breeder stock.

Whereas, F1 Goldendoodles are slightly lower prices because they are hybrid dogs although they are also used for back breeding.

  • Buying from reputable breeders would also incur higher costs.

Read on to learn the reasons why you need to buy from reputable breeders.

Take note that the initial Goldendoodle cost typically covers the deworming and preliminary vaccines.

Where to buy a Goldendoodle?

The safest course is to buy from reputable breeders.

4 Top Reasons Why You Should Buy from Someone with a Good Breeder reputation:

  1. They are experienced in breeding dogs so they have extensive knowledge of their genetic line and health problems and issues.
  2. They are following standards of breeding and employ practices that will ensure the quality and health of dog breeds.
  3. Their stocks or parents are routinely undergoing tests to avoid defects in offspring.
  4. They will give you health guarantees and support for the puppies.

The Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) is dedicated to promoting and guiding breeders to achieve breed standards.

Check out their list of recommended breeders here: Member Breeders – GANA

What breeders should you avoid?

  1. Puppy Mills

These are large-scale commercial dog breeders that is why they are often called “puppy farms”.

It is a known trade secret that puppy mills supply large quantities of puppies to pet shops, however, the operation on puppy mills is not up to the standard of ethical breeding.

Most dogs and puppies suffer from cramped spaces and filthy conditions.

7 Reasons Why Not to Buy from Puppy Mills or Kennels:

  • Puppies and dogs often suffer malnutrition and starvation.
  • Puppy mills overbreed dogs and they tend to overlook traits and genetic problems.
  • They are not employing safe breeding practices and mostly are just doing it for profit.
  • With the cramped space and conditions, puppies do not have enough space to play and are not then trained to be social.
  • Puppies from mills usually develop health and behavioral issues afterward.
  • Stocks or parents lack routine check-ups to scan for health issues and problems.
  • Dogs are overbred until such time that they are not useful anymore and they are either killed or put up for auction.
  1. Backyard Breeders

While puppy mills are commercial-scale operations, backyard breeders are usually amateur dog breeders practicing at home.

Much like puppy mills, backyard breeders are not practicing humane, safe, and ethical breeding.

Backyard breeders typically lack technical skills and training to properly breed dogs.

They also tend to experiment on their breeding, without thought of the offspring.

The situation in backyard breeding is not far from that of a puppy mill. They are both after large profit and very little spending, and that translates to poorly treated dogs.

Here are some telltale signs that a puppy being sold is from puppy mills or backyard breeders:

  • Buyers are not properly screened.
  • Puppies have no veterinary records.
  • Absence of health guarantees and proofs of genetic testing.
  • Absence of medical security or support for puppies.
  • They sell puppies at very young ages, usually at 5-6 weeks old. This means that they are weaned early because the mother will be used for breeding again.
  • They usually sell on Craigslist, eBay, or pet shops. (There are pet shops that are connected with rescue groups and it is good to adopt/buy from them.)
  • Buyers are not allowed to see where the puppies are kept.
  • Buyers are not allowed to see the parents.
  • Over-abundance of puppies they are selling and being able to sell all year round.
  • They are not knowledgeable about the dogs they are breeding and are reluctant to answer your questions.
  • The breeders are not connected to any club or accredited associations.

What does the American Kennel Club recommend?

The American Kennel Club recommends that you ask these questions when buying any breed of dogs. It is important to research the breed to know what questions to ask.

They also have a list of accredited breeders from which you can get your next family companion.

Adopting from a local shelter or rescue center.

If you are looking for another way to get a Goldendoodle, you can consider adopting from your local shelter or rescue centers.

Here are five advantages of adopting a Goldendoodle:

  1. You get to help a dog get a second chance.
  2. They have been properly vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and dewormed. This will trim down your cost.
  3. Most shelter dogs are house-trained already.
  4. Shelter dogs are less expensive than getting from a reputable breeder.

Adoption would cost around $500-$900 and it already comes with extensive health testing for your chosen dog.

  1. They offer health guarantees and are with you along the way as you take care of your new puppy.

You can get your new Goldendoodle dogs for free with sponsored adoption up to the north of $6000.00 (if you go for prized mixed breeds).

We advise that you either adopt from local shelters or get it from reputable breeders to avoid problems later.

Always be wise when dealing with sellers and learn to ask questions about your desired dog.

Many are tempted to buy from puppy mills or backyard breeders because they sell at a lower price.

Buyers think that they can “rescue” the dogs that are sold, but if you buy from them, you will be enabling them to continue their operation.

Buying from them coming from the intention of getting at least one dog out of the bad situation will actually make the situation worse for a lot of dogs in the long haul.

That is why it is important to report puppy mills and backyard breeders to authorities.

How to Take Good Care of Your New Goldendoodle Puppy: Average Yearly Cost of a Goldendoodle

Taking good care of your new best friend is a continuous process and here is a quick glance of how much you need to prepare to take care of them properly.

A. Food

Depending on the size of your dog, you can expect to spend $250 – $1500 for their annual food spending.

B. Veterinary Care & Checkups

The total yearly average for veterinary care and check-up is $500 – $2000.

  1. Required veterinary procedures:
  • Spaying or Neutering ($100 – $500).

For adopted pets, this cost is usually included.

This procedure is a required procedure for your pet.

  1. Vaccines and shots
  • Routine Vaccines ($75 – $100).

These vaccines are for Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.

  • Bordetella ($20 – $45)
  • Anti-rabies ($15-$20)
  • Flea and tick prevention ($120-$200)
  • Heartworm Tests and Prevention ($80 – $120)
  • Emergencies ($100 – $800). It is important to have pet insurance to minimize this cost.
  1. Pet Insurance

Goldendoodles, or any other dog, can have health issues so it is important to get insurance.

On average, pet insurance costs $450 – $1200 annually.

What health issues do Goldendoodles have?

Here are some issues that you might encounter in Goldendoodles that you need to get ready for:

  • Cataracts – the surgery for this costs about $2700 – $4000
  • Cancer – treatments for cancer ranges from $2500 – $7000
  • Patellar Luxation – correcting this can cost $1500 – $3000
  • Ear Infections – treatment can cost $50 – $300
  • Subavular Aortic Stenosis – echocardiogram alone cost $500 -$600. Treatment will incur more cost.
  • Epilepsy – medications cost about $200 – $500
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy – no treatment available
  • Bloat – emergency treatment costs $1500 – $7000
  • Von Willebrand’s Disease – with severe cases, this will require a regular blood transfusion in which will cost will pile up.

What about hip dysplasia?

  • Hip dysplasia – This comes from the purebred Poodle or Miniature Poodle parent.

This is when the hip ball joint does not fit properly to its socket creating friction in the joints. Operation for this will cost $3500 – $7000 per hip.

While the health problems may seem daunting, these problems are less likely to occur with proper nutrition and exercise.

These types of diseases are also the ones that reputable breeders are watching of from parents. That is why it is important to buy from reputable breeders.

Other costs you need to consider when owning a Goldendoodle:

  1. Microchipping.

This is an RFID chip containing information of ownership. This helps when your dog is lost.

Microchipping is usually done when you adopt a dog but you can also have it done yourself. This cost $40 – $60.

  1. License and Registration.

Many states in the United States require licenses and registration for dogs. This costs around $10 – $20.

  1. Toys.

Dogs love toys so much, you have to spend on them as well.

This could cost you $50 – $300 depending on how much you want to pamper your pups.

  1. Dog Bed, Crates, and Leashes.

These could cost you around $100 – $300, depending on how much you pamper your dogs.

  1. Training.

Professional training for dogs can be done individually or with a group. It usually costs $20 – $50 or $50- $100, respectively.

This could lead to a spending north of $1500 depending on the frequency and training program for your Goldendoodle.

  1. Dog Walkers.

You can’t always walk your dog around and sometimes, you might need someone to do it for you.

Dog walkers charge $1 per minute on average. They can walk for 20 – 40 minutes as needed by your dog.

  1. Occasional Boarding.

If you have to go away and have no one to take care of your dog for you, you have to spend on that occasional boarding service.

This usually costs $40 – $80.

  1. Dog Fence.

Depending on your yard and the materials that you want, a dog fence can cost $1500 – $8000.

  1. Grooming.

Grooming your Goldendoodle will definitely incur some hefty additional costs that you need to prepare for.

The average yearly grooming spending of dogs costs around $700. This includes nail clippings, bath, coat brushing, and toothbrushing.

You can lower this cost if you do it yourself instead of visiting a professional pet groomer.

FAQs

How can I adopt a Goldendoodle?

Look for a Golden Retriever or Poodle rescue shelter. You can refer to this or this to find a shelter near you.

Understand their adoption process. Prepare to pay an adoption fee and process the papers.

Are Goldendoodles playful?

Goldendoodles are quite playful and love water activities. They are good swimmers.

What are the other names for Goldendoodles?

Goldendoodles are also called “Golden Poos”, “Goldie Poos”, and “Groodles”.

How long do Goldendoodles live?

Goldendoodles typically live up to 10-15 years.

Is Goldendoodle a mutt?

Goldendoodle is a designer breed and not mutts.

Mutts are accidental breeding while designer breeds are intentional breeding done to get more desirable traits from parents.

How do I verify the ancestry of my Goldendoodle?

You can verify your Goldendoodles ancestry with the Goldendoodles Association of North America.

With a minimal fee per pup, you can get a three-generation pedigree on a card stamped with a GANA seal.

In summary…

Owning a Goldendoodle is and you should really think about whether you really want to own one.

Goldendoodles are in demand in the United States because they are cute and beautiful but you should be a responsible buyer and Goldendoodle owner.

Only buy or adopt from reputable breeders and shelters.

You must be ready for the cost of owning a Goldendoodle, not just financially but physically and emotionally; though it is guaranteed that your sacrifice and investment will be rewarded with love and companionship.

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D. Hahn

DIY guru, dad, husband, blogger. When I'm not creating life hacks I'm teaching my kids how to fix stuff after their dad breaks it.

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