If you’ve ever wondered why Goldendoodle puppies are in such high demand, looking at their pictures should be enough to dispel any doubts. But American families don’t just buy Goldendoodles because of their cute, furry look. It’s their traits that make them such a wonderful breed.
Goldendoodles are friendly, highly intelligent, and great with children. In other words, they make the perfect family dogs.
But you already know that if you’re here. What you’d like to learn is how much these golden furry goofballs cost. And as usual with such ‘simple’ questions, the answer is: it depends.
So, if you’re considering buying a Goldendoodle, this guide will provide rough estimates of how much you’d have to spend on a Goldendoodle puppy, depending on several factors.
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How Much Does a Goldendoodle Puppy Cost?
So, what is an average Goldendoodle cost? A simple answer would be anything between $2,000 and $5,000 when buying from a reputable breeder. Puppy mills or backyard breeders will charge less than that, with the cheapest option being adopting a Goldendoodle from a dog shelter.
However, if you want to ensure you buy a healthy dog that has been raised in loving, humane conditions and according to high breeding standards, licensed Goldendoodle breeders should always be your first choice.
Finding a reputable Goldendoodle breeder can be tricky, though, given how popular Goldendoodles are. At Central Illinois Doodles, we’ve been providing American families with healthy and happy Goldendoodle puppies for several years, establishing ourselves as one of the leading Doodle breeders in the US.
Our Goldendoodle prices start from $3,500. This price includes all necessary vaccinations, basic training, and a complimentary basket of puppy essentials.
Not only that, all our Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle puppies come with a 2-year health guarantee covering all the potentially dangerous genetic health issues your puppy might develop during their first two years.
What Impacts the Price of Goldendoodle Puppies?
Numerous factors can affect the cost of a Goldendoodle puppy. Usually, the price of your pup will depend on its coat and generation type, size, breeder reputation, and demand. Let’s take a closer look at how these factors impact Goldendoodle prices.
Coat Type
Goldendoodles may have straight, wavy, and curly coats. Those with wavy and curly coat types are more expensive as their coats don’t shed (or don’t shed too extensively). This means that wavy and curly-coated Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic. Because of that, they are in higher demand, making them more expensive than straight-coated Goldendoodles.
Coat Color
Goldendoodles can come in up to 13 different color types. The most common ones are brown, cream, and white. However, you can also find chocolate and black Goldendoodles, which tend to be the least expensive as they aren’t in as high a demand as light brown and cream Goldendoodle puppies.
The most expensive Goldendoodles are those with the rarest, multi-color coats, such as phantom, sable, and parti. In general, you’d need to increase your Goldendoodle budget by around $500-$1,000 when shopping for a rare, multi-colored pup.
Goldendoodle Size
There are three main Goldendoodle sizes – Mini, Medium, and Standard. Some breeders also offer Toy and Teacup Goldendoodles. At Central Illinois Doodles, we breed Mini Goldendoodle puppies.
How does the size affect the price? The rule is simple, the smaller the Goldendoodle, the higher its cost.
Shouldn’t it be the other way around? No, and there’s a perfectly logical explanation for why Miniature Goldendoodles tend to be pricier.
Goldendoodle is a designer breed that came to life by breeding a Golden Retriever with Poodle. Breeding a smaller dog requires several generations of careful breeding. That extra effort affects the price. Plus, Mini Goldendoodles are generally in higher demand, which further increases their price tag.
Generation Type
There are several Goldendoodle generation types, and each comes with a different price tag.
F1 Goldendoodles are the first-generation breed. This means they are the mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. F1 Goldendoodle puppies are usually the cheapest.
F1b Goldendoodles are a cross of an F1 Goldendoodle and a Poodle. This means they are 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle, making them less prone to shedding and, therefore, hypoallergenic. Because of that, F1b pups are in higher demand and, as a result, more expensive.
At Central Illinois Doodles, we breed F1 and F1b Goldendoodles. However, you may also encounter F2 puppies (a mix of two F1 Goldendoodles) and further generations, such as F1bb, F2b, etc.
Goldendoodle Breeder Reputation
From who you buy your Goldendoodle puppy matters. You may find Goldendoodle puppies for as low as $1,000 sold by pet stores or backyard breeders. Adopting may also seem more financially reasonable, with Goldendoodle adoption fees ranging from $500 upwards.
If you’re considering these options, especially the first two, we have only one word of advice: DON’T.
As a rule of thumb, you should only buy dogs from reputable breeders, and that doesn’t apply only to Goldendoodles. While licensed breeders are more expensive, they also guarantee Goldendoodles are bred according to the highest breeding standards, ensuring they grow into well-behaved and healthy dogs.
If you were to buy from a puppy mill, know that these are dog breeding farms where puppies are bred in inhumane conditions, resulting in weak and unhealthy pups.
As for a backyard breeder, this is usually a family with no previous experience in breeding Goldendoodle puppies. Backyard breeders are people who want to earn some extra buck by breeding their family pets, resulting in Goldendoodle puppies of uncertain pedigree and often without the necessary vaccinations and health checks.
So yes, long story short, while puppies from reputable Goldendoodle breeders are the most expensive, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 upwards, buying from such a breeder is the best decision.
Quality breeders, such as Central Illinois Doodles, have years of experience breeding dogs, ensuring all their pups are raised in loving conditions, have the necessary vaccinations, and come with health guarantees.
Additional Fees and Costs
When purchasing a Goldendoodle, there might be additional expenses involved. For instance, at Central Illinois Doodles, we apply a microchipping fee and, if preferred by the client, a shipping fee.
To secure a reservation for your future puppy, we also kindly request a non-refundable deposit of $500.
These fees are customary for reputable breeders. It’s worth mentioning that the Goldendoodle price includes a package of initial vaccinations, a 2-year health guarantee, and a complimentary basket filled with essential puppy items like a chew toy, collar and leash, puppy training guide, and more.
Long-Term Goldendoodle Costs
So yes, buying a Goldendoodle puppy can get expensive. However, that’s only the beginning. Like any other dog, Goldendoodle is a long-term investment, and upkeeping it isn’t cheap.
The good news is that Goldendoodles are generally healthy and aren’t overly demanding. Still, you should expect to spend around $1,000-$3,000 a year on your new furry family member.
Let’s take a closer look at ongoing expenses new Goldendoodle owners should prepare themselves for:
Food
How much you spend on dog food will heavily depend on the size of your Goldendoodle. Mini Goldendoodles tend to eat less than Medium and Standard ones, but even with a Mini Goldendoodle, you should expect to spend around $500+ annually on high-quality dog food.
Grooming
The great benefit of Goldendoodles is that their coats don’t shed. That’s a result of their Poodle parent genes. Still, having Golden Retrievers as parent dogs as well means that Goldendoodles tend to have longer hair, and these require regular grooming.
On average, you should take your Goldendoodle to the groomer every 2-3 months at a minimum. Many owners go for monthly grooming sessions, although that 2-3 month window should be enough in most cases.
What about grooming costs? Well, they depend on the groomer. Usually, you should expect to pay around $100 per visit. It can, however, be more if you opt for additional services, such as a bath, nail trimming, ear cleaning, etc. Yearly, these sessions should add up to $400-$500.
Health Care
Although Goldendoodles are generally healthy dogs, they are prone to several genetic health problems, with the most common being hip dysplasia. If your pup develops it, you might be forced to remove this issue surgically. This can cost even up to $2,000 or more, depending on the vet surgeon.
However, you should also remember regular vet appointments and health checks. The cost of routine veterinary care may vary from one vet to another, usually oscillating between $500 and $1,000 per year.
However, these costs can go far above that when buying from a puppy mill or backyard breeder. Such breeders and puppy mills produce puppies that are weak and often unhealthy. As a result, owners who buy from unreliable dog breeders can expect much higher dog health-related expenses.
This is another reason why buying a Goldendoodle pup from a reputable breeder is so vital. At Central Illinois Doodles, all our puppies undergo medical and genetic tests. We also provide our new Doodle owners with a 2-year health guarantee that works like pet insurance, covering any medical expenses during the first two years of Goldendoodle ownership.
Dog Training
If you don’t want to, you don’t have to take your Goldendoodle puppy to training classes. It’s a highly intelligent breed, and you can quickly train it at home. However, taking your pup to at least several training sessions is always recommended.
First, it will help you bond with your dog, ensuring you do everything correctly and raise a well-behaved Goldendoodle. And secondly, these classes can help your pup socialize with other dogs, allowing it to learn how to interact with other canines.
How much does a Goldendoodle training cost? Usually, no more than $100-$300 annually. However, as said, it’s not a mandatory expense, especially if you have some experience raising dogs.
Accessories
Finally, you should also set some bucks aside to buy your pup toys and necessary accessories, e.g., a leash, crate, traits, dog bed, etc. How much you want to spend on these will depend on the brand you opt for. Usually, Goldendoodle accessories add up to around $300 a year.
The good news is that we can help you get started. When buying from Central Illinois Doodles, you will receive a complimentary basket of Goldendoodle puppy essentials, including a collar, leash, blanket, chew toy, and more.
Buying vs. Adopting a Goldendoodle Puppy
While adopting a Goldendoodle is a more budget-friendly option, the adoption fee typically falls within the range of $200 to $400, making it a feasible choice. Adopting a Goldendoodle puppy is practically impossible.
That’s because Goldendoodle puppies are in incredibly high demand due to their exceptional intelligence and calm temperament, making them ideal family pets. This popularity means that locating a Goldendoodle for adoption can be quite a daunting task.
Furthermore, many Goldendoodles available at dog shelters might originate from puppy mills, making their upbringing more demanding. If you are a first-time dog owner, opting to purchase a pup from a reputable professional breeder would be a wiser decision.
How to Find a Reputable Goldendoodle Breeder?
As discussed, there are four main ways to become a proud owner of a Goldendoodle. You can choose to adopt one from a shelter, purchase from a backyard breeder or puppy mill, or opt for a reputable breeder.
As we’ve already mentioned, adopting a Goldendoodle can be quite challenging, while puppy mills and backyard breeders are not trustworthy sources. To ensure the health and well-being of your new puppy, it’s best to purchase one from a reputable breeder.
However, a challenge arises as there aren’t many Goldendoodle breeders in the US, especially those offering nationwide services. This scarcity is one of the reasons why Central Illinois Doodles is the preferred choice for American families seeking a reputable breeder.
Being the top Goldendoodle breeder in the Midwest, CID possesses the necessary experience, expertise, and love required to breed beautiful and healthy Goldendoodle pups.
At Central Illinois Doodles, all available puppies for sale undergo careful breeding, health testing, and are raised in a loving environment alongside their dog parents on-site.
Explore our high breeding standards and reservation process to find your perfect Goldendoodle pup.
Wrapping Up: What Is the Average Goldendoodle Price?
There aren’t many more fulfilling feelings than becoming a dog owner. And Goldendoodle owners have a lot to be proud of. However, before you become a Goldendoodle owner, you must ensure that buying and raising a dog is something you can afford.
An average Goldendoodle price varies from $2,000 and $5,000 upwards. That is, of course, when buying from a reputable Goldendoodle breeder, which, as covered, is the only way to ensure your pup is healthy and raised according to the highest breeding standards.
When buying from Central Illinois Doodles, Goldendoodle prices start from $3,500. However, it’s also vital to understand that buying a Goldendoodle is one thing. Another is raising it.
Even though Goldendoodles aren’t overly demanding dogs, you should expect to spend a minimum of $1,000-3,000 annually to cover your dog’s food, health, grooming, and other essential needs. Considering the average lifespan of a Goldendoodle is 12-15 years, the lifetime cost of a Goldendoodle ownership can range from $15,000 to $30,000.
If you’re ready for it, though, buying a Goldendoodle is a no-brainer. There aren’t many friendlier, more intelligent, and cute breeds than Goldendoodles.
Browse our available litters today and reserve your pup.
