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How Much Does a Labradoodle Cost? We Surveyed 500+ Owners to See!

Labradoodle puppies, being a “designer” breed, often come with designer prices. If you’re considering adding a Labradoodle to your family, you probably know it’s not just a time commitment…it’s a financial one as well!

To protect yourself from getting scammed or drastically overpaying, it’s vital to do your research and not rush into making an emotional purchase. Being aware of the average Labradoodle price and what factors contribute to the cost of a puppy can help you budget properly and make an informed decision.

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So, how much does a Labradoodle cost? The average price of a Labradoodle is $1,352 according to 535 owners surveyed. While Labradoodle prices ranged from less than $500 to over $5,000, the middle 50% of owners paid between $700 and $2,000 for their dog.

Let’s dive in and see the full survey data…

labradoodle price survey results

As with any collection of data, there’s more to it than meets the eye. For example, you can see that the vast majority of those surveyed paid under $1,500 for their Labradoodle. However, there are good reasons that you may want to pay $2,000 or even more for your future Labradoodle!

Should you plan on paying more or less than the $1,352 average cost of a Labradoodle? Why spend $5,000 for a dog when you could spend $500? Keep reading to learn the answers to those questions and more!

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What Determines the Price of a Labradoodle Puppy?

In order to determine what a “fair price” is for a Labradoodle, you need to consider six major factors…

Size

When it comes to Labradoodle prices—size matters! All else being equal, the smaller a Labradoodle puppy will be full-grown, the higher their price will be.

Labradoodles can come in the Teacup, Toy, Mini, Medium, or Standard size. Since there aren’t official breed standards for Labradoodles, some breeders may use terms like “teacup” and “toy” interchangeably. For more information about how big each of these sizes will get, see our Labradoodle sizes article!

The price of a Teacup, Toy, or Mini Labradoodle will realistically be around $500 to $1,000 more than the price of a Standard Labradoodle.  Expect to pay $1,500 or more for a Teacup, Toy, or Mini Labradoodle from a reputable breeder.

Full-grown size is an important factor to consider when adding a puppy to your family. However, if you decide you have no distinct preference towards a smaller dog, you may save significant money by choosing a Standard Labradoodle.

Read More: Mini Labradoodle vs Labradoodle: Which Size Should You Get? (QUIZ)

Generation

Which generation of Labradoodle you choose to get is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in this process. Put simply, a Labradoodle’s generation is how much DNA a dog shares with a purebred Poodle versus how much they share with a purebred Labrador Retriever.

There are five very practical reasons why your puppy’s generation is so important…

  • Coat Appearance & Texture
  • Ease & Frequency of Grooming
  • Potential for Shedding
  • Allergy-Friendliness
  • Price

No Labradoodle is guaranteed to be hypoallergenic or non-shedding. To have the best odds at these traits, you’ll want to select a generation that is closer to a Poodle in DNA such as an F1BB (87.5% Poodle / 12.5% Lab) or at least an F1B (75% Poodle / 25% Lab).

However, with those positive qualities come a few drawbacks. A curlier, Poodle-like coat requires more frequent brushing and grooming. Additionally, Labradoodle generations that have a greater likelihood of being allergy-friendly and non-shedding will cost more.

Expect to pay between $500 and $1,500 more for a “backcrossed” Labradoodle such as an F1B or F1BB compared to an F1 Labradoodle. This is largely due to high demand for hypoallergenic and non-shedding dogs.

On the other hand, if you aren’t an allergy sufferer and don’t mind the potential for shedding, a F1 Labradoodle may be perfect for you. You’ll get the benefit of saving money on your Labradoodle’s price and you’ll probably have to spend less time and money on grooming.

For more information which generation you should choose, check out our complete guide to Labradoodle generations!

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Cost of Living

Cost of living varies significantly across the United States and the world. As cost of living rises, so does the price of a Labradoodle.

Depending on where you live, it may be beneficial to take a mini road trip and drive a few hours to a breeder further away. Doing so could potentially save you a substantial amount of money.

Where You Get Your Labradoodle

While looking at the survey data above, you may be skeptical about how so many owners were able to buy a Labradoodle for under $500. What did they do to get such a good price?

In some instances, they may have been given a puppy for free after someone they knew had an accidental litter. However, in most cases, the answer is they adopted a Labradoodle instead of purchasing it from a breeder.

Adoption is a great option to consider. Not only are you saving a dog’s life but you’re saving substantial money. Fees from rescue organizations tend to be around $500 or less. Even if you were able to find a breeder with Labradoodles for that little money, it raises a big red flag that they may not be reputable.

Related: Labradoodle Rescue Directory: Top 10 LEGIT Shelters & Adoption Organizations

Reputable breeders with high quality and ethical standards charge premium prices for the dogs they sell. It’s expensive and time consuming to raise healthy and well-socialized puppies. While a high price doesn’t always equal a good breeder, a surprisingly low price (usually under $1,000) should make you a bit skeptical.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I also recommend you stay away from pet stores when looking at puppies. While they’re certainly convenient, their puppies are egregiously overpriced and you could be unintentionally supporting puppy mills.

Cutting out the middleman will save you money and ensure you’re only supporting ethical breeders.

Pro tip: Regardless of where you get your Labradoodle from, invest in pet insurance as early in your dog’s life as possible to protect yourself from huge, unforeseen vet bills.

Color

labradoodle color examples

Labradoodles come in a wide variety of colors. There are solid choices like chocolate, cream, apricot, and black as well as multi-color patterns like merle, sable, tuxedo, and parti Labradoodles.

Breeders will often charge vastly different prices depending on a puppy’s color. You’ll usually see higher prices for tri-color and bi-color Labradoodles compared to solid color puppies.

If your heart is set on a particular Labradoodle color pattern or combination, be prepared to spend at least $500 to $1,000 extra. If you’re looking to save money, you can usually get a solid color puppy for significantly cheaper.

In most cases, black is the least expensive Labradoodle color. However, keeping your options open to a variety of colors and choosing your future puppy based on their personality over their color is my recommendation! Trust me, they’re all cute!

Supply & Demand

Labradoodle prices can fluctuate based on supply and demand. Reputable breeders can only supply so many puppies, so when there is an excess in demand prices can go up.

One example of this occurring regularly is around the holidays. Like any other breed, Labradoodles are often gifted to children or spouses for Christmas. Because demand is so high around the holidays, many breeders increase their prices for Labradoodle puppies that are scheduled to go home in December.

Why Are Labradoodles So Expensive?

Even though the average cost of a Labradoodle is just $1,352, this price is definitely skewed lower due to the many people surveyed who chose to adopt a Labradoodle either for free or a nominal fee.

There’s a good possibility that you could end up paying $2,000 or even more for a Labradoodle puppy from a well-known, ethical breeder. That’s just as much, if not more, than the cost of many purebred dogs!

So, why are Labradoodles so expensive? Labradoodle prices are so expensive because poodle mixes are extremely popular due to their adorable looks and their potential to be low-shedding and allergy-friendly. Reputable Labradoodle breeders often have waitlists that extend many months into the future because they struggle to keep up with demand.

While Labradoodles are expensive, I’ve never met an owner who didn’t think they were worth every cent!

Related: 50 Experienced Doodle Owners Reveal The One Piece of Advice They Wish They Had Known Earlier

Is a Deposit Required to Purchase a Labradoodle Puppy?

You will almost certainly be asked to place a deposit for a Labradoodle puppy. This is a completely normal practice that secures your spot for a particular litter.

Deposits for a Labradoodle are normally about $500 and are non-refundable. This means that unless a false pregnancy happens or there aren’t enough puppies in a litter, you won’t be getting your money back.

It is extremely important that you do your research on a breeder before placing a deposit. You want to weed out puppy mills and backyard breeders before being financially committed to purchasing a puppy.

Additionally, there are scammers who prey on eager Labradoodle buyers. These scammers, often found on social media, can be very convincing and use stolen photos to secure a deposit and then promptly disappear.

Avoid these scams by finding trusted breeders through personal recommendations and other reputable sources. Visit them in person or at minimum have a video call to verify they are a legitimate operation with puppies available.

What is Included in a Labradoodle’s Price?

Make sure your Labradoodle puppy has had a few essential health procedures before being sent home with you. They should at least be up to date with their first round of vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, deworming, and an overall health check by a veterinarian.

In addition, a sign of a reputable breeder is that they’ll offer a health guarantee of at least 6 months. Some breeders even extend this guarantee up to 2 years in length.

Your Labradoodle puppy will usually be sent home with a few additional items. This often includes a small bag of food, a collar, and a toy or blanket that smells like their littermates. The smell provides them comfort during their first few days in their new home.

Lifetime Cost of Owning a Labradoodle

Think the price of a Labradoodle puppy is expensive? Wait until you hear how much it’ll cost you over the lifetime of your dog!

Many people think a dog only costs between $1,000 and $6,000 over their lifetime. Unfortunately that number is not even close to being accurate.

According to research studies done by groups like CNBC, ASPCA, and Forbes, the lifetime cost of owning a dog ranges from $14,480 at the low end to as much as $93,520 on the high end.

That’s insane to think about! To help put those numbers in perspective, let’s break down some of the usual costs of owning a Labradoodle…

One-Time Costs

Food & Water Bowls ($25-50)

Bed & Crate ($100-300)

Collar, Tags & Leash ($10-50)

Harness & Travel Carrier or Dog Hammock ($50-200)

Brush / Grooming Supplies ($10-100)

I highly recommend investing in the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. Labradoodle owners rave about this brush because it does an incredible job of keeping your dog’s coat free of tangles and matting!

Training ($0-3,000)

Labradoodles are usually considered pretty easy to train, however this always depends on the personality of your puppy. First time owners, in particular, should plan on spending at least some money on professional assistance.

Keep in mind, training doesn’t have to break the bank! While one-on-one private dog training lessons can run into the thousands of dollars, group training classes are available at many pet stores for a far lower price. At the bare minimum, investing in some books or a course like Brain Training for Dogs is a fantastic idea!

Spaying or Neutering ($100-500)

Whether the procedure falls on the high end or low end depends on if you use a traditional vet or a low-cost clinic.

Household Upgrades ($0-10,000+)

If your yard doesn’t have a fence already, it may be a great investment to consider since Labradoodles are a very high-energy breed! Installing a doggy door can be extremely helpful as well though there are pros and cons to weigh.

Don’t forget to budget for replacing some household items that may be the unfortunate victims of a new puppy that likes to chew!

Yearly & Variable Costs

Grooming ($400-1,200/year)

Labradoodles will typically need haircuts at minimum every 2 or 3 months. Many owners opt for this to be a monthly occurrence.

Related: Short Labradoodle Haircut Ideas: 20 Before and After Photos!

Not including tipping, expect to pay $80-120 per trip to the groomers. These grooming costs are the price you pay for a low or non-shedding dog.

The exception to this are flat coat Labradoodles who may need haircuts far less frequently (or sometimes not at all!) but don’t have the same allergy-friendly attributes that their curly haired counterparts possess.

On top of haircuts, additional services like teeth brushing, nail trimming, and bathing can run you extra!

Food ($100-900/year)

Which brand of dog food you choose and your Labradoodle’s size both play a role on where you fall in this range. Selecting a dog food can be confusing since there are so many options out there. Most veterinarians would recommend you stick to a brand that is compliant with the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) Global Nutrition Guidelines.

Treats & Toys ($50-200/year)

Labradoodles are known toy destroyers!

Routine Veterinary Care & Vaccinations ($500-1,500/year)

This may seem expensive to you, but regular check-ups and vaccinations can help you save money in the long-run by diagnosing problems early and helping to prevent them altogether.

I also recommend investing in an Embark DNA + Health Kit to see what issues your Labradoodle may experience over their life. This can help you and your veterinarian create a care plan to best prevent or manage these issues.

Embark Breed + Health Kit

Emergency Veterinary Care ($0-$30,000+)

Unfortunately, this is the expense that most people fail to plan for…and it can be a big one! Some owners are even forced to make the devastating decision to put their dog down due to not being able to pay for an expensive, unforeseen health issue.

Luckily, you can protect yourself from this fate by investing in a pet insurance plan that can pay up to 90% of your Labradoodle’s medical bills.

Flea & Tick / Heartworm Prevention ($100-300/year)

I personally give my dog Heartgard and Nexgard.  They’re simple, monthly chewables that my doodle eats like snacks!

Boarding / Daycare / Dog Walking ($0-10,000+/year)

If you have lots of friends and family nearby to take care of your Labradoodle while you’re away, you may be lucky enough to be on the lower end of this range. If you require professional assistance, the costs can quickly add up.

Dog walking ranges from $20-30 per walk, doggy daycare runs about $10-40 per day, and overnight boarding is about $25-85 per night. Depending on how often you’re away from the house, these can be a big hit to your budget.

Tips on Saving Money as a Labradoodle Owner

DIY Grooming

It’s not uncommon for owners to brush their Labradoodle’s teeth, bathe them, and cut their nails at home by themselves. However, if you really want to cut costs you can take this a step further and groom your pup at home too!

It’ll take a bit of learning and practice to get it right, however this DIY Grooming Course is helpful in getting you started as easily as possible!

Get a Pet Insurance Policy

If there is one thing I suggest that all new Labradoodle owners do, it’s invest in a quality pet insurance plan from a company like Healthy Paws. Labradoodles are generally healthy dogs, but there are still plenty of common health issues they experience that can cost a lot of money to treat!

For a low, monthly premium, pet insurance can cover up to 90% of vet bills for accidents and illnesses. If you think simply putting money away every month into savings is a good alternative to pet insurance, unfortunately that’s not the case.

Work from Home or Have Trusted Friends or Family Nearby

Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of having friends and family live nearby who are willing to look after your puppy for free. If you do, however, this can save you a lot of money in boarding and doggy daycare costs over the course of your Labradoodle’s life expectancy!

Alternatively, you can take your pup along with you on vacations by staying at these dog-friendly hotels!

Working from home can also a big benefit to your budget and your pup’s happiness!

Related: These 10 Doodles Show Why Working From Home With a Dog is an Impossible Task!

Shop Sales & Discounts

Everybody loves a good deal! When you buy everyday dog supplies during sales you can save a lot of money over time!

For example, Chewy.com has daily deals that I check every morning to see if anything is discounted that I’d normally buy!