How Much Does An Australian Labradoodle Cost? 2024 Price Update

The Labradoodle is a mixed breed that combines the Labrador and Poodle. While this crossbreed could be the first generation down from the parent breeds, a recognized Australian Labradoodle should be fifth generation at least, and as well as combining Labrador and Poodle, the Australian Labradoodle also has Cocker Spaniel genes.

The Australian Labradoodle is known for being level-headed and intelligent. It is a working dog, although does make a highly sought-after family companion, and the breed usually, although not always, has a non-shedding or low-shedding coat. The Labradoodle is not recognized by kennel clubs, whereas the Australian Labradoodle is considered a Breed in Development by the American Kennel Cub and it is likely that this will evolve and gain full kennel club recognition.

The popularity and recognition of this breed mean that it is not as cheap as a standard Labradoodle or other crossbreeds. You should expect to pay around $1,500 for an Australian Labradoodle from a breeder, with prices rising to $2,000 or more for an unusual color or rare markings. Toy Aussie Labradoodles also cost more. You should also expect to pay around $1,800 a year or more over the lifetime of your dog.

 

Bringing Home a New Australian Labradoodle: One-Time Costs

The primary initial cost of getting an Australian Labradoodle will be the cost of the dog itself, but there are several sources you can get this breed of dog from, with varying price points. And you will need to budget some money for initial supplies and equipment.

Free

It may be possible to get an Australian Labradoodle for free from somebody you know, although the price these puppies sell for makes this unlikely. Some shelters do offer senior dogs, or those that they are struggling to rehome, for free as it makes room for another, more adoptable dog.

Adoption

The cost of adopting a dog varies from shelter to shelter and is also determined by factors like the dog’s age. Typically, though, breeds like Australian Labradoodles do not cost any more than mutts. Expect to pay around $250 for an adult and up to $500 for a puppy. This is because puppies cost more to care for and the shelter usually has to pay for things like chipping and neutering of young dogs.

Breeder

Because there are different sizes of Poodle, there are also different sizes of Labradoodle. The standard size is the most common. It won’t grow as large as a Standard Poodle but is still considered a medium to large breed, but because it is the most common, it is also the more affordable. Typically, it will cost around $1,500 to buy an Aussie Labradoodle of this size. Those with pedigree breeding can cost $2,000 to $2,500. Toy Aussie Labradoodles are smaller and highly sought after. They can cost $2,500 to $3,000 or more.

Initial Setup and Supplies

As well as the cost of buying or adopting the dog, you will need to ensure that you have the necessary supplies and equipment. This includes paying for a crate, if you intend to use one, along with beds, blankets, bowls, a good assortment of toys, and enough food to last the first few weeks. You will also need a leash, potentially a harness, and if your puppy hasn’t already been, it will need to be microchipped and neutered. It is also a good idea to get insurance as soon as possible. If you already have any of these supplies or you can pick them up cheap or free, it will bring the initial costs down.

List of Australian Labradoodle Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does an Australian Labradoodle Cost Per Month?

The first cost most owners think of when determining the monthly cost is food, but while this is obviously an important consideration, it is only one of a host of monthly requirements. Other costs include healthcare, toys, insurance, and the cost of any training, socialization, and canine sports classes you join.

Health Care

Some months, you will only have to pay the bare minimum for healthcare costs, while other months you may have to meet veterinary bills, while regular treatment for fleas and worming is also important. You can get wellness or preventive care plans to help spread the cost of some of these monthly fees.

Food

Ensure that your new pup gets a balanced diet, which means that the food meets all of the necessary nutritional requirements. You can feed commercial or opt for homemade food, but if you do make the meals yourself, you will have to calculate protein, carbs, and vitamins and minerals to make sure your dog is getting everything it needs. If your dog has allergies, sensitivities, or general health problems, you may need special food that caters to these requirements.

Grooming

The Australian Labradoodle is a relative of the Poodle, and while Poodles are often considered hypoallergenic because they don’t shed, they are also high maintenance when it comes to grooming. Labradoodles can have similarly high requirements. Some owners choose to undertake grooming and maintenance themselves while others book and attend regular grooming sessions with a professional. Which route you choose will ultimately determine the cost of grooming. A good compromise is to pay for professional grooming every 6 months and to brush, trim, and clip between professional sessions.

Medications and Vet Visits

The breed is known for being generally hardy, but most dogs get ill at some point in their lives. If treatment and medication are not covered by pet insurance, you will have to meet these costs yourself. It’s also worth noting that preventive treatment is not included in most insurance policies, so you will have to pay for deworming and flea treatments yourself.

Pet Insurance

A lot of owners are put off pet insurance because of the thought that they might not need to use the insurance policy for months or even years while still making payments. While this is true, insurance does offer peace of mind, as well as financial protection. If your dog is involved in an accident or does come down with an expensive illness, you may be hit with a vet bill of thousands of dollars. With pet insurance, the majority of this should be paid by your insurer, which means that you can decide on the best course of treatment according to how beneficial it is and not how expensive it is.

Environment Maintenance

There aren’t too many environmental maintenance costs for dogs. You may need liners if you use a crate but you won’t need litter, and replacement beds and bedding should be required infrequently.

Entertainment

Entertainment is important to dogs. Your Australian Labradoodle will be bright and energetic and if you don’t provide some kind of enrichment and fulfillment, your dog could become destructive or develop other behavioral issues.

Toys don’t have to be expensive to be fun, but while some dogs will keep their favorite toys for years, others can quickly get through anything that isn’t hard rubber. It’s beneficial to have a selection of toys so that your dog pup can choose. If you have the kind of dog that gets through toys in no time, consider subscribing to a dog toy box. If yours gets bored of their toys, rotate new toys in and out of circulation, keeping old toys in a cupboard before giving them back after a few months. Your dog will treat it like a new toy.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning an Australian Labradoodle

The Australian Labradoodle is a level-headed and sensible breed. It can be trained, enjoys working or taking part in canine sports, and does benefit from regular walks. Otherwise, the primary costs for owning one of these dogs will be food, insurance, and the cost of any professional grooming.

Additional Costs to Factor In

Some exceptional costs might be incurred from time to time but aren’t considered routine or regular. For example, if you are going away, you will likely need to pay for kennel boarding or a pet sitter, if you can’t convince a family member or friend to look after the dog.

The Labradoodle also benefits from being given plenty of exercise, but also mental stimulation. Canine sports, including agility, are a good way to provide the stimulation your Doodle needs, and these do cost money. If your dog develops behavioral issues that you are unable to fix yourself, there is a cost associated with training or canine behavioral work.

Owning an Australian Labradoodle on a Budget

There are ways to save money when buying and owning an Australian Labradoodle. First, consider adopting rather than buying, and if you do buy, do you really need a dog with an exceptional pedigree?

You can save money on food by buying in bulk when the food is on offer, and ensure that you are getting the best value for money from the food you do buy. You don’t want to sacrifice the quality of the food, but you don’t have to buy the most expensive available.

Insurance is another area where you can reduce regular costs. It is a good idea to have insurance but look at the level of coverage you get, as well as the excess and the copayment levels. For a slightly higher excess, you may be able to save some money on your monthly bills.

Preventive care, or wellness, plans can also save you some money in the long run, but you do need to do the math and ensure that they really do represent good value for money or whether it would be cheaper to pay for each treatment individually.

Grooming costs can add up, especially if you visit the groomer every month. Trim your dog’s coat every month, brush them several times a week, and learn to trim nails and you could save a few hundred dollars a year.

Conclusion

The Australian Labradoodle is considered a Breed in Development by the American Kennel Club and one should be fifth generation from the parent breeds, at least, to be considered a true Aussie Labradoodle. The breed is smart and intelligent, level-headed, and it gets along with family and friends while also tending to be friendly with strangers. Expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,000 to buy one from a breeder, in most cases, or around $300 to adopt. Initial supplies will cost $500 or more, and you should expect to pay $150 to $200 per month in ongoing costs.

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Featured Image Credit: John Edmonds, Pixabay