How Much Does a Labradoodle Cost? 2024 Price Guide
Updated on
Labradoodles are a relatively recent dog breed beloved for their non-shedding coat and spunky attitude. As a newer breed, it’s understandable that not many people know the cost of purchasing and having one. Unfortunately, these in-demand designer dogs are surprisingly expensive! If you’re thinking about a Labradoodle for your family, we have all the costs you need to know about below.
Bringing Home a New Labradoodle: One-Time Costs
A puppy costs much more than an adoption or breeder fee. There are a host of one-time costs for all the essentials you’ll need on day 1 with your new Labradoodle, and it’s best to have a ballpark budget in mind. Let’s check out how much a Labradoodle costs as well as those other costs to help you prepare.
Free
As a designer dog, it’s unlikely you’ll find a Labradoodle with no strings attached. If you do, you should try to get as much info about the dog as possible.
Are they fully vaccinated? Any health issues? Picky eater? All those can cost you more money upfront or in the long run, even if the Doodle itself is free.
Adoption
- $100–$1,000
Adoption fees vary depending on factors like location, demand, and more, but in general, they help compensate the rescue or shelter for medical costs, food, transportation, and the care of other pets.
Many shelters or rescue organizations have flat fees visible on their websites, but you may have to call if you’re unable to find that info online. Be prepared to pay extra if the Labradoodle is unspayed/unneutered as well because that’s typically a condition of your adoption.
Breeder
- $1,200–$4,000
Reputable Labradoodle breeders aren’t cheap, and you should expect to shell out at least $1,000, but the range above is more accurate of average prices. Smaller Doodles may be less, while larger ones and breeders that train service Labradoodles will charge a premium.
One notable advantage of going with a reputable breeder is that you have more info on the parents, including personality and potential inheritable diseases. When you know what you’re getting into beforehand, you can potentially save money in the future.
Initial Setup and Supplies
- $50–$200
Dogs don’t require a ton in the way of shelter, unlike reptiles or smaller mammals. You can get away with just a crate, doggy bed, food bowl, and water bowl. If possible, you should keep the crate and/or bed as close to where you sleep as possible to reduce the pup’s anxiety during the first few nights. However, a high-quality dog food is essential based on your dog’s age when you get them.
List of Labradoodle Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $10–$15 |
| Spay/Neuter | $50–$150 |
| X-Ray Cost | $150–$500 |
| Ultrasound Cost | $300–$500 |
| Microchip | $50–$70 |
| Teeth Cleaning | $300–$700 |
| Dog Bed | $30–$100 |
| Nail Clipper (optional) | $5–$10 |
| Brush (optional) | $10–$20 |
| Toys | $20–$40 |
| Crate/carrier
|
$50–$100 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10–$20 |
How Much Does a Labradoodle Cost Per Month?
- $200–$400 per month
Depending on the Labradoodle’s size, they may eat more or less food, which changes your monthly costs a bit. The most significant ongoing expenses will be vet appointments and vaccinations in the early months, but that slows down after your Labradoodle reaches maturity.
Labradoodle Health Care
- $50–$100 per month
Vaccines are typically around $75 to $100, and puppies will need a few of those in the early months of life. These shots protect your Labradoodle from parvovirus, distemper, rabies, and several other dangerous diseases. Always, always, always follow your vet’s recommendations when it comes to vaccines and other healthcare. Don’t forget that regular checkups are also highly recommended.
Labradoodle Food
- $40–$70 per month
Puppies will need puppy food, which has all the essential nutrients they need to grow big and strong. After a year or two, you can switch over to adult food. These may vary based on your area, but buying in bulk is always a smart way to save a few bucks. We especially recommend high protein diets, which fuel growing muscles and keep your dog full for longer. That means less scavenging, which is a win for everyone. Also, because these are large dogs, you can expect them to eat quite a bit more food compared to, say, a Beagle.
Labradoodle Grooming
- $50–$100 per month
Your Labradoodle’s fur might grow at a different pace than a different dog, so keep an eye on their coat early on to gauge how fast it grows. On average, Doodles need professional grooming and trimming every 6 to 12 weeks. Setting up a monthly appointment is usually a good idea to stay on top of things.
Labradoodle Medication & Vet Visits
- $10–$20
Labradoodles need to be treated with flea and tick medication monthly and dewormed every 6 months to prevent heartworm. The former medication is fairly cheap, with multiple dose packages offering the best value. Heartworm medicine is pretty affordable too, which makes your total monthly costs low to keep your pup healthy.
Labradoodle Pet Insurance
- $20–$40 per month
Insurance prices vary based on your location, but they’re pretty affordable and definitely worth it to protect your precious Labradoodle from unexpected medical expenses. Choosing a higher deductible can help bring your monthly premiums down, but you’d better have savings in case you need to pay that deductible!
Neglecting pet insurance can put you out of pocket to the tune of thousands if your dog needs emergency surgery or other care, so bite the bullet and get the insurance if you can afford to do so. After all, many insurance plans won’t cover any pre-existing conditions.
Labradoodle Environment Maintenance
- $10–$30
At most, you may need to buy dog poop bags. After some wear and tear, replacing their bed would be nice as well. Otherwise, Labradoodles are typically comfortable in the same type of conditions that you already live in.
Labradoodle Entertainment
- $5–$50+ per month
Doodles don’t need lots of toys on a regular basis, and a few durable ones should do the trick. The exact cost really just depends on how much you want to spoil your pet, as well as your budget.
Labradoodles are perfectly content just frolicking outside with you and taking plenty of brisk walks, making them cheap to entertain in terms of monetary costs. But again, a few durable toys or puzzles are ideal for physical and mental stimulation.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Labradoodle
- $200–$400 per month
Most of your early costs are going to be the initial setup and vet appointments for vaccines, but that quickly dwindles to a more affordable number per month. You might pay more if your Doodle needs frequent trips to the dog groomer, has health problems, or if you buy expensive dog food. Generally speaking, you can control your costs by browsing various services and products and choosing the ones that are both best for your budget and for the health of your dog.
Additional Costs to Factor In
The costs above are just some of the expenses all dog owners should expect. Others may crop up from time to time or on special occasions, like airplane pet fees, hotel pet fees, rental contract pet fees, and pet sitters. Also not included are any damages that your Doodle causes in your house, like chewed-up cables or furniture.
Owning a Labradoodle on a Budget
You can cut down on dog groomer trips by brushing, washing, and trimming your Labradoodle’s fur yourself, but be sure to research proper Doodle grooming etiquette! Otherwise, your biggest expense will be dog food. We don’t suggest cutting corners on your pup’s food, because cheaper dog food has more fillers and fewer essential nutrients.
Conclusion
The first few months of owning a pet are more costly, with vaccines totaling up to around $300 or more. And don’t forget to get your Doodle’s fur professionally groomed every 6 to 12 weeks, depending on your budget and fur type. Other than that, the biggest costs will come from food and supplies!
Featured Image Credit: Danita Delimont, Shutterstock
