How Much Does a Labradoodle Cost? (2024 Updated)

The off-the-charts popularity of the Labradoodle has made people wonder about the Labradoodle cost. This designer dog is winning the hearts of many, causing a continuous surge in demand for Labradoodle puppies.

Nonetheless, besides the puppy price, prospective buyers should also discover the initial, annual, and other potential expenses of owning a Labradoodle puppy.

You’ll learn all that and more through this guide! Stick to the end so you’ll have a comprehensive idea of the financial responsibility of having a Labradoodle.

How Much Does a Labradoodle Puppy Cost?

Most reputable breeders sell their Labradoodle puppies at prices that range from $1,000 to $3,000. However, Labradoodles from superior lineages will reasonably cost more, with some sold between $2,500 and $4,000. 

These puppy prices are determined based on the breeder’s experience and reputation, location, demand, and the age of the Labradoodle puppy.

Price distinctions can also be observed if you factor in the Labradoodle varieties. Those familiar with this hybrid know it’s a mix between the friendly Labrador Retriever and the smart Poodle.

Hence, its proportions will largely depend on whether the Standard, Miniature, or Toy Poodle was used for breeding.

The table below shows how much a Labradoodle costs depending on the size you want to get:

Generally, the smaller the Labradoodle is, the higher its price tag will be. It’s usually because many people are more inclined to get a smaller variety of the Labradoodle.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Labradoodle From a Shelter?

Adoption is a more affordable route for individuals eager to own a Labradoodle but with a limited budget. You’ll only have to pay the adoption fee of around $100 to $500 to help support the animal shelter.

The price they set is mainly influenced by the age of the Labradoodle you want to get. Since puppies are highly adoptable, they’ll cost more than adult Labradoodles.

Meanwhile, if you adopt a senior or a Labradoodle with special needs, the animal welfare charity will charge you less. It’s the same thing when you bring home bonded dogs.

First-Time Expenses of Labradoodle Ownership

Now that you know how much a Labradoodle puppy costs from a breeder and a shelter, the next thing you need to figure out is the initial expenses of Labradoodle ownership.

Note that your purchase will depend on whether you have a miniature, medium, or standard Labradoodle.

Below is a list of the usual first-time expenses associated with owning a Labradoodle puppy:

• Food and Treats: A Labradoodle requires regular healthy meals to continuously fuel its energy. As an active dog, the food it receives should be high-quality and proportionate to the calories it needs. Treats are also important for its training. These items can cost you between $30 and $150.
• Bowls: Your Labradoodle’s dog food and water bowls should be big enough to contain the recommended feeding portions. You can opt for bowls made of stainless steel, so the surface won’t harbor harmful bacteria, making them easier to clean. Durable bowls like these can set you back about $10 to $40.
• Toys: Toys keep your Labradoodle from getting bored. Dog toys effectively provide your dog with enough physical and mental stimulation, preventing it from developing destructive behaviors. You can buy these for $20 to $100.
• Beds: Labradoodles require 12 to 20 hours of sleep daily, depending on age. That said, they need a comfortable dog bed that can grant them a good night’s rest and is large enough to accommodate their sizes. You must also ensure it’s durable, easy to wash, and pet-safe. A dog bed for your pet can cost between $30 and $300.
• Collars and Leashes: Collars and leashes can cost $15 to $50, which should always be in your dog’s arsenal of accessories. You can use these if you want to train your Labradoodle or take it out on a walk. However, if your Labradoodle is still a puppy, a harness is a better option to avoid tracheal issues.
• Crates and Carriers: Crates and carriers can cost around $30 to $500. These essential items are what you use if you need to bring your Labradoodle puppy to the vet or if you want it to have its personal space. These items should be size-appropriate, not easily chewed apart, and long-lasting.
• Grooming Essentials: A complete grooming kit that costs between $50 and $250 will save you heaps from frequenting pet salons. As a notoriously high-maintenance designer dog breed, the Labradoodle should always have its coat brushed to prevent it from matting and remove unwanted debris stuck in its hair.
• Initial Vet Visits: Like other dogs, your Labradoodle must also have its health checked regularly by a licensed vet. Doing so helps detect early signs of illnesses, like Addison’s disease and allergies, and treat them before they worsen. Prepare around $100 to $500 for these initial vet visits.
• Initial Vaccine Shots: Your Labradoodle puppy is susceptible to common viral and bacterial infections, like rabies and parvo. Ensure your dog is up-to-date with its vaccines to avoid these contagious diseases. Your vet can administer these shots and charge you between $50 and $300.
• Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Labradoodles purchased from reputable breeders are usually already dewormed and treated for fleas and ticks. However, if your dog has yet to receive these treatments, you may have to shell out around $40 to $300 for these.
• Neutering or Spaying: It’s best to get your Labradoodle spayed or neutered unless you plan to breed it. Sterilizing your pet prevents the occurrence of accidental litter, which can worsen the ballooning pet overpopulation. These procedures can cost between $50 and $500.
• Microchipping: A microchipped Labradoodle has a tiny device stored underneath its skin. This contains puppy information, including its owner’s details. That said, if your Labradoodle gets lost, there’s a likelihood that it will be returned. Save yourself from the stress of having a missing pet by spending $40 to $60 for a microchip.
• Dog License: A dog license is a formal record of ownership you should obtain as a Labradoodle owner. Having a dog license is helpful since this helps prove you’re the dog’s owner if it’s found after it goes missing. Typically, this is renewed annually or every number of years with a fee ranging from $10 to $20.
• Other Essentials: You need to set aside a budget for miscellaneous expenses. Labradoodle owners allocate around $20 to $80 to purchase potty training pads, poop bags, clothes, raincoats, and vitamins. If you like to splurge on your dog, you can increase your budget for its other essentials.

The initial cost of owning a Labradoodle can be quite steep for some. Owners wanting to save a few bucks can scout for reputable Labradoodle breeders who offer freebies which usually include things like toys, collars, and dog treats.

Meanwhile, here’s a summary of the first-time expenses when you own a Labradoodle:

Having a rough calculation of the first-year expenses for Labradoodle ownership is necessary. This is so you can determine whether you’re financially set to own this dog.

Meanwhile, the exact cost figure will depend on what Labradoodle variety you have and the brand of the items you buy.

Annual Cost of Owning a Labradoodle

An average Labradoodle can live around 12 to 15 years. Any owner who aims for their Labradoodle to live longer than this range should continuously provide the best quality lifestyle.

That means recognizing what your dog needs and adequately investing in them. You can draft a financial plan to ensure you can consistently provide for your Labradoodle without compromising on its well-being.

Below is a table showing the estimated annual cost of owning a Labradoodle:

Caring for a Labradoodle can make you spend around $1,465 to $6,250 yearly or $122 to $520 monthly. The most significant chunk of the budget usually goes to your dog’s food and treats.

Pet insurance costs a lot, too. However, this is handy if your Labradoodle suffers from conditions like hip dysplasia.

Vet services and treatments can cost thousands, but pet insurance will cover around 70 to 90 percent of the vet bill.

All things considered, owning a Labradoodle will get you spending a reasonable amount of money yearly.

Other Potential Expenses to Consider

Aside from listing the items needed for your Labradoodle’s first-time and yearly expenses, you must create a separate plan covering unexpected bills.

Setting aside a budget for additional costs helps keep you financially stable.

Here are a few of the potential expenses you need to consider when owning a Labradoodle:

• Grooming Services: Labradoodles must be groomed every 6 to 8 weeks. If you lack the time to groom your dog at home, it is ideal to get it done professionally. Pet salon groomers offer brushing, bathing, nail trimming, teeth brushing, and ear cleaning for dogs of all breeds. These services can cost you $30 to $90.
• Pet Daycare: If you spend most of your day at work, dropping off your Labradoodle at a pet daycare is sensible. Your dog can receive much-needed exercise, socialization, and training in this supervised environment, costing you only about $35 to $50 for a full day.
• Pet Sitting: Like other dogs, leaving your Labradoodle alone for a long time is not recommended. It can develop separation anxiety and manifest destructive behaviors. You should hire a trusted pet sitter if you must be away for long periods. Pet sitters usually charge $85 to $90 a day.
• Dog Training: Hire a dog trainer for your Labradoodle if you want your dog to learn advanced tricks and commands. If you plan to make it compete in certain AKC events, it’s all the more reason to get it professionally trained. Dog training classes can set you back about $150 to $200.
• Emergency Medical Costs: As a mixed-breed dog, the Labradoodle is known to have the so-called hybrid vigor. Nonetheless, it’s still susceptible to a few health problems that may be exhibited at any point in its life. If any medical issues arise, you should prepare around $1,000 to $5,000 for emergency vet bills.

All the items listed above, excluding the emergency medical costs, fall under your discretionary funds. They may not be necessary, but they can be helpful when you need these services.

Best Places to Find Labradoodle Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Labradoodles consistently create a great impression among dog lovers, so they are always in demand worldwide. Anyone wanting this mixed-breed dog must acquire the puppy from a trusted breeder.

Being a breeder myself, I feel the need to reiterate to avoid dealing with backyard breeders and puppy mills. These shady entities may even hesitate for you to conduct a kennel visit or view the parents of the puppies you are interested in.

Their offers might be tempting because of their comparatively lower prices compared to reputable breeders of Labradoodles. However, you may spend more in the long run as they do not practice ethical standards in breeding, and there is a good chance you may end up with a sickly puppy.

To make your search easier, here are some of the best places where you can find reputable breeders that have Labradoodle puppies for sale:

• AKC Marketplace – The AKC Marketplace is an online platform where reputable breeders advertise their healthy puppies. Each puppy profile contains details indicating the records of their health tests, the puppy price, and the breeder’s information. Also, although AKC breeders primarily produce purebred dogs, you might chance upon a Golden Retriever or Poodle breeder who also breeds Labradoodles.
• Greenfield Puppies – Greenfield Puppies aims to connect healthy Labradoodles with responsible puppy buyers. They encourage all breeders to perform ethical breeding practices, prioritizing the well-being of their dogs. If you’re purchasing from here, you’ll receive a 30-day health guarantee from the breeder. The puppy is also already dewormed, vaccinated, and vet-checked.
• PuppySpot – PuppySpot is run by dog-loving individuals who aim to connect healthy puppies to happy homes. Review your prospective Labradoodle puppy’s profile to determine if it’s your perfect match. Note that they hold high standards regarding their dogs’ placements, so expect a rigorous process when purchasing your Labradoodle from PuppySpot.

The sources above have plenty of Labradoodle puppies for sale. However, if you still haven’t found the puppy that matches your preferences and lifestyle, consider adoption.

Below are some animal adoption sites where you can adopt a Labradoodle puppy:

• IDOG Rescue – IDOG Rescue is a non-profit organization established in 2006. They rescue Doodle breeds, mainly Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, from unfortunate situations. With their volunteers’ help, many rescues receive medical and behavioral treatments, increasing their chances of getting rehomed.
• Doodle Rock Rescue – Doodle Rock Rescue was founded in 2017 to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome unwanted and homeless Doodles. They place these dogs in temporary foster shelters to be further assessed medically and behaviorally. Consider visiting their website to see if a Labradoodle is available for adoption.
• Doodle Rescue Collective Inc. – Doodle Rescue Collective Inc. is a volunteer-run, foster-based rescue. They have a network of volunteers nationwide, which primarily protects and rescues Labradoodles and Goldendoodles. Their services include transporting, rehabilitating, and giving vet care to all their rescues.

If the sources above don’t have the Labradoodle you want, you can ask for referrals from Labradoodle owners, vets, and trusted breeders.

You can also maximize your search by joining social media groups and inquiring if anyone knows any healthy Labradoodle puppies for sale in the area.

To convince you further about getting a Labradoodle for your family, check out the short video below:

Money-Saving Tips for Labradoodle Owners

The Labradoodle is a high-maintenance dog that requires more care than other dog breeds.

You can employ some or all of the effective money-saving tips listed below so you stay ahead of your finances as a Labradoodle owner:

• Make your own dog treats. Dog treats can be quite costly, especially those made from high-quality ingredients. You can cook your own tasty and healthy dog treats at home to cut costs. Bake these tasty snacks in batches and store them properly to last a long time. You can also consider giving treats to your Labradoodle sparingly.
• Groom your dog at home. A Labradoodle’s coat can grow between four and six inches; hence, it needs maintenance. You may purchase a complete grooming kit instead of always bringing your dog to the pet salon. Having the complete tools means you can do the upkeep at home if you know how to do the job properly.
• Invest in pet insurance. Labradoodles are prone to health issues. Should your dog suffer from any condition, immediate medical attention is required. Due to the possible health risks that your canine may develop, investing in pet insurance is a sensible decision. It will cover some of your vet expenses, keeping you from experiencing a financial setback.
• Get your dog spayed. If you own a female Labradoodle, consider spaying it if you’re not planning to breed it. This eliminates the chance of accidental pregnancy and unwanted litter from occurring. It’s also beneficial since sterilizing your pet can increase its chances of living longer.

Consistently follow these practical tips so that you save money while owning a Labradoodle. 

The amount you accumulate while being economical can grow exponentially over time, which you can use for your dog’s other needs.

The extra cash you set aside can be used for other expenses, such as dog food, accessories, and routine veterinary care.

Final Thoughts

The Labradoodle best suits owners who are financially prepared. Aside from paying the puppy price, would-be Labradoodle owners must be ready to deal with the first-time and annual expenses.

To avoid repurchasing dog items frequently, only choose products tested and proven to be high-quality, robust, and long-lasting.

Another way to reduce expenses is purchasing your Labradoodle from a reputable breeder. They ensure their puppies are healthy and free from genetic conditions, which can seriously dent your funds.

Did this guide help you determine whether you’re set for the financial responsibility of owning a Labradoodle? Let us know your thoughts about Labradoodle costs by commenting below!