Goldendoodles are an incredible breed, and there are so many reasons why we love them (and why they are the paw-fect doggo). They have become increasingly popular, but people are starting to realize that these beauties do not come cheap (nothing good in life does!). But this also has people wondering why are Goldendoodles so expensive?
We are your Goldendoodle Guru here to tell you exactly why. A lot goes into breeding these dogs, and various things need to be factored into the cost. By the end of this article, you will come to realize that this breed is worth every penny.
They say that money can’t buy happiness, but we have to disagree. In this case, it certainly does!
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Why The High Price Tag of Goldendoodles?
Goldendoodles are designer dogs, which is already one factor that spikes the price. This breed does not occur naturally, so it takes a lot of time and effort to produce these perfect pups.
We at Barksinthepark know that nothing good ever comes cheap or free, so you will pay a decent amount for a Goldendoodle puppy. Reputable breeders breed these dogs specifically for their incredible personalities and to be well-rounded dogs.
The price of Goldendoodle puppies also depends on the quality of the litter that they come from, as well as the quality of the purebred dogs that were used for breeding them. On average, you can expect to pay around $2,300 for a Standard Goldendoodle dog and around $2,600 for a Mini Goldendoodle.
If these numbers are shocking you, wait until you find out how much petite or micro Doodles cost…
The petite Goldendoodle is the smallest Doodle and can cost you a whopping $3,600. However, these prices are just an average as it will depend on the breeder. If you do choose to adopt your fur baby, then the price is usually between $200 to $300.
Breeding dogs takes a lot of time, money, resources, and effort. And when you buy a puppy, you are paying for all of that as well.
What Influences the Price Of A Goldendoodle?
Various things influence the price of a Goldendoodle. This beautiful breed is bred for a purpose, and you are paying for the work and effort that someone has put into creating this adorable, loving, and intelligent dog.
Goldendoodles are crossbred dogs, and their breeding process is very complex and often takes a few years to finalize. While on the other hand, the breeding process for purebred dogs is very straightforward.
The following are some of the main factors that explain why Goldendoodles are so expensive:
Purebred parents (Golden Retriever and Poodle)
The parents play a big role in the overall cost of a Doodle. A Goldendoodle is the result of a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, and breeders look for purebred parents that are the best of the best. It can cost a lot to find purebreds that come with breeding rights.
A Goldendoodle breeder breeds this dog with the aim of producing a low-shedding, curly-coated, mostly hypoallergenic dog. Breeders will need to continue purchasing purebreds to keep the breeding process going, so it is an ongoing cost for them. The breeder also needs to take care of these purebreds, so this means extra resources, food, and more.
Breeders need to ensure that all of the DNA certificates and tests are correct and in order. They also need to factor in grooming, medical expenses, etc., for the parent dogs as well. If the breeder doesn’t own the male dog, they may need to pay stud fees to avoid inbreeding.
All of this care and maintenance adds up and does reflect in the price of your Goldendoodle pup.
Time
Producing a Goldendoodle is a long and difficult process. It takes a lot of time and often takes years before the breeder gets their “perfect” litter. Only after years of breeding can a breeder produce a good amount of Doodles that meet the correct criteria.
There are different Goldendoodle generations, and it takes years until they start producing litters that consistently meet the criteria and have the desirable traits. The F1 Goldendoodle, or first-generation Goldendoodle, generally costs less as they are easier to breed when compared to the other generations.
A quality breeder knows exactly what its customers are looking for, so they ensure that their breeding processes produce Goldendoodles that have all of the desirable traits (like good personalities, low shedding coats, and curly coats). At the end of the day, everything takes time, and time is money!
Health Guarantees And Genetic Testing
Everyone wants a healthy dog, which means that breeders must first ensure the health of the parent dogs. Dogs require constant medical checkups, especially when they are being used for breeding, and these checkups tend to be quite pricey.
Breeders need to produce the healthiest pups, so they need to regularly test their breeding stock at their own expense.
Genetic testing is crucial to confirm that the parent breeds do not have any abnormalities that they can pass down to their offspring. Genetic testing can also be used to screen the dogs for inheritable conditions, and they can slowly eliminate the potential of passing any hereditary issues down to the puppies.
Customers also have certain criteria, and depending on what they want, the breeder can use genetic testing to find which purebreds they should use to get these traits and meet their customer’s criteria. Tests can be used to choose the right dogs and to identify genes that will produce the right traits.
Good breeders also offer pet parents health guarantees for each pup. This means that the breeder must refund or replace the puppy should any problems arise that they covered in the guarantee.
Breeders also need to have all the necessary documentation to prove that they have run the essential health tests on their breeding stock. You want to be sure that your Groodle is going to be healthy.
Training
A good and reputable breeder will also put a lot of time and effort into raising pups that are fairly trained and well-socialized. Breeders need to lay the groundwork so that people get pups that are fairly well-behaved and accustomed to humans and the outside world.
The pups from their stock will go to all sorts of homes, so they need to prepare the litter for any and all environments. This means making sure that the pups do not get scared very easily and that they will cope in big cities and busy homes. The puppies also need to get used to loud noises like cars, TVs, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and more.
Puppy care
The breeder needs to do much more than simply allow two dogs to mate. A new puppy is cared for by its mom, but the breeder still needs to keep a good eye on it to ensure that the pup is healthy and well looked after.
The mother does most of the work when it comes to raising and caring for her litter, but the breeder does put in a substantial amount of effort and time as well. They need to make sure that the puppy is growing normally, being fed, and not being crushed by its mom.
Goldendoodle pups also need routine medical checkups and deworming medication. This is all at the expense of the breeder, and they need to present their clients with a vet certificate to prove that the puppy has been medicated and is in good health.
Newborn pups also require a fair amount of vaccines. The amount they need depends on the diseases that are common in their area. But in general, pups need the adenovirus, distemper, parvovirus, and parainfluenza vaccines.
Good breeders will ensure that the pups have their first round of vaccinations before they are sent off to their new homes and parents. If you’ve had a dog before, you don’t need us to tell you that this isn’t cheap!
Coat type
This dog breed comes from a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. The Poodle is hypoallergenic with a non-shedding coat as it is made of tight curls. This means that Doodles can also end up with a non-shedding coat.
If a Goldendoodle has this coat, they tend to cost a lot more as this is a more desirable coat. The dog needs to be bred in a specific way to achieve this trait. Coat type also depends on the generation. An F1 Doodle is very different from an F1b or F3 dog. Now, you may be asking, what is an F1B Goldendoodle? We have guides that can help you decide which generation is right for you!
Size
Goldendoodles come in various sizes, and their overall size depends on how big or small their Poodle parent is. Strangely enough, the smaller the dog, the higher the price. This is because a lot more time, money, and effort goes into breeding smaller dogs.
Maintaining the facility they come from
Reputable and responsible breeders need to make sure that they raise their pups and breeding stock in an environment that is well-maintained and clean. The costs that come with this add up very quickly. Breeders need everything from whelping boxes to sanitation supplies.
Various states have very strict guidelines when it comes to breeding facilities, and quality breeders need to comply with these rules so that they can keep their breeding licenses and pass the necessary inspections. This is purely so that they are ethical and so that they own and produce healthy dogs.
They are required to adhere to the minimum requirements for ventilation, flooring, shelter, pest control, lighting, space, and sanitation. You also want to have your pick from the healthiest puppies, so the hygiene and state of the facility are crucial – avoid a puppy mill at all costs and always look for a reputable breeder.
Coat color
The final factor that affects how much Goldendoodles cost is coat color. Goldendoodles come in various colors – some are rare, while others are more common. Doodles with patterns or rare-colored coats cost a lot more than those with more common coat colors. It does depend on the breeder, but in general, rare colors come at a higher price.
How To Spot A Good Quality Goldendoodle Breeder vs. A Bad One
A good quality breeder will be completely transparent with you and answer any questions you may have. They will happily show you and introduce you to the parents of the puppy you would like to adopt. They will also ensure that the Doodle pup is up to standard and matches your specific criteria.
They will also fully inform you about the genetic testing that has been done on the pup and the parent dog, and they will provide you with proof of this. They can also give you a full health report and tell you all about the health care that the pup has been given to that point so you hopefully won’t have any surprising vet bills.
They will also provide you with proof of a health report and give you advice on any future medical and health care the pup needs. They will also provide you with certification that your puppy has been certified and cleared as healthy by the vet.
On the other hand, a bad backyard breeder tends to operate in a badly maintained facility where the dogs sit in unhygienic cages and in poor conditions. They also won’t have the necessary paperwork and documentation that they are required to have.
They also tend to make things sound too good to be true and place pressure on you to buy the puppy. Bad breeders also won’t have proof of medical tests or registration. You can also tell by the state of the puppies and dogs that it is a bad breeder – pups will seem uncomfortable, frightened, and unhappy. These breeders should be reported and not supported!
Is A Goldendoodle Worth The High Price Tag?
Goldendoodles cost a lot, but they are certainly worth the high price tag. This breed is beautiful, low-shedding, friendly, adorable, loving, gentle, and so much more. They are bred to perfection as a designer dog breed, and a lot of work goes into nurturing them into the well-rounded pups they are.
Breeders put a lot into breeding these dogs, and there are a number of costs that they need to cover once they sell a pup to its new owner. When you pay for a Goldendoodle, you are paying for a healthy, well-cared-for, socialized, good-quality dog that will be your ultimate companion.
So, why are Goldendoodles so expensive? Because they are bred to be the best dogs with the most amazing traits, making them worth every penny. This dog is fun-loving, intelligent, and active, and they are sure to put a smile on your face every day!
Welcoming a Goldendoodle to your home and family is the best decision you could ever make. When you get one from a responsible breeder, you can be confident that you have a happy, healthy, and beautiful dog!
FAQs
What makes a Goldendoodle special?
Goldendoodles are known for being smart, happy, friendly, and very easy to train. They are an amazing breed, perfect for anyone. They make brilliant family pets with all the most desirable traits, as they were bred for the purpose of being the ultimate dog.
Are Goldendoodles expensive to own?
Once you’ve bought your dog, you have to think about ongoing costs. Unfortunately, Doodles are quite expensive to keep. As larger dogs, they need a fair amount of feeding, and their grooming requirements are also extensive (in terms of both time and money!).
They’re highly intelligent, which means you’ll need to think about doggy daycare rather than leaving them alone for long periods, or you’ll have to invest in plenty of puzzles and activities to keep them occupied.