Poodles rank among the most popular dog breeds worldwide and are known for their allergy-friendly coats and intelligence. They’re also one of the most common breeds used in creating “hypoallergenic” designer dogs like the Labradoodle.

If you’re interested in adding a Poodle to your family, you’ll have a choice between three dogs: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. Before welcoming any size Poodle into your life, you’ll want to know how much it costs to own one. In this article, we’ll cover some of the one-time, monthly, and unexpected costs you might face owning a Poodle.

Bringing Home a New Poodle: One-Time Costs

Because Poodles are such a popular breed, you’ll likely have no shortage of options for acquiring your new pet. As always, we encourage you to “adopt, don’t shop” if possible. If you choose to work with a breeder, carefully research any potential options. Small breeds, like Toy or Miniature Poodles, are common choices for puppy mills and other irresponsible breeding operations.

Free

As with any pet, there are certain circumstances where someone may be unable to keep a Poodle and look to rehome them for free. For example, Toy Poodles are a breed often owned by older people because they are small and quiet.

If the older person moves into a care facility or has a health change, their dog may need a new home. Friends, family, or co-workers are common sources of free Poodles. Just remember, there’s no such thing as a “free” dog, as the rest of this article will make clear!

Adoption

The cost of adoption will vary depending on the organization you work with. Local animal shelters will typically be the least expensive but tend to be light on purebred Poodles for adoption.

Breed-specific Poodle rescues generally only have Poodles or possibly Poodle hybrids available. Their adoption fees are higher because they help cover the costs associated with caring for the dogs without access to public funding like animal shelters have. The age of the Poodle and any possible health conditions may impact the cost.

Breeder

The size of your new Poodle will likely be the biggest determination of how much they cost from a breeder. Standard Poodles are generally the cheapest, averaging around $1,000. Toy and Miniature Poodles may average double that price.

When choosing a breeder, don’t choose based on the price of the dogs alone. “Cheap” dogs may come from puppy mills or irresponsible breeders, leaving you with a lifetime of expensive medical costs. Look for a breeder who performs all recommended health screenings and provides proper medical care for their Poodle parents and puppies.

Initial Setup and Supplies

Before bringing your new Poodle home, you’ll want to be prepared with all the supplies they’ll need. If you’ve never had a dog before, this chart will give a good baseline of what you’ll want to purchase. Prices will vary based on where you purchase the items and how high-end they are. If you’re buying for a Standard Poodle, you’ll likely spend a little more simply because you need a larger bed, bowls, etc.

List of Poodle Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Poodle Cost Per Month?

Besides the initial cost to buy or adopt your Poodle, you’ll also need to budget for some monthly expenses. In addition to food and vet costs, Poodles need regular grooming to keep their coats in shape.

Again, the size of your Poodle will contribute to how much you spend each month. The bigger the dog, the higher the monthly cost in general.

Health Care

This category includes anything required to keep your Poodle happy and healthy. Individual dogs have specific health needs that increase costs beyond these averages. If you adopt a senior dog, expect your medical expenses to run higher. As your dog ages, many of the costs will also increase.

Food

Unless your vet recommends a specific diet, most Poodles will do fine on any nutritionally balanced commercial food. The food costs vary widely; your choices will be based on what’s available, your dog’s taste, and your budget.

Wet food often costs more than dry and large bags are more expensive than small, even if they’re more cost-effective. More expensive food doesn’t necessarily equal healthier, so don’t feel pressure to splurge in this category unless medically necessary.

Grooming

Poodles have higher grooming needs than many other breeds. You can potentially handle simple tasks like nail trims and baths at home, but they will probably need the attention of a groomer when it’s time for a clip.

Without this care, Poodle coats can become hopelessly matted. You’ve probably seen pictures of some outrageous hairstyles on Poodles. Because of the time involved, fancy cuts are more expensive than just a standard hairstyle.

Medications and Vet Visits

At a minimum, your Poodle should be on a monthly flea, tick, and heartworm preventative. Dosing is based on weight, and the price increases the bigger your dog is. Even healthy dogs should see the vet for a check-up at least once a year, and you’ll spend more in a month when that happens. Older dogs need frequent vet visits and health conditions requiring long-term medication.

Pet Insurance

To help cover unexpected medical costs, Poodle owners can purchase pet insurance, generally paid by a monthly premium. Policies are usually cheaper if you enroll your dog as a puppy. Most pet insurance companies offer several options regarding coverage and deductibles, allowing you to manipulate your monthly costs somewhat.

Environment Maintenance

Because Poodles don’t shed very much, you won’t have to spend as much time or money keeping them or your house clean. Of course, you’ll need to pick up after your dog and keep their bed and any clothing fresh and clean. Any dog, even seemingly prissy Poodles, can track mud and dirt into the house, requiring a quick clean-up.

Entertainment

Poodles are brilliant dogs and can quickly become bored and destructive if they don’t have plenty of toys and chews. A monthly toy subscription box is a good choice because you can regularly provide your dog with new toys and supplies to keep them interested. Look for a mix of chew objects, interactive toys, and maybe even some treats to use during training.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Poodle

You will spend a little more per month on a Poodle than other breeds because of the need for professional grooming. As we mentioned, your Poodle’s size may cause a significant variation in your monthly food and medication costs.

Vet costs are also higher in the first year of life as you pay for spay and neuter surgery and the puppy shot series. Any health issues your dog develops could require you to pay more for prescription food, regular blood tests, and long-term medications.

Additional Costs to Factor In

If you don’t have pet insurance (or even if you do), you can set aside money in a savings account each month to cover emergency medical costs. If you travel frequently, you’ll also need to budget for boarding or a pet sitter. Small Poodle owners may be able to travel with their dogs, but it might require buying an extra pet plane ticket.

Poodle owners who must leave their dogs alone all day can hire dog walkers. Training classes or a professional trainer might also be worth the investment to help you shape your intelligent Poodle’s behavior. Finally, most pet owners must eventually pay for carpet cleaning, furniture replacement, or home repairs.

Owning a Poodle On a Budget

Owning any pet will require extra funds, and before committing to bringing one home, you should be realistic about the financial burden involved. Shelters and rescues are full of canines whose owners weren’t prepared for the costs involved or whose financial circumstances changed.

There are plenty of options for those with tight budgets to own pets. For starters, adopting rather than buying a Poodle is likely to save you a significant amount, especially if you are lucky enough to get one for free.

Saving Money on Poodle Care

Free or low-cost vet care is available in many areas, especially in larger cities. Animal shelters often provide reduced-cost spay and neuter surgery and vaccines. You can also save money by taking advantage of promotional offers from your regular vet, such as lower-cost dental cleanings during Dental Health Month.

You can save money on the initial setup and supplies by asking pet-owning friends if they have extra gear. Check thrift stores and secondhand shops for used pet gear. Many communities have pet food banks to help feed local dogs.

Save money on grooming by learning to do it yourself. You may not be able to perform a fancy show cut, but you can learn to keep your Poodle’s coat healthy and under control.

Conclusion

The most expensive one-time costs of owning a Poodle are usually during their first year in your home. Not only will you have adoption or purchase costs, but initial vet care and buying supplies can consume a hefty chunk of your budget.

Along with researching the costs of owning a Poodle, it’s also wise to investigate what it’s like to own one. Not every breed is a good match for your family and lifestyle. Poodles require plenty of attention, exercise, and training, and Toy Poodles may not be the best choice for families with small children. Set yourself and your pet up for success by planning carefully before you get smitten by an adorable Poodle face.

• Related Read: Are Poodles Aggressive? Breed Behavior & Training Tips

Featured Image Credit: digitalskennedy, Pixabay