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Some reports state that owning a dog costs seven times more than what owners expect it to1. Many people miscalculate the costs of owning a dog because they fail to account for expenses like medical care, grooming, toys and accessories, pet sitting, and training.
The costs increase even more if you plan to get a high-maintenance breed like the Labradoodle. Since the dog requires regular exercise and grooming, you’ll have to spend more on your Labradoodle than on a low-maintenance canine. A Labradoodle generally costs between $2,000 and $3,000.
Below, we’ll discuss the costs associated with owning a Labradoodle. Our list covers everything from the initial one-time costs to recurring expenses, such as food, medication, vet visits, grooming, etc.
Bringing Home a New Labradoodle: One-Time Costs
The adoption fee or purchase price is the most prominent one-time cost of owning a dog. Depending on the breeder, rescue center, or pet store, you may end up paying anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 for a Labradoodle.
Before you bring your dog home, you’ll have to get some essential items, such as a collar, leash, bowls, kennel crate, and bedding. Since you don’t have to replace the items often, they are considered one-time costs unless you may need a replacement because you misplaced an item or your dog damaged it.
The initial vaccinations and veterinary exams are also one-time costs. Standard vaccinations for Labradoodles include parvovirus, rabies, and distemper. Let’s look at these costs in detail.
Free
Finding a free Labradoodle is rare, but you might not have to pay an adoption fee if you get a pup from a friend or family member who has a litter. You have to be selective when examining online ads for free dogs since some of them aren’t legitimate. It’s better to get a dog from someone you know and trust.
Adoption
- $150–$500
The cost of adopting a Labradoodle depends on several factors, including the rescue or the organization you’re adopting them from, the pup’s age, and their health. You can expect to pay between $150 and $500 for a Labradoodle pup, but the price may be higher depending on your geographical region.
- Spaying or neutering
- An ID tag and a collar
- A health checkup
- Initial vaccinations
- Flea prevention and deworming
To find the best place to adopt a Labradoodle, start with an online search for local organizations or rescues. You can also ask your local humane society or shelter if they have a Labradoodle up for adoption. Compare the prices from different sources and choose the one that fits your budget.
Breeder
- $2,000–$3,000
Buying a Labradoodle is more expensive than adopting one. The cost depends on the quality of the breeding stock and the breeder’s reputation. When you purchase a Labradoodle from a breeder, you typically pay for the following:
- Tests and health clearance of the breeding stock
- Deworming treatments
- Vaccinations
- A harness or collar
- Health certificate
- Sample of the pup’s food
- Microchipping
It’s imperative to choose a reliable breeder who is knowledgeable about the Labradoodle and is willing to provide ongoing support to help the pup adjust to your home. Ensure the breeder provides a health certification and a written contract protecting your rights and interests.
Initial Setup and Supplies
- $400–$500
The initial setup and supplies include everything the new pup needs to feel welcome and comfortable in your home, including a new dog bed, water bowls, food bowls, chew toys, and a crate.
List of Labradoodle Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $15 |
| Spay/Neuter | $150 |
| X-Ray Cost | $75–$500 |
| Ultrasound Cost | $300–$600 |
| Microchip | $50 |
| Teeth Cleaning | $50–$300 |
| Bed | $30 |
| Nail Clipper (optional) | $10 |
| Brush (optional) | $5–$10 |
| Toys | $20–$40 |
| Carrier | $50–$80 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10–$30 |
How Much Does a Labradoodle Cost Per Month?
- $150–$500
The monthly cost of owning a Labradoodle varies depending on where you live and the lifestyle you’ve provided for your pet. If your pup has a medical condition, their monthly expenditure will be higher.
Common monthly expenses for a dog include food and treats, vet visits, grooming supplies, pet sitting, toys, etc. Taking your Labradoodle to a professional trainer will cost much more than training them at home, but it may be necessary if you’re having trouble training them.
Likewise, purchasing insurance for your Labradoodle will increase the cost. Other additional expenses are flea and tick prevention, boarding fees, and bedding.
Health Care
- $50–$250
On average, a routine checkup at the vet costs $50 to $250, depending on your geographical location and the vet’s fees. If you include lab tests, vaccines, and dental care, the total cost for a dog can go up to $1,500 per year.
Your Labradoodle will not need monthly healthcare visits since vets usually recommend checkups every 6 to 12 months. However, they may have other recurring healthcare costs, such as:
- Supplements: You may not need supplements if your Labradoodle eats a balanced diet, but if your vet recommends using them, they’ll increase your monthly expenses slightly.
- Medications: If your dog has a preexisting condition or is sick, you’ll need to buy medication for them every month. The cost will depend on the type of medicine and dosage required.
Food
- $25–$75
Labradoodles don’t necessarily require a specialty diet, but they should be fed high-quality wet or dry food to ensure optimal health. Protein sources, such as turkey and chicken, must be a part of your lab’s diet since adult Labradoodles need 18% crude protein to stay healthy.
Look for dog food rich in fatty acids, which promotes joint health and keeps arthritis at bay. On average, a standard Labradoodle eats 2.5 to 3 cups of dog food daily, split into two meals. Consult a vet to learn more about the proper food dosage for your pet’s size and age.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Grooming
- $45–$75
Since Labradoodles have long and wavy coats, they require regular maintenance. Some shed more than others, and the shedding frequency varies from one coat type to another. The three coat types include wool, fleece, and hair, with wool shedding the least and hair shedding the most.
If you have a short-haired Labradoodle, brushing their fur once or twice a week is enough. However, daily brushing is necessary for long-haired breeds to remove mats and tangles.
How often you take your Labradoodle to a groomer is your personal preference. While some pet parents go every 6 weeks, others prefer taking their pets to the groomer every 2 months. The average cost of grooming ranges between $45 and $75 but may be lower or higher depending on where you live.
Training
- $30–$120
Like other dogs, Labradoodles also need socialization and other forms of training. The good news is they’re intelligent and quickly pick up training techniques. If you enroll in group classes for your pup, they cost $30 to $80 per class. But if you would rather have a trainer pay individual attention to your pet, be prepared to spend anywhere from $45 to $120 per hour.
You can lower these costs by training your dog at home. Although it takes time and patience, it can be a fun and rewarding experience that saves you considerable money.
Pet Insurance
- $40–$90
Pet insurance for a Labradoodle will cost you around $40 per month. Your location and the dog’s age and health will also affect the insurance costs. For example, if you live in a state with expensive veterinary care costs, the monthly insurance expenses may be close to $90.
Pet insurance is helpful because it lowers the veterinary costs in case your dog gets injured or falls ill. Since veterinary costs can be exorbitantly high, with a mere X-ray costing $150–$600, it’s helpful to have a system that lowers the economic risk of unprecedented health issues.
Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
- $400–$500
If you work long hours and cannot take your dog out for a walk every day, you’ll have to pay someone to do it. Dog walkers charge $20 for a 30-minute walk on average. If you need someone to walk your dog five days a week for four weeks a month, you will have to pay around $400.
Similarly, if you need a dog sitter for when you’re away for a night or the weekend, you’ll pay anywhere from $40 to $80. On average, dog sitters charge $40 to $75 for overnight sitting and $20 to $30 for day visits.
Environment Maintenance
- $30–$50
Environment maintenance includes everything from cleaning supplies and yard maintenance to pet-proofing materials. The cost of environmental maintenance for a Labradoodle will depend on your living space’s size and location.
Your personal preferences will also come into play. For example, you must invest in pet-proofing supplies, such as chew toys, furniture covers, and gates, to keep your pet from destroying or damaging your belongings.
Entertainment
- $20–$50
Since Labradoodles are intelligent, they need regular exercise and entertainment to stay busy. Otherwise, boredom might take over, causing them to misbehave or damage items around the house.
Here are some entertainment options and their costs:
- Toys: Labradors love staying busy, so they naturally like toys. Some popular options include balls, chew toys, puzzles, etc. Toys can become a recurring cost if you subscribe to a monthly toy and treat box, such as the Goody Box from Chewy, which costs $27.99 per month.
- Playdates: Interaction with other pups is good for your lab, especially if they’re in the process of socialization training. Some costs associated with playdates include transportation and pet supplies.
- Dog-Friendly Outings: You should also take your pet on outdoor adventures, such as hikes or trips to the beach. Again, you’ll have to pay for transportation, supplies, and treats for the trip.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Labradoodle
- $150–$500
If you only account for food and a toy subscription box, the total cost of owning a Labradoodle will stay under $150. But if you factor in additional expenses, such as dog walking and pet sitting, the costs can go above $500.
Additional Costs to Factor In
Owning a Labradoodle will bring you a lot of companionship and joy, but it also comes with some unprecedented costs that you should be prepared for.
Here are some of them:
- Medical Emergencies: If your dog swallows a foreign object or accidentally eats an allergen-containing food, they’ll need immediate veterinary care. Emergency vet visits cost anywhere from $800 to $1,500. But if your dog needs a complex procedure, the visit can cost up to $5,000.
- Behavioral Problems: Some dogs develop behavioral problems, such as separation anxiety and aggression. In this case, you’ll need to take your pet to a behaviorist or dog trainer, which will cost you up to $150 per session.
- Legal Fees: If your dog bites someone or causes damage to another property, you’re liable for the legal charges. You’ll also have to pay the affected party’s repairs and medical fees.
- Home Repairs: Dogs are curious animals, so it’s often inevitable for them to break or chew something in your house. These repairs can increase the cost of owning a Labradoodle, especially if it involves something expensive like an antique piece of furniture or a wall.
Owning a Labradoodle on a Budget
Here are some tips for owning a Labradoodle on a budget:
- Adopt a Labradoodle instead of buying one from a breeder since the former is cheaper. Many rescues have vaccinated, neutered, or spayed the dogs, which saves you money.
- Instead of buying them individually, purchase bulk supplies like food and treats to save money. You can find deals at online retailers or warehouse stores.
- Invest in preventative care, such as regular checkups and heartworm medication, to avoid costly medical problems in the future.
- Learn how to train your pet yourself instead of paying for expensive training lessons.
- Enroll in pet insurance to save money on medical emergencies.
Saving Money on Labradoodle Care
The best way to save money on Labradoodle care is to groom your pet at home. You can watch grooming tutorials on YouTube or get advice from fellow Labradoodle owners on social media.
You’ll need basic grooming tools like clippers, shears, and combs, but you’ll save the $50 to $75 you’d otherwise have to spend on every visit to the groomer.
If you need to travel, ask a friend or family member to look after your dog while you’re gone to save on pet-sitting fees.
Conclusion
The initial one-time costs of owning a Labradoodle can be as low as $150 if you adopt one or as high as $3,000 if you choose to buy one. Meanwhile, the monthly costs can range from $100 to $1,000, depending on how much you spend on your pet.
If you only account for pet food and basic grooming supplies, $100 to $200 should suffice. But if you hire a pet trainer, pet sitter, and dog walker, your ownership costs will increase.
The key to owning a Labradoodle on a budget is to take care of the grooming, training, and exercise yourself. But keep in mind that economic pet care should not come at the expense of your dog’s health and safety.
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Featured Image Credit: Danita Delimont, Shutterstock
