Families considering a new puppy often wonder how much to budget for adding a dog to their home. Here’s a breakdown of the annual costs associated with owning a goldendoodle:
(Keep in mind that a bigger goldendoodle costs more to own than a smaller goldendoodle.)
Basic Annual Costs of Owning a Goldendoodle:
- Annual Vet Visit: Like all dogs, goldendoodles need to go to the vet once per year for a checkup. This visit will include a fecal check for intestinal worms, a blood check for heart worms and Lymes disease, and any vaccinations that your dog may need. Expect to pay around $200 for this routine visit. The first year of your puppy’s life will cost a bit more in vet bills though, as your puppy will need two trips to the vet for DHPP boosters and a rabies immunization, plus you’ll want to have your pup checked for intestinal worms. With this in mind, some vets offer special plans for puppies. Expect to pay around $375 for a plan that covers 4 office visits, rabies and DHPP x2 shots, several parasite examines, and wormer if needed. Most vets will trim toenails for free as part of your office call.
- Grooming: Since goldendoodles don’t shed their coats, they require regular professional grooming. The frequency and cost can be impacted by the length you keep your dog’s coat and coat maintenance you do at home. Bigger goldendoodles are more expensive to groom than smaller goldendoodles. In general, expect to pay around $55-$100 every 8 weeks for grooming your mini goldendoodle if you live in the Cincinnati area. (Grooming prices can vary drastically by location. In Virginia expect to pay $150-$200 for a visit to the groomer. And it also costs more to groom a larger goldendoodle). Learn more about the cost of grooming a goldendoodle in our Q&A with a professional groomer. You can also learn to groom your own goldendoodle.
- Parasite Prevention: Like all dogs, goldendoodles should be given monthly heart worm preventative. Expect to pay $100-$110 per year for Sentinel or Interceptor Plus for a 25lb dog if purchasing from an online pet pharmacy (heart worm medication costs slightly more for a bigger goldendoodle). Ordering online will definitely save you money, plus it’s easy! Learn how to order heart worm medication online. Depending on where you live, your dog may also need tick prevention. You can order Advantix II or other topical tick preventative from an online pet pharmacy or Amazon for about $125/year (slightly more for a goldendoodle over 55lbs).
- Food: As you’ve probably noticed, ordering items for your goldendoodle online can save you a lot of $$$! Dog food is no exception. A 30lb bag of Royal Canin costs $41 on Amazon and will ship free right to your front door. If you feed your goldendoodle 2 cups of dry food per day, expect a 30lb bag to last a little more than 2 month. That comes to $250/year for Royal Canin dog food. If you choose to feed your dog a grain-free food like Fromm, expect to pay around $410/year. Again, larger goldendoodles cost more to feed than smaller goldendoodles simply because they have bigger appetites.
Totaling Up The Basic Costs:
If you total up the numbers, you’ll find that you should budget around $1000-$1100 per year for owning a 25lb goldendoodle. I assure you that the love, affection, and joy you receive from owning a goldendoodle will far outweigh any associated financial costs!
Other Expenses To Consider:
- Initial Supply Cost: View our puppy shopping list for list of supplies needed for a new puppy. Some of those supplies, such as a crate, you may be able to purchase used while others will need to be purchased brand new. Many supplies will only need to be purchased once during your dog’s lifetime.
- Exercise: If you work long hours, you may find it necessary to utilize a doggie daycare or dog walker a few days a week to help exercise your dog while you’re away. This may be particularly necessary when your dog is young. Expect to pay between $20-$30 per day for doggie daycare. In Cincinnati, Petsmart charges $24 for a full day of doggie day camp and Dogtown charges $27. Many individuals host doggie daycare out of their homes. Finding a local dog walker is another exercise option.
- Training: Like all dogs, goldendoodle puppies should participate in at least one set of training classes. These are highly beneficial for bonding, manners, and socialization. Pups Unleashed Behavior charges $80 for five weeks of puppy pre-school and Pawlished charges $50 for three weeks. Select a training facility that utilizes positive reinforcement, as this happy, upbeat style of training tends to work best for goldendoodles. Baxter & Bella is an online puppy training school that offers a myriad of resources, virtual classes, and video training tips. With the discount code TIMBERIDGE, lifetime access to Baxter & Bella only costs $178, making it an amazing, affordable option for every puppy owner. Learn more about Baxter & Bella here.
- Accidents & Injuries: Every pet owner needs to be prepared for unexpected expenses that could come up. Consider setting funds aside or investing in a pet insurance plan.
- Boarding: When you travel for vacation, your goldendoodle will be more than thrilled to accompany you! But you may find that bringing her along isn’t also feasible or practical. Kennels charge $16+/day with additional fees for walks, grass time or playtime with other dogs. Prices may also vary based on your dog’s weight and whether you are traveling over a holiday. Many individuals are happy to host your dog in their home while you’re away. Expect to pay $20-$35 per day for your furry friend to join someone’s home. A third option for your pup is a luxurious stay in a local pet resort. Red Dog’s prices start at $36/night and Pet Nation Lodge charges $49/night.
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