There’s no denying that being a dog owner can get expensive. However, if you’re serious about being a responsible pet owner, it’s essential to budget proactively. Below, we’ll go over the various costs of owning a labradoodle so that you and your family can prepare appropriately.
We’ll also detail some ways in which you may be able to save some money throughout your dog’s life. If you’re ready to start saving in anticipation for future Fido, you’ve come to the right place.
Initial Investment
Let’s start at the very beginning of your pup journey. Many prospective Labradoodle owners underestimate the initial cost of the adorable Doodle puppies. According to Trending Breeds, the average Labradoodle puppy will cost between $1,200 and $3,000 from a breeder.
Should you adopt a Labradoodle from a rescue group or shelter, you’re looking at a fee anywhere from $50 to $500 depending on your dog’s age. While these prices may seem a bit much, remember that you’re paying for your puppy’s initial care.
Usually, you won’t take your sweet Labradoodle home until at least 8 weeks of age, so there’s a lot of care that must be taken into account by the breeder or rescue facility. Moreover, some breeders have a premium price since they investigate all of their litters preemptively— That means looking into the bloodline ahead of conception to ensure that your future puppy is happy and healthy.
While you may have to pay a premium cost upfront, your pup might end up being more wallet-friendly in the long run. With clear health histories, your Labradoodle is less likely to end up with a costly operation or condition down the line.
Supplies You’ll Need To Have On Hand
You’ll need a couple of high-quality supplies at home to take proper care of your pooch along with your puppy. For your convenience, we’ve broken each down by general category, along with a product recommendation for each item.
We’ve also included a price estimate for each category based on our top picks to give you a general idea of how much you should expect to budget. Note that this is just a basic list. Every dog is not the same, so you’ll need to acquire additional supplies based on Spot’s individual needs.
Great Grooming Basics | ~ $100
Here are a couple of grooming supplies that you’ll want to have on hand before bringing your Labradoodle home. Note that some of these items like spray and shampoo will need to be recurring expenses over the course of your dog’s life.
Toys For Doggie Enrichment | ~ $60
You’ll want to have multiple different types of toys available for your Labradoodle. Since they can be high-energy, active breeds, it’s essential that they’re enriched adequately regularly.
Top-Dog Treats | ~$80
You’ll want to make sure you have several high-quality dog treats around the house for your pooch for training purposes. Here are some treats we recommend having on standby.
The Cost Of Food | ~$20-$60 Per Month
In general, the cost of food is hard to generalize since every dog has different needs. Moreover, it’s possible that your dog could develop an allergy to a particular protein or ingredient, which may force you to seek out more costly food options.
Labradoodles can also vary in size, depending on their parents. In general, a smaller Doodle will cost much less than a larger Labradoodle. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about what he or she recommends in terms of diet.
Here are some of our favorite dog food options based on nutritional value:
Vet Visits
One of the places you’ll spend the most money on Labradoodles is at the Vet. While veterinary care can certainly get expensive, it’s one of the necessary expenses as a responsible pet owner. Keep in mind that vet costs will vary greatly depending on your area and the weight and age of your dog.
In general, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50-$150 per medical exam at the Vet, excluding added medications, vaccines, and take-home supplies. Vaccines also run anywhere from $30-$60 per booster.
If you get your Labradoodle as a puppy, they’ll need to have 4 rounds of vaccinations by the time they’ve turned 1. This year will probably be pretty expensive in terms of vet bills, especially taking a potential spay/neuter surgery into account.
There are also emergency vet bills that could come up from time to time, depending on your dog. Keep your pooch as healthy as possible by developing a care routine with your veterinarian. By focusing on preventative care, you’ll be able to reduce the likelihood of these visits.
However, sometimes, you’ll need to go to the Vet without warning. Like us, every dog is different and has a variety of factors that determine their condition.
Here are a couple of common conditions for Labradoodles.
- Ear Infections
- Food, topical, or environmental allergies
- Addison disease
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Improper Ingestion
For some of these conditions, a trip to the Vet can be avoided. By keeping up with your dog’s grooming, activity, and feeding schedule, you’re much more likely to stray away from these potentially costly conditions.
Hidden Costs
Along with the usual costs that come with having a Labradoodle, there are also a couple of other not as frequent expenses that you should prepare for financially. Here are some of the most common hidden costs when it comes to having a Doodle.
Traveling
If you’re choosing to travel with your Doodle, you’ll likely have to pay a premium to have your pet stay at a hotel or other lodging facility. If they don’t charge a pet fee specifically, many stays will charge a higher cleaning fee.
Moreover, flying with your dog sometimes requires you to obtain a pup passport along with physical vet exams, which can rack up the price tag.
Should you choose to leave your dog at home, you’ll need to pay for a sitter and dog walker to watch over your precious fur baby. This expense can rack up very quickly, so make sure you’re anticipating appropriately before booking your vacation.
Walker
If you have a job that requires you to be away from home most of the day, you’ll need to invest in a dog walker. In an urban area, a 30-minute walk can easily amount to $20 or more.
Furniture Repair
Hopefully, you never have to, but it’s only natural for some dogs to get into furniture or things that they shouldn’t, especially as puppies. Unfortunately, one reality of a pet owner is that some of your items may become damaged or marked.
Mutt Money-Saving Tips
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, there are multiple ways you can save money while still caring for your canine.
Look Into Pet Insurance
If your Doodle ends up having a costly condition or irregular medical expense, it may be time to look into pet insurance. Pet insurance policies vary in coverage and cost, so it may be worth exploring as a long-term money-saving option for your pooch.
Groom Regularly and At Home
Learning how to groom your dog from home can save you lots of money in the long run and give you a unique bonding experience with your doggo. Moreover, keeping up with your dog’s general grooming routine ensures that they stay healthy and in tip-top shape.
Train Your Doodle Yourself
As difficult as it may be to train your Labradoodle from home, it can save you hundreds of dollars. Put in the work when your dog is a puppy. This is a long term investment for both your dog and your wallet.
Look For Low-Cost Clinics
While you’ll want to have a regular veterinarian to watch your pooch properly, you could save on certain expensive services for your Labradoodle. For example, many low-cost clinics offer a spay/neuter service at a fraction of the price of an average veterinarian facility.
Be on the lookout for services like these to cut costs without compromising your dog’s care.
While it can feel overbearing at times, there’s no doubt that our furry friends are worth the cost of canine care. After all, your Labradoodle provides a lifetime of love, which is simply priceless.
With proper budgeting and planning, you’ll find that having a Doddle isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Enjoy welcoming one of these friendly fur babies into your life.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
