Australian Labradoodles are popular pets because of their sweet and friendly personalities, and their low-shedding coats tend to be relatively compatible with dog allergy sufferers. These dogs are also pretty easy to train and are eager to please, so they make good pets for first-time dog owners and families with young children.
While an Australian Labradoodle often brings more fun and joy into the home, it’s important to be realistic and consider the initial and continuous costs that come with taking care of one. Most Australian Labradoodle puppies are priced between $1,500 to $3,000. You may spend a couple of hundred dollars on purchasing pet supplies and equipment. Then, you’ll have to expect to pay for routine care needs, such as food, toys, treats, and medical bills. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to budget for when living with an Australian Labradoodle.
Bringing Home a New Labradoodle: One-Time Costs
Along with purchasing the Australian Labradoodle, you must budget for several pet essentials that should be prepared before bringing home your new puppy. Essential items to consider in your budget would include food, toys, a bed or crate, and a vet exam. When you combine all of these items with the price of the Australian Labradoodle puppy, you can expect to pay between
Free
It’s very rare to find an Australian Labradoodle that’s given for free because it’s a very popular dog breed with high demand. You may be able to get an Australian Labradoodle puppy for free if you have connections with a Labradoodle breeder. Sometimes, breeders will rehome their Australian Labradoodles that are ready to retire from their breeding programs. If you’re an eligible candidate, you may be able to bring home the Australian Labradoodle for free or pay a very discounted amount.
Adoption
In some cases, you may be able to find an Australian Labradoodle at your local adoption center or animal rescue. These organizations usually have an adoption fee that ranges between $100 to $300. Younger dogs tend to have higher adoption fees, while older and senior dogs have lower adoption fees, or no fees attached at all.
Breeder
You can expect Australian Labradoodle puppies to be sold for between $1,500 to $3,000. Prices will vary depending on your location and the level of popularity of Australian Labradoodles in the surrounding area. Sometimes, you can find Australian Labradoodle puppies at a lower price if they’re a little older and have been looking for a home for a while.
It’s not recommended to purchase an Australian Labradoodle puppy that’s sold for much lower than average prices, as some unethical breeders may entice prospective dog owners with lower prices in order to make a profit. Make sure to search for breeders registered with reputable Australian Labradoodle clubs and organizations, such as the Australian Labradoodle Club of America.
Initial Setup and Supplies
It’s realistic to expect to pay several hundred dollars for initial care and supplies costs for an Australian Labradoodle. In general, these initial costs are relatively higher than smaller dog breeds because Australian Labradoodles tend to grow fairly large and need bigger equipment. Naturally, you can expect some items to be more expensive simply because of size, such as the dog’s bed, crate, and food and water bowls.
List of Australian Labradoodle Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $10 – $20 |
| Leash | $10 – $20 |
| Initial Vet Exam | $50 – $250 |
| Microchip | $25 – $60 |
| Spay/Neuter | $300 – $500 |
| Crate | $120 – $280 |
| Dog Gate | $30 – $60 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10 – $30 |
| Bed | $50 – $100 |
| Toys | $30 – $50 |
| Food | $40 – $100 |
| Treats | $15 – $30 |
How Much Does an Australian Labradoodle Cost Per Month?
You may be thinking that monthly costs for Australian Labradoodles will only come from food and treats. However, you must also consider grooming, routine medications, and toys. While you won’t spend the same amount of money per month, you can expect to spend a couple of hundreds of dollars during certain months. Here’s a breakdown of items to consider paying for on a regular basis.
Health Care
An Australian Labradoodle’s monthly health-related costs are mostly going to come from food, grooming, and preventative medications. These costs vary significantly because there are so many different options available for all kinds of budgets and lifestyles.
Food
The monthly cost of food varies depending on the brand and type of food. Dry dog food tends to be the most affordable form of dog food, while wet food and fresh dog food are much more expensive. Our estimates are also based on foods specifically formulated for large dog breeds, as large dogs have different nutritional needs than small and medium-sized dogs.
Grooming
Australian Labradoodles benefit from professional grooming services every 6 to 8 weeks. Their hair doesn’t stop growing, so they’ll need a haircut to keep their coats at a manageable length. Some Australian Labradoodles may not like getting their nails trimmed at home, so you might have to visit your veterinarian or groomer to get them professionally trimmed.
When it comes to baths, Australian Labradoodles can usually get by with a bath once a month. Make sure to purchase shampoo with a moisturizing formula to prevent their skin and coat from drying out.
Medications and Vet Visits
Labradoodles are a generally healthy breed, and it’s uncommon to frequent the vet’s office with them. Your monthly medication costs will mostly be from flea and tick medication. You can find preventative medication for parasites set at varying price points. Make sure to consult with your veterinarian first to find the right one for your Labradoodle.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance premiums vary greatly depending on the type of plan and the age of your pet. Puppies have the cheapest pet insurance, and you’ll notice prices going up with each year your Australian Labradoodle ages.
The most common types of pet insurance plans are accident-only plans and accident and illness plans. Accident-only plans have more limited coverage, but they’re often the cheapest plans and are the most popular option for young and healthy puppies.
Environment Maintenance
Monthly environment maintenance costs are relatively low for an Australian Labradoodle. They’re not particularly smelly, and they’re not known to drool a lot, but you may want to invest in a furniture deodorizer or air freshener to keep any typical dog-related odors at bay. It’s also helpful to have a stain remover in your cupboards in case your dog tracks mud into the home or accidentally vomits on your floors.
| Poop Bags | $10 – $20/month |
| Furniture Deodorizer & Stain Remover | $10 – $15/month |
| Paw Wipes | $10 – $15/month |
Entertainment
Most of your Australian Labradoodle’s entertainment costs will come from toys and treats. Labradoodles are intelligent dogs and enjoy playing games and playing with a variety of toys. They’re not the mouthiest dogs, but their strong jaws can certainly chew through soft toys pretty quickly.
Australian Labradoodles may benefit from a monthly subscription to a dog toy box because they can get bored easily and will most likely appreciate a fresh set of toys. These boxes usually range from $25–$30 per month and usually contain a mix of toys and treats.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning an Australian Labradoodle
Your main monthly costs will come from food, treats, preventative medicines, and toys. If you opt to enroll your Australian Labradoodle for pet insurance, you’ll also have to be prepared to pay monthly premiums. Australian Labradoodles don’t necessarily require monthly grooming appointments, so you’ll most likely have to pay for grooming costs every other month.
Additional Costs to Factor In
Make sure to include a budget for unexpected or occasional care items. Sometimes, your Australian Labradoodle can get into an accident, or you might require pet-sitting or boarding services if you plan to be away from home for more than a day.
Many Australian Labradoodles also benefit from obedience training classes or one-on-one sessions with a professional dog trainer. They also don’t like to be home alone for long hours and will prefer spending their day at a doggy daycare or having a dog walker spend some time with them while you’re away.
If you live in an apartment or condominium, you may need to start paying a pet fee. Make sure to check with your landlord or homeowners’ association for any pet fees and pet policies. Some buildings require an annual pet fee or a one-time fee.
Owning an Australian Labradoodle on a Budget
While we all want the best for our dogs, it’s often not realistic to always choose the most expensive premium items for them. You can cut down on your budget in practical ways by making smart choices with the products you use. For example, you can always request cheaper alternatives or generic brands of medications from your veterinarian.
Also, be wary of pet food brands that use fancy word choices to make their products sound more appealing. Make sure to check and compare ingredient lists. There are some occasions when a premium food brand and a more budget-friendly brand share similar ingredients.
Saving Money on Australian Labradoodle Care
You can save on costs by finding a good balance between purchasing high-quality products and generic products. For example, it’s not always necessary to purchase expensive toys because they can tear, even if the product description says they’re made with durable materials. Instead, you may want to spend a little more on better quality food because a healthy and nutritious diet can prevent other health complications later in your Australian Labradoodle’s life.
You can also find discounts if you choose subscription options. Many pet food brands and pet supply retailers offer discounts if you sign up for monthly shipments of food and toys.
Conclusion
Overall, you can expect to pay a couple of thousands of dollars on initial costs for an Australian Labradoodle. This estimate includes purchasing a Labradoodle puppy and buying all the supplies you’ll need during their first few weeks in your home.
The monthly cost of caring for an Australian Labradoodle is usually at least $100, which includes food, toys, and treats. You can expect to pay a couple hundred dollars more if you include pet insurance, pet sitting or dog walking fees, and professional grooming.
You can experience some savings by looking for discount opportunities and making smart pet supply purchases. However, it’s often best to overestimate your monthly costs. Your Australian Labradoodle is completely under your responsibility, so it’s important to ensure you can provide for their daily needs before deciding to bring one home.
Featured Image Credit: litthouse, Pixabay
