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 Labradoodle. Since the breed requires regular exercise and grooming, you’ll have to spend more on your Labradoodle than on a low-maintenance breed like a Basset Hound or a Pug. A Labradoodle generally costs between $500 to $1,000.

Below, we do a round-up of all 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 $500 to $1,000 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 these things are used for the long term, 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. Common vaccinations for Labradoodles include Lyme disease, parvovirus, rabies, and distemper. Let’s look at these costs in detail.

Free

Typically, very few things come for free when you get a new dog. For instance, you might not have to pay an adoption fee if you get a Labradoodle pup from a friend or family member who has a litter.

Some rescues and shelters include the cost of spaying and initial vaccinations in their adoption fee, so you do not have to bear these expenses separately. Taking your dog to the dog park or other public areas is also free.

Adoption

The cost of adopting a Labradoodle depends on several factors, including the rescue or the organization you’re adopting it from, the pup’s age, and its health. You can expect to pay anything between $150 and $500 for a Labradoodle pup, but the price may be higher depending on your geographical region.

To find the best place to adopt a Labradoodle, start with an online search for local organizations or rescues. You can also go to your local humane society or shelter and ask them if they have a Labradoodle up for adoption. Compare the prices from different sources and choose the one that fits your budget.

Breeder

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:

It’s imperative to choose a reliable breeder who is knowledgeable about the breed and is willing to provide ongoing support to help the pup adjust to your home. Make sure the breeder provides health certification and a written contract protecting your rights and interests.

Initial Setup and Supplies

The initial setup and supplies include everything the new pup needs to feel welcome and comfortable in your home. It could include a new dog bed, water bowls, food bowls, chew toys, and a crate.

List of Labradoodle Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Labradoodle Cost Per Month?

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. If you enroll your Labradoodle for socialization or training classes, you’ll also have to pay those extra fees.

Likewise, if you purchase insurance for your Labradoodle, that’ll add to the cost. Other additional expenses are flea and tick prevention, boarding fees, and bedding.

Health Care

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 can go up to $1,500 per year for a dog.

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:

Food

Labradoodles don’t necessarily require a specialty diet, but you should feed them high-quality wet or dry foods 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. It’s essential to get your Labradoodle tested for protein and wheat allergies before you buy any dog food since the breed can be allergic to some protein sources.

Look for dog food rich in fatty acids, as they promote joint health and keep arthritis at bay. On average, a standard Labradoodle eats 1 to 2.5 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.

Grooming

Since Labradoodles have long and wavy coats, they require regular maintenance. Some labs 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, for long-haired breeds, daily brushing is necessary 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

Like other dogs, Labradoodles also need socialization and other forms of training. The good news is that the breed is intelligent and quickly picks up training techniques. But the bad news is that training facilities can be quite expensive, especially if you opt for one-on-one lessons, which are ideally better than group lessons.

If you get group classes for your lab, they will 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 and $120 per hour.

You can lower these costs by training your dog at home. Although it takes some time and patience, it can be a fun and rewarding experience that saves you considerable money.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance for a Labradoodle will cost you around $40 per month. Your geographical location and the pet’s medical condition 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.

It’s important to get pet insurance 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

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

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, if you want to keep your pet from destroying or damaging your belongings, you must invest in pet-proofing supplies, such as chew toys, furniture covers, and gates.

Entertainment

Since Labradoodles are an intelligent breed, 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:

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Labradoodle

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:

Owning a Labradoodle on a Budget

Here are some tips for owning a Labradoodle on a budget:

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.

Buy some basic grooming tools like clippers, shears, and combs. Use these at home to 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 $1,000 if you adopt it or as high as $3,000 if you choose to buy it. 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 DIY most pet care, such as grooming 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: litthouse, Pixabay