Welcome to our article about Golden Retriever price estimates and the reasons behind them!
Golden Retrievers are the third most popular dog in America, according to the American Kennel Club.
If you are looking to bring a Golden into your life, then you’re probably wondering about the potential Golden Retriever price. Just how much is this gorgeous purebred going to cost you?
Join us as we find out!
Calculating The Cost For A Golden Retriever Puppy
Yes, it is true that purebred puppies can cost quite a bit, especially when coming from reputable breeders.
Still, your safest bet when looking to bring a new puppy into your home is to do your research and either go through a responsible breeder or a local rescue shelter.
Let’s talk about breeders.
Reputable Breeders
The wonderful thing about reputable breeders is that their priority is the health of their litter. So the process of ensuring the health of their litter begins before the puppies are even conceived.
Unfortunately, breeding puppies and then raising them to be sold can wind up costing breeders quite a lot of money and time, especially when done right.
Most responsible breeders begin by ensuring the health of the parent breeds. Medical tests for health screening, travel expenses for show certificates, and the breeding itself can all add up.
And then there is the price of birthing and raising a litter of puppies.
Breeders are responsible for the cost of medical screening tests, supplies, birthing fees, puppy food, bedding, toys, and other materials needed for keeping puppies happy and healthy.
So, how much can all of this run a breeder overall?
Average Golden Retriever Price For Breeders
On average, the low cost of breeding is around $15,828. However, most breeders will find that they spend closer to $7,744 to breed and raise a litter of healthy pups.
And for those who are aiming for show quality litters, the cost is even higher. In fact, breeders who are breeding show quality puppies will likely spend upwards of $24,000 in the end!
For a more conclusive breakdown of the process responsible breeders go through to ensure their litters are born healthy, click here.
But does that mean if you get a puppy at a lower Golden Retriever price it is more likely to have health issues?
Let’s find out.
Expensive Puppies Vs Low Price Puppies
Did you know that puppies make up a massive part of a billion-dollar pet industry?
While this may come as no surprise to most of us dog lovers out there, the truth is that not everyone who has jumped on the puppy-selling bandwagon understands or even cares about responsible breeding practices.
And who pays the price in the long run? The puppies and their owners.
You see, puppies who are bred by irresponsible breeders are more likely to have health and temperamental issues down the road.
So, while you may be paying less for a puppy upfront when going through one of these sources, in the long run, you could wind up paying much, much more.
But how do you avoid puppy mills, backyard breeders, and unprofessional online sellers?
Avoiding Questionable Sources
Experts recommend doing plenty of research. Ask any seller to provide paperwork that their puppies have been health screened and tested for serious health issues.
Furthermore, it is always wise to go through reputable breeders or rescue shelters you trust.
The great news is that not all breeders cost an arm and a leg. If you really want to save some money but still find a healthy puppy, rescuing a dog is a wonderful option.
Of course, if you have your heart set on a puppy, you have a better chance of finding one through a breeder.
And while breeders usually do cost more than shelters, you still may be able to find some that are in your price range.
Golden Retriever Price – What Makes The Difference?
But what is the difference between a lower cost Golden Retriever puppy from a breeder and a higher cost Golden Retriever puppy?
The difference is show quality.
Typically, puppies bred for show are going to be more expensive than puppies bred primarily for companionship.
But don’t worry, you won’t be sacrificing your puppy’s health if you choose a companion puppy over a show quality puppy.
In fact, sometimes the difference between a $3,000 show quality pup and a $500 companion pup is as small as the color of the coat.
With that in mind, let’s go over the overall cost of a Golden Retriever puppy!
What Is The Cost Of A Golden Retriever Puppy?
If you plan on going through a breeder, keep in mind that Golden Retriever prices will vary depending on the breeder, your puppy’s parent breeds, and the quality of the puppy.
Golden Retriever puppies can be found for as little as $500 for a companion puppy to as much as $3,000 for a show quality puppy.
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And, as we mentioned above, finding a Golden Retriever puppy at a shelter will be even less expensive.
In fact, most shelters offer Golden Retriever dogs with adoption fees for around $50 to $300.
Are There Other Costs With A Golden Retriever Puppy?
Like any pet, dogs will result in recurring fees throughout their lifetime.
Aside from the initial Golden Retriever price paid to a breeder or shelter, you will also be responsible for monthly costs to keep him healthy and happy.
Recurring fees for raising a Golden Retriever include the cost of:
- Dog food
- Dog treats
- Vet visits and prescription
- Preventative medical care
- Toys, bedding, bowls, leashes, crates, and other supplies
- Training, boarding, or dog sitting
- Grooming
- Miscellaneous
Golden Retriever Price – Small Dogs Vs Large Dogs
According to the American Kennel Club, the total lifetime cost of raising a dog depends on the dog’s breed, age, and size.
In fact, studies show that smaller dogs may have a lower monthly cost but will incur the most money in the long run due to their longer lifespans.
Larger dogs may cost their owners more per month but will cost less than smaller breeds overall.
On average, the total lifetime cost of owning a dog is between $14,480 and $15,782.
The University of Veterinary Medicine found that the first year of owning a puppy is actually the most expensive for dog owners. Many pet parents spent $2,674 for the smaller breeds, with larger dog breeds costing closer to $3,536.
This is due to the fact that preparing for a puppy, buying his food, toys, bedding, and more, will all be included in the overall, upfront cost of purchasing or rescuing your puppy.
For a better idea of what you will need to prepare for a puppy, visit us here.
Golden Retriever Price – Other Additions
We should also note that the overall cost of a dog will vary depending on each individual owner and that owner’s lifestyle.
For example, if that owner travels often or has an unpredictable or busy schedule, he may need to pay for pet sitters or dog walkers.
Or if an owner does not keep on top of his pet’s health, he may wind up spending quite a bit of money on vet bills and medical fees.
So, how can you save money and still have a healthy, happy puppy?
Golden Retriever Price Affected By Health
By all accounts, medical costs and vet bills are the priciest part of owning a puppy, aside from the initial down payment, of course.
The best way to ensure your puppy and your wallet are happy is by staying on top of your Golden Retriever’s health.
Ways to help prevent large vet bills include:
- Keep up with your pup’s preventative care
- Visit the vet for check ups
- Get the proper vaccinations
- Get early health screenings
So, what is a Golden Retriever most prone to when it comes to health risks? Prospective Golden owners should keep an eye out for:
The Perfect Companion For Life With A New Puppy
- Hip dysplasia
- Osteosarcoma
- Thyroid issues
- Lymphoma
- Skin issues
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Bloat
- Eye issues
The American Kennel Club suggests the following health tests for Golden Retrievers:
- Cardiac exam
- Hip and elbow evaluation
- Ophthalmologist evaluation
How Much Is A Golden Retriever?
As we covered above, the Golden Retriever price for you is going to depend on whether or not you go through a breeder for a show quality or companion puppy, or if you go through a rescue.
On average, a purebred Golden Retriever can cost from $500 to $3,000 when sold through a breeder.
Adoption fees for a Golden Retriever through a shelter are usually lower, around $50 to $300.
After that, the overall cost of a Golden Retriever is between $14,480 and $15,782.
And while this may seem like quite a bit of change to fork over for a pooch, most dog owners will agree that you can’t put a price on the love of a dog.
Do you have a Golden? Tell us all about your lovable furball in the comments!
Read about the beautiful female Golden Retriever here!
References
Reisen, J, “How Much Will You Spend on Your Dog in His Lifetime?” The American Kennel Club
“How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Dog?” The American Kennel Club
“Cutting Pet Care Costs,” ASPCA
“Pet Industry Market Size & Ownership Statistics,” American Pet Products Association,
“The Official Standard of the Golden Retriever,” The Golden Retriever Club of America
Dan says
Thanks for the article, we love our borrowed golden puppy, we say borrowed because we are raising “Scout” for “Paws with a Cause” to become an assistance dog for any number of less fortunate people. He is a joy. We received him at 8 weeks and have had him for the past 8 months. He has touched our lives in many wonderful ways with his interesting personality. His propensity to naturally want to save child in our swimming pool makes me wonder if he won’t end up being some type of water rescue dog! We get to keep him for another 4 months and then he goes on to his next phase of “training”. This has been a good way to defray the cost of owning a golden as all we have had to pay for is his food and flea/worm meds. His vet bills are covered by Paws with a cause. Although we are not looking forward to the time that we have to give him up, it is a joy to see a puppy grow and learn how to behave to become a tremendous asset to someone for the future.