Golden Retriever price depends on where you get them and whether you are looking for a companion, working dog or show quality pup. On average, a purebred Golden puppy costs from $700 to $3,500 when sold through a breeder. Adoption fees from a shelter are lower, at $50 to $300. However, you puppy’s pricetag isn’t jus twhat you pay to bring them home. Over the course of their lifetime expect to spend around $14,000 on their kit, health and care!
Contents
- Buying from a breeder
- Are cheap puppies ever good value?
- The cost of raising a dog
- Is caring for a bigger breed more expensive?
Calculating The Cost For A Golden Retriever Puppy
The total true cos of life with a Golden Retriever is the combination of their upfront puppy fee and equipment, added to the ongoing costs of food, upgrading kit and attending to their health.
Reputable Breeders
The wonderful thing about reputable breeders is that their priority is the health of their litter. And the process of ensuring their litter is fit and well begins before the puppies are even conceived.
All good breeders begin by ensuring the health of the parent breeds. Medical tests for 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. 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.
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!
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.
A Matter Of 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.
Quality Puppies
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.
Life Time Costs
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 and crates
- Training, boarding or dog sitting
- Grooming
Small Dogs Vs Large Dogs
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.
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
- Buy a puppy from health tested parents
Eric Rodzankas says
I recently lost my “Lady” she was gentle, loving companion( Fierce defender of my wife and I- scared the crap out of anyone showing any signs of malice towards us, she knew when they were good or bad). She came to me on the day she died, laid her big head on my lap( I am wheelchair bound, 76 years old) licked my hand looked up at me as if to say “Goodbye my friend” and died. I write this with tears running down my cheeks. “Lady was one of eight dogs in my life, Coming back from Vietnam for so many years I had a hollow spot in my heart and soul until I found my Lady, who comforted me i ways no human contact or relationship ever could or did, my guilt and shame over lives I’ve taken, the suffering I brought to the families and friends of those I took from them, doing “ what.was necessary “ at the time. I was haunted by the memory, the day I saw “Lady” she leapt into my arms. We were never apart from that moment on my nightmares were gone, if I had one “Lady” would gently awake me by licking my hand then my face and laying beside me protecting me as I went back to sleep. In the car she sat behind me with her head on my shoulder. I am now trying to find another Golden Retriever puppy knowing full well will never be “Lady” and I most likely will be gone before her, but her ashes will be placed with mine and “Lady”. Golden Retrievers are GOD’s gift to man always giving love and support in a mysterious way that man I do believe no human ever can…
Lisa says
Thank-you for your service first! Thank-you for your sacrifices. I also recently put down our yellow lab retriever. And have recently found an older dog that needed a new home. Praying that you have found a new pup.
Pat Barrett says
I am looking for a miniature white golden retriever as a companion pet. I’ve raised 1 golden and one white from puppy hood to their trip over the rainbow bridge. I cannot raise a puppy any more so one that has had some training esp potty training. I recently lost my white to Osteosarcoma. He would have been 10 next month.
Bertha says
I am looking for a miniature golden retriever,red color
Martha Fredericksen says
Hi,
I am looking for a Miniature Golden Retriever as well. Did you find what you we re looking for? I would appreciate any advice you can give me.
Dinah Danby says
Hi Pippa! enjoyed the article. We have been searching for a companion Golden Retriever puppy for a long time. Where can we find the ones you mentioned that are around $500?
DeAryka says
I want a golden retriever puppy that’s a female not hipper and doesn’t bite please
DeAryka Snowden says
And it’s fur color is supposed to be gold please
Helga says
I lost my golden 4 days ago and I miss her . I want another one.She was A rescue dog I got when she was six months old and she best dog!And I want to look for another A rescue one
Maureen Challacombe says
I am looking for a golden retriever that is golden in color. It does not have to be a puppy but I would like a young dog. This will be a gift for my 17-year-old son who still cries over the loss of our beloved golden Retriever, Georgia. I had Georgia when I was single. My engagement ring came on a dog leash because my husband know if he wanted me he had to take Georgia Too. Georgia lived until she was 15. My son was 8 when we lost her. Not a day goes by he doesn’t ask for another dog like Georgia. I’d like to have him or her by Christmas. We live in a house on a full acre for lots of fun and games! Please help us.
mary says
I want a dog
June Stevens says
In 2002 I bought a show quality cream golden male CKC Ontario breeder.fabulous loving friendly healthy dog we went to dog class twice a week for fun extended obedience classes and- fun together 2004 I bought a honey coloured female same sire different mother Another perfect dog with all the above qualities .and the same activities.
The breeder Kyon Kennels excellent and always helpful.
I had to put my male to sleep last year and now my female is having problems but still going walks daily rain or shine eating and enjoying life a few hip problems but Met a Cam and 3 drops of hemp daily keep her looking nothing like her age.Perfect weight and loved by everyone.I am dreading the day when we have to part. I am a healthy active senior so maybe I can find a healthy active senior Golden to adopt.My cat sleeps with my dog I am blessed
with these companions they are so affectionate .I am so grateful to ethical knowledgeable breeders. I am so sorry for the products of puppy mills and unscrupulous cruel breeders.
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.
Susan says
Dear Dan,
This is almost 3 years past your post about raising the pup for “Paws for a Cause”. My hat goes off to you! I know how much that has to hurt when you have to return that adorable Golden you helped raise for such a GOOD cause!
We’ve loved every dog we’ve had in our 47 years of marriage but especially the last 3 Goldens! They’re a VERY special Breed!! I can’t imagine life without one anymore. They grow into such a Companion Dog. It all stems from the beginning of their lives which you’ve supplied for Scout, and who knows whatever other Golden you’ve taken on. I’m a person with MS and if I didn’t have our Molly, our 7 year old Golden, life would be more difficult.
Thank you Dan, for you “Borrowing” these Wonderful Goldens and begin the process of making them someone’s Geuine Companion! You’re worth your weight in Gold!
God Bless You!!