Dogs Dog Breeds Hybrid Dog Breeds

How Much Are Goldendoodles?

Goldendoodle adult and puppy

Getty Images/Deanna Kelly

If you are hoping to add a goldendoodle puppy to your family, you might be wondering how much it might cost to purchase a goldendoodle. The answer to the question “How much are goldendoodles?” varies depending on where you obtain your goldendoodle, whether you want to acquire a puppy or adult goldendoodle, what color or size of goldendoodle you have your heart set on, and many other factors. 

Goldendoodles can cost anywhere from about $200 dollars to more than $5,000, depending on whether you adopt an adult goldendoodle or buy a puppy (or adult) from a breeder.

Before buying or adopting any dog, it pays to do your homework. Knowing where to search for your next dog, what to look for in a reputable breeder, and what you should expect to pay can improve your odds of bringing home a healthy dog at a reasonable cost.

Purebred dogs have national breed clubs that provide information about the breed. Though the goldendoodle is a crossbreed, a national organization called the Goldendoodle Association of North America supports responsible breeding and pet ownership. GANA member breeders agree to abide by the association’s code of ethics, which are designed to ensure that breeders are producing healthy dogs in a responsible manner, marketing puppies conscientiously, and educating potential puppy owners on the proper care of goldendoodles. 

Cost of Adopting a Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles occasionally find themselves in need of rescue when people buy puppies from unscrupulous breeders who make unrealistic guarantees, or when new pup parents find themselves unprepared for caring for their goldendoodle. For instance, reputable goldendoodle breeders should never guarantee that a puppy will be 'hypoallergenic' or will not shed. The nature of genetics means that it’s impossible to predict such qualities in a puppy, even with careful breeding practices. When those adorable goldendoodle puppies start shedding, or when their human has an allergic reaction, the doodle may be in need of a new home. 

Rescuing an adult goldendoodle is not only a great way to save some money on the purchase price of the dog, but also provides other benefits. You can easily see what an adult goldendoodle’s coat is like, how big the dog is and assess its energy level and personality. Goldendoodle puppies may also end up in rescue occasionally. If you are lucky enough to find a goldendoodle puppy available for adoption, and you’re not worried about allergies or the eventual adult size of your dog, you could bring home a puppy for a fraction of the cost of buying from a breeder. 

Animal shelters and rescue organizations charge a small adoption fee—anywhere from about $200 to upward of $500 depending on the group. This adoption fee generally includes the costs of updated vaccines and a spay or neuter surgery, and helps to ensure the organization can continue its lifesaving work.

Cost of Buying a Goldendoodle

Buying a goldendoodle puppy from a breeder is the most expensive way to acquire a goldendoodle. However, the cost of a puppy varies wildly. Breeders from different states may charge more, and the cost of a larger size goldendoodle may be different than a smaller goldendoodle. Some breeders also charge more for more desirable colors or coat types.

Responsible goldendoodle breeders put a lot of money into their breeding programs, which is why their puppies cost a lot. Such breeders purchase or keep high-quality dogs for their breeding programs, perform genetic health screenings on the parents before breeding them, maintain pedigrees and pair dogs thoughtfully to better the breed. 

Reputable breeders also pursue thorough veterinary care for their adult dogs and puppies, feed high-quality diets, register their litters with the proper organization, and never overbreed their females or breed more puppies than they can responsibly care for. Due to the efforts they put in to produce healthy, high-quality dogs, good breeders usually offer a health guarantee on their puppies. 

On the flip side, some lower-quality breeders, sometimes termed “backyard breeders,” may still charge “market price” for their goldendoodle puppies, but without putting the same efforts into their breeding program. Such breeders may simply breed together any male and female they happen to own and sell the resulting puppies. When a goldendoodle breeder tells you the price of buying a puppy, ask about their breeding program, genetic screening and health guarantees to find out what you are paying for.

Additionally, be aware that some pets stores sell goldendoodle puppies along with many other breeds of puppies. It is very difficult to obtain accurate information on breeders who supply to pet stores, and in many cases, animal welfare experts worry about these puppies coming from puppy mills. A puppy mill is often described as a commercial dog breeding operation where the goal is to produce as many puppies as possible without regard for their health and the welfare of the breeding dogs. Both the adult dogs and puppies often have poor health, are exposed to more infectious diseases, and tend to have ongoing health problems in additional to coming from inhumane living conditions. For this reason, it is best to avoid purchasing a puppy if it has a questionable origin.

Expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 for a goldendoodle puppy from a breeder. 

Ongoing Costs for Goldendoodles

Don’t forget to factor in future costs of caring for your goldendoodle throughout its lifetime, including veterinary care, pet insurance, food, grooming costs, training, and more. One significant cost to consider for goldendoodles is the cost of professional grooming. Almost all goldendoodles need to have their hair trimmed by a groomer. The curlier and more poodle-like a goldendoodle’s coat, the more frequently it will require haircuts. Some goldendoodles may need grooming once a month; others can go about eight weeks in between haircuts. 

Professional grooming for a goldendoodle costs anywhere from $65 to $140 on average, depending on where you live, how big your dog is and whether the coat is very matted or tangled.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Breen, Matthew. Genetics and Purebreds for Dog Breeders: Part 3. American Kennel Club.