How much is too much to spend on a doodle?

[Jodi Edsall]

I spent $1200 for Bailey and she is a great dog. A year later, I spent $186 on Murphy and he is a great dog. Both are loved members of our family. But my husband still reminds me that $1200 was a lot. I just inquired about a goldendoodle that was advertised (acturally there are three of them and they are 17 weeks old). The breeder said that they were originally $2300 but since they are getting older that he has lowered the price to $1800. Does anyone else think that is a lot to spend?

[katie St Marie]

I spent 1800 on ruby but the breeder was 5 minutes from my work so I didn't have to pay shipping fees I still think it's alot to spend on a dog but she's worth it to me even though she can be a royal pain in the butt sometimes!!!

[Libby & Bentley]

I personally couldn't afford that much. It just depends on how much that is to you..and how much you'd personally be willing to be spend. We got our dog from a breeder who breeds goldendoodles so families can afford them easily without it costing too much..rather than to make a huge profit...(granted, he still cost more than many other dogs out there). Just depends on how much that is to you..and how big of a dent it takes out of your resources :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'll bet there are a lot of DK members who own a TV that cost more than $1800. A dog is a living creature who is going to live in your home with your family for 12-15 years. How much is that worth? I guess it depends on your priorities. We have discussed this before, and I really think that if people could make payments on the dog like they do on a TV, price wouldn't be such a big issue.
The price usually depends on the generation, the size, and such things as whether or not the breeder does health testing on the parents. Sometimes males are less than females, sometimes, certain colors are less. It all depends on what is popular. I personally think the prices are out of line, but they are what they are. Sellers of anything are going to charge what the market will bear, and doodles are hot right now. As long as there are plenty of people willing to pay the high prices, they will stay high.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

I think there are several variables
Were the parents health tested, how far back can the breeder go when providing proof of health testing (parents, grandparents, great grandparents... half siblings).

What type of warrantee is provided? 1, 2, 3, 4+ years?

Is the dog already desexed?

Is the dog already microchipped?

What vaccines has the dog already had and still need?

I am always suspicious of puppies that are discounted. The longer a puppy is with a breeder the more it costs that breeder to feed and vet the puppy, the more time they must spend socializing the puppy. Why then is there less value? Did they stop vetting or socializing the pups?

Value is in the eye of the beholder... it is really unfair to ask others what they think is too much for you to spend. I assume you would never ask someone if you are spending too much on your car our house...

[Margaret Becker]

We spent about $1400 for Snickers and don't regret one penny. But my husband says he's the most expensive doodle he knows of because not long after we got Snickers I declared that my Eclipse was going to be too small for a big dog and started looking for a "dog car". So adding in the price of my Subaru Forester, Snickers is a pretty expensive dog :) And still worth every penny!

[fergie11]

Margaret - that's funny. After I got Fergie and then Lucy i did say that I had to get a mid-sized SUV of some sort and I found a used Honda Acura MDX. My husband keeps saying the dogs cost us $20,000. So I guess if you can get one for $1,800. it's a deal. Mine girls are worth the 20K though.

[Adina P]

How much is TOO much is totally a personal thing. A wonderful dog can come from the pound at $50 -- money doesn't make the dog good or bad, but the thing to look at carefully, if you buy (vs. adopt), is does this dog come from a responsible breeder?

The fact is that $1200 is the MINIMUM most of the top notch doodle breeders charge - and that's for a FIRST generation labradoodle or goldendoodle. F1b's and higher generations cost more. Minis also cost more. Now a high price doesn't prove a breeder is good. There are plenty of backyard breeders and puppy mills out there who are glad to charge the 'going rate' and give you a pup from parents that have not been health tested, without any useful health warranty, and who would never care whether 3 years from now you had to rehome your dog.

Doodles are pricey...there's no getting around it. Whether that's 'right' or 'wrong' is debatable and we've debated it here before. I strongly believe that regardless of breed, the most important thing is that people choose a responsible breeder who does things to the highest standards. If you are lucky and find such a breeder who charges $600 -- AWESOME (unlikely but very cool!). If the only breeders who follow the highest standards charge $1800 -- it's unfortunate for those who can't pay that much or don't want to. But my opinion is that it's NOT worth sacrificing good breeding for saving money. If I didn't have a doodle now and couldn't spend a lot and I had to choose between a responsibly bred doodle for $1800 or a local family who casually bred their dogs and charged $400--- I would NOT buy a doodle. Period.

I, personally, can not support casual breeding. It is exceptionally irresponsible to breed dogs without health testing -- doodles are prone to too many things common in both breeds to do it otherwise.

For helpful reading on "What to Look for In a Breeder" -- check out this article:
http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/what-to-look-for-in-a

There are LOTS of doodles needing homes in rescue and shelters...might be a good place to look if you're interested in a 3rd doodle. It's a way to avoid supporting bad breeders (who might charge less) and help a dog in need.

[Ron Carnes]

My wife thought we probably paid excessive for Zack. We needed to fence in our back yard and she picked out the top of the line vinyl fence (7,000.00).............figure that one out.

[Nancy Sunderland]

I agree with your post Adina, in "Nancy's Dream Land" pricing should be as follows for health tested and 2+ year health guaranteed pups:

1) Standard or Medium F1 LD or GD: $800
2) Standard or Medium F2 or F1B LD ,GD or TBGD: $1000
3) Mini F1 LD or GD, standard ALD, or mini TBGD: $1200
4) Mini ALD: $1400
5) Breeding Dogs: $2500-$5000 (depending on confirmation, health tests, color, & temperament, etc.,)

I'm a dreamer, I know...Maybe I should BECOME a breeder!!!

[Jodi Edsall]

I do agree with these prices. But both of my doodles did not come with any health testing or 2+ year health guarantee and I paid $1200 for the one and $186 for the male (they said that they needed to get rid of him because he was getting too old - 17 weeks) He is the best dog ever and I would take 10 more of him. I posted a picture of Murphy so everyone can see what a handsome boy he is. Just makes you wonder why such a huge price difference?

[Adina P]

The difference is because higher generation doodles are more 'valued' than early generation doodles. That's because on the whole higher generation doodles are less likely to shed (some still MAY) and Australian labradoodles are a completely different kind with more "perceived value."

But typically among the breeders who DO health testing it's pretty common to see consistency that looks more like this:

F1 Labradoodles/Goldendoodles: $1200-1500 (possibly more for minis)
F1b Labradoodles/Goldendoodles: $1500-1800 (possibly more for minis)
Multigenerational Labradoodles: $1800-2000 (possibly more for minis)
Australian Labradoodles: $2000-2500

So across the board if you compare the breeders who do health testing/offer good health warranties/take pups back if needed/etc ... you will find there IS consistency.

The consistency is lacking when comparing the higher quality breeders to backyard breeders, puppy mills, random families who breed their pets...and none of these people do health testing and probably would never take a dog back or help with rehoming if needed. THAT is where you'll see inconsistency...when breeders of completely different quality are compared.

You would see the same thing if you compared a champion lab breeder with a bazillion titles on their dogs to someone selling labs in your local paper---the price difference on pups would be very large.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

My f1b midi goldendoodle was $1800 plus the flight to me. (She came spayed, first shots/dewormed, microchipped, tattooed and with a 2 year genetic health guarantee, with a crate) . Expensive breeder. She is wonderful.

My standard labradoodle was only $600. From people who bred their beautiful male and female pet labradoodles and produced this litter. She came as is. She is wonderful.