Families considering a new puppy often wonder how much to budget for adding a dog to their home.   After the initial investment into a high-quality family pet, there are annual expenses to be prepared for.  Here’s a breakdown of the annual costs associated with owning a Goldendoodle:

(Keep in mind that a bigger Goldendoodle costs more to own than a smaller Goldendoodle.)

Basic Annual Costs of Owning a Goldendoodle:

1. Annual Vet Visit: Like all dogs, Goldendoodles need to go to the vet once per year for a checkup. This visit will include a fecal check for intestinal worms, a blood check for heartworms and Lymes disease, and any vaccinations that your dog may need. Expect to pay up to $200 for this routine visit. The first year of your puppy’s life will cost a bit more in vet bills though, as your puppy will need two trips to the vet for DHPP boosters and a rabies immunization, plus you’ll want to have your pup checked for intestinal worms. With this in mind, some vets offer special plans for puppies. Expect to pay around $375 for a plan that covers 4 office visits, rabies and DHPP x2 shots, several parasite examines, and wormer if needed. Most vets will trim toenails for free as part of your office call.  If you live in the Cincinnati area, we would love to recommend our veterinarian, Dr. Warm.  She’s amazing!
2. Grooming: Since Goldendoodles don’t shed their coats, they require regular professional grooming. The frequency and cost can be impacted by the length you keep your dog’s coat and coat maintenance you do at home. Bigger Goldendoodles are more expensive to groom than smaller Goldendoodles. In general, expect to pay around $50-$80 every 8 weeks for grooming.
3. Parasite Prevention: Like all dogs, Goldendoodles should be given monthly heartworm preventative. Expect to pay $100-$110 per year for Sentinel or Interceptor Plus for a 25lb dog if purchasing from an online pet pharmacy (heartworm medication costs slightly more for a bigger Goldendoodle).
4. Food: After a LONG research process we’ve decided to feed our dogs and puppies Life’s Abundance All Life Stages Dog food.   A 40lb of Life’s Abundance Dog food costs about $80 for a 40lb bag on autoship.  If you feed your Goldendoodle 2 cups of dry food per day, expect a 40lb bag to last a little more than 2 months. That comes to $500/year for Life’s Abundance Dog Food. If you choose to feed your dog a grain-free food like Fromm, expect to pay around $600+/year. Again, larger Goldendoodles cost more to feed than smaller Goldendoodles simply because they have bigger appetites.

Totaling Up The Basic Costs:

If you total up the numbers, you’ll find that you should budget around $1000-$1100 per year for owning a 40lb Goldendoodle. I assure you that the love, affection, and joy you receive from owning a Goldendoodle will far outweigh any associated financial costs!

Other Expenses To Consider:

1. Initial Supply Cost: Setting your home up for a new furry member can easily cost hundreds of dollars.   Here is a list of recommended supplies and an example puppy shopping list for a list of supplies to be considered for a new puppy. Some of those supplies, such as a crate, you may be able to purchase used while others will need to be purchased brand new. Many supplies will only need to be purchased once during your dog’s lifetime.
2. Exercise: If you work long hours, you may find it necessary to utilize a doggie daycare or dog walker a few days a week to help exercise your dog while you’re away. This may be particularly necessary when your dog is young. Expect to pay between $20-$30 per day for doggie daycare. In Cincinnati, Petsmart charges $24 for a full day of doggie day camp and Dogtown charges $27. Many individuals host doggie daycare out of their homes. Finding a local dog walker is another exercise option.
3. Training: Like all dogs, Goldendoodle puppies should participate in at least one set of training classes. These are highly beneficial for bonding, manners, and socialization.  We loved the training Bella received at Canines for Christ and found the cost of $75 for 8 weeks (or as long as you need to pass the test) was very reasonable!    Pups Unleashed Behavior charges $80 for five weeks of puppy pre-school and Pawlished charges $50 for three weeks. Select a training facility that utilizes positive reinforcement, as this happy, upbeat style of training tends to work best for Goldendoodles.
4. Boarding: When you travel for vacation, your Goldendoodle will be more than thrilled to accompany you! But you may find that bringing her along isn’t also feasible or practical.  Kennels charge $16+/day with additional fees for walks, grass time or playtime with other dogs. Prices may also vary based on your dog’s weight and whether you are traveling over a holiday. Many individuals are happy to host your dog in their home while you’re away. Expect to pay $20-$35 per day for your furry friend to join someone’s home.  A third option for your pup is a luxurious stay in a local pet resort. Red Dog’s prices start at $36/night and Pet Nation Lodge charges $49/night.