The Average Cost Of A Golden Retriever Puppy
A Golden Retriever puppy from reputable breeders costs between $1,000 and $4,000. However, expect to pay higher if the puppy is from a champion line. Price ranges for Golden Retriever puppies may also depend on other factors such as the breeders reputation and location.
Although this breed ranked fourth in the American Kennel Clubs most popular dog breeds in the world in 2020, the Golden Retriever cost remains fairly affordable compared to other breeds.
However, a Golden Retriever breeder that breeds show dogs often asks for a more expensive fee as they spend at least $7,500 on caring for the litter.
On another note, the fact that the Golden Retriever is also the common choice for a service dog makes it even more expensive. To illustrate, a well-trained Golden Retriever service dog may cost you between $20,000 and $25,000.
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Advantages Of Having A Golden Retriever As A Pet
There are many advantages to owning a Golden Retriever as a pet. Some of the benefits include: being loyal and friendly, being great with children, being content and easy to housetrain, being good at adapting to new surroundings, and having a long lifespan.
Golden Retrievers are some of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. They make great pets for people who want a loyal and friendly dog that is great with children. Golden Retrievers are also relatively easy to housetrain, which means they can be trained to go potty outside of their home quickly. They also do well in new environments, which makes them good candidates for families who move often.
Golden Retrievers have a lifespan of around 10-12 years, which is longer than most other breeds of dogs. This means that they will typically be around for a few years longer than most other breeds of dog and will require less maintenance over the course of their lifetime.
Leashes Collars And Basic Grooming
Youll need a collar to affix your dogs tags on and to attach a leash. Collars and leashes are required for walking your dog and for training purposes. Consider getting three leashes: a six-foot for walks, and 20-30 foot for recall training, and another six-foot with the hand loop or grip cut off to use as a house line.
A house line is a leash you keep on your puppy while in the house and during the training stage. You can use a house line to keep your Golden Retriever puppy under control and prevent unwanted behaviors when its not in the crate or playpen.
A harness can be useful as well. Often, big pullers find a harness more comfortable, and it is easier for the owner to control them on walks. However, a harness is optional. Some dogs do not like them.
Youll also need a hairbrush and toothbrush for your Golden Retriever, at a minimum. Weekly hair and teeth brushing will help maintain good hygiene and avoid potentially costly health issues such as dental work or skin allergies. Youll also need a nail trimmer and dog shampoo for occasional baths.
If you use a grooming service, according to HomeGuide.com, the average cost of grooming a Golden Retriever is $70. Golden Retrievers dont need haircuts, so a basic package, including a bath, nail trim, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing, will cost about $40.
Avail your Golden Retriever to these services monthly, and basic grooming will run you just under $500 yearly.
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Annual Costs Expenses Each Year After The First
As you can see from the pie chart below, the largest expenses year after year is food, insurance, grooming, and parasite protection .
Annual licensing not shown accounts for 0.6% of yearly costs.
Pet insurance is optional, so forgoing insurance can significantly reduce expenses. Still, it would help if you considered costly future surgeries or medical treatments.
Grooming, somewhat surprisingly, can be quite costly if you opt for nail trimming, teeth brushing, ear cleaning, and bathing services versus doing it yourself.
Adopting From A Shelter Or Rescue
Adopting a golden retriever from a shelter or rescue organization costs significantly less than buying a puppy from a breeder. In most cases, the typical adoption fee ranges from $200 to $500, which is markedly cheaper than going through a breeder.
Besides being much cheaper, adopting a golden retriever is also a more humane thing to do! These dogs too make wonderful pets and companions and are no less deserving of a loving, forever home. Although it can take a bit longer to find a purebred golden retriever in a shelter versus buying one directly from a breeder, its worth the wait and decreased cost.
Another factor worth mentioning is if you adopt an adult golden retriever, you can save a lot of money on various supplies only puppies need when going into their new homes, like house training pee pads and teething toys.
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The Costs Of Raising A Golden Retriever
Whether you adopt a purebred Golden Retriever puppy with certification documents or an older dog with a calmer disposition, its essential to consider the costs of caring for and raising your pet. There are many expenses to prepare for, including vet bills, quality dog food formulas, a sturdy dog bed, grooming, and other factors based on your pets health and well-being.
What Are Some Common Reasons For Vet Bills Related To Golden Retrievers
If you have had dogs before, you know that they can sometimes have health issues that you did not expect. One of the most common reasons that your puppy might need to see the vet beyond their annual vaccinations is for retained puppy teeth. Puppy teeth usually fall out within the first year of your dogs life, but some dogs have a hard time losing these teeth. This can require surgery to fix, so you might need to budget $500-$1,000 for this service if your dog is unlucky enough to experience this issue.
Older Golden Retrievers can suffer from a few specific ailments, some of which are common to the breed. Any dog might end up with eye issues, but Golden Retrievers can be prone to blindness and cataracts. Your dog might also end up with arthritis at a fairly young age or cancer. Golden Retrievers tend to have elbow and hip dysplasia as well, and if you do not get a dog that is certified by a breeder, you might need to be prepared to pay for surgery to help resolve this issue.
Most older dogs will be quite healthy from the time they are 2-8, but you should start adding another $500 to your budget each year after this age. Your dog could end up with very expensive health conditions that might cost more than $1,000 a year to treat. While this is not common, there are older dogs that are quite expensive to care for, and this is something that every Golden Retriever owner should be aware of.
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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 dogs 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.
Get Ready To Become A Dog Parent With A Free Audiobook
It is primordial to be ready to raise a dog and develop an harmonious relationship between your furry friend and family members. I would not wait until I have the dog to start this process. See it as a parenting class.
The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with LoveZak George is a fantastic dog trainer and has the most popular training channel on YouTube. I have listened to this audiobook and could not recommend it enough. The great thing is you can listen to it at no cost with a 30-day Amazon Audible free trial. If you already have an account, make it your next pick.
You will learn everything you need to know to raise, train, and care for your dog: from choosing the right puppy, training techniques, picking supplies, finding a vet, selecting the right food, handling behavioral issues, and much more. You can listen and learn so much about raising a dog while going to work, running errands, exercising, etc. This audiobook can definitely make a difference.
If you want to know whether to train your dog yourself or hire a professional and learn about the cost of training classes and supplies, check our article written with a certified dog trainer.
Golden Retrievers are family friendly dogs who are great with children and other pets. They enjoy adventures, snuggling and are easy to train.
Alexa Diaz, Ph. D. Animal Behaviorist
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How Much Do Golden Retrievers Cost Complete Buyers Guide
Golden retrievers have quickly become one of the most beloved dog breeds in the world.
These affectionate dogs are considered the ideal family dog and have been eagerly welcomed into thousands of homes.
Because of their popularity these perfect pups can often be expensive.
Not only do they cost a lot to purchase, these dogs requires plenty of money spent on food, grooming and medical care.
In this article we will discuss how much you can expect to pay for your golden retriever upfront, in addition to all the other expenses that your dog may accumulate over their life
Who Should I Buy From
Since the price ranges can differ substantially between buying from a reputable breeder and buying from another source like an animal shelter or private owner, some thought should go into it before deciding how much youre willing to pay and from where?
If you buy from a reputable breeder, the cost up front will be more expensive and although quality breeders make sure to raise the puppies as healthy as possible, there are no guarantees that a dog from a breeder will be any healthier overall, and canine health issues are the most expensive part of owning a dog since the bills can be so expensive and unexpected.
If you buy from an animal shelter or a breeder that doesnt have AKC documentation, the up front cost will be lower. For those who dont know, AKC documentation is a document that shows the dogs pedigree going back four generations. If you plan on showing your dog in competition, this is an important document to have because it will guarantee the dogs purebred ancestry.
So the issue of where to buy a Golden Retriever really comes down to whether you plan to enter your golden in dog shows or not. If not, do you really need to pay thousands of dollars for a verifiably purebred Golden Retriever?
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Cost Of Feeding A Golden Retriever
Dogs require a consistently healthy diet. If you buy a dog, youre taking on the responsibility of feeding it properly. A dog cant feed itself, so you are now responsible for providing this bare necessity for living.
Feeding a Golden can be costly when you are trying to maintain a healthy diet. This is not only because pet food is expensive, but also because Goldens love to eat. This love for food is partially because theyre such an active breed.
Before bringing home your Golden, it would be good to take a tour of the grocers shop near you and make a note of the prices of high-quality dog food.
People go to discount stores, buy a 40-pound bag of cheap food. Even though the food meets the minimum quality requirements, it may not have enough protein or nutrients for your pet.
Roy Cruzen DVM
According to Roy Cruzen DVM, the number one reason for excessive shedding is a poor diet. Now you dont have to break your bank for your dogs food. Cruzen estimates that you can find quality food for $4 a pound.
Your Golden will eat around 2-4 cups of food a day, depending on their age, gender, and size. The cost of all that food depends on the quality of the food youre buying, but you can expect to spend about $2 per day on food.
Dont forget that Goldens also love their treats, especially during training, and that too is an additional cost. The average bag of treats costs between $5 $10, and will typically last about a month or two with a moderate treat-feeding schedule.
The Cost Of A Golden Retriever Owner License
Some US states will require you to get a dog owners license before getting a Golden Retriever. The license itself shouldnt cost more than $50. Some niche clubs will charge you $100 or more for a subscription if youd like to enroll your pet.
Healthcare Cost
Golden Retrievers are prone to developing all kinds of diseases, including skin problems, hypothyroidism, cancer or allergies, even if they dont show initially on their health records. These illnesses wont show up at a certain age and any of them might occur when you least expect it. Skin problems can be avoided with proper attention.
Among the most common illnesses your Golden Retriever might have to face are:
- heart conditions
- hip or elbow dysplasia
For a more thorough article and common inherited health problems of a Golden Retriever, check our this article.
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To avoid these diseases or spot them early enough to be able to cure them, periodic visits to a vet are recommended. An early visit just after you bought your puppy is a great idea, seeing that along with a general health consultation, your dog will also receive its annual immunization and health tests. An initial vet visit should cost around $300.
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Golden Retriever Price The Hidden Costs Some Owners Forget About
As they age, Golden Retrievers can become more susceptible to certain health issues that can be costly to owners.
Unfortunately, most owners dont think about the hidden costs of raising a dog, and tend to look at the Golden Retriever prices that seem most obvious. These would include the above costs like supplies, food and treats, grooming, and basic medical care.
However, with every dog there are hidden expenses that most owners dont consider initially. These costs are predominantly due to unforeseen medical complications, which, for the Golden Retriever, can be quite costly.
The best way to budget for health complications in your Golden Retriever price is to be aware of what Golden Retrievers can be most susceptible to.
Common Golden Retriever Health Issues:
The Average Cost To Treat Some Of The Above Ailments In A Golden Retriever:
- Hip Dysplasia $1,700 to $4,500
- Elbow Dysplasia $1,500 to $4,000
- Cancers $1,000 t0 $10,000 +
- Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis $3,100 to $6,050
- Luxating Patella $1,500 to $3,000 Per Knee
When you decide to commit to raising a dog, that dog is relying on you for everything from his daily meals to his lifetime care. Health costs are often some of the most expensive when it comes to Golden Retriever price, which is why many experts recommend investing in pet health insurance.
On average, pet health insurance for a Golden Retriever can cost owners between $120 and $1,200 a year or $10 to $120 a month.
The Cost To Buy From A Reputable Breeder
If you buy from a reputable breeder, the cost can be quite high. If you think about the entire process and cost of breeding healthy puppies, it will make sense as to why the cost is much higher when buying from a breeder. Knowing the level of care that some breeders put into raising the puppies can also help you decide where you want to buy from.
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The breeders pay for everything it takes to keep the puppies happy and healthy. They start the breeding process by looking at the health of the parent dogs.
This includes medical testing and screening and other costs of dog equipment like blankets, toys, brushes, food bowls, and other products for the parents. A lot of reputable breeders buy the highest quality products, which also contributes to the cost of the dog.
The cost of breeding raises with the actual birthing and raising of the puppies. The breeders cover all expenses, including the costs associated with birthing, feeding, bedding, toys, hygiene products, and other materials. Its estimated that a litter of puppies cost an average of $15,828 to raise. A litter of show quality dogs can cost up to $24,000 to raise and care for.
The cost can depend on multiple factors such as what breeder you buy from, how healthy the puppy is, and if its destined to be a companion puppy or a show dog.
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