Golden Retrievers are one of the most beloved dogs in the world, that’s why Golden Retriever prices are very expensive compared to other breeds. These good looking dogs considered the ideal family dog and have been eagerly welcomed into thousands of homes for ages. Golden Retrievers can make excellent guard dogs. They are large, protective and smart enough to guard your home and your family with minimal training at times, hence it’s no surprise that Golden Retriever price is very high.
But are Golden Retriever prices very high or are people just exaggerating? And does the age of a Golden Retriever play a factor in the price ?
In this article, we will discuss how much you can expect to pay for your Golden Retriever, Golden Retriever Cost Breakdown, factors that impact the cost of a Golden Retriever, Where you can find a cheaper Golden Retriever, and lastly Long Term Ownership Costs.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What are The Factors That Impact Golden Retriever Price ?
The Golden Retriever price is far more complicated than you think. There are many factors that determine the value of the Golden Retrievers, such as
- a. Age
Unfortunately, like any breed, an old Golden Retriever will cost less than a puppy. Old dogs don’t get enough love like the little ones because everyone wants a dog that is going to live longer. Although you may spend more time with a Golden Retriever puppy, that doesn’t mean an older Golden won’t fill all their years with you with lots of love and affection.
An older Golden Retriever is an ideal option for people who do not have the time or energy to raise a puppy and housebreak them.
- b. Coat Colors
The color of the Golden Retriever is often misunderstood. Most people when they hear the name Golden Retriever, they automatically think that his color is Golden which is incorrect, Golden Retrievers can come in other colors and sizes beyond gold, they can be various shades of gold, red, cream, or even black. However, some of these colors are rare. As a result, some breeders charge a premium price for these pups. These puppies often cost closer to $3,000 despite being the same as any other Golden Retriever.
However, in competitions, Golden Retrievers must be Golden in order to meet the standard,
- c. Gender
When it comes to gender, female Golden Retriever price has the edge over the male because females have a slightly unique personality and they are calmer and more independent as opposed to their energetic and affectionate male counterparts.
- d. Lineage and Bloodlines
In order to produce beautiful show quality puppies, many breeders often breed show dogs together. As you can imagine, these particular puppies have a very high price tag ($3,000-$5,000 per puppy).
The cost of breeding a litter of show quality puppies is approximately $24,000.
Keep in mind, there is no guarantee that these dogs will be show dogs too.
- e. Certification and Warranties
Golden Retriever puppy price can get higher when they have warranties, or guarantee
Generally a pedigree dog with certification will cost double the price of one without certification.
Most people assume that if a breeder has multiple certifications, then they are reputable. However just remember even a breeder with outstanding certifications could be less than desirable, so make sure to properly research every breeder that you are considering.
- f. Location
Depending on where you decide to buy your dog, it will affect how much a Golden Retriever puppy is.
Highly populated areas such as cities will charge much higher prices than rural breeders or shelters.
In addition, different cities and states have different breeding regulations. Prices may increase in certain areas because of certain breeding charges that the state enforces.
You will also have to consider if you plan to purchase or adopt from a breeder/shelter that is not local. You may need to pay for the expenses of traveling to pick up your new best friend.
How much do Golden Retrievers cost ?
There is nothing cuter than a Golden Retriever puppy, but you should know that something that is cute doesn’t come for free! Golden Retriever price and puppy supplies that you’ll need to buy straight away may cost you an average of $2,215. You also need to add a year’s cost to that, making the total first-year outlay $3,947. This will most likely be your most costly year.
After the first year, it will cost you $1,732. This will cover all the basic things your Goldie will need, such as food, other supplies, basic health checks and vaccinations, and insurance. However, this does not include additional medical expenses or services, such as training or dog walking. This does not include additional medical expenses or services, such as training or dog walking.
Golden Retriever Puppy Price
Golden Retriever puppies price will range between $900 and $1,300, however, if you are looking for a show-quality puppy or dog from a famous breeder, expect to pay extra money for your puppy, on the other hand, a Poor-quality breeders and puppy mills will charge lower prices. Since you spend less on health checks than more reputable breeders, they can offer lower prices to lure in customers. But if you want a healthy Golden puppy, expect to pay a little more and work with a responsible breeder.
Where you can find a cheaper Golden Retriever
As I mentioned before, there are several factors that play an important role in Golden Retriever price, and the location you decide to buy your puppy is one of them.
There are many places you may consider before buying a Golden Retriever:
- a. Animal shelter
If you’re looking for a cheap place to buy a Golden Retriever, animal shelter is the first place you need to visit. Adoption is typically cheaper than buying a Golden Retriever since starting adoption fees are around $250 to $500. Keep in mind that depending on the shelter, you may have to pay additional costs for certain shots and procedures.
Unfortunately, at shelters, you may not have a wide selection of dogs to choose from — especially if you’re looking for a specific gender, breed, age, or health level.
It’s also important to remember that, when adopting from a shelter, there is no guarantee that the puppy you choose won’t have bad behavior or health issues. You simply don’t know the history as you would if you purchased directly from a trusted breeder.
- b. Breeders
Breeders is another option if you are looking for a Golden Retriever, although the price is going to be much higher than shelter but you’ll have a higher chance of bringing home a happy and healthy Golden Retriever that will cost you less in the long run.
Long Term Ownership Costs
When you want to buy a dog you should also consider many other things besides the price of the dog such as;
- a. Training
Golden Retrievers are considered one of the smartest dogs in the world, so many owners choose to train these fluffy pups on their own.
However, if you do choose to give your puppy some training classes, you can expect to pay $50-$125 for an 8 week course.
Keep in mind, thats personal professional training will cost you more than a group training, starting from $50 per session
- b. Grooming
Golden Retrievers are known for such beautiful thick fur, however if you stop taking care of it, it starts to look messy. The price of grooming a Golden Retriever can vary a lot. Depending on the cut, you may expect to pay $70 per grooming session and will most likely have your dog visit the groomer 3-4 times per year.
However some owners prefer to give their dogs a natural look. These owners will not have to spend money on grooming sessions, you just need to invest in a good brush and a dog shampoo.
Besides fur maintenance, trimming your dog’s nails is just as important. Dogs need their nails cut monthly, Which costs about $10 if it is done by a groomer. If you choose to do this yourself, you can purchase a pair of nail clippers for about $15.
You will also need to spend about $5 on a toothbrush and toothpaste for your pup’s pearly white teeth. Dental hygiene is very important for dogs and is often neglected, so make sure to pay attention to this part of their care.
- c. Health Care and Veterinary Bills
Whilst Golden Retrievers are a healthy breed, you may not know what complications you may face in the future
Unfortunately, cancer is the most common disease that Goldens face.
it can be extremely expensive to treat your puppy if he develops any sort of cancer,
Cancer treatments can often cost $8,000-$15,000, so many owners purchase pet insurance in case of unexpected health concerns.
In addition, Goldens are known for developing hip dysplasia ($1,500-$6,000), entropion ($300-$1,500), cataracts ($1,500-$5,000) and ichthyosis ($200-$1,000).
In order to protect your Golden from any future complications you need to keep your pup at a healthy weight, watch closely for any unusual symptoms, and stay on top of regular vet check-ups.
Besides Golden Retriever puppies price you can expect to pay an additional $350-$650 in medical expenses during the first year.
- d. Insurance
Due to the huge expenses, many people purchase insurance for their dog. It’s similar to the human’s insurance. you pay each month an amount of money in return, the insurance company will help cover any unexpected medical expenses your pet may run into.
Whilst this may seem expensive, but it covers all unexpected diseases or any health concern that requires extensive treatment.
- e. Food and Treats
Golden Retrievers have enormous appetites. These big dogs can eat up to 4 cups of food each day.
To cover a month of food, a 30lb bag costs around 55$, will last them a little over a month. Which adds up to around $700 on food for your beloved dog. In case you choose higher quality food, you can expect to pay up to $1,000.
Treats are very important for Goldens, especially the young ones, since in order to train them you need to use treat, so expect more than $20 on treats
Golden Retriever Price: Final Thoughts
Golden Retriever price can be very daunting. These puppies are very expensive to buy and also cost a lot to maintain due to their endless appetites and potential medical complications.
So if you are willing to welcome a Golden Retriever into your home, expect to pay quite a bit for the privilege.
However, if you have the money to afford one of these beautiful dogs, you should not let their price scare you.
Golden Retrievers are one of the most affectionate breeds and will fill your life with love and wonderful memories.
