9 Reasons Labradoodles Are So Expensive (Explained!)
Labradoodles are an incredible breed that has become quite popular in recent years, but many aspiring owners are finding them to be very expensive.
Opening up your home to a new canine companion is very special and it is hard to put a price tag on such a feeling. However, when you see the cost of Labradoodles, it is easy to question why this breed is so expensive.
Why are Labradoodles so expensive?
Labradoodles are expensive because they are a rare breed, high in demand, are a specialty breed, often come from reputable breeders, are hypoallergenic, easy to train, require routine maintenance, and are family-friendly pets that have desirable personality traits.
When it comes to adorable mix-breed dogs, few pups can compete with the lovable nature and playful attitude of the Labradoodle.
This dog combines the qualities of a Labrador Retriever and Poodle into one – giving you the best of both worlds. Labradoodles have been around for about 30 years, but we have recently seen a huge spike in their popularity.
More and more pet owners want to bring one of these amazing pups into their home and there are a lot of reasons for it. Getting a dog is a huge commitment and you want to be sure that the breed you choose is compatible with you are your household in the long run.
That is why people tend to put a lot of thought and consideration into selecting the right breed before making this decision – with Labradoodle puppies generally being an easy ( yet expensive) go-to option – usually costing anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000.
To help you understand this better, we are going to take a closer look at exactly why Labradoodles cost so much.
After extensively researching Labradoodles, I have been able to gather enough information to determine why this breed has such an expensive price tag.
My research has shown me that the biggest factor that influences the cost of a Labradoodle is determined by the ancestry of the dog – with quality breeders charging considerably more.
1. Rare Breed
Labradoodles are not the most common breed that you see being sold, which makes this a pretty rare pup. This factor alone adds a lot to the final price tag of a Labradoodle.
However, it is important to recognize that there are two primary types of Labradoodles, which vary depending on how the dog was bred.
- American Labrador Retriever
- Australian Labrador Retriever
Both of these breed variations are priced high, but you can expect Australian Labradoodle puppies to cost a bit more.
The reason for this is that pure Australian Labrador Retrievers are less common than the American variation and they also tend to offer more consistent puppy behavior and development.
With that being said, the price of a Labradoodle that was bred with either of these Labrador Retriever variations will still be expensive. Depending on the type that you get, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 for your Labradoodle.
2. High Demand
Mix-breed dogs have been rapidly rising in popularity in recent years. This has led to an increase in demand for mix-breed dogs like the Labradoodle.
The breeders in the country that work with Labradoodles have taken notice of this demand increase and they are capitalizing on it by raising the price of their dogs.
There is some speculation as to exactly why there is so much demand for Labradoodles these days. A lot of breeders say that it is due to the personality traits of the dog and others say that they simply like the name of the breed.
Regardless, whenever anything is in demand, its price tends to skyrocket and that has very much been the case with Labradoodles.
Unlike many purebred dogs which can be purchased for several hundred dollars, you are easily looking at $2,000 to $3,000 for a quality Labradoodle. This is especially the case if you want to buy a puppy as opposed to an adolescent.
3. Specialty Breed
When weighing out the costs of a Labradoodle, we need to consider that this is not a typical breed. This kind of dog requires a professional touch from an experienced breeder to match a Poodle and Labrador Retriever.
In order for this to be done, you need to ensure that the bloodlines of both animals are exact so that an authentic Labradoodle can be bred.
A breeder will either have to work closely with both of these dogs to confirm this or he will have to invest a lot of time and energy to trace back the purity of the breeds through their ancestry.
Medical tests need to be conducted on the animals to check their bloodwork and reassure new owners that the dog is healthy and indeed a pure Labradoodle. This all amounts to a lot of work and money from the side of the breeder, which is naturally reflected in the final price tag of the pup.
4. Reputable Breeder
Regardless of the type of dog that you get, you will find that the cost of getting one from a reputable breeder is always considerably higher. A reputable breeder within the industry will have professional integrity in their work, which will show in the dog’s behavior and overall health.
This is contrary to buying a dog from an amateur breeder who may not be experienced enough to produce an authentic Labradoodle.
That is particularly the case for this breed given how important family lineage is for owners that want a pure Labradoodle.
An amateur breeder can potentially claim that his pups have been bred from Australian Labrador Retrievers when they were in fact mixed with an American variation.
However, there are some breeders out there that have absolutely no integrity for their work and put their animals through inhumane conditions.
These are generally classified as puppy mills, which are run by shady characters who are simply in the dog breeding industry to make money. These breeders have little to no consideration for the health and safety of their dogs.
When you buy your pup from a reputable dog breeder, you know that you are getting a sure thing – a real Labradoodle that has been cared for since birth. Getting your Labradoodle from a reputable breeder is going to cost you quite a bit more, but they are worth the price if you want a healthy and happy pup.
5. Hypoallergenic
A key characteristic of the Labradoodle is that it has a coat that hardly sheds or doesn’t do so at all. This makes Labradoodles a great dog for people who struggle with allergies. This is a characteristic that has greatly contributed to the popularity of this breed.
A lot of people like the idea of having a Labradoodle in their home but they can’t bear the allergies that come with it, which is why the Labradoodle is the answer to so many problems.
The lack of shedding not only implies that your allergies won’t be acting up but it also means you will have considerably less cleaning to do around the house.
In addition, Labradoodles are also hypoallergenic because they hardly drool. Saliva has been known to trigger allergic responses in some individuals, which is why slobbery dogs are often a no-go. This will not be an issue with a Labradoodle.
The rise in demand for hypoallergenic dogs has made the price tag of these pups shoot up significantly, which all adds to why Labradoodles are so expensive.
6. Trainability
Dog training is an essential part of being a pet owner. You need to ensure that your pup is well-behaved and obedient so that you can trust it to be out in public without becoming aggressive.
That is why trainability is an important characteristic that a lot of aspiring dog owners look for when selecting a breed.
A Labradoodle is very easy to train compared to some breeds out there, which has only increased their demand even more. Although this may save you money on paying for professional dog training, this is a characteristic that is valued by pet owners, which is why breeders often use this as a justification to increase prices.
7. Maintenance
You need to keep in mind that there are a lot of costs involved in owning a dog that will greatly exceed the initial amount of money you spend when you first pay for them.
Each breed requires a certain amount of maintenance and Labradoodles are not exempt from this.
Given that a Labradoodle has a hair coat instead of fur, it will require some upkeep to ensure that it stays healthy. This means that you will need to groom your dog routinely.
You will need to get your Labradoodle groomed (roughly) every six to eight weeks. However, you can gauge how routinely you groom your Labradoodle based on how fast its hair grows back.
This not only ensures that their coat stays beautiful but it also helps protect the healthy oils in the hair. Unless you are up to the job of properly grooming your Labradoodle regularly, you will likely need to hire a professional to do it for you. These costs alone can add up to $60 to $100 per session.
8. Family-Friendly
It’s often the case that family-friendly dogs cost quite a bit more. When a breed is known for its friendliness and adaptability, it is sold at a hire price given that this is generally correlated with an increase in demand.
When people look for a dog that they want to welcome into their family, they want it to be trustworthy and easy to get along with. A Labradoodle is the very definition of a family dog, as this is a loving breed that can nestle into the dynamic of any household.
9. Personality Traits
The bottom line is that the better a dog’s personality, the more expensive it is likely to be. Some breeds are known for being less social and potentially even aggressive.
Although there are a number of misconceptions about this, which are generally attributed to poor training from the owner, we must recognize that each breed does have unique personality traits.
Labradoodles are very loving and social animals, which ultimately affects how these pups are priced. Let’s break down the personality traits of a Labradoodle to understand this better.
Loyalty
Labradoodles are very loyal dogs that will stand by their owners through thick and thin. This is a breed that is known for loving and supporting its owners wholeheartedly.
Loyalty is a key characteristic that virtually every pet owner wants out of their dog, which is why the Labradoodle is a logical choice for so many people. Your pup will be eager and excited to spend time with you – whether it is going out for a run or having an easy day on the couch.
This adds to the family value that a Labradoodle offers to a household, but it is also something that bachelors look for when considering breeds.
Intelligence
Given that the Labradoodle comes from the ancestry of a Poodle, this breed is known for being very intelligent. A dog that is intelligent is much more likely to be susceptible to training and it will also be more rewarding to have around the house.
You can save yourself on time and energy on teaching your Labradoodle basic training and you can also greatly expand its reach for tricks and techniques. Not only is this an excellent personality trait for fun training ideas but it also makes Labradoodles great therapy dogs.
Playful & Affectionate
So many people buy their dogs because they want to have a pup to cuddle and play with, which are personality traits that Labradoodles are particularly known for. These animals are bursting with positive energy and they enjoy having fun, which is perfect for anyone looking to have more activity in their life.
They love toys and have just the best temperament!
Labradoodles are also incredibly affectionate animals. Your pup will value spending time with you and will take great pleasure in cuddle sessions on the couch.