Fluffy Companions: How Much Do Fluffy Golden Retrievers Cost?
Imagine finding a dog breed that’s not only exceptionally expensive but also requires a lot of love and is overwhelmingly adorable? Indeed, there are some dogs that meet all these criteria. Isn’t that amazing?
Yes, this beautiful dog is called Golden Retriever: an innocent, down-eared, golden-furry friend that people love to adopt more than any other breed.
But today, instead of talking more about its traits, we’re going to discuss how much do fluffy golden retrievers cost.
So, let’s begin!
What’s so special about Golden Retrievers?
- Golden Retrievers are excellent family dogs because they are the happiest when surrounded by their pet owners, especially children.
- They are energetic and strong and thus require rigorous exercise and outdoor time.
- They are also perfect therapy dogs for their unconditional love for everyone they interact with frequently – so, a perfect choice for sick or aged persons.
- Their extremely playful nature makes them great personality dogs, who even mix with other animals too.
- They are one of the most intelligent dogs ever for their fast-learning behavior.
- They bark less than other dogs, except when seeing intruders or strangers. So places, where there’s noise restriction, this dog fits the best.
- Golden Retrievers’ lifespan is 10-12 years, provided they are not poorly bred, which causes multiple allergies, hip dysplasia, and other disease leading to early death.
Factors Affecting The Cost OF A Golden Retriever Puppy
Having read the above unique features of this cute little friend, the next thing that comes to your mind is the cost of a golden retriever puppy.
Before coming to a pet figure of what it costs, let’s look at the factors that affect its cost so you may know if it falls into your budget or not.
- Age Of The Dog
That’s the simplest factor that everyone knows. But in the case of golden retrievers and similar breeds, that’s the other way around.
But how?
Since the ideal time to find a home for a golden puppy is eight weeks, if that time passes without any success, the price of this dog goes down. The sole reason is early training and getting close to the people around. The higher the age, the lesser the price.
- Time Of Purchase
Summertime is the best time to enjoy with your furry friend by spending beautiful times in the backyard, parks, and walkways, as well as you need to care less about saving your dog from the cold. This increases its demand, and the price goes up.
- Dog’s Pedigree
Dogs having AKC-certified pedigrees tend to have much more value, simply because your dog’s family tree is known and confirms that yours is a pure breed. In fact, Golden retrievers are known to have first come from Scotland originally.
Renowned breeders always use dogs having certified pedigrees to make sure the mating dogs and the new offspring would be purebred too.
So the purer the breed, the higher the price.
In addition to the dog’s bloodline, a good breeder is open about sharing the documentary evidence of the puppy’s vet visits, the videos of the puppy playing and resting, and regularly interacting with the puppies.
Cost of a Golden Retriever (Cost Breakdown)
Now that you got to know much about this great breed let’s share the total cost of a golden retriever puppy or an adult: whichever suit you best.
- Adoption Cost
Of course, when buying anything, the first cost is the purchase price, and then comes the rest. The golden retriever’s case depends on whether it’s a puppy or an adult golden retriever.
But wait, dear dog lovers!
Before you decide how young a puppy you’ll buy, you need to decide whether you’re choosing a golden retriever breeder, local shelter, or rescue center. The benefit of getting from reputable breeders is the guarantee that the Golden retriever is purebred and you’re getting a relatively healthy breed.
A new puppy from a golden retriever quality breeder would cost you $1000-$3000.
Getting a golden retriever from the shelter or rescue center will cost you between $160 and $500, as their adoption fees are merely a sum to cover their rescue cost. This means the price difference is huge.
Since they find an abandoned or a rescued dog, you will find adult golden retrievers only with them most of the time with the puppy’s parents unknown.
Do You Know?
Even though the Golden retriever’s lifespan is between 10-12 years, ‘Augie’ broke the record for the oldest golden retriever by living for 20 years.
- Puppy Food Cost
The Golden Retriever puppy, on average, takes 3 cups a day, whereas an adult golden retriever 3-5 cups.
In other words, a dry 30-pound bag consumed monthly costs between $50-$100, depending on how qualitative the food is.
For wet dog food, the price is even higher. Large dogs taking part more in outdoor activities and long walks will consume more food than a young golden retriever puppy. In short, wet food for your golden retriever puppies may cost you between $400 – $1000.
Beware of Puppy Mills!
It’s better to adopt a rescue dog than get one from puppy mills as the condition they breed in the puppies are totally inhumane, which you may regret later in the form of dog behavior too. All because not all breeders sell as cheaply as puppy mills do.
- Puppy Supplies Cost
The accessories cost you a little if counted individually, but when combined together, you may realize it takes a big chunk of your budget slowly and steadily.
Following are a few supplies you would buy for your golden retriever puppies.
- Leash
A leash is a must for your golden retriever puppies because it’s your pet’s lifeline that protects it from traffic and sudden attacks, or keeps him restricted. The cost of an ordinary leash may cost you a little over $11 and go as high as $35 if you prefer a high-quality retractable leash.
Most time, you would see dog owners struggling with their dogs who try to escape every moment. To prevent this from happening with your golden retriever puppies, you need to train them from an early age, buy a quality leash that doesn’t choke, don’t play tug with the leash, and make them lose energy before you go for a walk with him.
- Dog Bowl
This is where you can save money by buying inexpensive utensils. An ordinary dog bowl that fits dogs of all ages will cost you between $5 to $10 for metallic and ceramic, respectively. It’s always advised to use a slow feeder inserted into the dog’s bowl to prevent the dog from fast eating, which causes multiple digestion problems.
- Water Bowl
A water bowl for your dog can be as simple as your food bowl, costing not more than $7. But if you wish to get an automatic bowl that supplies the water as it’s consumed, the cost would be between $40 and $70.
Fact Findings
There are almost 8 most popular dog breeds of a golden retriever named English cream golden retriever, American golden retriever, Canadian golden retriever, Black golden retriever, Mini golden retriever, Field bred golden retriever, Show golden retriever, and Red golden retriever.
- Toys & Equipment
A healthy golden retriever has typically healthy teeth, which can’t be achieved without chew toys that remove the tartar from the dog’s teeth but also cause him to secrete saliva that contains multiple bacteria. Other than chew toys, puppy toys include balls, ropes, training toys, etc., costing a few bucks to hundreds.
And let’s not forget that poop bags are a must for a dog walker because you may get a fine if you don’t remove your dog’s poop in metropolitan areas.
- Dog Treats
Dog treats are necessary for dogs as they are the core of any training. You’re treating separation anxiety in dogs, or an excessive licking treat must be given once he obeys your order, costing you $10 to $36 per month.
- Grooming supplies
And, of course, some grooming supplies are a must, like a dog comb, nail clippers or grinders, and brushes. The cost is $30-$100.
- Golden Retriever Veterinary Expenses
Vet visits are inevitable for any dog because a puppy’s health can’t be compromised at any cost. In the case of these dogs, your yearly vet bills can be a combination of multiple things, like ordinary vaccination ($150), DAPPV vaccination ($75), American Kennel Club (AKC) membership ($35), and annual visits to a vet ($67*5).
In other words, the total vet bills including routine checkups, lab tests, vaccination, medicine cost, and other health problems, make up to $700-$1500, depending upon the frequency of vet visits.
Preparing your dog for a vet visit can be difficult, especially for the first time. Yet following some basic guidelines can help you keep your pet calm at the clinic.
- Neutering Cost
Male golden retrievers should be neutered not before one year; otherwise, if neutered before 6 months, the consequence is much more severe than non-neutered breeds. The average cost to neuter your cost is between $50 and $300. The younger the age, the higher the charges.
Additional golden retriever costs like puppy training, doggy daycare, dog walkers, hiring a professional groomer, dog crate, pet insurance, and getting puppies having the bloodline of award-winning dogs add up as well, depending upon your luxurious lifestyle.
The Bottom Line
Golden Retriever is an energetic, lovely golden coat house dog with a high price for being a perfect dog for families. Puppies bred matters, so always buy a golden retriever from a reputable breeder. The average cost of adoption including purchase price of $1000-$3000, medical costs of $700-$1500, supplies cost of $100-$500, and adding other costs is $4500 in the first year, and $1800-$2200 per annum later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are you one of the golden retriever owners? If yes, tell us how much you bought it for and from where? And how amazing your golden retriever ownership has been so far? We would love to know of its naughty habits, if any, too.
Are Golden Retrievers good house dogs?
Absolutely yes, golden retrievers are one of the best house dogs, best for children.
Is Golden Retriever a lazy dog?
Not at all. Golden retrievers are known for their extraordinary energy and are the best partner for outdoor activities.
What is the lowest price for Golden Retriever?
From a renowned breeder, the starting price may be $1000 and go as high as$3500 even, depending on the breeder.
What is the average cost of owning a Golden Retriever?
The initial cost of owning a Golden retriever in the first year is $4500, then $2000 a year. So, the average golden retriever price range is $3500-$4500.
