Cost to Buy a Golden Retriever Puppy

Cost to buy a golden retriever puppy? The Golden Retriever is an affectionate and affable breed. It’s one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. For many dog lovers, purchasing a Golden Retriever is worth it because they are the embodiment and definition of “man’s best friend.” How much does it cost to buy a golden retriever puppy? The price will vary depending on different factors such as the breeder that you’ll get it from, how many pups you’re willing to buy, the age, health conditions, pedigree, lineage etc. Not only that, you need to also factor in other costs for dog upkeep such as food, vet care, shelter and supplies etc. In this article, you’ll learn how much does it cost to buy a golden retriever puppy?

Cost To Buy a Golden Retriever Puppy: The Purchase Price

As mentioned earlier, the price of the Golden Retriever varies greatly, more so than other dog breeds. On average, you can expect to pay around $500 to $1,800 or more. Take note though that if you’re looking to buy a cheap golden retriever pup, you are most likely getting one from a backyard breeder without AKC documentation. Even if you bought it from a pet store, it doesn’t mean that the breed you’re buying is of great quality. Most pet stores get their animals from puppy mills and some even from illegal sources where animals are not treated properly.

On the other hand, golden retriever that came from excellent lineage, or those with special traits usually cost more. It will ranger around $1,000 to even $2,000 per pup. It’s obviously more expensive but keep in mind that it also means the pup you’re getting is healthy and raised properly. This means that it will be less expensive in terms of vet bills in the long run. If you’re looking to acquire a pup from a champion lineage, then expect to pay more.

Adopting a Golden Retriever

How Much Does It Cost To Buy a Golden Retriever Puppy? One of the best ways to save money is through adopting a Golden retriever. Pet adoption will just cost your around $400 to $550. It usually includes vaccinations and proper documentation. This is a much better alternative if you’re on a budget but still want to get a relatively quality dog breed. You will also be saving a life at the same time. It’s a win – win for everyone!

Feeding Costs

These dogs are large breeds and they are very active. It also equates to more food per month compared to other smaller dog breeds. They are the kinds of dogs that won’t leave anything on their plate – they just love to eat.

Given the affinity of the golden retriever food, you should have computed on how much their food will cost you and if you can afford it, before you even acquire one.

High Quality Food

Just like any dog breed, it’s highly recommended that you provide them with high – quality food because this will make them strong as it grows. The amount that your pet will eat depends on their current size, activity level, age and gender. Sometimes it also depends on whether or not they have an existing condition. The amount of food can range around 2 1/2 cups to 4 1/2 cups per day for an adult. Make sure to ask your vet regarding the specific amount of food your dog needs.

On average, quality dog food will cost $2 to $3 per pound. So if for instance, you get a 30 – pound bag for $50, it will equate to around 120 cups of dog food. If your adult pet eats around 3 cups per day, that means it can last for about 40 days. That’s just $55 for more than a month’s worth of food.

Of course, you can’t also forget the treats; you need to provide a treat for your pet especially if you will train them. All dogs need treats as a reward for having a good behavior. You should budget around $10 per month for this.

Vet Expenses

Generally speaking, the golden retriever is a healthy breed. But of course, as mentioned earlier, this is not guaranteed if you purchase one from backyard breeders or pet stores. If you buy a quality dog breed, then you won’t have anything to worry. Still, there are some basic vet cares you need to do.

If your pet is not neutered/ spayed, then you should do this right away otherwise you will have unexpected offspring. However, if you have plans on breeding your pet then you won’t have to pay for this. The surgery will cost around $300 to $500

Breakdown

The most common health issue for this dog breed is cancer. This is according to the Golden Retriever Club of America. They may also be prone to heart diseases, hip and elbow dysplasia as well as eye diseases. The most common health issues of this breed and their approximate treatment costs are as follows:

• Cancer: around $8,000 +
• Hip Dysplasia: around $1,500 +
• Entropion: around $300 +
• Cataracts: $1,500 – $5,000
• Ichthyosis: $200 – $1,000

On average, you will only pay a couple of bucks for a healthy golden retriever just for regular check – ups and maybe some occasional health issues like kennel cough etc.

Other Necessities

Aside from the initial purchase price and vet needs, there are also other things you need to keep in mind if you’ve decided to keep a dog in general. You may want to enroll your pet in an obedience training program which may cost you around $50 to $125 for 4 to 8 weeks of an hour’s sessions. Fortunately, golden retrievers are one of the most intelligent and trainable breeds in the world. 

Other things will include food, grooming, toys, crate, vitamins/ supplements, boarding etc. According to a survey taken by the American Pet Products Association, it will likely cost you around $1,600 on average per year to provide all of your golden retriever’s needs. We hope this article answered your question, how much does it cost to buy a golden retriever puppy?