What is the Cost of a Curly-Coated Retriever?
Curly-coated retrievers make great pets and are a wonderful addition to many homes out there.
Those who love to get outside and be active would love to have the incredibly active curly-coated retriever on their side.
For those who are looking and adding this dog to their families, it is important to know how much they cost.
What is the Cost of a Curly-Coated Retriever?
If you are buying your curly-coated retriever puppy from a breeder, expect to pay anywhere from $1000-$2500. These dogs are more expensive because they are more uncommon. If you find your curly-coated friend in an adoption shelter, you may pay a bit less though they will be hard to find.
If your heart is set on a curly-coated retriever, then you may be willing to pay the high price.
Keep in mind that you will need more money than just to cover the adoption fee.
There is much more to pay for from proper food to proper training.
Why Are Curly-Coated Retrievers so Expensive?
While curly-coated retrievers have been in the United States since the 1900s and in Europe for longer, they remain to be a pretty rare breed.
In fact, this breed almost went extinct in the 1900s.
These dogs also aren’t super popular like how the golden retriever is.
Breeders haven’t been trying to breed more curly-coated retrievers since the demand isn’t super high.
However, the demand is still high enough for the current population to make the price of these dogs quite expensive.
The Price of Training
Most times, unless you adopt through a shelter, you are getting your curly-coated retriever when they are a puppy.
When getting any dog from the time they are a puppy, it is always a good idea to have them trained.
Having your curly-coated retriever trained is especially important as training helps them become social and well-mannered dogs.
Curly-coated retrievers are also easy to be trained as they are super intelligent.
Training helps them if you want them to do certain outdoor activities and if you want them to be socialized properly so they aren’t fearful around strangers.
Getting your dog trained can cost differently depending on the trainers you go to. On average, training classes cost anywhere from $30-$80 per class.
The number of classes your dog would need depends on the individual dog, but training costs will easily build up.
Expect to pay at least several hundred dollars in training your curly-coated retriever.
What is the Cost of Dog Food and Treats?
There are so many brands of dog food on the market, each claiming to be the best for dogs anywhere and everywhere.
However, dog owners know that not all dog foods are the same.
Finding the best dog food for your breed of dog is important in keeping them healthy and happy.
There are certain brands of dog food that work very well for curly-coated retrievers. The first thing to look out for is making sure that your dog food is AAFCO approved.
This means that your dog’s food is suited to meet the nutritional needs of your dog.
It’s like being FDA-approved for dogs.
When getting dog food, look at the ingredients. The first ingredient should always be an animal-based protein source, like beef for example.
From there, the cleaner the ingredients, the better.
A good brand for curly-coated retrievers is American Journey. Their dog food is super clean and healthy. They also have allergy-sensitive options for the more sensitive retriever.
These healthy dog foods tend to cost a lot of money.
American Journey is around $50 for 24 pounds of food. Different sized bags will cost differently, but you shouldn’t be spending under $15 for high-quality dog foods.
Treats vary widely in price. It is okay to go simpler on dog treats, so these can cost around $10 per box.
However, curly-coated retrievers might do good with natural treats, including dried pig ears or other pieces of animal meat.
These can be a lot higher in price if you get high-quality treats.
What Are the Grooming Costs of a Curly-Coated Retriever?
Grooming is where the costs of curly-coated retrievers relax a lot.
This breed of dog doesn’t require any intense grooming and doesn’t require taking them to a special dog groomer.
Their coats don’t require too much upkeep. You never have to shave their curly coat, instead just trim around their ears and feet when necessary.
This just requires a small pair of scissors, something you may already have around the house.
For shedding seasons, you can help your dog shed their coat using a grooming comb. These usually cost around $10 and can be bought in stores or online.
Using a grooming comb is better than a dog brush as brushes can make their coats frizzy.
Curly-coated retrievers don’t require frequent bathing, but when they do, make sure you have a decent dog shampoo.
You can also use a flea and tick treatment during bathing as they spend a lot of time outdoors. These products will cost around $15-$20 depending on the quality.
Do remember to brush your curly-coated retriever’s teeth regularly.
However, dog toothpaste and a dog toothbrush add to the overall price of a curly-coated retriever.
Even if you get higher quality products, the grooming cost for your curly-coated retriever shouldn’t be more than $100.
What Are the Medical Costs of Curly-Coated Retrievers?
If you thought that the costs of training your curly-coated retriever would hurt the bank, be prepared for medical expenses.
First, remember that your dog will need regular check-ups and vaccinations.
This is true for any dog yet doesn’t make the costs any less expensive. Annual check-ups and any needed vaccinations can cost up to $100 each.
You can also get insurance for your dog, adding another $50-$80 to your monthly bills.
However, this insurance can be a huge help in the face of any medical emergencies or medication costs.
Speaking of medications, taking care of a sick dog is expensive.
Depending on what’s needed, whether that’s prescription dog food or antibiotics, medications can be anywhere from $10 to over $100.
Curly-coated retrievers are prone to many health problems.
One common health problem they face is oral problems. Treating this can be expensive, even if it’s just the payment of a prescription toothpaste.
Curly-coated retrievers spend a lot of time outside which means that they can be susceptible to many diseases from swimming in dirty water or from bugs.
Treating these can be as simple as buying an over-the-counter treatment, or can be more complicated such as needing antibiotics from the vet.
What About Surgery Costs?
Pet owners love their pets fiercely, even if that means dropping $1000 or more for a surgery that their pet needs.
Curly-coated retrievers are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia along with eye problems.
If they suffer from any of these health conditions, the vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem.
Surgery is incredibly expensive, especially if your dog doesn’t have insurance that will help cover the cost.
Having to go through any surgeries can add several thousand dollars to the total cost of curly-coated retrievers.
This list of surgeries doesn’t even cover any possible injuries or surgeries to take care of other diseases.
Other, Smaller Scale Fees
There are many more things in your curly-coated retriever’s life that will cost money.
Dogs are very expensive, and curly-coated retrievers are no exception.
Here Are Some Other Fees That You May Come Across for Your Curly-Coated Retriever:
- The cost of toys
- Leashes, collars, flea collars, and other travel necessities
- Any fees for dog babysitters
- Travel fees (if you travel on planes at all)
- Additional dog fees that can come across on your outdoor adventures (fees for having a dog on a camping site for example)
Final Thoughts
After paying the initial $1000-$2500 that comes from purchasing a curly-coated retriever from a dog breeder, there are thousands of dollars of extra costs that come from owning this breed of dog.
The most expensive extra costs include health fees, training fees, and the price of food. All of these expenses can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars over time.
Since you are most likely to be owning your curly-coated retriever from the age of a puppy, you are highly likely to spend over $10,000 over the years.
That’s if there aren’t any medical emergencies that need to be dealt with.
If you are planning to own a dog of any kind, it is very important to budget.
Figure out how much money will be spent for your dog in the average month, including costs of food, travel, or any medical visits that are planned for the month.
Budgeting can help you see how much your dog will cost overall and how much financial preparation you will need to do.
The high cost of a curly-coated retriever can be worth it if coming into the right family.
They are amazing dogs that are loving, loyal, and sure to change the lives of their family for the better.
