Why Are Golden Retriever Puppies So Expensive?

When I first started looking for my puppy, I was shocked at how much Golden Retriever puppies cost. Looking a little further into why, I found some really useful information that helped me understand the cost a little better. Despite being surprised at the cost, it helped me to understand why they cost so much, and having Minnie curled up next to me as I write this confirms that I made the right decision.

Why Are Golden Retriever Puppies So Expensive?

Golden Retriever puppies are so expensive because of their popularity. Golden Retrievers have become very popular family dogs and appear often in pop culture. They are notoriously gentle with children, intelligent, and easy to train. I’m sure you’ve seen the videos of Golden Retrievers in action, helping carry grocery bags, waiting patiently for a command, or even helping guide natural disaster survivors to help.

The popularity of this breed isn’t just because of their personality. They are the most common service dog breed. This means that Golden Retrievers are being bred to be service dogs, and naturally, there are less available for families to adopt. Golden Retrievers are also commonly used as police dogs. Their energy and high sense of smell make them great at tracking, but they are not commonly used to guard or attack because of their calm and gentle personalities. However, there is more to know if you’re looking for a Golden Retriever puppy.

 How much does a Golden Retriever puppy cost?

The cost of a Golden Retriever puppy can vary based on where you get them. They can cost you anywhere from $500 to $2,000 depending on where you get them from. If you are considering getting a Golden Retriever service dog, then you can expect to pay about $25,000. Of course, this is only if you or a member of your family need a service dog. They are fully trained to help people with disabilities be able to live their lives more safely.

There are other fees that come with adopting a puppy. If your Golden Retriever puppy is not spayed or neutered, then you should consider doing that right away. That can cost anywhere from $250 to $500. Although, there are some adoption agencies that will do it for free if you pay the adoption fee. You may also want to consider obedience training. This can not only help you teach your new puppy commands, but it will also allow them to socialize with other dogs. This can cost you anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on how long you do lessons and where they are done.

 What are the potential health costs for Golden Retrievers?

Overall Golden Retrievers are reasonably healthy dogs, but there are some future health costs to consider. Golden Retrievers are at risk for cancer, hip dysplasia and heart disease. Each of these can cost owners thousands of dollars to treat, but overall Golden Retrievers won’t cost you too much in vet bills. Each year with checkups and occasional extras, you can expect to pay around $200 to $300. So, it’s always a good idea to have money set aside for ordinary, annual vet bills.

 What about general costs for getting a puppy?

Keep in mind this is a rough estimate as each puppy will have its own unique needs, but these are some general costs you can expect when you get a new puppy. Dog food will probably be the most consistent expense that you’ll have, but its cost will depend on you. Dog food that is healthier for your dog tends to be more expensive, so make sure you are setting aside enough money to feed them.

Also consider costs for a bed, toys, leashes, collars, treats and grooming. All of these can cost you anywhere from $200 to $1,000 depending on the brands you choose. If you aren’t able to be home with your dog, you may need to hire a dog walker to ensure that your puppy is getting exercise during the day. Depending on how much they charge, you are looking at about $100 per week for someone to walk your dog.

Your puppy will also need training, like we discussed above which can cost you about $100 per session. The total cost will depend on how long the class is or how much training that your puppy needs. Generally, Golden Retrievers are very smart and tend to pick up quickly on training due to their desire to please.

 How much does potty training cost?

We’ve already discussed the costs of potty training in a class setting, but there are other costs to consider as well. Before your puppy knows to go outside, you’ll need to consider puppy training pads which can cost between $15 to $50. These will help your puppy be able to go without ruining the carpet or making a huge mess. They also make puppy pads that are similar to grass to her teach your puppy that grass means go.

There are also puppy diapers to consider in order to help minimize accidents in your home. These cost anywhere from $8 to $20, and you can also get washable ones that can be reused. Until your puppy is fully potty trained you may want to consider keeping them in certain room or even a cage when you are out of the house, otherwise the hunt for a urine spot can take a while. Also, consider paying someone to come by and let them out during the day while you’re working, especially when you’re trying to get them used to going outside.

If you want some more information on potty training your Golden Retriever puppy, then check out our article for information on how long it takes and the best methods we recommend.

 How to deal with costly behavioral issues?

We talked about the cost of potty training, but there are some other behavioral issues for Golden Retriever puppies that could potentially cost you money. If your puppy has too much energy and they aren’t getting enough exercise, then they you may notice some behavioral issues. We have heard all the stories about puppies chewing on their owners shoes, and this is a common behavioral problem.

It’s just not necessarily always shoes. Bored puppies will find anything they can chew on and go for it. This means destroyed shoes, unstuffed toys or even a destroyed pillow. Don’t leave your new Golden Retriever puppy alone with anything you don’t want chewed or you’ll have to set aside some money to replace those things when they end up in your puppy’s mouth.

Why Are Golden Retriever Puppies So Expensive?

Puppies also tend to bite. As they grow up and discover new things, they generally can’t wait to chew on anything new they find. You know, just to see if it’s food. They may also do the same with you. Chewing lightly on your hand is normal for dogs whose teeth are coming in, but sometimes as they get older, dogs don’t realize that they are stronger now.

So, what was once cute, is now painful and could mean a trip to the ER. We have some more information as to when to expect your Golden Retriever puppy to stop biting here. Be sure to check it out to help you find some things to do to prevent biting.

 Closing thoughts

In general, Golden Retriever puppies are so expensive because of how popular they are. Whether you should thank pop culture or their lovable personalities is a toss-up. If you have enough to spend on a Golden Retriever puppy, then you’ll never regret it.

But it’s important to remember that there are plenty of other costs that go into having a puppy, like vet bills, toys, food and many other things we’ve talked about. Just make sure that you can not only afford to adopt them, but also continue to provide for them as needed.

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