How Much Do Golden Retrievers Cost?

Golden retrievers typically cost around $2,000-$3,500 on Good Dog.

That might be a higher golden retriever price range than you’d find elsewhere, but every breeder on Good Dog has been carefully screened for responsible breeding practices. And working with a good golden retriever breeder will pay off in a million different ways.

For one? Good breeders stand behind their dogs forever, so you’re not just getting a puppy — you’re also getting a lifelong support system.

“You’ve spent eight weeks of very hard work with these babies, and you don’t want them to go out into the world and get lost,” says Jamie Bell, the breeder behind Grapevine Goldens in Loogootee, IN. “I still get phone calls about six-year-olds. ‘We’ve had this problem, what should we do?’ I’m all about it.”

Buying from less reputable sources might save you money up front, but it can lead to lifelong health or behavioral issues with your dog, which can be both expensive and emotionally taxing.

What goes into the cost of a well-bred golden retriever?

Producing physically, mentally, and emotionally sound golden retriever puppies takes a ton of hard work and dedication, including significant upfront costs. Planning a litter is a massive undertaking, for example, with breeders paying for health testing of the parent dogs, progesterone tests to time conception, and stud fees if they don’t have a male breeding dog of their own.

“The stud fees are anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000,” says Tracy Urban, the breeder behind Glenmac Goldens in Redding, CA. “Then you have the puppies and you still have to feed mom and the puppies, then pay the vet bills. It adds up.”

Most golden retriever breeders who use responsible breeding practices barely break even on their litters, but it’s a labor of love. They invest countless hours keeping up with the latest research, preparing their puppies to be comfortable in unfamiliar new environments, and carefully screening applicants to make sure their pups end up in the right forever homes.

For Jasmihn Williams, who got her 10-month-old golden puppy named Theo from Wyoming Sky Goldens in Gillette, WY, paying to work with a good breeder was completely worth it.

“We paid $1,500 for Theo, but price was kind of the last thing we were thinking about,” she says. “I was a first-time golden retriever owner, so the breeder helped me understand goldens and their needs. And I couldn’t deal with a death that could have been prevented by going to a responsible breeder.”

But there are other costs to consider, too.

Simply put: Puppies are expensive. When you think about how much a golden retriever costs, you have to factor in food, toys, walks, training aides, and more — not just the purchase price. One of the most significant ongoing expenses is veterinary care, which should begin within 2-3 days after you bring your new best friend home.

“During the first visit, the puppy is examined from head to tail,” says Dr. Lindsay Binkow of The Veterinarians at Court Square in Queens, NY. “We usually send a fecal sample for analysis as well to make sure the puppy doesn’t have parasites. We typically discuss diet, play time, normal puppy behaviors and potty training.”

Your vet will put your puppy on a vaccine schedule, so you’ll have to bring them back to the vet every few weeks for the first couple of months. Those vaccinations can cost anywhere from $45 to $65 each, Dr. Binkow says. And later on, unexpected medical expenses can add up in a hurry.

But if you’re prepared for the investment — and you understand the breed — the cost of a golden retriever is negligible compared to what you get in return. Just ask Jasmihn Williams.

“They’re so loyal and so sweet,” she says. “They’re honestly just the best.”