How Much Does a Poodle Cost? 2024 Price Guide
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Poodles are one of the most varied groups of dog breeds. They are bright, playful, and energetic, and their cute faces mean they can get away with just about anything. Poodles are available in a large range of sizes and temperaments, making them excellent pets for people of almost any age or energy level.
If you’ve ever been interested in owning a Poodle of any kind, you may have wondered about the expenses associated with bringing a Poodle home. Many people associate Poodles with wealth, which may make them seem unattainable. This isn’t the case, though. It is possible to bring home a healthy Poodle from a reliable breeder or rescue for a fair price.
How Much Does A Poodle Cost: One-Time Costs
One-time costs associated with bringing home a Poodle go beyond the expense of purchasing or adopting the dog itself. You should be prepared for an initial vet visit, and if you are getting a puppy, you will likely need to take them to the vet multiple times in the first few months. Other expenses to get you set up include grooming and cleaning supplies, toys, a crate, dog beds, and accessories.
Free Poodle
It may be difficult to find a free Poodle, but it’s not impossible. Due to their high popularity, it’s not uncommon to find Poodles and Poodle mixes in need of rehoming. Be cautious when looking for free Poodles, though. While some people rehome their dog for reasons like moving into a home that doesn’t allow for dogs, some people rehome their dogs for behavioral reasons.
Adopt a Poodle
- $50–$300
When adopting a Poodle from a shelter, you’ll likely spend $150 or less. If going through a rescue, expect to spend a little bit more than you would at a shelter. Most rescues have fees between $100-300, although you may spend more depending on your area and the rescue itself.
Poodles For Sale at Breeders
- $500–$2000
What you spend on purchasing a Poodle from a breeder is going to be dependent on what type of Poodle you’re purchasing and how reputable and responsible the breeder is. Standard Poodles generally are slightly less expensive than toy and miniature Poodles. Aim to find a breeder that health tests, breeds healthy dogs, limits the number of breeds and litters they breed per year, and doesn’t sell to pet stores. You will find that from a reputable breeder, a Poodle costs between $500 and $2,000.
Poodle Price: Initial Setup and Supplies
- $882–$2,315
When you first bring home your Poodle, you should expect to spend around $1,000-2,000 in the first couple of months. These expenses cover the initial costs associated with supplies, vet visits, vaccinations, home grooming supplies, and a trip to a professional groomer. Your initial expenses will vary significantly based on the area you live in.
List of Poodle Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $15-30 |
| Leash | $15-30 |
| Spay/Neuter | $75-500 |
| Initial Vet Visit | $50-150 |
| Vaccines | $300-500 |
| Microchip | $25-85 |
| Teeth Cleaning | $200-500 |
| Crate | $30-100 |
| Nail Clippers | $7-15 |
| Brushes | $10-20 |
| Professional Grooming | $75-250 |
| Toys | $30+ |
| Carrier | $40-75 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10-30 |
How Much Does a Poodle Cost Per Month?
- $185–$770 per month
The monthly expenses associated with owning a Poodle are variable but won’t be significantly different from owning most other dogs in the area you live in. Regular monthly expenses will amount to things like food and replacement of supplies, like worn out toys, in addition to grooming and medical expenses.
Poodle Health Care
- $50–$150 per month
Monthly healthcare expenses for a Poodle will consist of regular items, like flea and tick prevention and heartworm prevention. Other health related expenses will be specific to any health conditions that your dog has.
Food for Poodles
- $50–$150 per month
The amount you spend monthly on your Poodle for food will be dependent on the size of your dog and the type of food you’re feeding. For a toy or miniature Poodle, it’s likely that you’ll spend around $50 monthly on food. For a standard Poodle, your food expenses could exceed $100. Don’t forget to account for the cost of treats as well.
Poodle Grooming
- $75–$250 per month
Not all Poodles will require a monthly visit to the groomer if you keep up with daily brushing at home. Depending on the size of your dog, condition of its coat, and area you live in, a visit to the groomer could cost you around $75-250. For a larger dog or a dog with a poorly kempt coat, grooming expenses may be more expensive.
Poodle Medications and Vet Visits
- $50–$150 per month
Most Poodles will not require a monthly visit to the veterinarian, but it’s a good idea to plan to put money aside monthly for emergency vet expenses and to help cover expenses during the months that your Poodle does require a vet visit. Vet visits may include treating illness, emergency visits, and routine vaccine and follow up appointments.
Pet Insurance for Poodles
- $0–$100 per month
Not everyone chooses to invest in pet insurance. It can be beneficial if something happens to your dog, and pet insurance helps to offset routine medical expenses as well. However, some dogs are not eligible for pet insurance based on age or pre-existing health conditions. Make sure to check the benefits that your employer offers to see if they offer any type of discount on pet insurance.
Poodle Environment Maintenance
- $0–$20 per month
Every month, set aside a little money for environmental maintenance expenses. This includes things to assist with keeping your dog’s environment clean, like pet safe cleaning supplies for your dog’s kennel and food and water bowls. Other maintenance items involve products like replacement grooming products to help keep your dog clean and healthy.
| Cleaning Supplies | $10/month |
| Replacement Items | $10/month |
Poodle Entertainment
- $10–$100 per month
How much you spend on your Poodle’s entertainment monthly will depend on the activity level of your dog. Some dogs are more destructive than others, which means you’ll be replacing toys more frequently. Subscription boxes are a great option for receiving new toys every month and typically cost between $10-40. They’re generally available with plans for dogs of different size ranges to ensure your Poodle gets appropriately sized toys.
Other sources of entertainment for your dog may include activities, such as agility. Classes and memberships can run $50 or more monthly. You can also purchase items to create brain games for your dog, like puzzles and Kong toys. These are great options for keeping your dog entertained and adding enrichment to their life on days you can’t be outdoors.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Poodle
- $185–$720 per month
The monthly costs associated with owning a Poodle may be more or less than these estimates based on the area you live in and the items you purchase. Different diets, toys, supplies, and groomers all can vary significantly in cost. Spending at least $100 monthly on your Poodle isn’t uncommon. For the average person, you’ll likely be spending less than $200 monthly.
Additional Costs to Factor In
Other costs you should be prepared for include pet sitters, trainers, and emergency expenses. Pet sitters and boarding facilities charge by the day and often charge extra for additional dogs, so you can easily spend $50 or more daily on boarding or pet sitting. Trainers usually charge by the session, but some offer packages to help limit expense. Setting money aside every month for any emergency or unexpected expenses will help you be prepared if anything comes up.
Owning a Poodle On a Budget
If you’re on a tight budget, owning a Poodle isn’t totally out of reach for you if you plan ahead and budget carefully. You can limit expenses by making toys last longer and coming up with games and puzzles at home that you don’t have to purchase. You can also rotate through toys and supplies to keep things interesting and prevent items from wearing out quickly.
Even on a budget, you should plan for the monthly expenses associated with food and medical care. These are expenses that cannot be skipped, regardless of budget. Coming up with creative ways to budget and stretch the use of items longer can go a long way in helping you to save money.
Saving Money on Poodle Care
You can save money on a professional groomer if you take time to brush your dog well every day to ensure they are not getting mats and to monitor their skin health. You can also save money on grooming expenses if you are comfortable shaving or grooming your Poodle yourself.
Another great way to save money on the care and maintenance of your Poodle is to watch online and brick-and-mortar shops for sales and coupons. These can be used to save a significant amount on foods, toys, treats, cleaning supplies, grooming supplies, and more.
Conclusion: Poodle Price
Owning a Poodle can be attainable, regardless of your budget. You should plan for up to $2.000 to acquire a Poodle, and then another $1000 or more for initial expenses related to care and supplies. Monthly, you’re likely to spend around $100-200 but there are money-saving options available for you.
Poodles of all sizes and types are fantastic dogs with fun personalities. They are not low-maintenance dogs, though. This means you may experience higher costs associated with grooming and basic care than you would with a lower-maintenance dog. Set aside money every month as a backup option in case unexpected expenses arise or you find yourself in an emergency situation.
See also:
- Moyen vs. Standard Poodle: Which One Should I Choose?
- How Long Do Poodles Live? Average Lifespan Data & Care Guide
Featured Image Credit: No-longer-here, Pixabay
