How Much do Standard Poodles Cost?

Standard Poodles are a very popular dog breed that many people love and adore. They are known for being very intelligent and easy to train. But if you’re thinking of purchasing a Poodle – you may have wondered how much Standard Poodles cost and what price range you can expect.

The average cost of a Standard Poodle is between $800 and $1500. The cost will depend on the breeder, the bloodline of the Poodle, its gender and whether or not the Poodle has been spayed or neutered. If you’re looking for a top-quality Standard Poodle, be prepared to spend closer to the $1500 mark.

What is the cost of a Standard Poodle?

The cost of a Standard Poodle will range from $700-$1500 in the United States. The cost will very much depend on whether you are looking for a male or female Standard Poodle, their colour, whether they are up to date on vaccinations, have all the necessary health certificates and if they are neutered/spayed.

What’s the price range of a Standard Poodle?

As mentioned, you can expect to pay anywhere between $700-$1500 for a Standard Poodle, but this price can fluctuate depending on demand also, so always keep an eye out for a good deal and don’t just settle on a Poodle because they are cheap.

Cost of Standard Poodles from a shelter

If you’d like to adopt a Standard Poodle from a shelter, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50-$400. But this will depend on the shelter, the dog’s age, health, temperament and the area you’re in.

Cost of Standard Poodles from a reputable breeder

This is the more expensive option, as you’ll be paying for a Poodle that has been bred with the intention of being sold. A reputable breeder will charge anywhere between $700-$1500 for a Standard Poodle, and you’ll have the benefit of raising them as a puppy, whereas, through a shelter, the poodle may be of older age, thus cost less.

How much should you pay for a Standard Poodle?

This really depends on how much you’re willing to spend and what your budget looks like. But we don’t recommend spending little amounts on a Standard Poodle, because if they are cheap, this could signal that they haven’t been bred responsibly and may not be healthy. It’s always best to do your research, compare prices and make sure you visit the breeder before making any decisions.

Have plenty of money aside and ensure that you have a flexible budget.

How much does it cost to take care of a Standard Poodle?

Aside from the initial purchase price of a Standard Poodle, all dogs come with a maintenance cost to ensure they have food, shelter, toys, insurance and routine vet check-ups and vaccinations.

These costs will depend on where you live, how often you take your Poodle to the vet and what kind of food you feed them. Generally, you can expect to pay around $100-$200 per month on taking care of a Standard Poodle.

It’s important to have pet insurance to help with any unexpected costs, like if your Poodle gets sick or has an accident. If you don’t, then you could incur hefty vet bills that could cost you thousands of dollars.

Below are some of the costs of supplies to give you a rough idea:

• Dog toys – $5-$15
• Dog food – $50-$100
• Dog treats – $5-10
• Shampoo – $5-$15
• Pet insurance – $25-$75
• Vet check-ups – $50-$250
• Vaccinations – $25-$100
• Deworming tablets – $10-25
• Neuter/Spay – $200-$500
• Water bowls – $10
• Microchip – $50-$85
• Crate – $50-$100
• Bed – $25-$100

Some of these are regular costs, like food and insurance, but other things like shampoo aren’t as frequent. The point is, that there are plenty of costs to keep in mind when getting a Standard Poodle, so make sure you’re prepared before taking the plunge.

What can influence the price of a Standard Poodle?

Before buying a Standard Poodle, it’s worth noting that there are a few things that can influence the price. This includes:

Age of the Standard Poodle

As with all dog breeds, puppies cost more than an adult, as they are in popular demand and you get the benefits of raising them from a young age

Colour of the Standard Poodle

The colour of a Standard Poodle can also affect the price, as some colours are more popular than others. Black Standard Poodles are the most popular, followed by white and then brown – so if you’re in the market for a popular colour, you should expect to pay more.

Size of the Poodle

The size of a Poodle can also play a role in how much it cost. There are three sizes, such as standard, toy and miniature. If you’re looking for a miniature or toy version, you can expect to pay more than a Standard Poodle as they are smaller and tend to be in popular demand.

Breeder’s reputation

If you plan to buy directly from a breeder, you can expect higher prices, especially if they are a positive, reputable source. Buying from a shelter will likely be less expensive.

Being microchipped

A microchipped dog is a more expensive dog but this cost is worth it as your dog can be returned to you if they become lost. If your dog is microchipped and gets lost, and is taken to the vet, they will be able to scan the microchip to understand who owns the dog. They can then organise for them to be returned to you.

It’s a no-brainer and in some countries, like the United Kingdom, dogs must be microchipped by law (1, 2).

Vaccinations

Vaccinations help keep your dog healthy and should be done every year. They cost around $25-$100 per session, depending on where you live and how many vaccinations are required.

If your dog is being sold with vaccinations, this will increase the price, but it’s worth considering as it means one less cost for you down the line, and will ensure that they are well protected from the get-go.

If the Standard Poodle has been spayed or neutered

If the Standard Poodle has been spayed or neutered, this will lower the cost of the dog. You’re unlikely to find a puppy that has had this procedure, as the rule of thumb is to wait until the dog is at least 6 months of age, but if you are buying an older dog from a shelter, it could very much be the case that they are spayed/neutered.

For those that are looking to breed their poodles, the price will be significantly higher for those that haven’t had the procedure. It’s worth asking the breeder about this before making any decisions.

Whether the Poodle is purebred

A purebred Standard Poodle will cost more than a non-purebred. This is because purebreds are considered to be of a higher quality and therefore, in higher demand. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you might want to consider a non-purebred Standard Poodle, but be aware that they may not have the same characteristics as a purebred.

What should you consider before buying a Standard Poodle?

There are a few things you should consider before taking the plunge and buying your new dog – and luckily for you, we have covered everything below.

Can you afford to look after a dog?

You should first ask yourself the question of whether you are financially capable of raising and looking after a dog. Dogs are expensive and have an ongoing cost, so it’s not just the initial cost of the dog that’s important, it’s all of the bills afterwards too.

Maintenance costs will include vet bills, insurance, food, shampoo, beds, toys, treats and more. You should also factor in things like dog-sitting if you’re going away on holiday or need to work late. All of these things cost money, so be sure you’re prepared before taking the plunge (3, 4).

Do you have enough time to devote to them?

Are you a busy work person and /or a social butterfly, you might not have as much time to devote to your new dog as you’d like. Dogs need plenty of exercise and attention throughout the day, so if you aren’t home often to look after them, then you aren’t ready to have a dog.

However, if your employer is flexible with you working from home, or you work part-time or are able to pop home over your lunch break, then you might be able to make it work. It really depends on your individual circumstances. This should be thought about very carefully.

Do you have the right lifestyle for a dog?

Looking after a dog will not only drain your finances but also your available time too. They will become part of your family and you will need to adjust your lifestyle to accommodate them. If you’re not prepared for this, then you’re not ready for a dog.

If you go to the beach at the weekend with friends, who will look after the dog? Will you take your dog? What about your children? Are you happy with the dog being around them? These are the sort of questions you need to ask yourself before you get a dog.

Do you have a suitable home for them?

Dogs need a garden to be able to run around, play and let off steam – especially if they are quite big. They also need someone to pee and poop, so it’s worth considering your living arrangements before considering a dog.

If you live in a flat, it’s not the end of the world, but you will need to take them on more walks and take them out often so they can pee. This could be every few hours.

What you should expect to pay in the first year for a Standard Poodle

There are a few costs to expect in the first year when buying a dog, so you should have plenty of cash set aside to help with this. The cost of the dog itself will be the first cost, then you have things like food, toys, leads, collars, beds and insurance.

Dog toys

Dogs love their toys and can’t get enough of them, they can range from $5-15 per toy, so expect to buy a toy every now and then to keep them happy (and occupied!). A Kong is a great option for dogs as it keeps them entertained for hours on end, as you’re able to put treats inside it. You can also buy them chew toys, which are great for their teeth and gums.

Shampoo

Shampoo costs anywhere between $5-15 depending on the brand, but if your dog is long-haired then they will need to be washed more frequently. You should opt for a dog-specific shampoo as human shampoo can strip their fur of natural oils and leave their skin dry.

Dog food

Dog food is another item you will need to add to your shopping list – dogs require a lot of food, especially if they are of larger size like a Standard Poodle. A good quality dry dog food will cost you around $40 for a 15kg bag, which should last you around a month. You might also want to add in some wet food and treats, which can cost an extra $20-30 per month.

Beds

Dogs love their beds, it’s their place to relax and feel safe, so you want to make sure they have a comfortable place to sleep. Beds can cost anywhere between $50-200. You should expect to buy a new bed every 6 months or so, as they will start to wear down over time.

Some dogs have a habit of eating their beds, so if this is the case then you might want to opt for a bed that is made from tougher material and is more durable.

Leads and collars

You will need to buy a lead and collar for your dog, which can cost around $30. The lead should be strong and comfortable for your Poodle to wear, and the collar should be a good fit so it doesn’t rub their fur or strangle them.

You’ll likely need to buy a new collar and lead every 6 months or so, as they will start to show signs of wear and tear and it’s not worth risking their safety. Make sure you buy a good quality lead that’s made from tough material, as you don’t want it to break when your dog is running around, and it will save you money later down the line.

Insurance

Insurance is a must-have for all dogs, as it covers you for any unexpected vet bills. If you don’t get a policy, then this could cost you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars if your dog becomes seriously ill or injured (5).

It’s a good idea to shop around and compare different policies before you decide on one, as they can vary quite a bit in terms of cost and coverage.

The cost of insuring a Standard Poodle will depend on a few things, such as their age, health and where you live. But you can expect to pay around $50-100 per month for a good quality policy.

Conclusion: Cost of a Standard Poodle

The cost of a Standard Poodle isn’t cheap and they can cost anywhere between $700-$1500, but they are worth every penny! You can expect to pay around $100 per month for food, $30 for leads and collars, $50-200 for a bed, and $50-100 a month for insurance.

With all of these costs, it’s important to be prepared and have a budget in place before jumping in. Buying a dog is a huge responsibility and will change the way you live your life, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do!