The Poodle is one of the most intelligent and popular breeds of dog in the world. Its origin is still widely speculated, with public opinion currently split between either France or Germany.
One thing that everyone can agree on is that the Poodle was originally a type of water retriever used primarily for duck hunting. It comes in three varieties – standard, miniature, and toy.
This breed is famous today for participating in various sports and competitions as well as its outrageous appearance.
With a coat of curly hair trimmed in decorative styles to mirror 18th Century French nobility, the Poodle is a sure head-turner at any social event.
One-Time Poodle Expenses
AKC’s registered breeders sell Poodles for an average of $2,000 based on 30 listings.
PuppySpot’s puppies go for a bit more, at an average of $2,800 based on 30 listings.
If you prefer an adult dog, rescuing one is a good idea. The adoption fee for a dog (6 months and older) at the Champaign County Humane Society shelter is $115.
You’ll need a license for your dog. The cost varies from state to state and can be paid in bulk for a lifetime or annually. For neutered dogs, in New York, a license costs $8.50 per year; while in California, it is $16 per year.
Registration with a club is also preferred but not mandatory. The AKC offers packages valued at $30 to $59.99, while the UKC’s deal is $24 to $60.
The perfect-sized dog crate for your poodle is 24″L x 18″W x 21″H (small) for toy and miniature, and 42″L x 28″W x 31″H (extra large) for the standard. Our recommendation is the Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel for standard poodles which costs $149.95 or the smaller-sized toy variant for $47.95.
Microchips are needed to ensure the safety of your pet. They are about as large as a grain of rice and are injected by a licensed vet into your Poodle with minimal to no discomfort. The price of a Single Indigo ISO Microchip at AKC’s store is $15.95. A registry like HomeAgain costs $19.99 per year to enroll your dog’s chip.
Neutering is a practice generally considered as beneficial by most humane societies and veterinary associations. The cost of surgery at the Pasadena Humane Society ranges from $95 to $185 depending on the sex and weight of the dog.
Regular Expenditures
Here are some additional amounts that you can expect to spend on your beloved Poodle:
- Clipping
If you’ve seen the exquisite barbering work that goes into creating the Poodle’s regal look, you certainly should know that prepping its curly fur for competitions is no mean feat.
Grooming and clipping to conform to breed standards are time-consuming and intimidating for beginners, which is why services like Pink Poodles’ are widely taken advantage of. Prices range from $45 to $100 depending on the dog’s size.
- Health Care
Just as babies need to visit a pediatrician every so often to see how they’re doing, your dog should get checked by a vet just as frequently, especially if it’s showing any symptoms of illness. VetCare’s Pet Clinic in California charges $30 for standard office visits.
The leading causes of sickness-related death in Poodles are cancer, GDV (Gastric Dilation Volvulus), and cardiac disease.
- Medication
Meds are vital to a stable constitution and strong immune system. These include vaccinations and deworming medicine, among many others.
Medications should always be administered to a dog by a licensed practicing veterinarian. An 8-in-1 Safe-Guard Canine De-Wormeronly costs $12.90 at Chewy.
The core vaccinations which include Parvo, CD, and Hepatitis cost around $60 to $70 on the average. For a more comprehensive package which includes shots for Parainfluenza, Bordetella, and Leptospirosis, the cost jumps to about $100 in total.
Keep in mind that the shots will need to be taken again after a certain period, so feel free to double these numbers in your budget plan.
- Food
There are specific types of dog food that are actually created specifically for Poodles. Some good options are the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Poodle Dog Food ($38.69 for 10-lbs) and EUKANUBA Adult Dry Dog Food ($29.99 for 16-lbs).
- Transportation / Shipping
Whether for vacation or business purposes, pets need to be shipped or transported at times. It’s recommended that you use your Poodle’s main crate during travel to save money and lower costs involved with renting or buying a new one.
Working with a pet transportation company such as Happy Tails Travel to get your pet from A to Z is a lot of work and carries a justifiably high price tag. Its pricing ranges from $1,025 to $1,850 depending on various factors such as your airline of choice, the size of your dog, the distance to the destination, and whether you have special handling instructions.
Poodle Price Inclusions & Buyers Guide
Many breeders often provide additional inclusions to sweeten the deal. The following are possible freebies given by sellers at the point of sale that will help lower your overhead costs:
- Crate/Dog House – ($33.99)
- Collar/Harness – ($15 to $30)
- AKC Registration – ($30 to $79.99)
- AKC Pedigree – ($34 to $129)
- Micro-Chips – ($15.95)
- Initial Vaccinations – ($35 to $75)
- Dog Food – (amount can vary)
- Vitamins – (amount can vary)
The main factor that will influence the price of a poodle is its variation, whether it’s a miniature, toy, or standard breed.
Also, be aware that many unscrupulous sellers will attempt to use a poodle’s color as a gimmick to increase its selling price. This is a sure sign of an unethical breeder and you would be wise to avoid them at all cost.
