One of the many questions that potential Lab owners usually think about includes “how much does a Labrador puppy cost?”.
Dogs are a huge commitment, and there are many things to consider and ponder when you decide to have them as pets. This is especially true for Labradors.
But beyond the purchase cost of a Labrador Retriever puppy, there are also a ton of other things to purchase or set aside money for. There will be vaccines, insurance, amenities, food, and others. To fully come to a conclusion of how much a Labrador puppy costs to buy. These other items need to be factored in as well.
Factors that affect how much a Labrador puppy cost
The purchase price of a Labrador puppy largely depends on your area and who you get it from. You should expect that a Lab puppy will cost at least $800 (and can go up to $1200), unless, of course, you are getting it from a friend who is willing to give them away for adoption.
Before you start looking for a Labrador puppy for sale, you have to do significant research first about who the best breeders are in your place. You can ask your family or friends who have also gotten Labrador puppies. Read up on online forums and do area-based research.
The rest of the article will discuss the important costs related to acquiring a new Labrador Retriever for sale. Even if the pup was adopted or just from a friend, you will still need to spend quite a sum of money on vaccines and medical care, especially in the first year. Take a look at these possible expenditures to get a better grasp if you are eligible to take care of a Labrador.
Factors that affect the cost of acquiring a new Labrador Retriever puppy
1. Vaccines
First of all, let’s talk about vaccines. Don’t skip out on vaccinating your Lab in the hopes of saving some money. Make sure to consult your vet on what vaccines your puppy may need and go from there.
There will be many vaccines and boosters that you need to schedule, especially in the first year of your Lab pup. But don’t worry, they are all worth it in the long run when you avoid piling medical fees and even life-threatening diseases just by sticking it out in the first year.
Take a look at these common diseases you need to protect your Lab from:
- Rabies
- Distemper
- Parvovirus
- Canine Hepatitis (Adenovirus)
- Bordetella Bronchiseptica
- Canine Parainfluenza
- Leptospirosis
- Kennel Cough
Vaccines can set you back up to $100 each, but not all of them cost that much. Some vaccines may cost significantly less than that, so don’t use it as an ultimate benchmark. At the very least, talk it over with your vet to see how much they charge for.
This study in 2014, for instance, concludes that different dogs will have different reactions to neutering. So, it is imperative that you talk it through with your vet.
There are also vaccines that require annual boosters. Take note, though, that there is quite some debate about whether or not these boosters are necessary or not. To be safe, just discuss it with your vet and do your own research so you can make an independent assessment.
Though not a vaccine, you might also take it upon yourself to consider neutering your Labrastand what are the risks and what your dog can gain from the procedure.
2. Food
Food for your Labrador is also a major decision that you’ll have to commit to as a pet owner. There are a lot of types of food available for dogs out there, and it can get difficult and overwhelming to choose from all of them. To help you a bit, check out our comprehensive guide on what type of food to feed your Lab.
Feeding your Lab a nutritionally satisfying food will probably cost you an average of $500 annually. There is a lot of room for change there, depending on the lifestyle you have and what you choose to feed your dog. Just try to estimate it by factoring in your lifestyle and how much you can afford.
Food is one thing you also cannot skip on. Quality food is incredibly important, especially in puppies. Food is such a huge contributor to health, and you really have to invest in it.
3. Home Items
These items can include toys, crates, bowls, and leashes/harnesses. House training a Lab puppy is a large aspect of its first weeks and months living with you. Things that are needed for domestic life is also something you have to think about before getting a Labrador puppy.
The price of a dog crate can vary, depending on how you choose to go about crating your dog. You might want to buy a small one at first, and then upgrade to a bigger one when necessary. Or, you might choose to just go ahead and buy a large one fit for an adult Labrador and use a divider.
The price for the toys, bowls, and leashes all depend on you. There are cheap and expensive options out there, but the ones you should choose should be ones that can last you a good while. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that your puppy will just trash in a few weeks.
Labrador Retriever puppies have a tendency to chew, so it’s best to invest in items that they won’t ruin. It might be more expensive at first, but in the long run, you are still probably saving money because you don’t have to keep changing your pup’s things.
4. Training
Training may not be necessary all the time. Sometimes, a pet owner can get by just training their puppy themselves. However, this is not always the case, so it’s still best to factor in training costs in case you will find it necessary. Scour your area for affordable but great-quality training schools that can fit into your budget.
Conclusion
As you can see, Labradors can cost a lot. The reason why you have to thoroughly think about getting a Lab is so you know you can afford to have and care for one. It is immensely unfair for your Labrador if you just jump into it and then fail to take care of them afterward.
The purchase price of a Labrador is just one of the many costs of having one as a pet. If you thought that the purchase cost was going to be your biggest consideration, then at least you now know more after reading this. Research and analysis of your lifestyle and finances are important in ultimately caring for any pet, especially a large one such as a Labrador.
Labrador puppies are cute and energetic little things that will quickly grow before you know it! Taking care of them should be your top priority as a pet owner and internalizing that responsibility is necessary.
If you can’t afford it yet, maybe soon you will! Just don’t force it when you can’t. Be prudent in your choices, and it will all be for the better.
