How Much Does an Australian Labradoodle Cost in Houston?

If you're searching for an Australian Labradoodle in the Houston area, the price is probably one of the first things you want to know. It's one of the first questions I get on the phone, too. So here's a straight answer: what our puppies cost, why well-bred Labradoodles cost what they do, and what you should budget for in the first year.

What does a Doodle's Kennel puppy cost?

Our current prices are:

• Standard Australian Labradoodle: $2,800
• Medium Australian Labradoodle: $3,000
• Mini Australian Labradoodle: $3,200
• Reservation deposit: $500, applied toward your puppy's total

The deposit holds your puppy once we've matched you. It isn't an extra fee. It comes off the price. You can see the full breakdown and start your application on our pricing and application page.

Why do Minis cost more than Standards?

People are often surprised that the smallest puppies cost the most. Mini litters tend to be smaller, and demand for Minis is high. A lot of Houston families live in apartments, townhomes or neighborhoods with small yards, and many travel often. A 15 to 30 pound dog fits that life very well. Smaller litters plus higher demand is what drives the price.

What's included in the price?

When you compare breeders, make sure you're comparing the same things. Every Doodle's Kennel puppy goes home with:

• Age-appropriate vaccinations
• A veterinary health examination
• Our multi-generational health guarantee
• A puppy starter pack
• A blanket that carries its littermates' scent, which helps a lot on the first night
• Lifetime breeder support. You can call or text me for as long as you have your dog.

The full terms of the health guarantee are written out in our puppy contract. I'd encourage you to read it before you apply.

Why a well-bred Labradoodle costs more than a cheap listing

You'll see "Labradoodle" puppies advertised for much less online. Some of those are first-generation crosses, some have no health testing behind them, and some come from people producing as many litters as they can. The difference shows up later in coat, temperament and health, and those costs are much harder to fix than a price difference.

Here's where the money goes in a careful program like ours:

• Health testing every parent. Every one of our parent dogs has a full genetic panel before it's ever bred.
• Multi-generational breeding. All our litters are F3B or higher. Building and keeping multi-generational lines takes years. It's what gives Australian Labradoodles their reliable, low-shedding coats. If the generation letters are confusing, I explain them in Labradoodle generations explained.
• Raising puppies in our home. Our puppies are born and raised inside the house, not in a barn. That means daily handling, household sounds and a lot of hands-on time, all of which shape a confident puppy.
• Vet care before homecoming. Exams and vaccinations happen before your puppy ever leaves.

It's slower, more careful and more expensive. We wouldn't do it any other way.

How can I pay?

We try to make paying simple. We accept cash, Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, credit and debit cards, and cashier's checks. We also offer financing. If spreading the cost out would help your family, call me at 281-923-9266 and we'll talk through the options.

What should I budget for the first year?

The purchase price is only the beginning. When you fill out our application, one of the questions asks whether you're prepared for a puppy's ongoing needs, emotionally and financially. It's there for a reason. A puppy is a lot like a child. Here are the main costs to plan for. These are general ranges and will vary by vet, groomer and the products you choose.

• Setup supplies: A crate, playpen or gates, bowls, collar and leash, brushes, toys and chews. Most families spend a few hundred dollars getting ready. My new puppy checklist covers exactly what you need.
• Food: A good-quality puppy food, with the amount depending on your puppy's size. A Standard will eat noticeably more than a Mini.
• Vet care: The rest of the puppy vaccine series, a wellness exam, parasite prevention, and spay or neuter when your vet recommends it.
• Grooming: Labradoodle coats don't shed much, so they grow and need a professional groom about every 6 to 8 weeks. Budget for that from the start. I go into detail in my grooming guide.
• Training: A puppy class is one of the best investments you can make in the first months.
• Pet insurance or an emergency fund: Either one keeps an unexpected vet bill from turning into a crisis.

Is the deposit refundable?

Deposit terms are explained in our puppy contract. Every family's situation is a little different, so if you have questions, call me before you send a deposit and I'll walk you through it. I'd much rather you feel sure than rushed.

How to get started

If the numbers work for your family, the next step is our puppy application. It tells me about your home and what you're looking for so I can match you with the right puppy. We match by temperament, not first-come, first-served. Applying doesn't guarantee a puppy, but it puts you in consideration for current and upcoming litters.

You can also see who's ready now on our Available Litters page, read our FAQ, or just call. We're in Cypress at 17214 Lewis Dr and we're open every day. I'm always happy to answer questions, even if you're only starting to think about a puppy.