Labrador Retriever Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost, Vet Bills, and More!

Long regarded as one of America’s most popular dog breeds, the Labrador retriever or “lab” has a sweet and gentle disposition when grown and a rambunctious, side-splitting personality as a puppy. They make wonderful companions for singles, couples, and families, which might be why the breed ranks as the number two most popular dog breed in America (according to the American Kennel Club’s statistics for 2022).

Having a lab, like owning any breed of dog, is a responsibility and a privilege. The commitment to owning and caring for a dog reaches beyond affection and time; dogs cost money, too!

If you’re considering adopting a Labrador retriever, you may want to consider all the costs associated with the breed, including adoption fees, veterinarian bills, and food.

How Much Does a Labrador Retriever Puppy Cost?

The average cost of a Labrador retriever puppy in 2024 varies widely based on the type of breeder, rescue, or adoption agency you choose. Lab puppies can cost anywhere between $240 on the low end to over $2,000 for champion bloodlines.

Dozens upon dozens of factors affect the cost of a Labrador retriever puppy in 2024. While some breeders always keep their puppy prices around the $600 to $800 mark, others choose to lower their price due to a puppy’s illness, it being the last of the litter or age. Other breeders attempt to fetch a higher price for their lab puppies if demand is good or the holiday season approaches. 

Other Factors That Influence the Purchase Price of a Labrador Retriever

Among the many factors that influence the purchase price of a lab, the following have the most effect:

Bloodline

By far, the most influential factor in a puppy’s price from a breeder is its lineage. Dogs who have champion bloodlines have either a parent or grandparent who earned a championship title. Because responsible dog breeders only breed the same female lab between three and five times within her life — and achieving a championship title is a massive achievement on its own — the litters of this line become valuable and rare. However, coming from a championship line affects the temperament of a dog less than it will affect their physical characteristics. 

Purebred versus mixed breed will affect your price, too. Purebred dogs will almost always fetch a higher price than mixed breeds. Breeders who sell purebred labs for $300 may not be telling the truth about the dog’s lineage.

Color/Markings

If you want a specific colored lab, you may pay more for it. Lab puppies with designer coat colors like silver, champagne, and fox red cost much more than their traditional black, yellow, and chocolate counterparts. Chocolate labs are still rare and more expensive than the common yellow and black — but designer colors remain a challenge to create naturally, so these puppies immediately have a higher price tag for the sheer effort of breeding and creation.

Age and Gender

Some families care what age and gender their lab puppy is, which can determine a different price. To meet the needs of the family’s lifestyle (like other dogs or pets in the home or a young child in the house who wants a puppy to grow up with), prices might vary.

Generally, females cost more than males — simply for their breeding potential. Younger puppies will usually cost about $100 to $200 more than toddler-aged pups, as adopters like to “have as much time as possible” with their new dog. If a pup remains the last of their litter, the breeder may reduce the price to move the dog quickly. 

Type of Adoption Agency

Where you adopt your lab will dictate the price. Breeders will almost always have the most expensive options, followed by rescues, and finally shelters. The latter two options don’t always have labs available — and when they do, there’s no guarantee they are purebred labs. If purebred lineage is important to you, you may want to stick with reputable breeders who can prove their bloodlines.

Location

The location of a breeder, as it relates to demand, can affect the cost of a Labrador retriever. In cities and towns without many breeders, the ones that do exist have a monopoly on the market and can essentially name their price (as long as it’s not astronomical).

Expert Opinion

Dr. Sabrina Kong DVM, a dog trainer and senior veterinary contributor at WeLoveDoodles, lent her expertise on the rise of lab prices.

“Comparing the prices from 20 years ago to today, there has been a significant increase. Two decades ago, the cost of a Labrador retriever puppy might have ranged from $300 to $700, depending on the factors mentioned earlier. Today, you can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $2,000+ for a lab puppy from a reputable breeder. The rise in price over the years can be attributed to increased breeding standards, inflation, and the breed’s popularity.”

Cost of Vaccination and Other Medical Expenses for a Labrador Retriever

In the first year of a lab’s life, they’ll need about $600 worth of veterinary care, depending on your vet and their prices.

First, vaccinations are a must. The breakdown of must-get vaccinations for Labrador puppies includes:

• Distemper.
• Parvovirus.
• DHPP.
• Rabies.

You’re also strongly encouraged to get the Leptospirosis and Lyme disease vaccines, though they’re more optional than the others. Most shots will cost anywhere between $25 to $75 a pop, meaning those that need a booster or a series of shots will incur the cost more than once.

Outside of vaccines, you’ll also want to provide your puppy with preventative medication for fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms like roundworms and whipworms.  

Cost of Food and Supplies for Labrador Retriever

You can also expect to spend around $600 to $800 in the first year of your lab’s life for food and other supplies. While expenses like dog bowls and mats are negligible compared to food costs, everything adds up. 

Bottom-tier quality dog food ranges between $30 and $50 a bag and can last around two weeks to a month, depending on the size you buy and the rate of feeding. Higher-tier dog food can cost up to $80 or $90 a bag. Multiply an average of $50 for dog food within 12 months of the year and you spend about $600 on the food alone. You can’t forget other supplies too, like vitamins, flavor sprinkles, puzzle or slow feeder bowls, and more.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Labrador Retriever?

The insurance provider you choose will dictate the monthly premiums and yearly cost of insuring your Labrador retriever. For example, Lemonade has an average cost of $30 a month to ensure a healthy, young lab while Trupanion will cost as much as $123. Insurance for dogs gets tricky, too, because pet insurance is a burgeoning market. Providers include a range of options, coverages, and benefits in their plans that may suit some pet parents over others.

For a rough average, insuring a Labrador retriever in its first year of life will range between $48 and $51 a month.

How Much Does It Cost to Train a Labrador Retriever?

Like every other part of paying for a dog, training costs reflect several important factors like location, expertise, and service type.

For basic, public training classes for your lab, you can expect to pay between $30 and $50 per class. Private lessons will cost up to $120 an hour in 2024, with package deals ranging in the $600 range. Finally, obedience and advanced training (like specific commands or off-leash) that also include sleepaway accommodations will cost over $1200 per week. 

How Much Does It Cost to Board a Labrador Retriever? 

Pet boarding prices will vary depending on the provider and service. Of course, the length of time the dog will be boarded affects the price as well.

Some vets will board their patients and charge the pet parent based on weight. As puppies grow, the rate at which the vet will charge to board them will change. 

Reputable kennels or chains like PetSmart will charge for the room rather than the dog’s weight — so the bigger or more spacious a room is, the more it costs.

Finally, “add-ons” like walks, daycare, filled Kong treats, nail trims, grooming appointments, obedience training, and more will affect the overall cost of boarding your Labrador retriever.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Vasyl Dolmatov/iStock via Getty Images