Intro
People are often confused by the price difference in Doodles. I have seen them as low as $500 and as high as $5000. For this series, I am using estimated median values (in my belief) of $800 and $3000. You may find some breeders doing everything I write about correctly and are only charging $1500, which is great! The point is educating the public on why there is a price disparity and what should breeders be doing that actually increase the value of their puppies.
Structure
Credit: GANA
Goldendoodles and Labradoodles for 20+ years have been called mutts and mongrels by many people. However, it is undeniable they are one of the current top 5 most popular breeds in the USA. The reason I disagree with these terms is there is a collective body of breeders trying to breed to a standard AKA with a purpose in mind. Just like 99% of dog breeds were “created” by humans, the Goldendoodle is no different.
The Structure we aim for at Steel City Puppies is one of Optimal Health, Quality of Life, and Longevity. For instance, I could never breed English Bulldogs because of the high risk of hip dysplasia, breathing issues, and the inability to have natural births. I also could not breed 100+ lb Doodles because they will have shorter lives due to the heart to body size ratio.
My current goal is for my standard size pups to live to be 15+ years old, minis 18+ years old, and petites 20+ years old. Long healthy lives with no major medical problems!
The Importance
The biggest problem I am currently seeing bred in Doodles are short legs and very elongated bodies. Think of a dachshund aka Weiner Dog. Primarily this is seen in Mini Doodles because breeders are breeding them with too big of a height disparity between the parents. Imagine a 5 lb toy poodle that can fit in your pocket and it is used to inseminate a 70 lb golden retriever. This can result in these very elongated doodles that will more than likely develop joint issues and back problems, especially as they age.
Incorrect Doodle Structure. Note the elongated body with the short legs.
Another example of structure is the rear angulation. Get this wrong and the dog will have decreased endurance because the muscles are not being used as efficiently and also the joints can suffer.
Conclusion
Find a breeder that has a deep knowledge of their dogs and is breeding for a healthy structure. Can you find a doodle breeder doing this and is only charging $800 for their pups? I doubt it. The breeder needs to have experience and knowledge, which typically comes at a cost. I would consider it an investment though when this can potentially save you thousands of $$$ in future medical bills and more importantly save your puppy from a life of suffering.
Sources:
https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/goldendoodle-breed-standard/