Designer mix (not a recognized breed)

Labradoodle

A cross of the Labrador Retriever and Poodle (Standard) or Poodle (Miniature). It's a mix, so we show ranges from the parent breeds rather than a single number.

Last updated: October 2026 · 8 sources · see sources

Quick answerLabradoodle cost: about $880–$1,360 a year for an adult before insurance, plus size, lifespan, health issues and care needs, from sourced US data.

What it is

The Labradoodle is a mix, not a breed. The AKC, which recognizes purebred breeds only, doesn't register it, and there's no breed standard, so size, coat and temperament vary even within one litter. The ranges below come from the parent breeds' AKC profiles; a mix can land anywhere in or between them.

Parent breeds (AKC data)
Parent breedHeightWeightLife expectancy
Labrador Retriever22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)11-13 years [1]
Poodle (Standard)over 15 inches (standard)60-70 pounds (male standard), 40-50 pounds (female standard)10-18 years [2]
Poodle (Miniature)10-15 inches10-15 pounds10-18 years [3]

Combined parent range: weight about 10–80 lb, life expectancy 10–18 years. This is our arithmetic on the AKC figures above, not a measured Labradoodle average; no reliable published average exists.

Estimated costs

Typical vet bills for the parent breeds' size groups
Medium dog$239 – $1,107 (median $482)[4]
Large dog$308 – $1,224 (median $640)[4]
Yearly planning numbers (any dog)
Yearly cost of a dog (ASPCA 2021)$1,391[5]
Average accident & illness insurance, dog (US 2025)$836/year[6]

Curly or wavy coats from Poodle parents usually need regular professional grooming; a full groom typically runs $40–$150. [7]

Health

A mix can inherit health issues from either parent, so read both parent breed pages and ask the breeder which health tests the parents had. Research comparing mixed and purebred dogs found some inherited problems were less common in mixes but many showed no difference. [8] More on mixed-breed health and DNA tests →

Sources (8) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Labrador Retriever breed page
  2. AKC – Poodle (Standard) breed page
  3. AKC – Poodle (Miniature) breed page
  4. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  5. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  6. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  7. Pet Cost Estimator – State-by-state pet cost analysis
  8. Bellumori et al. 2013, Prevalence of inherited disorders among mixed-breed and purebred dogs (JAVMA)

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