What is The Average Red Golden Retriever Price?

A higher price isn’t always an indicator of better quality, and some people simply don’t need a show-quality dog with champion bloodlines.

A red golden retriever’s price depends on age, location, breeder, compliance with the standard, and training. Evaluate how important each factor is for you when searching for a dog.

Red retrievers tend to be pricier than golden retrievers, and not everyone can afford such a rare dog. Fortunately, numerous rescue red golden retrievers await loving owners for a fraction of a puppy’s price.

Red Golden Retriever Price by Location

A puppy’s price may vary by location because of different costs of living and demand. According to research, the breed is the most popular in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, and Florida, so golden retriever puppies tend to cost more in these states.

The average price of red golden retriever puppies is the highest on the West Coast, ranging from $2,000 to $2,500. Prices in the Northern and Eastern U.S. are lower, ranging from $1,700 to $2,000.

Red golden retriever puppies in Midwestern U.S. states are the cheapest, falling in the $1,500 to $1,800 price range. Another factor that affects the cost by location is a breeding license.

The U.S. states enforcing breeding licenses include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Puppies may cost more in these states because breeders need to obtain a license. However, the higher costs are worth it because you can perceive the license as a guarantee.

Note that these aren’t the only states enforcing special regulations for breeders, and legislation is subject to change. Sometimes, it’s worth searching for a puppy outside of your state because you can find a better deal.

Red golden retriever puppies in Europe and the U.K. are cheaper than in the U.S., but the average cost varies by country. Puppies in Switzerland will cost more than puppies in Poland.

Because red is an undesirable color in the U.K., according to the British golden retriever breed standard, many breeders sell their puppies for under $1,200.

Red Golden Retriever Price by Age

When someone considers getting a dog, they usually think of buying a puppy. However, buying or adopting an adult dog has many benefits.

You don’t need to guess what the dog will be like in adulthood, it may already be trained, and the price difference is drastic. Contrary to a popular misconception, adult dogs can be found not solely in shelters and rescue organizations.

Some reputable golden retriever breeders sell adult dogs after spaying or neutering them because they aren’t needed in the breeding program anymore. This may seem cruel but is a widespread practice among professionals.

Sometimes, a breeder may hold a puppy while it matures to track its development, hoping it will grow up into a show-quality dog. But if the dog doesn’t hold up to the hopes, the breeder may sell it.

Lastly, some puppies just don’t sell on time. Maybe they have a subtle defect, or the economic situation in the country has affected the purchasing capacity.

Either way, a six-month-old puppy will cost less than a three-month-old one because the breeder needs to free some space for a future litter.

Because the demand for adult dogs is significantly lower than for puppies, most breeders sell their dogs for $200-$900. The younger the dog, the higher the price, so a one-year-old adult golden retriever will cost more than a three-year-old.

The age also affects rescue red golden retriever prices. People adopting dogs also prefer younger ones, so shelters lower prices for old dogs to raise their chances of acquiring a loving home.

Red Golden Retriever Price by Breeder

The breeder’s reputation and experience largely affect the cost of a red golden retriever. Two red golden retriever puppies in the same location may differ in price because one is sold by a beginner breeder and another by a worldwide-renown breeder.

Recognition plays a crucial role in the breeding world. People searching for a family pet may not care about it as much, but for many, saying that their dog is from the best kennel is a special type of satisfaction.

Reputable breeders place great importance on their dogs’ health, appearance, socialization, and training. They strive to improve the breed in global terms, ruling out genetic diseases and strengthening the best traits of these dogs.

So-called backyard breeders selling puppies without health clearances and documents can’t keep up with the competition and set lower prices.

Responsible breeders invest time into getting their puppies accustomed to new environments, other dogs, and people. They put effort into training the puppies to go potty and, sometimes, even performing basic commands.

Time is money, but spending more on a red golden retriever puppy that’s adequately socialized and trained always pays off in the long term.

Furthermore, many people buy a red field-type golden retriever for hunting. Some breeders are better familiar with the traits of a good gundog and reinforce them in their dogs, which is reflected in the price.

Top-tier breeders usually have dogs with champion bloodlines. A puppy’s lineage affects its look, temperament, and health state, so a puppy with champion parents will always cost more.

While red retrievers cannot participate in dog shows, they can participate in field competitions where judges evaluate their hunting abilities, such as making a fall, memory, attention, courage, and perseverance.

Red Golden Retriever Price by Appearance

Red golden retrievers are typically excluded from participation in dog shows.

The American golden retriever breed standard says that coat color should be lustrous gold but doesn’t mention red, and the British standard explicitly states that red is unacceptable.

For this reason, people buying a red puppy may not care as much about visual compliance with the breed standard as those purchasing a show-type cream or gold puppy.

Still, every owner wants to know that their dog is a worthy representative of the breed. Puppies from the same litter may cost differently depending on how well they comply with the breed standard.

For example, a red puppy with perfect head proportions will cost more than a puppy with a longish nose and an incorrect ear setting. Puppies with high compliance to the standard may cost over $5,000.

Sometimes, puppies have faults that don’t affect their temperament or health but drastically lower the price – for example, white or black markings or low, hound-like ears.

Price of Service Red Golden Retrievers

Service dogs aren’t cheap. The price of a service red golden retriever starts at $20,000 and can go over $35,000 because it includes the initial puppy cost, training, veterinary care, food, supplies, and certification.

With such a high cost of training a service dog, the initial difference in puppy price doesn’t play a significant role.

Whether you’re getting a cream retriever for $1,000 or a red retriever for $1,500, the savings are negligible in the big picture.

Saving on the puppy isn’t wise because dogs from reputable breeders have higher odds of becoming great service dogs. They tend to be better compliant with the breed standard temperament-wise and better socialized.

It’s important to note that some organizations provide funding to people needing the assistance of service dogs, but the waiting list can be so long that getting a dog takes years.

The good news is that you can buy and train a red golden retriever yourself, but you will still have to pay for evaluation and certification by a licensed body.

Price of Rescue Red Golden Retrievers

The prices of a rescue red golden retriever and any other golden retriever don’t differ much. Like the prices of puppies from kennels, the prices of rescue dogs depend on age, sex, color, and other factors, but the range isn’t as broad.

Most rescue red golden retrievers cost $200-$500. Puppies cost more than adult dogs because they’re in higher demand, and red goldens may be more expensive than their gold counterparts.

The dog’s temperament and history also affect the price. You can expect to pay more for a puppy or adult dog that is properly trained and socialized than for a dog with a history of abuse reflected in its behavior.

Why Are Red Golden Retrievers Pricier Than Gold?

Many people are confused about why red retrievers cost more than golden retrievers, although they cannot participate in dog shows.

If you compare puppy prices within the same litter, you may notice that red goldens fetch higher prices than their siblings.

The explanation is straightforward. Red color results from a recessive gene, so red golden retrievers are rare. As a result, the demand for red golden retrievers exceeds the supply, and breeders charge higher prices.

According to surveys, only 16.8% of all golden retrievers in the U.S. are red. Many people are willing to pay more for a chance to stand out, and others are simply fascinated by the gorgeous mahogany shade.

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