How Much Are Labradors Worth In The UK?

Labradors are a popular dog breed with a friendly and loyal nature. They are often used as working dogs. If you’re considering adding a Labrador to your family, it’s essential to consider the cost. The price of a Labrador puppy varies depending on the breeder’s reputation, location, and bloodline.

So, how much are labradors worth in the UK? Let’s find out

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How Much Are Labradors?

In general, a Labrador puppy in the UK can cost between £800 to £1,500. The cost is more for a pedigree with a champion bloodline. So, for having a proper dog, finding a reputable breeder who provides healthy puppies is the key. You’ll have to completely avoid purchasing from unethical breeders or pet stores.

In fact, you should also think about ongoing expenses such as food, veterinary care, and training when considering the cost of a Labrador.

Let’s, explore the cost of Labradors, factors that impact the price, how to find a reputable breeder, the ongoing expenses to consider, and cost-saving tips for owning a Labrador.

Factors Affecting the Cost of a Labrador

Here are some of the prominent factors that have a significant influence on the cost of a labrador.

• Age

Labrador’s price relies on their age. Young puppies will cost more. However, this high price is worth it. The reason is simple, you get them at a young age and can enjoy their company, have fun etc.

On the contrary, if you get a senior dog, they won’t have the same energy but, are more peaceful in nature. The prices of such old-age dogs are low, but, it’s possible that they may have some behavioural issues that need to be addressed.

• Location

The location also plays a crucial role in the cost of a Labrador. In general, the prices vary on the basis of the cost of living and demand in different areas of the country. For instance, in London and other major cities, the cost of living is high. So, this can drive up the cost of owning a Labrador in the city.

However, in more rural areas or less densely populated regions, for example, Newcastle, the cost is comparatively less because of the lower demand and cost of living.

• Colour coat

In general, Labrador pups come in 3 colours, black, yellow and silver. However, all Labradors are born white and the colour develops with time. Some Labs take a few extra months before their full coat has developed while others will get a completely grey/black colour within weeks. 

The most common ones are Black labradors. But, they are in high demand. The main reason is their gentle nature around children. So, they are expensive in comparison with yellow and silver. 

• The reputation of a Breeder

A breeder with a high reputation follows all the necessary rules while nurturing the dog. From their food items to medical, they cover all the costs. Also, the dog is well-trained and in top-notch condition. So, if you buy a Labrador from a reputable breeder, it will roughly cost a minimum of £1,000. But, at times the prices can climb up to £3,500 or even more, it all depends on the breeder.

Where To Buy a Labrador?

You know the factors affecting the labrador dog price, but, where can you buy one? Following are some of the places and methods you can consider:

#1 Buy from a Reputed Breeder

Buying a Labrador dog from a reputed breeder is probably the best option, especially for those who want to ensure they are getting a pedigree dog. These dogs are carefully bred for health and temperament. 

So, it’s important to research breeders carefully. You can verify them by referring to different websites. For instance, you can check if they are registered with organisations such as the Kennel Club and have a nice reputation in the pet community.

Further, when you find a potential breeder, it becomes important to inquire about the dog’s health, temperament, and background before committing to the purchase. Make sure to see the puppy’s parents and the environment they are raised in.

#2 Adoption from a Rescue Shelter

Adopting a Labrador from a rescue shelter is a good place to find dogs. Here, you are not only buying the dog but also providing a home to a dog in need. Many rescue centres in the UK assist people with rehoming Labradors and other dog breeds. In fact, it’s a more affordable option than buying it from a breeder.

Further, while adopting a lab dog from a rescue shelter, it’s important you verify the details such as – the dog’s background, behaviour, and medical history issues. The staff at the rescue shelter can easily provide you with this valuable information.

#3 Recommendations from Dog Owners or professional trainers 

When you connect with different dog owners or professional dog trainers you can ask them for recommendations on where you can find a Labrador dog. Talking to other dog owners will get you insights into the breed and help you with your research of finding reputable breeders or rescue shelters near your area.

However, when you go on seeking recommendations, make sure to ask about the dog’s health, nature, and any other relevant details. This will help you find a good lab dog who can easily blend in with your family.

First-time cost of owning a labrador

Once you own a labrador, there are many additional expenses that you need to consider. Regardless, of where you get your labrador, below are some of the crucial expenses that must be covered in your pre-planned budget.

• Food items

To maintain the good health of your lab dog, you’ll have to invest in high-quality food. Normally, you won’t have to spend more than 100 pounds a month on food items. However as Labradors eat a lot, this cost can easily go up. Their eating habits make them vulnerable to obesity!

So it’s better to ensure they don’t overeat. Because obesity can cause health issues and in turn increase the medical bill.

• Medical expenses

Even if you manage to get a healthy dog, there are some initial medical costs. The lab dog can have health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia at any given point. Hence, it’s necessary to include costs for initial vet visits and vaccines.

Also, if your dog is not spayed or neutered you may have to spend some money on their surgery.

• Training and grooming costs

The double coat of the labrador dog sheds frequently and hence, they need regular grooming. If you hire a professional groomer then per-session costs range from £30-£60. Likewise, a professional dog trainer will also charge around £40-£100 per training session.

In addition, a trainer may charge more if the activities or training exercises are more.

• Toys

Labradors are energetic dogs and need activity or exercise. In fact, their friendly nature with young kids and other pets makes them good companions. Hence, you’ll need some toys on which they can either chew or play with. The cost of the toys is not much high, they will probably cost you about £30-£100.

Further, there are some other expenses like- microchipping, extra supplies (poop scooper, and poop bags), dog license, pet insurance, dog care, etc. These expenses along with the others can round up to about £5000-£6000 per annum.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Labrador

Seeing the high maintenance cost it’s obvious you get a feeling of whether labradors are worth buying or not. So, if you get into such confusion, here are some questions that you must ask yourself before thinking of acquiring one:

#1 Do you have big enough space for the dog?

Dogs require space, both indoors and outdoors. They need space to exercise and stretch their legs. Labradors as fairly large and active dogs and require a decent space to roam around or train. Thus you need to have at least a normal-sized backyard if you plan on buying a Labrador puppy.

#2 Can you spend time with the labrador puppy?

Labrador puppies are energetic and demand attention from their owners. So, if you are out on the job, it’s possible they may get bored. Hence, if you cannot take your dog to work with you, then you need to reconsider.

Likewise, if you travel frequently, especially to forests and other wildlife locations, then it’s not ideal to buy a labrador dog. You won’t be able to take them with you in the majority of the locations.

#3 Is your family comfortable around a puppy dog?

When you bring a dog into the house, it impacts the lifestyle of your family. Thus, it’s important you have a talk with the family members regarding having a lab dog around the house. Sure, labradors are friendly in nature, but, at times kids find it difficult to adjust to their continuous presence.

#4 Can you afford the maintenance cost?

While the idea of buying a labrador dog seems fascinating, you have to make sure you can afford the maintenance cost i.e. the additional costs.

If you are finding ways to cut-cost, the next section will show you some ways you can save money while owning a labrador.

Save Money While Owning a Labrador

The costs of a labrador can skyrocket instantly. Even if you manage to get them at a low price, we saw the additional expenses that are necessary to be included in the budget. So, it’s important we share some tips on saving some money while you keep a labrador dog around your house.

Here are some ways you can save money:

• Homemade food treat

One of the simplest methods for saving money is making a homemade dog treat. Here, one can make food treats for their dog using simple ingredients such as oats, peanut butter, eggs, flour etc. The best part is you can pick any recipes online, and adjust the food content as per your labrador’s taste preferences. 

• Train your dog yourself

As mentioned earlier, professional dog trainers are expensive. So, if you wish to save some money, you can consider training your dog at home. All you’ll need is some basic training gear or toys to engage your lab in exercising.

• Grooming at home

Similar to a professional trainer, a groomer will also charge heavily for grooming your lab dog. So, instead of paying such a high amount, you can groom your dog at home itself. Here are the basic steps for grooming your dog at home:

1. Brushing – regular brushing with a slicker brush is vital for maintaining your dog’s coat and preventing matting. It is important to brush gently in the direction of hair growth to avoid hurting your dog.
2. Bathing – normally lab dogs don’t need frequent bathing because they have a water-repellent coat. Still, when necessary you can give them a bath with lukewarm water and dog shampoo.
3. Ear cleaning – by using a damp cloth or any ear-cleaning solution you can clean their ears.
4. Nail trimming – with the help of clippers made for dogs you can trim their nails. However, you need to make sure that you don’t damage the blood vessel inside the nail.

• Vet visits

This may seem strange but, you need to regularly visit the vet to check out whether your lab dog is healthy or not. Because if you ignore this, chances are your dog will suffer some health issues and you’ll have to spend more money on treatments.

FAQs

How Much Are Labradors Worth In the UK? Final Take

Labrador prices are high and vary on different factors. It’s crucial you conduct extensive research and find a reputable breeder and shelter house. Make sure the dog is in healthy condition and the breeder can provide you with a pedigree certificate.

Having said that, stay alert while you explore low price dogs. We say this because there are unethical breeders out there offering puppies at low prices, but, are not properly nurtured by them. So, if you are looking for an affordable option then you can consider a shelter or rescue house.

Lastly, your family should have an equal say in the decision of getting a labrador dog in the house. Hence, consider every aspect mentioned in the article and make a conscious decision.