How Much Does an Irish Doodle Cost? [Puppy Price Guide]

So how much does an Irish Doodle cost? As a rare hybrid, Irish Doodles can be costly to adopt and to care for. Here is a breakdown of the costs of owning an Irish Doodle. 

An Irish Doodle is a hybrid or mixed breed that crosses an Irish Setter with a Standard Poodle. It is a medium-to-large-sized dog with a lifespan of between 12 and 15 years. Also known as an Irish Doodle Setter or an Irish Setter/Poodle hybrid, Irish Doodles are loyal, lighthearted, and intelligent dogs, great with children and other pets.

Irish Doodles combine the cheerful and loyal traits of a Setter with the low-shedding and hypo-allergenic characteristics of a Poodle. Irish Doodles are often referred to as “designer dogs” and the breed is a product of an increase in mixed breeding that has happened over the last 20 years, as more and more families want to buy into the trend of owning a mixed-breed dog. 

How Much Does an Irish Doodle Cost? [Breeder Puppy Prices]

The cost of Irish Doodles can vary from breeder to breeder. The cost can also vary according to physical attributes and the demand for Irish Doodles pups in your area. The bigger demand, the higher the price!

According to our research, the cost of purchasing an Irish Doodle puppy is between $1350 and $2400. Puppies with apricot coloring (as opposed to the typical red) are a bit cheaper. While puppies with white markings can be more expensive. 

Miniature Irish Doodles have fewer puppies and are therefore more expensive, sometimes as much as $600 more. Typically they achieve a Mini Irish Doodle by selecting dog parents that are smaller – so either a Toy Poodle or Mini Poodle.

Buying a Goldendoodle will typically cost less than an Irish Doodle. This is really a matter of supply – as Goldendoodles are commonly bred (they are one of the most popular Poodle mix breeds). Smaller dogs like the Cavapoo or Cockapoo have a similar price point. Some rarer Poodle Mixes are cheaper (Shepadoodle or Boxerdoodle) but Irish Doodles are highly sought after so expect to pay lots.

Remember, along with the cost of an Irish Doodle puppy, you will need to purchase:

• collar and leash, 
• a crate,
• spaying or neutering
• microchipping, 
• blood tests, deworming, as well as shots

The additional items and services can run you an extra $450 to $500.

Irish Doodles are a rare breed, so you may end up on a breeder’s waiting list. You can wait several months for your puppy to arrive! 

Many breeders will require a deposit of several hundred dollars to reserve your spot on the waiting list. Some of these deposits are non-refundable, so ask first.

Generation of Irish Doodle impact on cost

Whether an Irish Doodle is F1, F1b or F2 won’t have a crazy impact on cost. Note that a F1b Irish Doodle is 75% Poodle

• Expect F1b Irish Doodles to shed the least, and therefore cost more
• A F1b Irish Doodle dog is likely to be smaller, and therefore cost more
• F1 Irish Doodle dogs will have more predictable coat types – so dependingif it is wavy, straight or curly the cost will vary (Wavy typically the most expensive, Straight coat the least – same as most Poodle Mix Doodle Breed dogs)

Irish Doodle Medical Costs

Hybrid dogs are usually very healthy and do not have the health issues associated with purebred dogs. That being said, that there is always a risk that an Irish Doodle pups may inherit the health risks that Setters and Poodles face. These include:

• Addison’s Disease 
• Bloat 
• Cushing’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Hypothyroidism
• Legg-Perthes
• Patellar Luxation
• SA (Sebaceous adenitis)
• Von Willebrand’s Disease
• OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• CAD (canine atopic dermatitis)
• HODA (hypertrophic osteodystrophy)

Less common medical issues include joint dysplasia, eye problems, and panosteitis. Preventative medical care such as flea meds, veterinary checkups, vaccinations, and pet insurance can run you between $485 and $600 annually.

If purchasing from a breeder, be sure to get the health profile of both the dog’s parents. It’s always best to purchase from a breeder that provides initial veterinary care, even if it does increase the cost. This care may not be available if you are adopting from a rescue shelter – but they will go above and beyond to advise you what is required. 

Adopting from a shelter saves a life so in the rare event that one of these designer dog breeds becomes avaialble for rescue – this is a perfect option. Check popular Labradoodle Rescues or Cockapoo Rescues as these will also be the best place to adopt an Irish Doodle.

Irish Doodle Non-Medical Costs

An Irish Doodle owner has the added costs of treats and toys, dog training, and in some states or cities registering the dog. Brushes, nail clippers, and a dog bed also have to be thrown in the mix. These non-medical costs of owning an Irish Doodle ranges between $510 to $1200 every year. 

This does not include pet insurance, which is popular for a hybrid dog with a long lifespan.

Keep in mind Irish Doodles are medium to large-sized dogs. They can weigh between 45 and 70 pounds and stand between 22 and 28 inches high. They will need to run and get exercise, so you may want to build a kennel or dog run in your yard if you don’t have one already. They also require 2 ½ to 3 cups of high-quality dry dog food every day, split into one or two meals.

Even though Irish Doodles shed very little (thanks to the coat of the Poodle parent), you will still need to brush your Irish Doodle at least twice a week to remove tangles and matted fur. You’ll need a solid bristle brush to get the job done. 

Given that Irish Doodles love being outdoors (running and even swimming) you should expect to groom often.

Finding a Reputable Irish Doodle Breeder

You must make every effort to find a breeder who is reputable and treats their animals with care and respect. The explosion of the popularity of mixed-breeds has created a marketplace prone to puppy mills and breeders whose main goal is to make a buck at the expense of the animal’s care and needs. 

Here are some warning signs that are with a bad breeder:

• Unusually low price for puppies (below the average we outlined above)
• No paperwork or health screenings
• The breeder won’t show you the living conditions of their animals
• Puppies are not friendly or seem shy or skittish around people
• Bad smells emanating from the animal living quarters
• High-pressure sales tactics

Good breeders will raise their puppies indoors, screen potential owners to make sure they are a good fit, and provide initial vet care for the pup and all the necessary health documents.

Adopting an Irish Doodle

It’s a sad reality, but many dogs find themselves unwanted or in poor living conditions and end up in rescue shelters. However, this may be a great option if you can’t afford to purchase from a breeder. Contact rescue shelters in your area and ask if they have any Irish Doodles.

Rescue shelters will typically charge around $300 for medical care and maintenance, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have improved the life of an unwanted animal!

Irish Doodle Training Costs

Irish Doodles are fun-loving and a joy to have as part of the family. They are keenly intelligent. However, Irish Doodles are not recommended for everyone, especially first-time dog owners. Why? Irish Doodles are eager to please, but the Setter in the mix demands a strong leader and someone who is experienced in training dogs. 

Irish Doodles are easily bored and get distracted quickly, which means they can be a handful if not socialized and trained early. So you may want to add the cost of some dog training into the mix if you do not have the time or the ability to do it yourself. 

How Much Are Irish Doodles Conclusion

An Irish Doodle has all the characteristics that make a great family pet: joyful temperament, sociability, and non-allergenic. They don’t bark much and are eager to please their owners. However, they are more difficult to find as they are one of the more rare mixes from the Doodle family. 

So, how much does an Irish Doodle cost? Here’s the short answer: if you want a high-quality Irish Doodle from a reputable breeder, be prepared to pay up to $3,000.

Please do your research and seek out breeders who have solid reputations and treat their animals well, even though it may cost a bit more upfront. The money you spend on a healthy dog will pay for itself in the future. 

And remember, before you start shopping for breeders, you can always call a rescue shelter in your area to see if they have an Irish Doodle that could be a welcome addition to your family.