Every dog comes with a price tag. Some price tags are heftier than others depending on several factors, such as whether the dog is purebred or a mixed breed. So, which bears a heftier price tag, and are mixed breed dogs more expensive than purebreds?
Purebred dogs are more expensive than mixed breeds. Generally, you will pay twice as much to purchase a purebred dog than a mixed-breed dog. Purebred dog prices range from $300 to $10,000 depending on the breed and the breeder, while mixed breed dogs can cost around $150-$3600.
This article gives you actual figures of purebred and mixed breed dog prices from dog breeders and listing websites to answer the question, “are mixed breed dogs more expensive?”
Purebred and Mixed Breed Dogs: A Cost Analysis
Breed is one of the factors that determines how much you’ll pay to own a dog. Usually, popular dog breeds like Labradors and French Bulldogs will cost more, as will rare dog breeds like the Biewer Terrier and the Azawakh.
The breed also determines dog cost according to whether a dog is a purebred or a mixed breed. The general idea among dog lovers is that purebred (or pedigree) dogs are more costly because they are from a reliable bloodline. That suggests mixed-breed dogs are less costly.
But is the idea that purebred dogs are more expensive than mixed breeds a fact or assumption?
Let’s take a look at some data gathered from dog breeder websites (including the AKC Marketplace and puppyfinder.com) to better understand the prices of both purebred and mixed-breed dogs.
The table below outlines the prices of the top five most popular purebred dogs. According to this data, popular purebred dog breeds tend to cost between $1,000 and $5,400.
| Purebred Dog | Lowest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|
| Labrador Retriever | $650 | $4,000 |
| French Bulldog | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| Golden Retriever | $750 | $5,000 |
| German Shepherd | $300 | $3,200 |
| Poodle (Standard) | $300 | $3,000 |
| Average | $1,000 | $5,040 |
Now let’s take a look at the five most common mixed-breed dogs and their prices. As shown in the table below, mixed-breed dog prices range from $460 to $2,953 on average.
| Mixed Breed Dog | Lowest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cockapoo | $800 | $3,200 |
| Labradoodle | $151 | $2,000 |
| Goldendoodle | $750 | $2,900 |
| Puggle | $250 | $3,665 |
| Shepadoodle | $350 | $3,000 |
| Average | $460 | $2,953 |
The lowest price for purebred dogs was $300 for German Shepherds and Poodles, while the highest prices were $5,000 for a Golden Retriever and $10,000 for a French Bulldog.
The lowest prices for mixed breed dogs were $151 for a Labradoodle and $250 for a Puggle. The highest prices were $3,200 for a Cockapoo and $3,665 for a Puggle.
Are Mixed Breed Dogs More Expensive?
My research of breeder and listing websites shows that the lowest average price for purebred dogs is $1,000, and the highest is $5,040. The lowest average price for mixed-breed dogs is $460, while the highest average price is $2,953.
What does this variance tell us?
Mixed breeds are cheaper than purebreds. There’s a $149 variance between the lowest-priced purebred and mixed-breed dogs and a $6335 variance between the highest-priced purebred and mixed-breed dogs. Generally, purebreds cost around twice as much as mixed breeds.
So, why are purebred dogs more expensive than mixed-breed dogs?
Why Purebred Dogs are More Expensive than Mixed Breeds
Several factors go into the price of any dog. The same factors determine the cost difference between purebred and mixed-breed dogs, but with a bit of a twist.
Here are 3 factors that explain why purebreds are more expensive than mixed-breed dogs:
- Breed
- Breeder
- Dog temperament
Let’s explore these factors in more detail.
The Breed Factor
Generally, you will pay more for particular dog breeds than others. For example, French Bulldogs cost significantly more than Poodles.
When it comes to comparing purebreds and mixed breeds, the cost will also be determined by breed. This will ultimately depend on the popularity of the parent breeds and the potential fame that the mixed breed has built for itself.
From my list, for example, the mixed breed dogs with the highest prices (Cockapoo, Puggle, and Shepadoodle) have at least one of the parent breeds among the top ten most popular breeds (Poodle, German Shepherd, and Beagle).
In addition, two of these breeds (German Shepherd and Poodle) are also listed among the top ten most common breeds found in mixed-breed dogs.
The Breeder Factor
Reliable or registered breeders ensure that their breeding dogs are as healthy as possible by carrying out health screening tests before breeding. This should be true for both purebred and mixed-breed dog breeders.
However, purebred dog breeders often have an advantage: it is easier to follow the bloodline of their purebred dogs and determine if there is any history of health problems.
This is not always possible for mixed-breed dogs, as breeders may not know where to trace the bloodline of previous dog parents.
That said, this lack of traceability could become less of an issue with the current inclusion of mixed-breed dogs in national kennel clubs.
Also, DNA screening with tests such as the Embark Dog DNA Test Kit (available on Amazon) can tell you the lineage of a mixed-breed dog by comparing it with that of more than 350 breeds. You also get information on more than 35 physical traits.
Dog Temperament Factor
Because they have a breed standard built over the years for reference, purebred dogs have greater predictability in appearance and temperament.
You have to guess how your mixed breed dog will look and behave from the characteristics of the parent breeds. Your guess may not always turn out true.
Looks and temperament matter when it comes to purchasing a dog.
For example, the litter description for the highest priced dogs in my search was highly favorable: the litter of 5 French Bulldogs listed at $10,000 indicated that they are the most unique exotic set of French Bulldogs with fawn, blue, and lilac merle coats. Their temperament is collective and calm, and they love to cuddle.
In short, the price tag of a purebred dog whose physical appearance and personality you can predict is likely to be significantly higher than that of a mixed breed with uncertainty in these factors.
Watch This Video on Purebreds vs. Mixed Breed Dogs…
Final Thoughts
According to the 2021-2022 APPA Survey, 54% of dogs in US homes are mixed breeds. Does this imply it is cheaper to buy a mixed-breed dog?
Apparently, yes! Mixed-breed dogs are less expensive, going for about half the price of purebred dogs.
Of course, the price of a dog can vary with factors such as the breeder and temperament. However, my search confirms that you’ll generally pay less to own a mixed breed than a purebred dog.
