Key findings
- The typical puppy from a US breeder costs $2,500. Half of the breeders charge between $1,750 and $3,500.
- The most expensive breed is the Chihuahua at $4,500, 3.2 times the price of the least expensive, the Toy Poodle ($1,400).
- Designer mixes (doodles and other crosses) cost a typical $2,550, against $2,400 for purebred breeds.
- Only 32% of breeder websites publish a price at all: 1,573 of the 4,934 sites we could read.
The 10 most expensive breeds
| Breed | Typical price | Most breeders charge | Breeders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | $4,500 | $3,250 to $5,000 | 11 |
| French Bulldog | $4,000 | $3,000 to $4,950 | 45 |
| Doberman Pinscher | $3,750 | $2,650 to $4,400 | 11 |
| American Bully | $3,750 | $2,150 to $5,750 | 14 |
| Bulldog | $3,550 | $2,150 to $4,550 | 16 |
| Cane Corso | $3,500 | $2,500 to $3,900 | 25 |
| Mini Bernedoodle | $3,500 | $2,900 to $3,900 | 5 |
| Australian Labradoodle | $3,350 | $3,050 to $3,500 | 22 |
| Bernedoodle | $3,100 | $2,750 to $4,000 | 32 |
| Golden Retriever | $3,000 | $2,200 to $3,650 | 117 |
The 10 least expensive breeds
| Breed | Typical price | Most breeders charge | Breeders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy Poodle | $1,400 | $1,250 to $1,700 | 6 |
| English Springer Spaniel | $1,450 | $1,050 to $1,800 | 8 |
| Pug | $1,500 | $1,100 to $2,300 | 7 |
| Beagle | $1,500 | $850 to $2,400 | 9 |
| Brittany | $1,650 | $1,200 to $1,950 | 6 |
| Australian Shepherd | $1,650 | $1,200 to $2,500 | 58 |
| Border Collie | $1,700 | $850 to $2,200 | 10 |
| Siberian Husky | $1,700 | $1,300 to $2,000 | 10 |
| Cockapoo | $1,800 | $1,700 to $2,200 | 7 |
| Cocker Spaniel | $1,800 | $1,750 to $1,800 | 5 |
Where puppies cost more, and less
For each state we compare what breeders charge with the national price of the same breed. A state only appears when we have prices for at least four breeds there.
| State | Against the national price | Breeds compared |
|---|---|---|
| California | +31% | 7 |
| North Carolina | +10% | 8 |
| Missouri | +4% | 7 |
| Colorado | +3% | 4 |
| Michigan | -2% | 8 |
| Texas | -2% | 14 |
| Ohio | -2% | 6 |
| Indiana | -3% | 6 |
| New York | -3% | 4 |
| Florida | -17% | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | -20% | 7 |
How we worked it out
We read the websites of the breeders in our directory in November 2026: 4,934 sites answered and 1,573 of them publish a price. To keep each price tied to one breed, we only use the 1,313 sites that raise a single breed.
On each site we drop figures below half of its highest price, which are usually deposits or fees, and take what is left. The typical price of a breed is the median across its breeders, and a breed needs at least five breeders with a price.
These are asking prices on websites, not sale records. Breeders who do not publish a price may charge more or less.
Use these figures
You are free to quote or republish the figures on this page with a link to it.
Suggested credit: BreedersNearby, Puppy Price Index 2026: What 53 Dog Breeds Cost, https://breedersnearby.com/reports/puppy-price-index
Questions
How much does a puppy cost in 2026?
The typical puppy from a US breeder costs $2,500 in 2026, and half of the breeders charge between $1,750 and $3,500. The figure comes from the prices 1,313 breeders publish on their own websites.
What is the most expensive dog breed to buy as a puppy?
By typical breeder price: Chihuahua ($4,500), French Bulldog ($4,000), Doberman Pinscher ($3,750), American Bully ($3,750) and Bulldog ($3,550).
What is the cheapest dog breed to buy from a breeder?
By typical breeder price: Toy Poodle ($1,400), English Springer Spaniel ($1,450), Pug ($1,500), Beagle ($1,500) and Brittany ($1,650).
Where do these prices come from?
From the prices breeders publish on their own websites, read in November 2026. We only use sites that raise a single breed, we leave out deposits, shipping and breeding rights, and a breed needs at least five breeders with a price to be included.