The Burrow
Oct 15, 2026
Bringing home a puppy is an exciting decision, but the upfront price can vary significantly based on the breed, location, and how you acquire the dog.
As pet insurance comparison experts, the team at Compare the Market analysed average advertised or quoted prices for 10 dog breeds across registered breeders, private sellers, and adoption or rehoming options in Australia to identify which had the lowest average price and the differences between them.
The research found that adoption or rehoming was the least expensive option, averaging $911, compared with $2,201 through private sellers and $3,528 through registered breeders. This made the price of adoption or rehoming approximately 74% less than purchasing from a registered breeder and 59% less than purchasing privately.
Let’s get into the full breakdown of the results.
Adopting or rehoming was the least expensive way to bring home a puppy in our analysis, averaging $911 across the 10 breeds studied. This was approximately $1,280 less than purchasing privately and $2,617 less than purchasing from a registered breeder.
At a breed level, the biggest dollar savings for adopting rather than buying from a breeder is Golden Retrievers, an approximately 80% or $3,284 difference. French Bulldogs also showed a noticeable difference, with the average registered breeder price approximately four times, or $3,277 more than, the average adoption or rehoming price. The average adopted or rehomed Staffordshire Bull Terrier averaged about 81% less than one purchased from a registered breeder, the largest proportional difference in our analysis.
If you don’t want to adopt or your specific breed isn’t available, buying from a private seller is the next cheapest option, according to our research. A puppy bought from a private seller or owner on sites such as Gumtree, PetsForHomes, and Trading Post averaged $2,201 across the country, which was $1,339 less than buying from a breeder. However, you may face a higher risk of health issues, unethical breeding practices, misleading seller claims, and a lack of ongoing support or guarantees with your new puppy.1
Getting a pup from a registered breeder is the most expensive option, averaging more than $3,500. Buying from a breeder averaged much more, but you pay for the predictability of your desired breed’s size, shape, temperament, appearance, and other characteristics.2
| Breed | Breeder versus adoption difference | Breeder versus private difference | Private versus adoption difference |
| Golden Retriever | $3,284 | $899 | $2,384 |
| French Bulldog | $3,277 | $1,756 | $1,521 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | $2,979 | $1,722 | $1,257 |
| Labrador Retriever | $2,760 | $1,437 | $1,323 |
| Spoodle | $2,688 | $1,100 | $1,588 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy) | $2,685 | $1,556 | $1,129 |
| Cavoodle | $2,367 | $1,262 | $1,105 |
| Miniature Dachshund | $2,228 | $1,126 | $1,102 |
| Border Collie | $2,198 | $950 | $1,248 |
| German Shepherd | $2,051 | $1,563 | $488 |
The most expensive breed depended on how the puppy was acquired. French Bulldogs had the highest registered breeder average at $4,363, Golden Retrievers had the highest private-sale average at $3,199, and Cavoodles had the highest adoption or rehoming average at $1,347.
French Bulldogs, with their iconic bat ears, expressive faces, and big personalities, are nearly $300 more expensive to buy from a breeder than Golden Retrievers ($4,098). The complexity of French Bulldog breeding – requiring artificial insemination and caesarean sections3 – contributes to their $4,000+ price tag.
The research also found that buying a Golden Retriever from a private seller requires a sizeable initial investment, averaging $3,199. Buying a Golden puppy from a private seller was more than $500 more expensive than a French Bulldog ($2,607) and $700 more than a Cavoodle ($2,452).
Cavoodles are the most expensive breed to adopt in Australia because puppies rarely end up in rescue shelters or adoption sites.4 This friendly and easy-going breed was only $7 more expensive than the next most expensive, German Shepherds.
Other pricey breeds in each category include Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (breeder – $3,707), Spoodles (private seller – $2,289) and the famous Miniature Dachshund, AKA sausage dogs (adoption – $1,119).
| Breed | Breeder | Private | Adoption |
| French Bulldog | $4,363 | $2,607 | $1,086 |
| Golden Retriever | $4,098 | $3,199 | $814 |
| Cavoodle | $3,714 | $2,452 | $1,347 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | $3,707 | $1,985 | $727 |
| Labrador Retriever | $3,486 | $2,049 | $726 |
| German Shepherd | $3,391 | $1,828 | $1,340 |
| Spoodle | $3,389 | $2,289 | $701 |
| Miniature Dachshund | $3,348 | $2,221 | $1,119 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy) | $3,324 | $1,767 | $638 |
| Border Collie | $2,809 | $1,859 | $611 |
Border Collies had the lowest average registered breeder price ($2,809) and the lowest adoption or rehoming price ($611), while Staffordshire Bull Terriers had the lowest private-sale average ($1,767).
The highly intelligent Border Collie was more than $1,500 cheaper to buy from a registered breeder than a French Bulldog and more than $700 cheaper than adopting a Cavoodle. However, prospective owners should not choose a Border Collie based on price alone. As with any breed, prospective owners should carefully weigh a Border Collie’s exercise, training, space, and stimulation needs against the household’s lifestyle.
The loyal and deeply affectionate Staffordshire Bull Terrier, AKA Staffy, was the only breed averaging less than $1,800 for a puppy from a private seller, more than $1,400 lower than a Golden Retriever from the same type of seller. The Staffy is also $434 below the private seller average price of $2,201, showing how affordable this breed is for families looking to buy one from a private seller. The next most affordable breeds to purchase from private sellers were German Shepherd ($1,828) and Border Collie ($1,859).
The highest average price varied by the acquisition method. Victoria recorded the highest registered breeder average at $3,792, Western Australia recorded the highest private-sale average at $2,627, and New South Wales recorded the highest adoption or rehoming average at $1,175.
Victoria was just $12 more expensive than Western Australia (WA) to buy a puppy from a breeder, with South Australia (SA) following in third at just over $100 behind. Victoria’s most expensive breed was the Golden Retriever ($5,333), followed by French Bulldog ($4,667) and Staffy ($4,222). The most affordable breed was the German Shepherd ($2,538), which was more than half the price of a Golden Retriever.
Buying from a private seller in WA averaged just under $200 more than in SA, with New South Wales (NSW) rounding out the top three at approximately 17% lower than WA’s private-sale average. For the most expensive breeds, the title once again goes to the Golden Retriever, costing $4,575 from a private seller. The most affordable breed from a private seller in WA was a Staffy at $1,500, approximately $3,075 less than a Golden Retriever.
New South Wales recorded the highest average adoption or rehoming price among the jurisdictions analysed. It was one of only two states to break the $1,000 mark for adoption pricing, alongside Victoria. NSW was over $170 more expensive to adopt than Victoria and almost $200 more than third-placed WA. The highest- and lowest-priced breeds to adopt in NSW were the German Shepherd ($1,750) and Staffy ($507).
| State | Breeder | Private | Adoption |
| VIC | $3,792 | $2,137 | $1,003 |
| WA | $3,780 | $2,627 | $976 |
| SA | $3,655 | $2,438 | $955 |
| QLD | $3,616 | $1,970 | $832 |
| NSW | $3,584 | $2,192 | $1,175 |
| ACT | $3,442 | N/A | $832 |
| TAS | $3,425 | $1,996 | $738 |
| NT | $2,932 | $2,050 | $779 |
| AUS | $3,528 | $2,201 | $911 |
NB. Average prices were listed as N/A where fewer than seven breeds with pricing data were available.
The Northern Territory recorded the lowest available registered breeder average at $2,932, although this result was based on fewer breeds than most jurisdictions. Queensland had the lowest comparable private-sale average at $1,970, while Tasmania had the lowest adoption or rehoming average at $738.
Buying a puppy from a breeder in the Northern Territory (NT) was more than $500 lower than in the other states and territories in the study. The next most affordable state behind the NT was Tasmania at $3,425, followed by the Australian Capital Territory ($3,442). Spoodles and Cavoodles ($3,900) had the highest average price in the Territory, and Border Collies ($2,125) were the lowest.
Queensland (QLD) topped the rankings for the lowest average price from a private seller, narrowly ahead of Tasmania ($1,996) and the Northern Territory ($2,050). The price of buying from a private seller in the Sunshine State was more than $650 lower than in Western Australia and more than $400 lower than in New South Wales ($2,192) and Victoria ($2,137). The most expensive breed to buy from a private seller in QLD was a Golden Retriever ($2,860), and the least expensive was a Miniature Dachshund ($1,542).
Tasmania edged out the Northern Territory ($779), Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory (both $832) as the most affordable state for adopting a puppy. Adoption in Tasmania cost more than $400 less than in New South Wales and more than $260 less than in its nearest neighbour, Victoria. The Border Collie had the lowest adoption price in Tasmania at $504, while a Cavoodle had the highest at $1,208.
A puppy’s advertised price is only one part of the cost and responsibility of pet ownership. Prospective owners should research the breeder, seller, or rescue organisation; verify relevant documentation; and consider the breed’s suitability and budget for ongoing expenses before committing.
Adrian Taylor, Chief Executive, General Insurance at Compare the Market, said prospective owners should look beyond the advertised price.
“It can be easy to focus on the upfront price when choosing a puppy, but the cheapest option may not necessarily be the most suitable,” he said.
“Research the breeder, seller or rescue organisation, ask what registration and health documentation is available, and verify the animal and the person or organisation offering it before making any payment.
“The purchase or adoption fee is only the beginning, so ongoing costs should be considered from the outset. It can be a good idea to insure your new puppy early, even before you take them home. Taking out cover as early as possible means they may be covered for potential health conditions that could pop up later down the track.
“But most importantly, prospective owners should choose a dog that suits their household and lifestyle rather than making a decision based on price alone.”
Compare the Market analysed average advertised or quoted upfront prices for dogs under 12 months old across registered breeders, private sellers and adoption or rehoming sources in Australia.
States and Territories included:
The average advertised or quoted prices analysed were:
The dog breeds analysed were:
Prices were collected from multiple sources between 4 and 18 September 2026 and were accurate as of 18 September 2026. The analysis compares advertised or quoted upfront prices and does not adjust for differences in services or items included, such as vaccination, microchipping, desexing, health checks or breeder support.
A state or territory was included in an overall channel ranking where pricing was available for at least 7 of the 10 breeds analysed. Jurisdictions that did not meet this threshold were excluded from the relevant ranking but may appear in individual breed results where pricing was available.
Results represent the sources and prices identified during the research period. They may not reflect completed transactions, every available puppy or every breeder, seller, rescue organisation or rehoming listing in Australia.
Sources:
Additional Sources: