Welcoming a puppy into your home is a very happy moment but also comes with a cost. People are always looking for ways to save and want to find the best price for their puppy. Some future dog owners will set their maximum budget at $800 for the pup. This article was written to give them information on the different available breeds after reviewing thousands of ads from all over the US.
The easiest breeds to find under $800 in the US will be Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Mini American Shepherds, Shih Tzu, and mixed-breed dogs. Adoption could be a great alternative with such a low budget, as it usually costs between $50 and $500.
Please read below to find 25 breeds you could buy for $800 and less and how challenging it is to find each one with this budget. We have also added more breeds that could be available according to our research, as well as a few tips to increase your chances of finding a cheap puppy.
Always keep in mind that the pup’s price is only the tip of the iceberg, and if you are genuinely interested in buying or adopting a specific breed, check our cost analysis to find all the information about how much owning your favorite dog will be (training, food, supplies, grooming, etc.).
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Labrador Retriever – Very easy to find
Average Price: $800
Price Range: $400 – $1,500
Ads Found: 3,160
Ads Under $800: 1,804
57% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 1
Weight: 55 to 80 lb.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
The Cost to Own a Labrador or learn How to Find a Labrador Retriever Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
German Shepherd – Very easy to find
Average Price: $800
Price Range: $450 – $1,900
Ads Found: 2,349
Ads Under $800: 1,235
53% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 2
Weight: 50 to 90 lb.
Life Expectancy: 7 to 10 years
The Cost to Own a German Shepherd or learn How to Find a German Shepherd Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Siberian Husky – Very easy to find
Average Price: $650
Price Range: $400 – $1,200
Ads Found: 1,485
Ads Under $800: 1,103
74% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 15
Weight: 35 to 60 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
The Cost to Own a Husky or learn How to Find a Siberian Husky Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Australian Shepherd – Very easy to find
Average Price: $800
Price Range: $400 – $1,500
Ads Found: 1,740
Ads Under $800: 936
54% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 13
Weight: 40 to 65 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
The Cost to Own an Australian Shepherd or learn How to Find an Australian Shepherd Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
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Mini American Shepherd – Very easy to find
Average Price: $800
Price Range: $450 – $1,500
Ads Found: 1,102
Ads Under $800: 568
52% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 29
Weight: 20 to 40 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 13 years
Considering this breed? Read our article about The Cost to Own a Miniature American Shepherd or learn How to Find a Mini American Shepherd Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Shih Tzu – Very easy to find
Average Price: $850
Price Range: $500 – $1,600
Ads Found: 1,173
Ads Under $800: 561
48% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 20
Weight: 9 to 16 lb.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
The Cost to Own a Shih Tzu or learn How to Find a Shih Tzu Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Golden Retriever – Easy to find
Average Price: $1,000
Price Range: $700 – $2,000
Ads Found: 1,934
Ads Under $800: 529
27% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 3
Weight: 55 to 75 lb.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
The Cost to Own a Golden Retriever or learn How to Find a Golden Retriever Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Great Dane – Easy to find
Average Price: $1,000
Price Range: $500 – $1,800
Ads Found: 1,445
Ads Under $800: 526
36% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 17
Weight: 110 to 175 lb.
Life Expectancy: 7 to 10 years
The Cost to Own a Great Dane or learn How to Find a Great Dane Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Boxer – Easy to find
Average Price: $900
Price Range: $500 – $1,500
Ads Found: 1,041
Ads Under $800: 471
45% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 14
Weight: 40 to 80 lb.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
The Cost to Own a Boxer or learn How to Find a Boxer Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Chihuahua – Easy to find
Average Price: $800
Price Range: $375 – $2,420
Ads Found: 899
Ads Under $800: 456
51% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 35
Weight: 3 to 6 lb.
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
Considering this breed? Read our article about The Cost to Own a Chihuahua or learn How to Find a Chihuahua Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Boston Terrier – Easy to find
Average Price: $850
Price Range: $550 – $1,400
Ads Found: 897
Ads Under $800: 418
47% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 21
Weight: 12 to 25 lb.
Life Expectancy: 11 to 13 years
The Cost to Own a Boston Terrier or learn How to Find a Boston Terrier Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
German Shorthaired Pointer – Easy to find
Average Price: $800
Price Range: $500 – $1,000
Ads Found: 663
Ads Under $800: 406
61% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 9
Weight: 45 to 70 lb.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
The Cost to Own a German Shorthaired Pointer or learn How to Find a German Shorthaired Pointer Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
WONDERING HOW AND WHERE TO FIND A PUPPY TO BUY OR A DOG TO ADOPT? Our Guide will help you find a dog near you. We share the 26 best places to find your perfect pet.
Beagle – Easy to find
Average Price: $550
Price Range: $295 – $1,125
Ads Found: 528
Ads Under $800: 403
76% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 7
Weight: 20 to 30 lb.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 15 years
The Cost to Own a Beagle or learn How to Find a Beagle Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Standard Poodle – Easy to find
Average Price: $1,000
Price Range: $600 – $2,000
Ads Found: 1,447
Ads Under $800: 396
27% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 6
Weight: 40 to 70 lb.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
The Cost to Own a Standard Poodle or learn How to Find a Poodle Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Border Collie – Easy to find
Average Price: $700
Price Range: $300 – $1,000
Ads Found: 513
Ads Under $800: 384
75% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 33
Weight: 30 to 55 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Considering this breed? Read our article about The Cost to Own a Border Collie or learn How to Find a Border Collie Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Yorkshire Terrier – Easy to find
Average Price: $1,200
Price Range: $600 – $2,500
Ads Found: 1,406
Ads Under $800: 384
27% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 12
Weight: 4 to 10 lb.
Life Expectancy: 11 to 15 years
The Cost to Own a Yorkshire Terrier or learn How to Find a Yorkshire Terrier Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Pomeranian – Easy to find
Average Price: $1,200
Price Range: $600 – $2,000
Ads Found: 1,083
Ads Under $800: 345
32% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 24
Weight: 3 to 7 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Considering this breed? Read our article about The Cost to Own a Pomeranian or learn How to Find a Pomeranian Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Miniature Schnauzer – Easy to find
Average Price: $950
Price Range: $600 – $1,800
Ads Found: 1,087
Ads Under $800: 330
30% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 18
Weight: 11 to 20 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
The Cost to Own a Miniature Schnauzer or learn How to Find a Miniature Schnauzer Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Cocker Spaniel – Easy to find
Average Price: $800
Price Range: $500 – $1,500
Ads Found: 600
Ads Under $800: 317
53% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 28
Weight: 20 to 30 lb.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 14 years
The Cost to Own a Cocker Spaniel or learn How to Find a Cocker Spaniel Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Dachshund – Hard to find
Average Price: $850
Price Range: $450 – $1,500
Ads Found: 593
Ads Under $800: 275
46% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 11
Weight: 16 to 32 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years
The Cost to Own a Dachshund or learn How to Find a Dachshund Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi – Hard to find
Average Price: $1,050
Price Range: $750 – $1,800
Ads Found: 1,221
Ads Under $800: 265
22% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 10
Weight: 22 to 30 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 13 years
The Cost to Own a Pembroke Welsh Corgi or learn How to Find a Pembroke Welsh Corgi Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Australian Cattle Dog – Hard to find
Average Price: $450
Price Range: $250 – $1,200
Ads Found: 300
Ads Under $800: 246
82% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 55
Weight: 35 to 50 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Considering this breed? Read our article about The Cost to Own an Australian Cattle Dog or learn How to Find an Australian Cattle Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
English Springer Spaniel – Hard to find
Average Price: $850
Price Range: $600 – $1,200
Ads Found: 449
Ads Under $800: 224
50% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 27
Weight: 40 to 50 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Considering this breed? Read our article about The Cost to Own an English Springer Spaniel or learn How to Find an English Springer Spaniel Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Weimaraner – Hard to find
Average Price: $700
Price Range: $500 – $1,200
Ads Found: 324
Ads Under $800: 222
69% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 39
Weight: 55 to 90 lb.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 13 years
Considering this breed? Read our article about The Cost to Own a Weimaraner or learn How to Find a Weimaraner Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
Basset Hound – Hard to find
Average Price: $800
Price Range: $450 – $1,400
Ads Found: 393
Ads Under $800: 220
56% of the puppies found were under $800
Breed Popularity Ranking: 37
Weight: 40 to 65 lb.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 13 years
Considering this breed? Read our article about The Cost to Own a Basset Hound or learn How to Find a Basset Hound Puppy to Buy or Dog to Adopt.
WHERE CAN I FIND A DOG?
WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED?
WHAT SHOULD I ASK THE VET?
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST PRICES ON DOG FOOD?
Please find all the answers to your questions in our Dog Owner Guide. It’s a 5-minute read packed with useful information.
Other breeds it is possible to find for $800
During our research, we have found many ads under $800 for different other breeds.
Small dogs (2-25 lb.):
- Hard to find: Pug.
- Very hard to find: Havanese, Shetland Sheepdog, Mini Pinscher, Maltese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shiba Inu, Bichon Frise.
- Ads were found for 25 other breeds but less than 50 puppies were available for each of them in the US with this budget.
Medium-sized dogs (26-55 lb.):
- Hard to find: Brittany.
- Very hard to find: Vizsla.
- Ads were found for 18 other breeds but less than 50 puppies were available for each of them in the US with this budget.
Large dogs (56-75 lb.):
- Hard to find: Collie, Dalmatian.
- Very hard to find: Labradoodle, Belgian Malinois.
- Ads were found for 14 other breeds but less than 50 puppies were available for each of them in the US with this budget.
Extra-large dogs (Over 75 lb.):
- Hard to find: Great Pyrenees, Doberman Pinscher.
- Very hard to find: Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Akita, Bloodhound, Newfoundland, Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog, Cane Corso Italiano, Mastiff.
- Ads were found for 8 other breeds but less than 50 puppies were available for each of them in the US with this budget.
Did not find your favorite breed and looking for more options? Please read our article about puppies you can buy for $1,000 or less.
Find a cheap puppy
The five following tips will help you find a cheaper puppy:
- Adoption. By investing a little time to visit shelter websites regularly, there is a good chance that you will be able to find a puppy to adopt. They are rare and get adopted very fast, but it is a realistic option. Not only is it cheaper, but it is also a great thing to do.
- Older puppies. Most people are willing to buy their dog as young as possible, creating excellent opportunities to find puppies a few months old for a much lower price. A 6-month-old dog will still be adorable and playful and should be cheaper than an 8-week-old one.
- Other locations/states. Some breeds are more expensive in specific locations because of their characteristics and the cost to operate a breeding business there. Looking at prices in different places is a great way to save a lot, providing you are willing to travel to meet the breeder and your future dog.
- Mixed-breed or purebred. Mixed breed dogs tend to be less expensive to buy than purebreds. This is especially true for purebreds with registration papers (pedigree). Most families are just looking for a good pet to spend time with and do not need these registration papers.
- Friends and family. Let everyone around you know that you are looking for a dog. You might get a good surprise and learn that someone trustworthy has a pregnant dog and is looking for people to get the pups.
Everyone wants a healthy dog without behavioral problems. That is why it is always recommended to buy from a responsible breeder that takes good care of his breeding dogs and puppies. Never buy a pet from puppy mills or someone who cannot give you information on the puppy’s parents. Pay a visit to the breeder to see if his business looks legit, and spend a little time with your future dog to make sure it seems healthy.
Get Ready to Become a Dog Parent with a Free Audiobook
It is primordial to be ready to raise a dog and develop an harmonious relationship between your furry friend and family members. I would not wait until I have the dog to start this process. See it as a parenting class.
The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love
Zak George is a fantastic dog trainer and has the most popular training channel on YouTube. I have listened to this audiobook and could not recommend it enough. The great thing is you can listen to it at no cost with a 30-day Amazon Audible free trial. If you already have an account, make it your next pick.
You will learn everything you need to know to raise, train, and care for your dog: from choosing the right puppy, training techniques, picking supplies, finding a vet, selecting the right food, handling behavioral issues, and much more. You can listen and learn so much about raising a dog while going to work, running errands, exercising, etc. This audiobook can definitely make a difference.
If you want to know whether to train your dog yourself or hire a professional and learn about the cost of training classes and supplies, check our article written with a certified dog trainer.
This article is based on information we found while researching and does not guarantee that it will be possible to find a puppy at this price when the article is read.
What to read next?
Learn more about the cost of owning a dog or look specifically for your favorite dog breed, guard dogs, hypoallergenic dogs, or dogs for an apartment.
If you are interested in a puppy, we have a detailed article about their price for over 150 breeds, as well as a guide to help you find one.
References and Resources
This article is original content from PetBudget.
