(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Usher spent $12,000 on a goldendoodle puppy at auction.

The 34-year-old singer won the Golden Retriever, poodle mix at the Pencils of Promise Gala in New York City.

The pup was auctioned to raise funds for the charity, which builds schools in Laos, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Ghana, People magazine reports.

According to the publication, Usher made an initial bid of $10,000, which was topped by an $11,000 offer made by actress Jessica Szohr.

Usher put up another $1,000 to make the winning bid.

The auction came after the Yeah! singer last year was outbid for another puppy.

The family that won the pooch even named it Usher.

The star's new purchase is sure to excite his two young boys.

Usher shares four-year-old Usher Raymond V and three-year-old Naviyd Ely Raymond with ex-wife Tameka Foster.

Usher won primary custody of the boys in August after a highly-publicised court battle between the pair. (C) Cover Media