Estimate only
Lifetime ranges are planning estimates from Australia baselines and peer-reviewed breed-health data — your real cost depends on your dog, city and choices. See the methodology.
Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd: lifetime cost to own
A Australian Shepherd works out cheaper over its lifetime in Australia — about A$153 less than a Border Collie. Full side-by-side below.
Border Collie
medium · ~13.5 yr lifespan
A$42,244
total lifetime cost
- Buying
- A$2,250
- First-year setup
- A$1,005
- Annual recurring
- A$2,885
- Expected health costs
- A$41.90
Australian Shepherd
medium · ~13 yr lifespan
A$42,091
total lifetime cost
- Buying
- A$3,409
- First-year setup
- A$1,005
- Annual recurring
- A$2,885
- Expected health costs
- A$172.40
Cost by category
| Category (lifetime) | Border Collie | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Buying the dog | A$2,250 | A$3,409 |
| First-year setup | A$1,005 | A$1,005 |
| Food | A$10,530 | A$10,140 |
| Routine vet | A$9,788 | A$9,425 |
| Grooming | A$8,910 | A$8,580 |
| Insurance | A$9,720 | A$9,360 |
| health_risk | A$41.90 | A$172.40 |
Amber = the cheaper breed in that category. Health costs are probability-weighted from breed-specific conditions.