Estimate only
Lifetime ranges are planning estimates from United States 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 the United States — about $727 less than a Border Collie. Full side-by-side below.
Border Collie
medium · ~13.5 yr lifespan
$37,423
total lifetime cost
- Buying
- $1,750
- First-year setup
- $615
- Annual recurring
- $2,595
- Expected health costs
- $25.10
Australian Shepherd
medium · ~13 yr lifespan
$36,695
total lifetime cost
- Buying
- $2,250
- First-year setup
- $615
- Annual recurring
- $2,595
- Expected health costs
- $95.30
Cost by category
| Category (lifetime) | Border Collie | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Buying the dog | $1,750 | $2,250 |
| First-year setup | $615 | $615 |
| Food | $15,390 | $14,820 |
| Routine vet | $5,873 | $5,655 |
| Grooming | $6,480 | $6,240 |
| Insurance | $7,290 | $7,020 |
| health_risk | $25.10 | $95.30 |
Amber = the cheaper breed in that category. Health costs are probability-weighted from breed-specific conditions.