An Australian shepherd puppy costs between $400 -$1,500 USD. The price will vary according to:
- the breeder’s reputation.
- the puppy’s pedigree.
- its coat color and markings.
- the health screenings and vaccinations they’ve already received.
- whether they’ve been partially trained and socialized.
- age – older pups tend to be lower in price than younger ones.
Owning an Australian shepherd involves considerable expenses beyond the original purchase. First-year expenses are typically the highest, but you’ll need a budget for every year of your dog’s life, and Australian shepherds typically live 12-18 years.
The average lifetime cost of owning an Australian shepherd has been calculated at $29,810 USD.
Here are just some of the expenses you can expect:
| Average Cost
1st Year |
Average Cost Subsequent Years | Comments | |
| Supplies and equipment | $410 | $185 | Beds, crate, bowls, leashes, grooming equipment, car safety barriers, etc.
|
| Medical expenses | $595 | $605 | Routine only – including vaccinations, etc.
|
| Spay/Neuter | $250 -$350 | – |
|
| Training | $175 | – | 5 x 1-hour classes
|
| Health insurance | $565 | $565 | Accident-only option: $190
|
| Food | $195 | $245 | Good-quality dry food
|
| Treats | $240 | $240 | Assuming daily treats
|
| Grooming | $255 | $255 | Including ear cleaning, toe-nail clipping, etc.
|
Other possible costs include dog walking ($20-$50 per 1-hour group walk); boarding kennels ($45-$85 per day); microchipping ($40) and more.
The estimated cost of owning an Australian shepherd in the first year will be, on average, around $2,725 USD, and then $1,545 USD for subsequent years. This doesn’t include optional costs such as boarding kennels and pet-sitting. In addition, if you don’t take out pet insurance, non-routine veterinary expenses can also run into thousands of dollars.
