You’ve talked to your family and they’re all on board. They want an Australian Shepherd as much as you do. Now that you’ve begun seriously planning for your furry new addition, you just have one question in mind: how much will owning an Australian Shepherd cost?
An Australian Shepherd on average costs $600 to $3,000, but it depends on several factors. These include gender (males are more expensive), whether you go through a breeder, and whether you want a show-quality dog.
In this post, we’ll explore more thoroughly the costs of an Aussie so you can be well prepared. We’ll also discuss whether the Australian Shepherd is more expensive than other dog breeds. Keep reading, as you’re definitely not going to want to miss it.
What Does an Australian Shepherd Cost Through a Breeder?
You may want to buy your Aussie through a trusted breeder. This isn’t a bad idea, as you can ensure your Aussie is bred to be healthy, beautiful, and otherwise the best dog it can be. Also, you could get to meet your Aussie’s parents so you don’t have to guess about their lineage. The breeder, who’s certainly an expert in Australian Shepherds, can also help you with any questions you have.
These perks are great, but they don’t come cheap. The price of the Aussie is at the discretion of the breeder, but you can expect costs of $800 to $1,800 and higher.
We found one breeder, Australian Shepherd Puppies Long Island, that required a deposit of $200 just to get on the waiting list. That money would more than likely go towards the overall cost of your dog, but it’s always good to make sure you have the necessary funds for an Aussie as soon as you know you want one.
To find an Australian Shepherd breeder in your neck of the woods, check out this extensive list of breeders in the United States and Canada.
What Is the Cost of an Australian Shepherd Through a Pet Store?
Let’s say you can’t find a breeder near you or their prices are too high. You may choose to adopt an Aussie or buy one at your local pet store instead. This option is attractive because dogs of many breeds are readily available, including Australian Shepherds.
One renowned resource for buying dogs, Lancaster Puppies, has a ton of Australian Shepherds for sale. The lower end of the price spectrum for the dogs is $950, with some Aussies going for as much as $1,800. These are typically males.
Yes, that’s extremely expensive, and not necessarily representative of what you’ll find in all pet stores. Remember though that you get what you pay for. Make sure you vet the pet store extensively before buying through them. Read reviews and even ask previous shoppers about their experience and the health of their dog today.
What Is the Cost of a Show-Quality Australian Shepherd?
Do you dream of your Aussie being a show dog that wins gold medals at American Kennel Club events? Then you want a show-quality dog. We’d recommend starting on the AKC website, as you can find future champion show dogs. Some are even within the AKC bloodline, meaning they’re the best of the best.
This male Aussie puppy we found that was AKC bloodline-certified cost $1,500. You can view him here, but he’ll probably go fast. It’s hard to say if that higher price is because the Aussie is a male or due to his bloodline, but it’s probably a little bit of both.
PuppyFind has a slew of AKC Aussies, and the cost for these is as high as $3,000 for a male and $1,300 for a female.
Are Aussies More or Less Expensive Than Other Dog Breeds?
It doesn’t matter how you slice it: an Aussie costs a pretty penny. To make you feel better (or worse, we suppose it depends), here is a list of dog breeds and their costs.
- Harrier – $300
- German Shepherd – $1,500 to $10,000
- Foxhound – $475
- English Setter – $350
- English Bulldog – $2,500 to $10,000
- Great Swiss Mountain Dog – $2,500 to $3,000
- Black and Tan Coonhound – $350
- Lowchen – $2,000 to $3,000
- Azawakh – $1,500 to $2,500
- Miniature Pinscher – $500
- Rottweiler – $800 to $5,000
- Chihuahua – $650
- Tibetan Mastiff – $1,500
- Samoyed – $2,000 to $3,500
So yes, you may end up spending a bit of extra cash on your Australian Shepherd at the end of the day, but at least you won’t drop $10,000 like you could on an English Bulldog or a German Shepherd!
Now, the above prices are just averages, as we’ve used with Aussies throughout this whole article. Given the cost of adopting or buying an Australian Shepherd, they’re really not that much more expensive than the average dog.
Other Costs Associated with Owning an Australian Shepherd
While it would be nice if you could just buy your Aussie puppy and then call it a day, you’re not done spending money on your dog yet. Not by a long shot. You’ll need deep pockets for your Australian Shepherd’s whole life, but none deeper than in their first year. It’s then that you have to ready yourself for all sorts of extra costs.
Here’s an overview of what those costs look like.
Microchipping
Not every pet owner decides to microchip their cat or dog, but they should. If your Aussie ever
gets loose of their collar, then anyone who finds them has no way to identify the dog. Microchipping is like an internal collar with all your Aussie’s information printed on the chip. Your Shepherd may not always be returned to you if they’re microchipped and get lost, but there’s a very high chance it will happen. According to Petfinder, 52 percent of lost dogs with microchips make it back home after being lost. Dogs without microchips get returned at a far lower rate, just 22 percent.
Microchipping your dog is a one and done, and it costs about $50, so make sure you schedule it shortly after bringing your Australian Shepherd home.
Breed Registration
Your Aussie is AKC-approved, and you want the world to know. Make sure you get your pup registered with the organization to the tune of around $25.
Food
Your Aussie has got to eat, right? How often you feed your dog, the type of food, and if you have other pups at home will all go towards the monthly cost of feeding your Aussie. Expect to spend at least $100 monthly for pet food, but this can always be higher.
If you’d like to learn more about the best food for your Aussie, our friend and guest article writer has written us an excellent article on the best foods for your Australian Shepherd. Take a look at it here.
Toys, Leashes, and Collars
Just because you microchipped your Australian Shepherd doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to let them run free. It’s one thing to do that in your backyard, but not out on the streets or at the dog park.
That means you’ll need a leash and collar. Oh, and toys too, lots of toys, like squeaky rubber ones and soft plush toys. It’s hard to say how much you’ll spend here, but it could be a couple of hundred dollars easily.
Deworming
Your Aussie’s breeder may or may not take care of deworming before the dog is sent to their fur-ever home with you. If the breeder doesn’t cover the costs, then you will to the tune of $25 or more.
Checkups and Vaccinations
Puppies need vaccinations often, so you’ll get to know your vet well. Per vaccination, you can pay $100 to $500, and some dogs need dozens of vaccines. A vet appointment may cost $50 to $125, and that’s before factoring in medications or treatments your vet may suggest for your Australian Shepherd.
Altogether, the AKC says you should expect to pay $2,889 a year for a mid-sized dog like an Aussie. The costs will be higher than the first year because of all the vet appointments and vaccines, with an average price of $3,085.
Breaking that down further, every year, you may spend $650 on vet costs, $389 on dog medications, $435 on food, and $432 on supplies. The lifetime cost for dog ownership is $23,410.
Australian Shepherd Cost :: In Conclusion
An Australian Shepherd costs $600 to $3,000 depending on whether you buy one from a pet store or get a special AKC-recognized pup. This is about in line with many other dog breed prices, which is good to know.
Buying your Aussie is only the beginning, of course. They’ll need food, toys, leashes, collars, and plenty of trips to the vet. Although you’ll probably spend about $24,000 over the life of your Australian Shepherd, you can’t put a price on the years of love and memories you two will have together.