Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Bernese Mountain Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,532 | $42,173 |
| First year | $5,985 | $7,935 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $348 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,800 to $4,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,861 | $3,661 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 12 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 10.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 70 to 115 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 4.9 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $420 | $540 |
| Risk profile | Low | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 14% | not priced |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| MDR1 drug sensitivity | n/a | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Epilepsy | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 27% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 16% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 11% | not priced |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 0% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | n/a | $2,291–$6,169 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Australian Shepherd and $0 for the Bernese Mountain Dog. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
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Common questions
Is a Australian Shepherd or a Bernese Mountain Dog more expensive?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is cheaper by about $1,359 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,532. Bernese Mountain Dog: $42,173. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Australian Shepherd or a Bernese Mountain Dog?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Australian Shepherd or a Bernese Mountain Dog?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Australian Shepherd's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Bernese Mountain Dog it is skin disease, at 36%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.