Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,532 | $35,349 |
| First year | $5,985 | $6,605 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $250 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,800 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,861 | $2,581 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $2,986 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 16 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 13 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $420 | $480 |
| Risk profile | Low | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Heart murmur and mitral valve 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart murmur and mitral valve disease | 31% | $534–$1,438 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 23% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 16% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Digestive disease | 11% | $354–$954 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 10% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | 10% | $246–$663 |
| Mitral valve disease (MVD) | 7% | $534–$1,438 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Umbilical hernia | 6% | $621–$1,671 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 4% | $224–$604 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Patellar luxation | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 2% | $534–$1,438 |
| Syringomyelia | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Expected total | $2,986 | |
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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 $2,986 for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Australian Shepherd or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel more expensive?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is cheaper by about $8,184 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,532. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: $35,349. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Australian Shepherd or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Australian Shepherd or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel it is heart murmur and mitral valve disease, at 31%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.