Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,532 | $27,727 |
| First year | $5,985 | $4,815 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $196 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,861 | $2,041 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 8 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 3 to 6 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $420 | $180 |
| Risk profile | Low | Moderate |
| 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 6% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Australian Shepherd or a Chihuahua more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $15,806 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,532. Chihuahua: $27,727. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Australian Shepherd or a Chihuahua?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Chihuahua: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Australian Shepherd or a Chihuahua?
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 Chihuahua 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.