Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | English Springer Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,532 | $42,789 |
| First year | $5,985 | $5,975 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $264 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,861 | $2,851 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 16 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 13.5 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 40 to 50 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 2.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $420 | $480 |
| 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 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 16% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Lipoma | 6% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 3% | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Cruciate disease | 2% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Skin lump | 2% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 1% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 1% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Ear disease | n/a | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Australian Shepherd or a English Springer Spaniel more expensive?
The English Springer Spaniel is cheaper by about $743 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,532. English Springer Spaniel: $42,789. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Australian Shepherd or a English Springer Spaniel?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. English Springer Spaniel: 13.5 years.
Which is healthier, a Australian Shepherd or a English Springer 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 English Springer Spaniel 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.