Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,532 | $40,121 |
| First year | $5,985 | $6,525 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $296 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,861 | $3,151 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 65 to 90 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $420 | $300 |
| 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 | 19% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 3% | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Gastric dilatation volvulus | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | n/a | not priced |
| 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 German Shepherd. 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 German Shepherd more expensive?
The German Shepherd is cheaper by about $3,412 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,532. German Shepherd: $40,121. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Australian Shepherd or a German Shepherd?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. German Shepherd: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Australian Shepherd or a German Shepherd?
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 German Shepherd 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.