Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Miniature Schnauzer |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,532 | $39,756 |
| First year | $5,985 | $5,885 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $249 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,861 | $2,661 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 11 to 20 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $420 | $660 |
| 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 |
| Lipoma | 5% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2% | $621–$1,671 |
| Dermatitis | 2% | $252–$679 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 2% | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 1% | $629–$1,694 |
| Chronic Itching | 1% | $629–$1,694 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Pancreatitis | n/a | $254–$682 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hyperlipidaemia | n/a | not priced |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Expected vet costs are $0 for the Australian Shepherd and $0 for the Miniature Schnauzer. 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 Miniature Schnauzer more expensive?
The Miniature Schnauzer is cheaper by about $3,777 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,532. Miniature Schnauzer: $39,756. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Australian Shepherd or a Miniature Schnauzer?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Miniature Schnauzer: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Australian Shepherd or a Miniature Schnauzer?
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 Miniature Schnauzer 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.