How Much Does An Australian Shepherd Cost? A Price Breakdown

In this article, we are going to talk about the most crucial aspect of bringing a furry friend home — the costs.

Buying and providing for a new canine family member can be more than some first-time dog owners expect, so we are here to talk about everything you need to know before you purchase a beautiful dog like an Australian Shepherd.

When buying a new puppy, you should think about more than just the initial cost because it takes a lot more to get and then maintain a beautiful Aussie throughout their life. How much does an Australian Shepherd cost is the question we are looking to answer.

Owning a dog can be quite expensive with all the ongoing costs, so today, we are presenting you with a complete Aussie price breakdown.

So, let’s get started and dive into all the details of what it really costs to own this high-energy dog!

How Much Does An Australian Shepherd Cost?

Australian Shepherds are strikingly beautiful dogs that are very high in demand, especially in their home country, the United States of America.

Yes, surprisingly, they do not come from Australia as one might think because of their name, but were developed in the Western United States in the 19th century.

There are a couple of ways you can get an Aussie in the USA, and their average price will depend mostly on the source.

In order to find the answer to the question, “how much does an Australian Shepherd cost?”, we need to look at the different methods of obtaining a new furry friend. So, let’s find out where to find these beautiful quality dogs.

Purchasing An Australian Shepherd Puppy

Getting a new Aussie puppy from a breeder is the most common way of finding a new family dog. The average price of an Australian Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder is around $800 to $1,800.

They are definitely not the most expensive dogs out there, and their price is fairly normal. However, if you want a dog from a prestigious bloodline or a family of champions, the price can be a little bit higher… around $2,500 or more.

It is important to note that you should always look for responsible and reputable breeders, even if their price range is a little bit higher because then you can be sure that you are getting a puppy that has been bred and raised in normal conditions.

Sometimes, you can find Aussie puppies going for a lot less of a price, which can be very alluring; however, a low puppy price is never actually a good sign. Most of the time, those puppies come from puppy mills, pet shops, or backyard breeders – all of whom don’t have a good reputation.

Usually, those people and places don’t take good care of their dogs and puppies because their only goal is profit, not the overall health and happiness of dogs. These are the people who you don’t want to support at all, so be very careful about your choice.

If you need some help in finding truly responsible and trustworthy breeders, check out our list of eight best Australian Shepherd Breeders in the United States in 2022. In case you live outside the USA, we suggest checking out the best Australian Shepherd breeders in Ontario.

Adopting An Australian Shepherd Dog

Another way you can get an Australian Shepherd dog is by adopting. Usually, you will find mostly adult dogs in rescue centers and shelters, but sometimes you can even find puppies. Adopting is a great way of saving a dog’s life, and it is much cheaper than buying from a breeder.

Most rescues and shelters have a certain adoption fee that helps them stay in business helping other dogs that are in need since they are usually non-profit organizations.

Depending on the location, the adoption fee can vary between $100 and $300, sometimes even a little bit more. The price of the adoption fee usually includes the costs of vaccination, deworming, microchipping, and other treatments that a dog might need.

If you need some help in finding a dog to rescue in your area, we recommend checking these articles:

• Free Puppies In Your Area For Adoption: 13 Ways To Find A Free Pet

• 6 Dog Rescues In California: Find Your New Pooch Here

• 14 Admirable Dog Rescues In Wisconsin: Adopt, Don’t Shop

The Cost Of Owning An Australian Shepherd

The initial cost of purchasing a dog is not the end of your expenses. Owning a dog is definitely not a one-time expense because you need to take care of him and provide everything he might need, which includes a lot of things such as food, vet visits, toys, grooming, and other different supplies…

Let’s look at what goes into the cost of an Australian Shepherd, and what you can expect to spend on a monthly basis and a yearly one.

Dog Food

No one can survive without food and water, so this is the reason why dog food is the first on our list of Australian Shepherd expenses. There are various dog food options such as kibble, wet food, raw food, or perhaps home-cooked food.

It is up to you to choose what works the best for your dog and what fits into your price range. A wet-food and a raw-food diet are usually more expensive, but they are said to be healthier, which is why so many veterinarians recommend them.

However, if your dog likes it, high-quality dry dog food is also a good option, which is more convenient and less expensive. Depending on the type of food you choose, plus the treats, you can expect to spend from $50 to $100 on Aussie food.

Necessary Supplies

Next, we have some dog supplies that are necessary for you to get, and that go along with caring for your Aussie dog.

Feeding Utensils (food and water bowls)

When choosing food and water bowls for your new canine companion, make sure that you find good-quality, stainless steel bowls that can last you for a long time… not just for the first year. You can find these bowls for $10 to $30.

Some Aussies will eat their food at lightning speed, which is not good for them, so you will want to invest in a slow-feeder bowl, which usually costs around $20.

A Bed

Aussies are medium-sized dogs, which makes beds and other supplies fairly easy to find. When looking for a bed, try to find a comfy and comfortable one, especially because these dogs can suffer from hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.

Ideally, you will want to find one that is tough against chewing up, and easy to wash and clean. For a good-quality bed, you can expect to pay between $35 and $100.

A Crate

Even if you don’t plan on keeping your dog in a crate, a good idea is to crate-train your pup because it allows it to get comfortable in its own space, and it will be easier for you if you plan on traveling with your dog in the future.

For a good-quality and versatile Aussie crate, you can expect to pay (on average) $80, but some fancier ones can be a lot more expensive.

Leashes & Collars

You definitely need a good-quality leash and collar that will fit your dog as he grows up. You can either find a high-quality one that has an adjustable range or a puppy size, and an adult size for later.

Separately, you can find them in most pet stores for about $15 to $40, and altogether, you can expect to pay up to $80 for everything.

Toys

Toys are not just a way to keep your dog entertained when you are at work or away, but they are also a great way to keep your dog physically and mentally stimulated.

Durable and mentally stimulating toys will also keep your dog from chewing everything in the house, and stop it from developing bad habits. Dog puzzles, snuffle mats, and chew toys are just some of the great examples of how to keep your dog entertained, happy, and healthy.

Dog toys vary in price depending on their characteristics, but a simple chew toy can cost you around $15 to $30.

Grooming Services

Australian Shepherds are moderate shedders, just like Border Collies. They don’t shed as bad as German Shepherds, but they do lose a good amount of hair daily.

So, if you don’t plan on dealing with it by yourself, you will need to find a professional groomer to do it, which can cost you between $40 and $60.

Vaccinations

Every puppy needs to receive a complete set of vaccinations in the first year of its life, and an Australian Shepherd is no exception. You need to make sure that your pup is vaccinated against parainfluenza, rabies, parvovirus, and hepatitis for his health and your own health.

Vaccines can cost you from $80 to $200.

Neutering/Spaying

If you have no plans of breeding your pup, then the important thing is that you neuter or spay your dog depending on the gender you have. This procedure may cost you between $50 and $500.

Initial Vet Visits

Australian Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they are still prone to some health problems, such as:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia

• Cataracts

• Epilepsy

• Progressive retinal atrophy

• Hypothyroidism

Regular vet checkups are important, especially at an early age; however, each visit can cost you between $100 and $300.

Medication

Deworming, flea, and tick medications are very important for every puppy. If the breeder has not already done them, you will have to spend a little bit more money on these, which can cost you between $50 and $200.

Other Supplies

There are many other supplies that we didn’t mention above, but can be essential for your Aussie, like supplements, vitamins, poop bags, nail clippers, brushes, etc. Buying all of this for the first time can cost you around $100.

Possible Additional Costs

In addition to several necessary costs that come with just owning a dog, there are some possible additional costs that you may encounter depending on your needs and your lifestyle.

Not every dog owner will have these expenses or will need them, but it is good to know in case you find yourself in a situation where you need them.

Let’s look at some of these additional costs…

Doggy Daycare

If you are working a lot, especially if you have a job that includes a lot of business trips out of town, you will need to consider doggy daycare.

If you don’t have any family and friends available to take care of your little furry friend while you are away, then facilities such as doggy daycare or dog sitters are a true lifesaver.

Recently, they have become very popular due to high demand, and you should be able to find a good one in your area without much trouble.

Depending on the location, a full day at a doggy daycare can cost you between $30 and $50. A dog sitter will probably cost you a little bit less… usually around $10 to $20.

Club Registration

If you are planning to compete in dog shows or you simply would like to track down your dog’s bloodline, you will need to register your dog with the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), which, depending on the package, can cost you from $40 to $80.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is a great way to set your mind at ease in case anything might happen. The cost of pet insurance will depend on the plan you are getting (for example, an accident-only, or a comprehensive plan that includes both accidents and illnesses) and the breed of the dog.

Most dog owners and breeders recommend getting your pet insured, so if you decide to do that, you must know that depending on the coverage you choose, the price can be as little as $10 a month or as high as $100 a month.

Professional Trainer

Australian Shepherds are smart dogs that are easy to train, so not all people will have problems with training, but if you don’t want to deal with that or if you don’t have much time on your plate, you can always hire a professional trainer who will do the job for you.

Of course, this comes with a price. Group training classes can cost you between $30 and $50 per class while private training sessions can cost you up to $120 per class. The price of the course depends on the trainer, the location, and the type of training school.

Dog Walker

Australian Shepherds are high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily exercise, which means a lot of walks, visits to a dog park, and something similar.

If you are someone who works a lot, you might want to hire a dog walker who will do exactly what their name suggests. Dog walkers usually charge around $20 to $30 per 30-minute walk.

Medical Emergencies

Medical emergencies are something that no one can predict, and they will not happen to everyone, for sure, but they still happen. Australian Shepherds are considered to be overall healthy dogs, but you can never know what could happen in the future.

These are the costs of owning an Australian Shepherd that you can not negotiate if you want to keep your pup alive.

Depending on the emergency, the average cost of a vet visit can be around $800 to $1,500 just for the visit; however, if your dog needs surgery or something similar,, the bill will definitely rise to a couple of hundred or even thousands of dollars.

Factors That Influence The Australian Shepherd’s Cost

Different factors influence the price of a dog, so in order to understand why some dogs cost as much as they do, we need to discuss all the details that go into the final price.

Australian Shepherds are not that cheap as we have seen in our price breakdown, but have you ever wondered why this is so?

Well, before you decide to purchase one, you should be aware of all the factors that might affect the price so that you are able to find the most cost-effective option that will not break the bank.

Bringing a new puppy into your life should make your life a fuller and happier one, but if you are struggling to make ends meet, then a puppy will soon become a nightmare, which is the last thing anyone wants.

Purebred Vs Mixed Breed

Purebred dogs usually tend to be more expensive than mixed-breed dogs. The reason behind this is that purebreds have a certain status of prestige. They are predictable, their genetics can be traced easily, and breeders usually put more effort into adhering to breed standards.

The Australian Shepherd breed was accepted into the AKC Herding Group in 1993, and was recognized as the AKC’s 135th breed, which is one of the reasons why their price is higher than some mixed breeds.

If you want to meet other equally cute Aussie breeds, make sure to check these 23 Australian Shepherd mixes!

Age

The next thing on our list of factors that affect the price of a dog is, of course, age. The age of a dog plays a very significant role. Puppies are usually high in demand, which means that their price is also much higher than that of some older dogs.

If you want to save some money, it would be better to look for an adult Australian Shepherd (for example, a one-year-old), but if you want an exact eight-week-old puppy, be prepared to pay a lot more.

Gender

While some breeders might sell puppies for the same price no matter what, on the other hand, some value female dogs more because they can get more money if those females have puppies.

However, it mostly depends on the purpose of the litter. Males can compete in different dog sports and conformation rings all year round without interruption as opposed to females, so if that is the breeder’s goal for the litter, he might price males more than females.

Coat Color & Markings

The Australian Shepherd dog is indeed a remarkable breed, with some of the most beautiful coat colors and markings that you can find in any dog breed. In particular, the Aussie’s different colors offer a wide range of amazing variations.

Usually, some coat colors are more popular, and therefore, more expensive, but on the other hand, rare coat colors and markings are extremely expensive because they are hard to find.

How Much Does A Blue Merle Aussie Cost?

Although blue merle Australian Shepherds are not considered that rare as compared to red merle Aussies, they are, just like tri-color Aussies, higher in demand, which allows breeders to place a much higher price on them than for a standard black Australian Shepherd.

A blue merle Aussie puppy costs anywhere between $1,500 and $2,500.

Bloodline

A dog’s bloodline might just be one of the most important factors affecting the Australian Shepherd’s price. Puppies that come from a high-quality, prestigious bloodline can cost a lot more than puppies from normal Aussie parents.

Some show-quality Australian Shepherds have been sold for around $3,000, and even more, so if you want an Aussie with a top bloodline and a superior pedigree, prepare to cash out more than usual. The more titles equal the higher price.

Breeder’s Reputation

When looking for a puppy, all of us want to find a responsible and reputable breeder who is educated, knows what he is doing, and cares about his dogs. This, of course, comes with a price.

Reputable breeders put a lot of thought into their breeding program, have years of experience behind them, make sure that everything is up to standards, and that their breeding stock is healthy and happy, so it is normal that their price is a little bit higher.

However, it is all worth it in the end when you receive a perfectly healthy and happy puppy.

Location

Location is also one of the important factors. In some states, Australian Shepherds can be very popular or high in demand, which will consequently make them more expensive.

Some states in the U.S. are also generally more expensive in every way, so it is natural that puppies will also be more expensive. Breeders will charge more because they spend more for food, vet visits, vaccination, microchipping, and everything else that goes into the breeding program.

The price of an Australian Shepherd puppy in New York or in California is going to be higher than the price of the same puppy in Mississippi or in Texas, for example.

If you can, you can always get a puppy from another state, but sometimes it is better to find one nearby where you can visit and meet the breeder in person.

Registration Papers

Puppies that have a registration with the American Kennel Club or an assigning breed club have a higher price than those that are not registered. Since the registration comes with a fee, you can expect to pay a little bit more for those puppies that have complete registration papers.

Health Certificates

All dog breeds are prone to some health issues, and Australian Shepherds are no exception. Healthier dogs are always priced higher, obviously.

If the breeder does all health screenings for possible hereditary issues, and has all necessary medical things done, like vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, etc., then the puppy will be more expensive.

Although this may sound like too much for you, it is always better to find a breeder who has all mandatory health certificates, which will prove that you have a healthy pup that can live a long and happy life as your favorite companion.

Training & Socialization

Lastly on our list, we have two programs that are crucial for having a well-behaved furry friend —training and socialization.

Not every breeder does basic training and early socialization, but this is very important for dogs from an early age. A dog that is trained and well socialized will have a better opportunity to adapt more easily to its new forever home.

This also affects the price, making a well-trained and well-socialized pup more expensive than regular pups that have not passed a basic training program.

Useful Saving Tips

Taking care of a furry friend means having a lot more expenses than usual. Of course, this is an added responsibility, which means you have to always be prepared for unexpected things.

However, having a pet is also the most rewarding and fulfilling experience in one’s life, and everyone should have an opportunity to experience it. Those little creatures make this world a better place. They don’t say that we don’t deserve dogs for nothing – it’s true.

Fortunately, there are some things that can be done in order to make it possible for everyone who wants an Aussie in their life to actually have one. A couple of money-saving tips is definitely something that you need, so let’s see how you can save a couple of bucks:

Buying High-Quality Products

High-quality products are usually more expensive, and you must be wondering, “are they crazy? How is that going to help me save some money?”

Well, let’s look at the bigger picture here. The Australian Shepherd’s lifespan is usually around 13 to 15 years, which means that if everything is alright, they will get to spend a good amount of years with you.

Although buying high-quality products is more expensive in the beginning, it actually helps you save some money in the long run because you actually get to use these items for many years to come due to their quality and durability. No money is spent on replacements or repairs.

Do It Yourself

You can actually save a lot of money if you do some things by yourself; for example, grooming your Australian Shepherd at home or preparing home-cooked food by yourself are just some of the DIYs that you can do.

Although this is definitely a learning curve, and it may seem difficult at first, once you get the hang of it, you’ll actually be happy that you get to spend some more time with your pup while saving some money as well.

Grooming an Aussie is not that difficult once you learn how to do it properly. Luckily, there are many tutorials on the internet that can help you.

Also, if your Aussie happens to be a picky eater, you might want to start cooking for him, which can be a healthier diet option as well as a great money-saving option. Educate yourself on what Aussies can and cannot eat… for example, spicy food or blue cheese.

Regular Vet Checkups

Even if you have the healthiest-looking Australian Shepherd, a good piece of advice is to always practice regular vet checkups. This may cost you some money, but it can also help you save a lot.

By doing this, some major health issues can be found in their early stages, which can save you and your dog from difficult medical procedures, which not only could endanger your pup’s life, but also cost you an arm and a leg.

Is An Australian Shepherd The Right Dog For Me?

Before you purchase an Aussie and sign up for a long commitment of taking care of him, you need to make sure that this breed of dog is the right dog for you and your lifestyle.

The first thing that you must know about Australian Shepherds is that they are high-energy working dogs that thrive when having a job to do. If you are able to provide them with a lot of daily exercise and different adventures, then they will be one of the best dogs for you.

Loyal, entertaining, smart, and strikingly beautiful are just some of the adjectives that perfectly describe this beautiful dog breed. But, these dogs are not for everyone.

They were bred to herd livestock, and their natural instinct is to be a leader, so they need an owner who knows how to lead a pack; otherwise, they will take the dominant role in the family.

An Aussie owner needs to be firm, confident, patient, and consistent with training. Usually, they are not recommended for novice or first-time dog owners.

However, most potential owners wonder if these pups are good in a house and good with kids and other pets, so let’s see how they stand in those departments.

Is An Australian Shepherd A Good House Dog?

These medium-sized dogs are very lively and spirited, and although they love a garden or a yard where they can run as long as their legs will allow them, they are still good house pets and family dogs that love to be around their family and cuddle up on the sofa.

They have no problem living in a smaller apartment as long as they are involved in the family lifestyle. These pups absolutely love to be a part of the family, and they are very sociable.

They are smart and easy to train, so there shouldn’t be problems with that, but you should start with training as soon as possible because it will give the best results.

They are great family pets that get along with kids and other pets, but if you would like to know more about this subject, definitely check out our article, “Are Australian Shepherds good with kids?” to find out all the important information that a parent needs to know.

Do Australian Shepherds Bark A Lot?

If you are used to peace and quiet, maybe having an Australian Shepherd in your home is not the best idea. These dogs tend to be very vocal and bark a lot, and it may be a little bit challenging to train them not to bark.

Sometimes, they have a good reason to bark, like when they want to warn you about something, but they will also bark when they are bored and want attention. However, if you don’t mind that, then go ahead because their beauty and temperament will definitely steal your heart from the get-go.

READ ALSO: Why Is My Dog Barking At Nothing?

Final Thoughts

If you were looking for the answer as to how much an Australian Shepherd costs, now you know all the details that can help you decide if you can afford this beautiful dog.

Owning a dog is definitely a big responsibility that requires you to spend a lot of money; however, at the end of the day, money always comes and goes, but memories with your precious canine companion will always stay, and you’ll carry them with you for the rest of your life.

If you want to improve your life and get something that will make your every day much happier, then a sweet and caring dog like the Australian Shepherd is definitely something you need. Don’t be afraid to take this beautiful step in your life.