How Much Does An Australian Shepherd Cost? (Price Guide)
The Australian Shepherd (AKA Aussie) is a purebred dog, originally bred for sheep-herding. Its striking appearance paired with its lovely temperament has made it a very popular and also expensive dog breed. There are many factors that influence their adoption and ownership costs.
In this article we will break down the costs to buy or adopt an Australian Shepherd as well as the initial, monthly and yearly costs of ownership so you can figure out if this is right the dog breed for you.
Table of Contents
How Much Is An Australian Shepherd?
Australian Shepherds cost between $2400USD and $4000USD. Australian Shepherds have a wide price range as there are so many factors that affect their price such as size, coat color, lineage, breeder’s reputation, location as well as the age of the dog.
Why Are Australian Shepherds So Expensive?
Australian Shepherds are so expensive because they are a really popular dog breed. There is a very high demand for them and not many people breed them. Australian Shepherds are so popular because they are very intelligent, easy to train and also very loyal to their family. They also have a beautiful appearance often featuring merle or tri-color coats.
Factors That Affect Australian Shepherd Price
There are many factors that affect Australian Shepherd price including:
- Size
- Coat Color
- Lineage
- Location
- Breeder’s Reputation
- Age (Puppy vs Adult)
How Size Affects Australian Shepherd Price
The general rule is that the smaller the Australian Shepherd, the more expensive it is. From most expensive to least expensive is the teacup, toy, miniature, medium and then standard Australian Shepherd.
Teacup Australian Shepherd Price
Teacup Australian Shepherds cost between $3000USD and $4000USD. They are the most expensive Australian Shepherd size as they are quite rare. Note that Teacup Australian Shepherds are the same size as Toy Australian Shepherds.
Read Also: Mini Australian Shepherd Guide: Size, Temperament, Shedding, Price & More
Toy Australian Shepherd Price
Toy Australian Shepherds cost between $3000USD and $4000USD. Toy Australian Shepherds are the same size as Teacup Australian Shepherds which is why they are the same price range. The descriptor “toy” and “teacup” are interchangeable.
Mini Australian Shepherd Price
Mini Australian Shepherds cost between $2800USD and $3800USD. They are one of the most popular Australian Shepherd sizes as they are a little bit smaller than the Standard Australian Shepherd which makes them a more manageable size.
Standard Australian Shepherd Price
Standard Australian Shepherds cost between $2400USD and $3500USD. They are the most common size of Australian Shepherd which is why they are the cheapest size.
Read Also: Australian Shepherd Size Guide (Teacup, Toy, Mini & Standard)
How Coat Color Affects Australian Shepherd Price
Blue Merle Australian Shepherd Price
Blue Merle Australian Shepherds cost between $3000USD and $4000USD. They are one of the more expensive coat colors as the breeding process is very involved. Breeders have to make sure that they do not breed two Australian Shepherds that carry the merle gene together as Double Merles have severe ocular and auditory defeats. They are also expensive as the coat has very pretty grey and white patches and they often have blue eyes.
Red Merle Australian Shepherd Price
Red Merle Australian Shepherds cost between $3000USD and $4000USD. They are one of the more expensive coat colors as breeders have to be very careful to not breed Double Merle Australian Shepherds.
Read Also: Merle Australian Shepherd Guide (Blue, Red, Harlequin, Double)
Red Australian Shepherd Price
Red Australian Shepherds cost between $3500USD and $4000USD. Solid red is the rarest coat color for Australian Shepherds which is reflected in their high price point.
Black Australian Shepherd Price
Black Australian Shepherds cost between $3500USD and $4000USD. Solid black is the second rarest coat color for Australian Shepherds after solid red which is why they are so expensive.
Black Tricolor Australian Shepherd Price
Black Tricolor Australian Shepherds cost between $2350USD to $3250USD. Black Tricolor Australian Shepherds are quite common which is reflected in their lower price range.
Red Tricolor Australian Shepherd Price
Red Tricolor Australian Shepherds cost between $2500USD to $3250USD. Red Tricolor Australian Shepherds are common which is why they are a bit cheaper than the other coat colors.
Read Also: Mini Aussiedoodles (Ultimate Breed Guide)
Adult vs Puppy Price
Full Grown Australian Shepherd Price
Full grown Australian Shepherds are cheaper than puppies as they are no longer in their prime. In most cases, you can find fully grown Australian Shepherds at adoption or rescue centres for a fee between $50USD and $1000USD.
Australian Shepherd Puppy Price
Puppy Australian Shepherds are much more expensive than adult Australian Shepherds as the first 8 weeks of life are very intense. Breeders have to constantly watch over puppies and they also have to take them to multiple veterinary appointments for vaccinations and general health checks which are very expensive.
Read Also: Aussiedoodle Size Guide (Toy, Mini & Standard)
Australian Shepherd Prices Around The World
Australian Shepherd Price USA
| Location | Breeder | Price |
| PuppySpot (Online) | PuppySpot | $2399USD to $4049USD |
| New York | Watermark Aussies | $2500USD to $3800USD |
| Texas | Mountain Springs Kennels | $2400USD |
| Florida | Sanddollar Australian Shepherds | $2500USD+ |
| Wisconsin | Everready Aussie Kennel | Contact for Price |
| Louisiana | Gold Ring Australian Shepherds | Contact for Price |
| Illinois | Dogwood Lane Aussies | Contact for Price |
Australian Shepherd Price Australia
| Location | Breeder | Price |
| Hunter Valley, NSW | Gemelo Kennels | Contact for Price |
| Bathurst, NSW | BlueAmble | Contact for Price |
| Melbourne, VIC | Dapsen | Contact for Price |
| Brisbane, QLD | Ochaye Australian Shepherds | Contact for Price |
Australian Shepherd Price Canada
| Location | Breeder | Price |
| Port Hope, Ontario | GraceRok Australian Shepherds | $2400CAD |
| Victoria Harbour, Ontario | Cheynat Australian Shepherd | $2500CAD |
| Renfrew, Ontario | Ninebark Aussies | Contact for Price |
| London, Ontario | Weststone Australian Shepherds | Contact for Price |
| North Okanagan, British Columbia | Six Mile Creek Australian Shepherd Dogs | Contact for Price |
Buy Or Adopt An Australian Shepherd?
Whether you buy or adopt an Australian Shepherd comes down to personal preference however it is often easier to purchase one as they are pretty hard to find at adoption shelters.
Buying An Australian Shepherd
Advantages
- Knowing the puppy’s background
- Able to predict physical attributes from parents
- Access to a full medical history
- Knowing that you’ll most likely have many years with your Australian Shepherd
Disadvantages
- Puppies are high energy, exhausting and destructive
- Buying a puppy is very expensive
Adopting An Australian Shepherd
Advantages
- Already toilet trained
- Know the full size of the dog
- Greater maturity
- Lower energy levels
Disadvantages
- May have bad habits
- May have health problems
- May have had a traumatic past
- May not integrate into their new home well
How Much Does It Cost To Own An Australian Shepherd?
If you are thinking about getting an Australian Shepherd, it is important to realise that it is not only expensive to buy one but the ongoing ownership costs are very high. Over the lifespan of an Australian Shepherd expect to spend $15000 to $25000 on ownership not including expenses for health issues, surgery and emergencies.
Initial Outlay
When you buy or adopt an Australian Shepherd there is a huge initial outlay on top of the cost of the dog. You will have to buy food, treats, bowls, a bed and crate, leashes and collars, toys, grooming supplies and deworming/flea/tick tablets. You will also have to pay for initial vet consultations, puppy vaccinations, desexing and a microchip if the breeder has not already done so. Some places require that you register your dog so you may also need to pay registration fees or for a dog licence. You may also consider getting pet insurance for your Australian Shepherd however this is optional.
| Expense | Estimated Cost | Suggestion |
| Food | $100 to $250 | Get A Recommendation From Your Vet |
| Treats | $10 to $50 | Get A Recommendation From Your Vet |
| Bowls | $15 to $30 | Anti-Skid Stainless Steel Bowl from PetMate |
| Crate | $50 to $400 | Diggs Revol Dog Crate |
| Bed | $40 to $200 | Personalized Bagel Bed from MajesticPet |
| Leash | $10 to $50 | Walkabout Retractable Leash from PetMate |
| Collar | $5 to $40 | Padded Reflective Adjustable Collar from PetMate |
| Toys | $15 to $100 | Dog Chew Toy Value 20 Pack from Amazon |
| Car Accessories | $10 to $100 | Dog Seat Belt from Amazon |
| Grooming Supplies | $30 to $150 | Dog Clippers from Amazon |
| Deworming, Flea and Tick Tablets | $75 to $300 | Get A Recommendation From Your Vet |
| Vet Visits | $200 to $500 | Depends On Your Vet |
| Puppy Vaccinations | $90 to $300 | Depends On Your Vet |
| Desexing | $250 to $1000 | Depends On Your Vet |
| Microchip | $50 to $75 | Depends On Your Vet |
| Miscellaneous Supplies | $0 to $50 | Dog Security Camera from Amazon |
Australian Shepherd Grooming Cost
The grooming cost of an Australian Shepherd is a bit less then other large dog breeds as there is not need to give them a haircut as they shed. The average base price at most salons for grooming an Australian Shepherd is between $50USD and $80USD.
To save some money you can learn how to groom your Australian Shepherd with YouTube tutorials and buy an at home dog grooming kit.
Australian Shepherd Yearly Cost
After the first year of ownership, the yearly cost of owning an Australian Shepherd will be much less unless your dog becomes unwell and requires unexpected medical attention. Yearly costs include food, treats, grooming, deworming/flea/tick tablets, vaccinations, annual vet visits and replacement of supplies such as toys, beds, leashes and collars. There are many other additional expenses you may incur such as:
- Pet insurance
- Doggy day care
- Dog walker
- Dog sitter
- Kennels when you travel
- Grooming services
- Medical treatment
- Kennel club registration
- Puppy school/training classes
Further Reading
- Mini Australian Shepherd Guide: Size, Temperament, Shedding, Price & More
- Australian Shepherd Size Guide (Teacup, Toy, Mini & Standard)
- Merle Australian Shepherd Guide (Blue, red, Harlequin, Double)
- How Much Does A Cavapoo Cost? (Adoption to Ownership Costs)
- Aussiedoodle Generations Guide (F1, F1b, F1bb, F2, F2b, F2bb, F3 etc.)
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