Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie: cost, insurance & feeding
A side-by-side of the modeled cost of ownership, insurance outlook and feeding needs for the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie. On a modeled basis the Border Collie is the more affordable of the two to own per year.
| Metric | Australian Shepherd | Border Collie |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Medium dog | Medium dog |
| Life span | 12–15 yrs | 12–15 yrs |
| Insurance / mo | $28–$50 | $28–$48 |
| Risk tier | Lower risk | Lower risk |
| Food / yr | $961 | $763 |
| Annual all-in | $2,233 | $2,004 |
| First year | $3,128 | $2,899 |
| Lifetime (modeled) | $31,040 | $27,948 |
| Feeding / day | 1398 kcal | 1111 kcal |
The verdict
Over a year, a Border Collie runs about $229 less than a Australian Shepherd on a modeled all-in basis — driven mostly by size (food, vet and prevention scale with weight) and each breed's insurance risk tier. Adjust the calculator below for your own coverage, food and region to see how the gap shifts.
Modeled estimates for comparison — see how we estimate.
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