How Much Do Australian Shepherds Cost?

Australian Shepherds typically cost around $1,500-$2,500 on Good Dog.

That might be a higher Australian Shepherd price range than you see elsewhere, but every breeder on Good Dog has been carefully screened for responsible breeding practices.

Buying from a good Australian Shepherd breeder means you’re working with someone who invests heavily in the health and wellbeing of their dogs — and does everything they can to make sure their puppies are ready for their forever homes.

“Aussies can be very reactive if they’re not socialized young,” explains Sara Koenig, the breeder behind Nicara Kennel in Mazomanie, WI. “They’re so intense and emotional and high drive.”

So Koenig and other good Aussie breeders carefully expose their puppies to new stimuli — sights, sounds, textures, people — to help them be comfortable in any situation they encounter throughout their lives. Otherwise, they could end up anxious or fearful.

It may be cheaper to buy an Aussie from a less reputable breeder, but you could end up dealing with expensive and emotionally challenging health and behavioral issues down the line.

What goes into the price of a well-bred Australian Shepherd?

Breeding a new litter of Aussies comes with a wide range of costs: stud services if the breeder doesn’t have a male breeding dog of their own, health testing of the parent dogs, ultrasounds during pregnancy, and more. According to Paige Brown, the breeder behind Colockum Australian Shepherds in Entiat, WA, genetic testing alone can cost $600.

But for good Aussie breeders, this isn’t a business at all — most of them barely break even on their litters. Producing mentally, physically, and emotionally sound Australian Shepherd puppies is a labor of love and a 24/7 lifestyle. (Seriously, ask any responsible breeder how much sleep they get when a litter is on the way.)

Brittany Greendeer, the breeder behind Riot Australian Shepherds in Plover, WI, spent 6 months living with her mentor, a breeder of 30-plus years, to learn about the breed. Now she reads up on genetics to further her education during any downtime she has.

“My boyfriend will be like, ‘What are you reading?” she says. “And I say, ‘Oh, I’m reading a study.’”

For Hannah Weiger, who currently has three Aussies, paying to work with a responsible breeder is a no-brainer. She got her first Aussie, Tazz, for $400 from a breeder who didn’t do any health testing at all. He died of lymphoma at age 6.

“He was just the best dog in the world, and he’s what sparked my love for the breed,” she says. And while Weiger acknowledges that nothing is guaranteed even with health testing, she still feels strongly that getting your dog from a good breeder is worth the investment. (Rebel, 4; Talisker, 3; and Wrigley, 2, cost $1,500 each.)

“You’ll pay less in the long run,” she says.

But there are other costs to consider, too.

The up-front purchase is just the start of your financial considerations when it comes to getting a dog. Add these to your list of Australian Shepherd costs: food, toys, routine vet visits, and vaccinations. Ashlee Sawyer estimates that she’s already spent $300 at the vet for her 3-month-old Aussie, Ranger, including shots, flea and heartworm medication, and a fecal test and treatment for what turned out to be giardia.

You should also never rule out the possibility of surprise medical bills. Chris Vandall and Keith Ambuhl had to rush their 3-year-old Aussie, Archer, to the emergency vet last summer after he got bitten by a rattlesnake.

“He was on a leash, but he was just being his curious Aussie self, sniffing around the ground when we were at a campsite,” Vandall says. “Luckily, he came out of that well and only needed one antivenom shot.”

The cost of that antivenom? About $2,000.

In addition to being a major financial investment, Australian Shepherds are a ton of work. But if you’re ready for the commitment, they can be the best companions you could ever ask for.

“We’re thinking about doing therapy pet training with Archer,” says Vandall. “He just brings smiles to people’s faces.”