Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Cattle Dog | Poodle |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,881 | $53,397 |
| First year | $5,734 | $7,295 |
| Monthly average | $255 | $318 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,200 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,760 | $3,421 |
| Documented conditions | 21 | 26 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 14 yrs |
| Adult weight | 35 to 50 lb | 45 to 70 lb |
| Daily food | 2.7 cups | 3.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $398 | $965 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Dental calculus (US) | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dental calculus (US) | 37%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Dog bite (US) | 32%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Fractured teeth (US) | 24%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 24%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 23%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 17%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chocolate (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Bordetella and/or parainfluenza (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 12%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Torn or broken toenail (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1%screened dogs | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Ear Infection (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Sebaceous cysts (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cataracts (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Murmur (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chocolate (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Conjunctivitis (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 3%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Lipoma | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Addison's disease (primary hypoadrenocorticism) | 2%owner survey | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Conjunctivitis | 2%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Unspecified tumor/cancer | 2%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Ear mite infestation | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Entropion | 2%owner survey | $449–$1,209 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Addison's disease | n/a | $1,420–$3,822 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Australian Cattle Dog and $0 for the Poodle. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is an Australian Cattle Dog or a Poodle more expensive?
The Australian Cattle Dog is cheaper by about $10,516 over a lifetime. Australian Cattle Dog: $42,881. Poodle: $53,397. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, an Australian Cattle Dog or a Poodle?
The Australian Cattle Dog has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Cattle Dog: 14 years. Poodle: 14 years.
Which is healthier, an Australian Cattle Dog or a Poodle?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Australian Cattle Dog's biggest single risk is dental calculus (us), seen in 37% of the breed. For the Poodle 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.