Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Bernese Mountain Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,669 | $37,669 |
| First year | $5,995 | $7,489 |
| Monthly average | $266 | $311 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,800 to $4,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,871 | $3,215 |
| Documented conditions | 21 | 12 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 10.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 70 to 115 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 4.9 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $398 | $470 |
| Risk profile | Low | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 14%screened dogs | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fractured teeth (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chocolate (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Bordetella and/or parainfluenza (US) | 4%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Torn or broken toenail (US) | 4%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| MDR1 drug sensitivity | n/a | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Epilepsy | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 27%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 16%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 11%screened dogs | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 0%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | n/a | $2,291–$6,169 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Australian Shepherd and $0 for the Bernese Mountain Dog. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is an Australian Shepherd or a Bernese Mountain Dog more expensive?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is cheaper by about $6,000 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,669. Bernese Mountain Dog: $37,669. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, an Australian Shepherd or a Bernese Mountain Dog?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years.
Which is healthier, an Australian Shepherd or a Bernese Mountain Dog?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Australian Shepherd's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Bernese Mountain Dog 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.