Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,669 | $30,410 |
| First year | $5,995 | $6,979 |
| Monthly average | $266 | $259 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,871 | $2,605 |
| Documented conditions | 21 | 21 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 40 to 50 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 2.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $398 | $214 |
| Risk profile | Low | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Overweight/obesity |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Overweight/obesity | 9%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Otitis externa | 13%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 40%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Cutaneous disorder | 29%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ophthalmological disorder | 18%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 14%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Aural disorder | 13%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Upper respiratory tract disorder | 11%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 6%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Distichiasis | 5%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Entropion | 4%owner survey | $449–$1,209 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 4%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Dermatitis | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Alopecia/Baldness | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Pyoderma | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1%screened dogs | not priced |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Skin fold dermatitis | n/a | $252–$679 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
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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 $394 for the Bulldog. 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 Bulldog more expensive?
The Bulldog is cheaper by about $13,259 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,669. Bulldog: $30,410. 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 Bulldog?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Bulldog: 9.8 years.
Which is healthier, an Australian Shepherd or a Bulldog?
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 Bulldog it is overweight/obesity, at 9%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.