Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,669 | $27,184 |
| First year | $5,995 | $4,769 |
| Monthly average | $266 | $192 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,871 | $1,995 |
| Documented conditions | 21 | 22 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 3 to 6 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $398 | $184 |
| Risk profile | Low | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Periodontal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 14%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Obesity | 6%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Retained deciduous dentition | 6%1-yr clinical | $150–$800 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 48%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 34%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Murmur (US) | 19%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation (US) | 17%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Gingivitis (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cataracts (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Dog bite (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Retained deciduous teeth (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 6%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Tracheal collapse (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Aggression | 4%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
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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 $808 for the Chihuahua. 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 Chihuahua more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $16,485 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,669. Chihuahua: $27,184. 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 Chihuahua?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Chihuahua: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, an Australian Shepherd or a Chihuahua?
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 Chihuahua it is periodontal disease, at 14%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.