Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Doberman Pinscher |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,669 | $37,420 |
| First year | $5,995 | $6,769 |
| Monthly average | $266 | $278 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,871 | $2,895 |
| Documented conditions | 21 | 21 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 11.2 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 60 to 100 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 4.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $398 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Low | High, late onset |
| 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 |
| Urinary incontinence (US) | 15%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Dog bite (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Laceration (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 7%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Lick granuloma (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hypothyroidism (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 4%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Von Willebrand disease | n/a | $149–$401 |
| Wobbler syndrome | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
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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 Doberman Pinscher. 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 Doberman Pinscher more expensive?
The Doberman Pinscher is cheaper by about $6,249 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,669. Doberman Pinscher: $37,420. 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 Doberman Pinscher?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Doberman Pinscher: 11.2 years.
Which is healthier, an Australian Shepherd or a Doberman Pinscher?
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 Doberman Pinscher 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.