Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Shepherd | Miniature Schnauzer |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,669 | $37,641 |
| First year | $5,995 | $5,726 |
| Monthly average | $266 | $236 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,871 | $2,502 |
| Documented conditions | 21 | 29 |
| Median lifespan | 13.7 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 65 lb | 11 to 20 lb |
| Daily food | 3.2 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $398 | $462 |
| 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 | 17%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Obesity/overweight | 8%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Vomiting | 5%1-yr clinical | $254–$682 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 34%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Dental disorder | 19%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 19%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Enteropathy | 14%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Pancreatitis (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Cataracts (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Chocolate (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Sebaceous cysts (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Lipoma | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 3%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Dermatitis | 2%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 2%screened dogs | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 1%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Chronic Itching | 1%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 1%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Pancreatitis | n/a | $254–$682 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hyperlipidaemia | n/a | not priced |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Australian Shepherd and $1,454 for the Miniature Schnauzer. 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 Miniature Schnauzer more expensive?
The Miniature Schnauzer is cheaper by about $6,028 over a lifetime. Australian Shepherd: $43,669. Miniature Schnauzer: $37,641. 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 Miniature Schnauzer?
The Australian Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Shepherd: 13.7 years. Miniature Schnauzer: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, an Australian Shepherd or a Miniature Schnauzer?
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 Miniature Schnauzer it is periodontal disease, at 17%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.