You’ve researched all dog breeds and you’ve picked the Australian Shepherd. Good choice. There’s only a few dog breeds as loyal, affectionate and entertaining as the Aussie. But before you commit to one, you may be wondering how much an Australian Shepherd costs? The average price of the Australian Shepherd ranges from $650 to $850 USD. However, an Aussie puppy can cost anywhere between $300 to $1,800+ USD
depending on the breeder’s reputation, coat colors, pedigree, and location. However, Aussies can be adopted from animal shelters for as low as $50 USD. Australian Shepherds are not the cheapest dog breed available, but they’re not terribly expensive either. But if you’re trying to save a few bucks, this is the ultimate price guide on how to buy
Aussies. Read on to learn the factors that affect prices. RECOMMENDED: The Owner’s Guide to Aussies Table of Contents 4 Factors That Affect Australian Shepherd Prices In my opinion, there are five main factors that affect the price of an Australian Shepherd. It’s why you’ll see some dogs go for around $350, while others go for well above $1800. It’s important to understand these crucial price factors when you start shopping for your new puppy. By going in with knowledge, you’ll rest easy knowing you’ll get the best deal. In fact, with just a bit of info, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars! 1. Breeder ReputationNot all Australian Shepherd breeders are equal. Some are more knowledgeable, while others are less. In some areas, there are more casual breeders than there are “professional” breeders. If you can afford it, it’s always best to go to a professional breeder. It’s usually obvious which breeders are reputable and which are not. As a general rule of thumb, you get what you pay for. In other words, the higher the price the more reputable the breeder. However, this is not a hard fact. Many breeders, reputable or not, may try to overcharge based on “rare” qualities, such as unique coat colors. If this is the case, I would stay away. How to Find Reputable Aussie BreedersThis may be the most common question among new owners looking for their Aussie puppy. The good news is that there are many ways to find reputable breeders. Take for example, AKC’s Breeder of Merit Program. They clearly state that their program strives to honor responsible breeders who go above and beyond. This means extra detail and attention to health, temperament, genetic screening and care during pregnancy/postnatal periods. Ask your breeder if they’re part of the prestigious program. If they are, you can do a quick search from them here to verify if that’s truly the case. If they’re less than truthful, that should be a huge red flag. Ask the Right QuestionsMerit programs aren’t the only way to find reputable Australian Shepherd breeders. And just because a breeder isn’t part of AKC’s list doesn’t mean they’re not reputable. The best way to find a reputable breeder is to put on your detective hat and start asking questions. In addition, you should actually go to the breeder’s facility to examine how they’re treating their Aussies. Always make a list of questions before you go. Through their answers, you can generally feel out how knowledgeable the Aussie breeders are. If they give great answers and seem knowledgeable, then there’s a good chance they’re responsible breeders. Ask questions regarding their process for taking care of the mother and puppies during pregnancy and post pregnancy. These are undeniably the most crucial steps in breeding. Request any official documents they have pertaining to the parents’ health. Follow up with questions on how to take care of your Australian Shepherd pup. Some breeders will even have a short guide for you. The more questions you ask, the better chance you have at spotting a “fraud” or irresponsible Australian Shepherd breeder. Search Online for ReputationIn this day and age, we’re lucky enough to be able to search the reputation of nearly any establishment or person with the internet. With a simple Google search, you may be able to find all kinds of reviews from previous customers and their experience with a particular breeder. It’s quick, painless and very easy to do. So, don’t skip this step. If there is limited or no information about a person, there’s a good chance they’re just casual breeders looking to make a quick buck. But if they just started, then proceed with questions to measure their knowledge. This seems simple enough, but a lot of potential owners skip this crucial step in the process. Pro-tip: reputable Aussie breeders may have a Yelp business page, so make sure to check that out too. 2. The Australian Shepherd’s Coat ColorThis factor in Aussie prices is sort of a gray area topic. For the most part, many would think reputable breeders do not charge extra for different coat colors. However, unfortunately, supply and demand would say otherwise. It’s not uncommon for breeders to charge extra for say, tri-colored or merle Australian Shepherds. This is because they’re higher in demand. Although not everyone, many potential owners prefer the unique looks of merles and tri-colors. So, breeders are often left with black Aussies, or other “less desirable” puppies. Sometimes, instead of charging more for preferred coat colors, they may simply charge less for those puppies harder to sell. At the end of the day, these Aussie breeders are running a business. It’s their livelihood, so I can’t blame them. Some may even argue that this practice gives the breeder less credibility. For example, some breeders may be breeding for coat colors (to make more money), instead of breeding for quality dogs (temperament, health, etc.). This may be the case with some, but it’s certainly not the case with all breeders. And if you’re curious about the different coat variations of the Australian Shepherd, check out my complete guide to 14 Aussie coat colors below. RECOMMENDED: 14 Australian Shepherd Colors 3. Pedigree of Australian ShepherdsWhat exactly is an Australian Shepherd pedigree? In a nutshell, it’s the family history of the puppy along with more detailed information. All dogs have pedigrees – at least from reputable breeders. In order to form a pedigree, dogs of a particular line must be registered with a Kennel Club, such as the AKC. However, just because dogs are registered on a pedigree doesn’t mean that they are quality dogs. Breeders really just need to pay a fee to register their dogs. How Pedigree Affects Aussie PriceA dog pedigree can tell you many things, some of which, you should definitely be aware of. For example, many pedigrees will tell you how great a dog is at a certain skill. When looking at a pedigree of the Aussie pup, you may notice the symbol “CH” next to an early ancestor. CH stands for champion, and means that dog competed in a competition and won. This can be a show competition, agility or herding competition. For Australian Shepherds, the competition is usually in herding because that is their instinctive intelligence. Not surprisingly, the more champions the puppy has in its line, the higher price they’ll generally be. So, if you’re only looking for a companion Aussie, then a long history of herding champions is probably not worth the premium price. Healthier Dogs Cost MoreAlthough not present on all pedigrees, some health factors will be documented with recent dogs. Of course, the healthier the dog the higher the price. For example, the abbreviation “OFA” records a dog’s status with hip dysplasia – a relatively common deformation of the hip socket. Dogs are examined and graded: E (excellent), G (good) or F (fair). Other health information such as eye conditions and elbow dysplasia are found on the pedigree as well. 4. Your LocationThe last (but not least) factor in Australian Shepherd prices is location. With technology, we’re able to see prices of Australian Shepherd puppies all over the country. Most people can probably find better deals from an equally reputable breeder. However, are they willing to go to them if they’re on the other side of the country? Probably not. I’m not suggesting you fly across the country for the sake of buying a cheaper Australian Shepherd, but location does affect the cost of these dogs. Certain regions where Australian Shepherds (or dogs in general) are higher in demand could mean a premium on prices even with the same quality dog. However, if you happen to live in an area with many competing breeders, it’s a good idea to take a quick drive around to check them out. More competition usually means better Aussie prices. Remember, it’s best to physically visit the facility and ask questions to gauge how responsible an Australian Shepherd breeder is. So think twice before purchasing your dog from the other side of the country. Comparing Australian Shepherd PricesEven if you don’t plan to buy a puppy online, it’s still a great idea to check out listings to get a good idea of baseline quality for price. Fortunately, there are many resources that you can check out during your research. The first place i’d recommend is the USASA directory of breeders. Keep in mind, these breeders are paid sponsors and not endorsed by the organization. But if they’re willing to spend money on advertisement, there’s a good chance they’re professional breeders and reputable. Still check their websites and call in to get pricing so you can compare with your local breeders. AKC has a great market place for Australian Shepherds, where they conveniently tell you basic pedigree information and merit reputation. In order to get the prices, you’ll need to contact the breeders by phone or email. Although there are a bunch of free classified listings for Aussie puppies, I would not pick one out from there. Most of the time, they’re casual breeders and you’ll also find a lot of mixed Australian Shepherds. For these reasons, the prices of these dogs are much cheaper and can range anywhere from $100 to $500. If you’re looking for a healthy puppy, then these prices probably aren’t great for comparison. Price of Adopting an AussieIf you can, I would always recommend adopting an Australian Shepherd. It’s more economical (good for your wallet), but more importantly, you’re providing a loving home for an Aussie that needs one. The first place to look would be your local animal shelter. It’s close by and convenient for you to take a look (you can also call in first). I’ll admit, it’s rare to find an Aussie in your local shelter but it’s not impossible. And if you do find one, the dog will likely be an Aussie mix. However, the best place to adopt an Aussie is from an Australian Shepherd rescue. There are many of them, but I would recommend checking out Aussie Rescue. In almost all major cities, you’ll be able to find a local rescue for this specific breed. Do a quick Google and Yelp search to find them in your area. Adopting an Australian Shepherd can range anywhere from $50 to $250 for an adult, depending on the organization. I’ve seen rescues go for over $300 for an Aussie puppy. Why Adopting is “Expensive”You may be wondering why it costs so much to adopt an Aussie. On the high end, you can probably get a new puppy for a few hundred dollars more. But keep in mind, these rescues are generally non-profit organizations. Dog rescues have their own set of costs and a relatively high overhead. Not only do they need to pay for housing and food of these dogs, but also vet bills. As a matter of fact, many Australian Shepherds come in with major health problems. The organizations need to provide treatment before they get adopted. In some cases, this can mean surgery, which you already know is extremely costly. I fully support what rescues are doing and in my opinion, the cost to adopt an Aussie is well worth it. You’re not only saving a dog, but also helping these organizations save future dogs. Posts you may like:
How much is a merle Aussie?The average pricing of a standard-colored Australian Shepherd from a trustworthy breeder is between $750 to $1,000. If it's a blue merle Aussie puppy, the estimated cost is around $1,500 to $2,500.
What is the rarest Mini Aussie color?Which Mini Aussie colors are the rarest? Solid black and red coats are the least common coats among Aussie dogs, with solid red being the absolute rarest. The red-colored gene is recessive in dogs, meaning red fur must be present in both parents to make a red-colored pup.
How much money is a mini Aussie?A mini Australian shepherd costs between $900 and $2,500. The cost will vary depending on the breeder and the dog's age and pedigree. Prices for mini Australian shepherds of champion bloodlines will be much higher than those of regular bloodlines.
Are merle Australian Shepherds rare?Merle-colored Aussies, especially the blue merle, are highly sought after. They're not the most rare, but they usually are in high demand because blue merles look exotic and special. As a result, you can expect to pay higher prices for these dogs.
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How much is a merle Mini Aussie?
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