Australian Cattle Dog — cost & care
Alert, Curious, Pleasant. Medium herding dog.
A Australian Cattle Dog costs roughly $32,400 over its lifetime (12–16 years), or about $2,130/year: ~$680 food, ~$560 insurance, ~$600 routine vet, ~$40 grooming. Purchase price runs $600–$2,200.
📍 Costs in USD (United States) — see this breed in another country.
3.0cups of food / day (~22.7 lb/mo)
5.3cups of water / day
14 yraverage lifespan (12–16)
Customize your estimate — tick only what you actually pay for
Your estimate: / year · lifetime
Compare pet insurance
Get Australian Cattle Dog insurance quotes — average plan ~$560/yr. See quotesRecommended food
A Australian Cattle Dog eats ~22.7 lb/month. Shop medium-breed foodFull cost breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Purchase (one-off) | $600–$2,200 |
| Food / year | $680 (3.0 cups/day) |
| Pet insurance / year | $560 (est.) |
| Routine vet / year | $600 |
| Grooming / year | $40 |
| Supplies & misc / year | $250 |
| Total annual | $2,130 |
| Lifetime total | $32,400 |
Breed stats
| Size | Medium |
| Avg weight | 42 lb |
| Height | 43–51 in |
| Lifespan | 12–16 yrs |
| Group | Herding |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Temperament & care
| Energy | 5/5 |
| Trainability | 1/5 |
| Good with families | 2/5 |
| Apartment-friendly | 3/5 |
| Shedding | 4/5 |
| Grooming need | 1/5 |
Common health conditions
Breed-specific hereditary conditions vary — ask a vet about recommended health screening for this breed.
How we calculate: food cost = breed weight → vet RER/MER calorie formula → cups/day → US food-price average. Insurance = NAPHIA US average adjusted by breed health-risk tier and size. Estimates — verify with your vet and insurer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Australian Cattle Dog cost per year?
About $2,130 a year — roughly $680 food, $560 insurance, $600 vet and $40 grooming.
What is the lifetime cost of a Australian Cattle Dog?
Around $32,400 across its 12–16-year lifespan, including purchase and first-year setup.
How much does a Australian Cattle Dog eat?
About 3.0 cups of food a day (~22.7 lb per month).
How much water should a Australian Cattle Dog drink?
About 5.3 cups of water a day — verify with your vet for your animal.
Is the Australian Cattle Dog hypoallergenic?
No — the Australian Cattle Dog sheds and is not considered hypoallergenic.