Border Collie — cost & care
Affectionate, smart, energetic. Medium herding dog.
A Border Collie costs roughly $33,700 over its lifetime (12–15 years), or about $2,290/year: ~$680 food, ~$560 insurance, ~$600 routine vet, ~$200 grooming. Purchase price runs $700–$2,500.
📍 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
13.5 yraverage lifespan (12–15)
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Your estimate: / year · lifetime
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Get Border Collie insurance quotes — average plan ~$560/yr. See quotesRecommended food
A Border Collie eats ~22.7 lb/month. Shop medium-breed foodFull cost breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Purchase (one-off) | $700–$2,500 |
| Food / year | $680 (3.0 cups/day) |
| Pet insurance / year | $560 (est.) |
| Routine vet / year | $600 |
| Grooming / year | $200 |
| Supplies & misc / year | $250 |
| Total annual | $2,290 |
| Lifetime total | $33,700 |
Breed stats
| Size | Medium |
| Avg weight | 42 lb |
| Height | 18–22 in |
| Lifespan | 12–15 yrs |
| Group | Herding |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Temperament & care
| Energy | 5/5 |
| Trainability | 5/5 |
| Good with families | 4/5 |
| Apartment-friendly | 1/5 |
| Shedding | 4/5 |
| Grooming need | 3/5 |
| Barking | 3/5 |
Common health conditions
- Hip dysplasia
- Collie eye anomaly
- Epilepsy
- Deafness
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 Border Collie cost per year?
About $2,290 a year — roughly $680 food, $560 insurance, $600 vet and $200 grooming.
What is the lifetime cost of a Border Collie?
Around $33,700 across its 12–15-year lifespan, including purchase and first-year setup.
How much does a Border Collie eat?
About 3.0 cups of food a day (~22.7 lb per month).
How much water should a Border Collie drink?
About 5.3 cups of water a day — verify with your vet for your animal.
Is the Border Collie hypoallergenic?
No — the Border Collie sheds and is not considered hypoallergenic.