Working Kelpie — cost & care
Alert, Eager, Intelligent. Medium foundation stock service dog.
A Working Kelpie costs roughly $31,600 over its lifetime (12–15 years), or about $2,150/year: ~$700 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.
3.1cups of food / day (~23.3 lb/mo)
5.5cups of water / day
13.5 yraverage lifespan (12–15)
Customize your estimate — tick only what you actually pay for
Your estimate: / year · lifetime
Compare pet insurance
Get Working Kelpie insurance quotes — average plan ~$560/yr. See quotesRecommended food
A Working Kelpie eats ~23.3 lb/month. Shop medium-breed foodFull cost breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Purchase (one-off) | $600–$2,200 |
| Food / year | $700 (3.1 cups/day) |
| Pet insurance / year | $560 (est.) |
| Routine vet / year | $600 |
| Grooming / year | $40 |
| Supplies & misc / year | $250 |
| Total annual | $2,150 |
| Lifetime total | $31,600 |
Breed stats
| Size | Medium |
| Avg weight | 44 lb |
| Height | 48–64 in |
| Lifespan | 12–15 yrs |
| Group | Foundation Stock Service |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Temperament & care
| Energy | 4/5 |
| Trainability | 2/5 |
| Good with families | 3/5 |
| Apartment-friendly | 4/5 |
| Shedding | 3/5 |
| 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 Working Kelpie cost per year?
About $2,150 a year — roughly $700 food, $560 insurance, $600 vet and $40 grooming.
What is the lifetime cost of a Working Kelpie?
Around $31,600 across its 12–15-year lifespan, including purchase and first-year setup.
How much does a Working Kelpie eat?
About 3.1 cups of food a day (~23.3 lb per month).
How much water should a Working Kelpie drink?
About 5.5 cups of water a day — verify with your vet for your animal.
Is the Working Kelpie hypoallergenic?
No — the Working Kelpie sheds and is not considered hypoallergenic.