When deciding which breed of dog you want, the price can be a huge factor. Some designer dog breeds can cost thousands of dollars, making them unattainable for many.
Pure-bred dogs will typically be more expensive as well. However, several factors will affect the overall cost of the dog you want.
This article will look at Border Collie prices in Australia and what can affect them.
The average cost of Border Collie puppies for sale in Australia can vary from as little as $600 right up to $5,000.
The cost of a Border Collie ranges from $1,500 to $4,000 when you purchase from a registered breeder, with prices varying depending on lineage, breeder reputation, and more. Adopting a Border Collie from a rescue or shelter is a much more affordable option, usually costing between $200 and $800, with the fee covering essential vet care needed before they come to live with you (e.g. vaccinations, microchipping, etc.)
You might also spot some Border Collie puppies for sale by unregistered breeders, which are usually much lower priced than those from a registered breeder. While it may be tempting to buy from these to save money, we strongly advise against this as the puppies may have been raised in poor conditions, and medical screenings may not have taken place, potentially increasing the risk of behavioural and medical issues in the future.
Buying a Border Collie from a registered breeder will likely set you back between $1,500 and $4,000. This price will vary based on the breeder’s reputation, the puppy’s pedigree, and whether the lineage includes working or show-quality bloodlines. Don’t be surprised if the price rises even higher than this, though, particularly for working dogs. For example, in 2021, a Border Collie named Kim sold in Wales, UK, for a record-breaking £27,100 ($54,233 AUD) for her exceptional intelligence and training, along with her unique red colouring.
Adopting a Border Collie from a rescue shelter is always more affordable than buying from a registered breeder, and you can expect to pay between $200 and $800 in adoption fees. This price will vary depending on the shelter, but it usually includes vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing, potentially saving you even more money. You may find that puppies sit at the higher end of this price bracket due to demand, while older or special-needs dogs come with a lower adoption fee, which often makes up for the fact they’ll require more immediate and ongoing care.
There are a few different things that make up the cost of purchasing a Border Collie, including:
Working-line Border Collies from a breeder with an excellent reputation are highly sought-after by farmers and livestock keepers, and if the dog’s parents have a history of herding, agility, or farm work, the cost can vary from $1,500 – $3,000. Likewise, show-quality dogs from champion bloodlines can cost $4,000 or more.
The coat colour and markings of a Border Collie can also influence the cost, with standard black and white Border Collies being the most common and, therefore, falling within the lower end of the price range. However, rare coat colours like blue merle, red merle, or tricolour ausually come at an increased price, often reaching the $4,000 mark.
A registered breeder will conduct certain health screenings on the parents, looking for signs of genetic disease like Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) or hip and elbow dysplasia. This ensures the puppies are from good breeding stock, but the additional vet fees are often reflected in the price.
The level of training a Border Collie has had can hugely impact the cost, too, particularly for working dogs bred for farms or herding purposes. Well-trained herding Border Collies that have been started on livestock or excel in sports like flyball or agility trials can be priced much higher than Border Collie puppies that are bred and socialised for companion homes, often reaching an excess of $4,000.
Owning a Border Collie comes with both initial and ongoing costs, and given their high energy levels and intelligence, you’ll need to invest in some high-quality products to keep them happy and healthy. Here are some estimated costs for these essential supplies:
Dog crate: $100 – $400 for a sturdy, well-ventilated crate suitable for medium-sized dogs.
Dog bed: $50 – $200 for a cushioned or orthopaedic bed designed for highly active dogs that need additional joint support.
Dog collar/lead: $30 – $100 for a strong, adjustable collar and a durable lead that is suitable for walks and training sessions.
Feeding bowl: $15 – $50 for a slow-feeder bowl designed to help fast eating and prevent digestive issues.
Dog toothbrush: $10 – $30 for a toothbrush and dog-specific toothpaste to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Dog car harness: $50 – $120 for a secure, crash-tested harness that will keep your dog in place while you’re travelling.
Puppy treats: $15 – $40 per month for training rewards, which is something a highly intelligent dog like a Border Collie needs often.
Puppy training pads: $25 – $40 per pack while house training (although Border Collies usually learn pretty quickly).
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $20 – $40 for a gentle, coat-conditioning formula strong enough to remove dirt from working dogs without damaging the skin or coat.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $30 – $100 for grooming tools like brushes and nail clippers to keep paws healthy and prevent matting.
Border Collies are highly active dogs with a fast metabolism, and this means not only do they tend to wolf their food down (hence the need for a slow-feeder bowl), but they also need a nutritionally balanced diet to maintain their energy levels. The average adult Border Collie needs around 250g-450g of food per day, which, based on the below, adds up to between $30 – $300.
Note: The cost of feeding a Border Collie will vary dramatically based on the portion sizes for their age and weight, the ingredients, the brand, your dog’s activity level, and any special dietary needs. We recommend consulting the breeder or rescue shelter and your vet before deciding on the best feeding plan for your Border Collie.
Given their active nature, Border Collies need regular checkups to check for injuries and joint issues. However, this is just one part of their annual medical needs, and they’ll also need ongoing preventative care to stay healthy all year round. Here are the estimated costs for these:
Annual vet checkups: $80 – $150 per visit for a general health assessment and advice.
Vaccinations: $100 – $250 per year for core vaccinations like C5 and optional vaccinations to protect against canine influenza, Lyme disease, and more.
Worming and parasite protection: $150 – $350 per year for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention treatments.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $300 – $700 per session for plaque removal or other dental work under anaesthesia.
Pet insurance: $40 – $120 per month depending on coverage level, hereditary condition coverage, working dog coverage, and inclusions like accident or fatal illness cover.
Because Border Collies have a double coat that requires regular brushing to prevent matting and shedding, they’ll need to be groomed regularly. You can do some of this yourself, but professional grooming done every 6-8 weeks can help keep their coat in the very best condition. Here’s what you can expect to pay for certain grooming services:
Hydrobath prices: $30 – $70 per session for a bath, brush-out, and blow-dry.
Full groom prices: $80 – $150 per session for a bath, brush-out, trim, nail clipping, and ear cleaning.
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $40 – $80 per session for a tidy-up between full grooms.
Border Collies are among the most intelligent dog breeds, and they require consistent training and mental stimulation to prevent behavioural issues. You can try and do some of the basic commands yourself, but investing in professional training is highly recommended, and these are the average costs:
Basic obedience training prices: $150 – $400 for a 6-week course focused on foundational commands like sit, stay, recall, jumping up, and lead walking.
Puppy training class prices: $100 – $300 for a 6-week course covering the basics like house training, settle training, and socialisation.
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $80 – $150 per session for behaviour modification, specialised obedience or working dog training.
Whether you’re looking for a working Border Collie or you just love the breed and want one as a home companion, it’s really important you understand the full financial responsibility involved in owning this fantastic breed. You’ll need to budget for the initial cost as well as ongoing needs like food, training, enrichment activities, and more. And, as well as the financial commitment, there are the high intelligence and energy levels to consider, so you’ll need to know you have the time to dedicate to regular training and exercise. If you’re certain you’ve got what it takes, you’ll have a loyal furry friend who’ll love spending time with you and will add a ton of value to your life.
Many factors can affect the price of Border Collie puppies. Lower-priced puppies might seem like a good deal at the time, but they can end up with health problems that cost a lot in vet bills.
The puppy’s bloodline is a crucial factor to consider, as hereditary diseases can be passed down if the right checks are not in place.
Reputable breeders won’t breed dogs with genetic diseases that could be passed down. Checking the paperwork of the puppy and its parents will give you peace of mind knowing that tests and vaccinations have been carried out.
Award-winning breeders will charge a premium because of their reputation and the quality of the breeding parents.
The most common Border Collie you will likely see is the black and white combination, but it is possible to get black, white, blue, blue merle, red merle, brindle, sable merle, chocolate, liver and gold coloured dogs.
Some rare colours can be found in different patterns, commanding a greater price for the puppy.
Choosing a reputable breeder might increase the price of Border Collie puppies, but there are benefits. Selecting a breeder can be difficult, and the following factors should be considered.
Beautiful Border Collie pups might tempt you, but ensuring they have been vet-checked and health-tested can save time, money, and heartache in the future. It is also important to choose a breeder that allows their puppies to socialise from a young age.
Responsible breeders should be able to give you further information about the puppy’s parents and provide documentation telling you about their health.
Ensuring your new puppy has all the vaccinations it should is essential and can help protect them from illness.
Some breeders provide microchipped dogs and can transfer the details to you when you buy them.
Breeders might have policies pertaining to the puppy’s health for a set period after you buy them.
A reputable breeder can provide valuable care advice, including diet plans, the kind of dog food they should eat, and any further vaccinations needed.
The reputation of the breeder is of huge importance. Using a registered breeder will help to guarantee what they are doing and that the information they provide you is legitimate.
The costs don’t end at paying for Border Collie puppies, and you should consider all potential costs when choosing a dog breed.
There are plenty of budget dog food products on the market, but ensuring your dog enjoys nutritious food that provides all the nutrients needed to develop and maintain its body is important, especially for puppies.
Border Collies are typically healthy dogs, but that doesn’t mean they can’t suffer from certain conditions. Vet bills can be costly, and exploring pet insurance options are advisable. The Border Collie breed is one of the cheaper dogs to insure.
Border Collies are traditionally low-maintenance dogs that don’t need much grooming. Visiting a professional groomer will be a personal choice, with most dog grooming needs being relatively easy to carry out at home.
Pure Border Collies are friendly dogs with sharp minds and few health issues. They are available in beautiful colours, and after training, Border Collies will get on well with other dogs, making them the perfect family pet.
Pure-bred Border Collies are beautiful puppies, and whether you are looking for a blue medium-coat girl, black and white boy, tri-colour, or a working dog for herding livestock that meets the breed standard, they can be a worthwhile investment.
Providing a forever home to pure-bred Border Collie puppies will give you a great family pet, a highly intelligent dog that picks up training quickly, and as an adult dog, an energetic companion to enjoy the great outdoors.
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