Border Terrier Prices Australia

Border Terriers are cheeky, affectionate, and personality-packed breeds that make amazing family pets. But, while their scruffy charm may have made you fall madly in love with them, before bringing one home, you need to make sure you’re 100% confident you can cover the cost. We’re not just talking about the price of buying a puppy but the ongoing expenses of food, vet care, and more. So, to help you figure out whether or not you’re financially ready to own a Border Terrier, we’ve put together everything you need to know below.

How Much Does a Border Terrier Cost in Australia?

We’ll start with the actual price of purchasing a Border Terrier puppy, which will vary depending on where you buy it from. A puppy from a registered breeder will set you back an average of $2,500 – $4,000, with things like lineage and coat affecting the final price. If you’re buying through a rescue shelter, the price is much lower, usually ranging from $500 – $1,500 in adoption fees.

It is possible to find Border Terriers for less than this, but lower prices often mean irresponsible breeding. Puppies from unregistered breeders may not have undergone proper health checks or have been properly cared for during the early weeks of their lives, potentially increasing the risk of genetic issues later on. If you want a healthy, well-bred pup (and want to play your part in stopping puppy farming), it’s always best to go through a registered breeder or adoption service.

Average Price of a Border Terrier When Buying Through a Registered Border Terrier Breeder in Australia

Buying a Border Terrier from a trusted breeder means you’ll pay anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000 for your new puppy. This price range may seem wide, but the final cost will depend on several factors, which we’ll cover in a moment. But, as an example, a Border Terrier with a champion bloodline and exceptional breed traits will sit at the higher end of the spectrum.

Average Price of a Border Terrier When Buying Through an Adoption Shelter in Australia

If you’re open to adopting a Border Terrier, you’ll not only save money but also be giving a dog in need a loving home. Adoption fees for Border Terriers in Australia usually range from $500 – $1,500, and this will cover desexing, vaccinations, and microchipping costs, which could potentially save you even more money compared to having to arrange these essential procedures yourself. However, the real challenge is finding a Border Terrier in an adoption shelter in the first place! These breeds aren’t commonly surrendered, so you may need to do some research or register with a terrier-specific organisation like Australian Terrier Rescue Inc. to improve your chances.

Factors Influencing the Cost of a Border Terrier

These price ranges are quite wide, especially when buying through a registered Border Terrier breeder, but there are good reasons why. Let’s explore some of these in more detail.

Breeder Reputation

The first thing that will affect the price is the breeder’s reputation and a well-established breeder with a good track record of ethical breeding practices will charge more. This is because they will have invested in thorough health screenings, quality nutrition, and early socialisation, all of which contribute to a happy, well-adjusted puppy. Obviously, all of these things come at an expense to the breeder, so the costs will be reflected in the price of the puppies.

Bloodline

There’s also the puppy’s bloodline to consider when determining the price. A Border Terrier with a lineage of ancestors who have won multiple dog shows will always cost more because they have been bred to the strict breed standards outlined by Dogs Australia. However, if you’re not so fussed about this and are happy with a pet-quality Border Terrier without such a prestigious pedigree, you can expect the price to be lower, even when buying through a registered breeder.

Coat

The most common coat colour for Border Terries is red, but they also come in variations of grizzle and tan, blue and tan, and wheaten. Now, while colour doesn’t impact price as much as some other factors (especially given that all of these colours are allowed in breed standards when showing a Border Terrier), some colours are more sought after than others, and that’s what pushes the price up. Put simply, the rarer the coat colour and the more unique the markings are, the higher the price will be.

Costs of Essentials for Your Border Terrier

Before you bring your new best friend home, you’ll also need to pick up some essential items to offer them a happy and comfortable life. Here’s what to budget for:

• Dog crate: $80 – $150 for a secure, comfortable crate that helps with training and provides them with a safe place to retreat to when things get a bit much.
• Dog bed: $60 – $150 for a durable and comfortable bed, ideally with orthopedic padding to support their joints while they sleep.
• Dog collar/lead: $30 – $80 for a strong collar and lead that can withstand pulling.
• Feeding bowl: $20 – $40 for a non-slip, slow-feeder bowl designed to stop your Border Terrier from eating too quickly and suffering from bloat.
• Dog toothbrush: $10 – $30 to keep their teeth and gums healthy and prevent plaque buildup.
• Dog car harness: $40 – $80 for a chew-proof, crash-tested car harness that will keep your dog safe on road trips.
• Puppy treats: $10 – $40 each month for all-natural, healthy snacks to reinforce good behaviour.
• Puppy training pads: $20 – $50 for absorbent training pads that can save your floors and direct your puppy where to go during early house training.
• Dog shampoo & conditioner: $20 – $50 for a hypoallergenic shampoo that is strong enough to clean course fur but still gentle on their delicate skin.
• Dog nail clippers, brushes, & combs: $20 – $60 for a set of brushes to help with shedding and clippers to keep their claws in check!

Border Terrier Maintenance Costs

Those are the costs of the one-time purchases you’ll need to think about. But what about food and other ongoing maintenance costs? Here’s what you’ll need to budget for once your Border Terrier has settled in:

How Much Does it Cost to Feed a Border Terrier?

Border Terriers are small but active, and this means they need a diet that can support their energy levels. A healthy adult Border Terrier should weigh between 5kg – 7kg and will eat between 100g and 200g of food per day, meaning your monthly costs might range from $30 to $240, based on these diet types:

• Cost per day on dry kibble diet: $1 – $3 for a protein-rich, grain-free dry food that meets all their nutritional needs.
• Cost per day on a wet food diet: $2 – $5 for fresh or canned wet food with a high meat content and no fillers or additives.
• Cost per day on a raw diet: $3 – $8 for a carefully balanced raw food plan made up of meats, organs, bones, and vegetables.

You do need to keep in mind that the actual amount you’ll spend on dog food each month will depend on your dog’s age, weight, and overall health, as well as the brand you choose. The best course of action is to speak to your vet for advice before picking the right diet plan and daily food amount for your Border Terrier.

How Much Will Veterinary Care Typically Cost for a Border Terrier?

Something else you’ll need to budget for is vet care. We’re not just talking about any accidents your Border Terrier might get into, but year-round preventative care. Here’s a rough breakdown of the average costs:

Cost of Routine Preventative Care

• Annual vet checkups: $80 – $150 for a full health assessment, including detection of early health issues and weight checks.
• Vaccinations: $100 – $200 per year for essential C3 and C5 vaccines that protect against parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough.
• Worming and parasite treatment: $10 – $30 per month to keep nasty parasites like fleas, heartworm, and various intestinal worms at bay.
• Dental cleaning: $300 – $600 every few years for a deep clean and any potential extractions under anaesthesia.
• Pet insurance: $40 – $100 per month, depending on the level of coverage, to help with unexpected medical costs.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Border Terrier’s Grooming?

Because Border Terriers have short, low-maintenance coats, they don’t need professional grooming as often as some other breeds. However, an occasional trip to the doggy salon will still be needed, especially when their coats become a little too long, or they’ve got particularly dirty! Here’s what you might pay for different grooming services:

• Hydrobath prices: $20 – $50 for a deep-cleaning bath that removes loose hair and excess oils.
• Full groom prices: $80 – $150 for a bath, hand-strip, blow-dry, ear cleaning, and nail clipping.
• Face, feet, and tail groom prices: $30 – $60 for a tidy-up of these easily dirtied areas.

Border Terrier Training Costs

Border Terriers are very smart little dogs and can be independent thinkers, which means early training is very important! Obviously, this also comes at a cost, and here’s what you’ll need to budget for:

• Basic obedience training: $200 – $300 for a multi-week class that covers basic commands, lead walking, and interaction.
• Puppy training class prices: $150 – $250 for a multi-week class that helps them learn manners with other dogs, house training, and some simple commands.
• Specialised training prices: $80 – $150 per session to fix any issues with anxiety, aggression, excessive barking, or any other specific problem.

Understanding the Full Costs of Owning a Border Terrier

Border Terriers might be small, but they can leave a big imprint on your bank account! From the initial purchase cost to the ongoing expenses of keeping them healthy and happy, you should be prepared to spend thousands of dollars over their average 12 – 15-year lifespan. They are worth the investment, though, especially if you want a furry best friend who will love you for many years. Just be 100% certain you’ve got the financial means to look after them before you commit.