How expensive is a Border Collie?

How expensive is a Border Collie?

Last updated Oct. 04, 2024 – Written by Asad Ali Hashmi

Purchase Price

From a Reputable Breeder: The average price of Border Collies from a reputable breeder ranges from $800 to $2,500. This will include factors like lineage, whether the dog is bred for working (herding) or show, or if health clearances have been included.

Champion Lines: Border Collies from champion or high-performance working lines, especially those bred for competitive herding or agility, may sell for $2,000 to $4,000 or more.

Adoption: A rescued or sheltered Border Collie is considerably cheaper to obtain, usually costing between $150 and $500.

Health Screening/Vaccination

Vaccinations, Deworming, and Health Checks: Beginner vet visits may cost between $100 and $300 and typically include one of the above.

Genetic Health Testing:

Genetic health testing for defects such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, or eye disease should generally be done by a reputable breeder. The breeder pays for these tests, but your vet will probably need to perform follow-up visits at $50 to $150 per visit.

Ongoing Expenses

Food:

Feeding a Border Collie with quality food that provides the right amount of energy should not be taken lightly. Your high-quality food will cost between $30 and $70 per month, depending on the brand and size of your dog.

Grooming:

Since border collies are thickly coated, they require regular grooming. Unlike most grooming that one can do at home, professional sessions might cost as much as $40 to $70 per visit.

Training: Professional obedience training might cost between $100 and $300 in group sessions and much more in private lessons.

Health Care:

Routine vet check-ups, flea/tick preventatives, and other health care needs will cost around $300 to $500 a year.

Pet Insurance:

Owners often spend money on an insurance policy for their pets, which may run as low as $25 to $50 monthly, depending on coverage.

Special Expenses

Working Dogs or Show Dogs: If you are getting a Border Collie for professional work, such as herding, or you plan to enter dog shows, the cost of some specialized training or grooming can be pretty high.

Dog Sports:

If agility, flyball, or any other dog sports are part of the program, there can be costs for training, equipment, and entry fees for competitions.

Bottom Line:

An $800 to $4,000 purchase involves buying a Border Collie; again, depending on whether you are getting a pet, working dog, or show, the price range will be appropriate for you to spend your money. Calculate carefully how much you might spend annually on feeding, health care, and grooming for as much as $1,000 to $2,000 a year. You can also get a Border Collie cheaper by adopting one from a rescue because you lose the urge for a specific pedigree if you get only one of these as a pet for your family.