How Much Does a Border Collie Cost?
The Border Collie originated from the United Kingdom and was bred to be a herding dog. Known to be extremely energetic and athletic, these dogs can commonly be found in sporting events as well as herding sheep on farmland across the world. Although border collies are noted as one of the smartest dogs on the planet, there are many people that simply love the look and personality and want to keep one as a pet.
How much does a Border Collie cost?
The price of a Border Collie will greatly vary on so many factors such as its age, the breeder selling it, colors, quality, its bloodline and geographical location. A Border Collie not registered with the AKC, but often considered a non-registered “working line” dog, will cost anywhere from $275 to $675. A purebred Border Collies registered with the AKC can cost anywhere from $750 to $2,200. Keep in mind females will often cost 10% to 20% more than their male counterparts. An older dog, if you were to find one at a local shelter, can cost less than $200.
PuppyFind.com, a popular online dog classified website, has close to 500 listings at the time of this writing, with prices ranging anywhere from $450 to more than $1,500.
Glancing at the AKC Marketplace, we had found most AKC registered breeders were charging anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 for puppies around eight to 12 weeks old. Most of the listings that we looked at offered vaccinations, a deworming, microchip, AKC paperwork and DNA testing for Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), Trapped Neutrophil (TN), and Ceroid Lipofuscinosis. Some breeders would remove the dew claws at birth as well.
Animal-World says prices can range from as little as $100 for an adult to as much as $1,000 to $1,500 for a show quality puppy.
What is going to be included in the adoption fee?
Any reputable breeder will always include up-to-date vaccinations, medical records, a certified vet exam from a registered veterinarian, a health guarantee and a travel crate if it’s being shipped. AKC registered dogs will come with the appropriate registration paperwork, an OFA certification and/or DNA tests. Talk with your breeder to know exactly what you’re getting with the adoption.
What are the extra costs?
With any pet, including a Border Collie, it’s important to think about routine and emergency vet visits, food, toys, shelter, accessories, and more. No matter what type of dog you have, it is safe to save at least $800 per year for necessary expenses and even more if your dog were to come down with a serious illness.
If the dog has to be shipped via air or car, the costs can vary anywhere from $100 to $300, depending on the mode of transportation and how far it has to travel.
Training and obedience classes need to be factored in, especially if you plan on having your dog compete in local competitions.
Tips to know:
Popular coat colors may include black and white, red and white, red tri-colored, and black tri-colored.
Males will measure 18 to 22 inches, with females measuring a pinch smaller on average and considered to be medium-sized dogs Both genders weigh anywhere from 30 to 55 pounds.
The average lifespan, as long as healthy, is 10 to 15 years.
Because this type of breed is extremely energetic, it is so important that you have the right amount of room to allow it to run and exercise. These dogs are highly ideal for those who have larger yards and are not ideal for an apartment or condo setting.
Noted as one of the smartest dogs, these dogs are capable of memorizing well over 100 words, making it very easy to train and entering them in dog shows and competitions. However, don’t take the word “easy” for granted. Just like any other dog breed, a Border Collie can still pick up bad habits.
Generally, as long as the dog is raised with other animals at a younger age, it can get along with other well-behaved household pets. The same can be said about children as long as they properly socialized and well trained.
A Border Collie, just like any other breed, is susceptible to common health conditions, including osteochondritis dessecans (OCD) and progressive retinal atrophy. OCD is the result of damaged cartilage growth, which can cause discomfort near the affected limb. Progressive retinal atrophy can cause night blindness, and at the moment, there’s no treatment for the disease.
How can I save money?
Border Collies are very popular dogs, and for that reason, it can easy to find older dogs at local rescue groups or even at a local adoption center. Granted, these dogs may be older, but you can feel good offering a dog a forever home; plus, the adoption costs will much less than adopting from a private breeder.
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