Low health risk medium · 30-55 lbs · 13-yr lifespan

Border Collie Vet Costs: What You'll Actually Pay

$420 to $950 per year at the vet. Over a 13-year lifespan, that's $6,500 to $14,000 total. 1-2 visits/year average.

Annual Vet Cost

$420-$950

Lifetime Vet Cost

$10,250

13-year avg

Insurance

$30-$55/mo

$360-$660/yr

Annual Vet Cost Breakdown

Where your Border Collie vet budget actually goes.

Preventive care (vaccines, exams, prevention) $320

Breed-specific health risk reserve $280

Spay/neuter (one-time, amortized) $200-$450

Annual total range $420-$950

Border Collie Health Issues: What to Watch For

Hip dysplasia

5-8% of breed

Less common than other herding breeds but still worth screening.

Treatment cost: $1,500-$6,000

Collie eye anomaly

5-10% of breed

Inherited eye defect. Most cases are mild; serious cases can cause blindness.

Treatment cost: $100-$400

Epilepsy

3-5% of breed

Seizure disorder requiring long-term medication. Medication costs $50-$150/mo ongoing.

Treatment cost: $500-$2,000

Recommended Procedures & Screenings

Procedure	Frequency	Cost
Eye exam (CERF/OFA)	Annual	$50-$150
Hip screening	Once at age 1-2	$200-$400
Dental cleaning	Every 2 years	$300-$650
Wellness exam + vaccines	Annual	$150-$300

The Bottom Line on Border Collie Vet Bills

Border Collies are among the healthiest medium breeds. Their long lifespan and low health risk make them one of the most cost-effective breeds at the vet. Budget for eye and hip screenings early.

Compare With Other Breeds

Bulldog $700-$2,000/yr French Bulldog $650-$1,800/yr Bernese Mountain Dog $650-$1,800/yr Sphynx $580-$1,600/yr Persian $600-$1,600/yr Great Dane $600-$1,500/yr Scottish Fold $550-$1,500/yr Doberman Pinscher $520-$1,400/yr Cavalier King Charles Spaniel $550-$1,400/yr Boxer $550-$1,400/yr Great Pyrenees $530-$1,300/yr Rottweiler $500-$1,300/yr German Shepherd $500-$1,300/yr Maine Coon $450-$1,200/yr Weimaraner $490-$1,200/yr Golden Retriever $500-$1,200/yr Ragdoll $440-$1,150/yr Labrador Retriever $480-$1,100/yr Miniature Schnauzer $430-$1,100/yr Pembroke Welsh Corgi $450-$1,100/yr Siamese $400-$1,100/yr British Shorthair $420-$1,100/yr Bengal $430-$1,100/yr Maltese $420-$1,050/yr Abyssinian $400-$1,050/yr Siberian Husky $420-$1,000/yr Dachshund $400-$1,000/yr Cocker Spaniel $420-$1,000/yr Pomeranian $400-$1,000/yr Poodle (Standard) $450-$1,000/yr Australian Shepherd $420-$1,000/yr Vizsla $410-$980/yr Havanese $390-$950/yr Shih Tzu $380-$900/yr German Shorthaired Pointer $400-$900/yr American Shorthair $350-$900/yr Yorkshire Terrier $380-$900/yr Shiba Inu $380-$880/yr Beagle $380-$850/yr

More Vet Cost Resources

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