How Much Does A Sheltie Puppy Cost? 10 Facts Before Buy It
Are you thinking about getting your kids a Sheltie puppy? Then you probably want to know how much it will cost. So, how much does it cost to buy a Sheltie puppy?
If you haven’t heard, Sheltie puppies are very popular, so they cost a bit. Before buying a Sheltie puppy, there are many things to think about, and the initial cost is just one of them. You should also be ready to pay more money in the future.
How does a Sheltie puppy cost?
Most of the time, a Sheltie puppy will cost between $600 and $6,000. There are many things that can change the price.
You could get one from a shelter instead if you think the price is too high. Most shelters and rescue groups charge between $150 and $600 for a Shetland sheepdog.
The Average Cost of a Shetland Sheepdog Puppy
The average cost of a Shetland Sheepdog puppy from a good breeder is between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on location, gender, and lineage. A good Sheltie puppy will cost between $2,500 and $5,000.
You should expect to pay more for show-quality or pet-quality Shetland sheepdogs from reputable breeders. On the other hand, you could adopt, which is a much cheaper option.
Keep an eye out for puppy mills and backyard breeders when looking for Shelties.
Even though they may have temptingly low prices for purebred dogs, these breeders often don’t take care of these puppies because they care more about making money than taking care of the animals.
Now that you have a good idea of how much a Shetland sheepdog costs, let’s look at the factors that affect the cost and care of owning one.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Shetland Sheepdog
Even though the Shetland Sheepdog isn’t as expensive as some other dog breeds, spending $1,000 or more on one is still not cheap. To figure out how to price Shetland sheepdogs, you must first understand the following:
Age
Like any other dog breed, puppies cost more as they get older. Most of the time, a young or adult Shetland sheepdog will cost more than a puppy. An adult Shetland Sheepdog is a great choice if you want to save money.
Appearance
The way Shetland sheepdogs look has a lot to do with how much they cost. Shetland Sheepdogs are between 13 and 16 inches tall and have long faces. They also have long coats that are straight.
Bloodline
The bloodline of a Sheltie puppy is one of the most important things that determines its price. Most of the time, puppies with famous parents and a winning pedigree cost more.
If you don’t want to show your dog in dog shows, a pet-quality puppy, which often costs less than a show-quality dog, can be a good choice.
Breeder’s Standing
If you want to buy from a good breeder, you should be ready to pay more. Even though a Shetland Sheepdog from a reputable breeder will cost more, you can be sure that it will be healthy. So, you get good value for your money when you buy from a reputable breeder.
Registration Documents
If you want your Sheltie puppy to come with registered papers, you will have to pay more. Club certifications prove that your dog is a purebred, so let them take part in future events put on by these groups.
Health Examinations
Training and Socialization
Some breeders pay professionals to train their puppies to help them meet new people and keep their minds active. The cost of a Sheltie puppy goes up because professional training costs money.
In addition to the above factors, the cost of a Shetland Sheepdog puppy also depends on the dog’s gender, size, where the breeder lives, and how popular the breed is.
Initial Cost of Shetland Sheepdog Ownership
We’ve already talked about how much a Shetland Sheepdog puppy usually costs. But getting a Sheltie means making a big change to your budget in addition to buying the dog.
You might be wondering what to put on your first list of things for your dog. Luckily, we’ve made one to make sure nothing is forgotten:
Food and treats: The food and treats you give your puppy need to be of good quality so they can grow up properly. Food and treats for the first week will cost between $50 and $80.
Food and Water Bowls: Dishes for food and water that are made of stainless steel are better than those made of plastic because they last longer and are easier to clean. Prices for food and water bowls made of stainless steel range from $10 to $25.
Bed: Hip dysplasia is a common problem with the skeleton of Shelties and many other breeds. A comfortable bed and regular exercise may help keep this from happening. A good, comfortable bed for your dog could cost anywhere from $30 to $150.
Crate: Dogs should be taught to use crates when they are young. Given this, a crate is an important basic for your dog. It gives your dog a safe place to chill out and rest. Prices for crates vary from $30 to $200.
Leashes and Collars: You should have a leash and a collar ready for your Shetland sheepdog puppy even before you get it. Choose a collar that will last, can be adjusted, and won’t rust. Between $15 and $50 will get you a good leash and collar.
Toys: A dog can do more with a toy than just chew on it. Chew toys can help relieve stress and anxiety, ease the pain of teething, keep your mind active, and keep your teeth healthy. You can save money on your furniture and clothes by giving your kids good toys for $20 to $30.
Grooming Essentials: The Shetland Sheepdog has a double coat that needs to be brushed often and cared for in a special way. Investing in good grooming tools is a good idea if you want their coat to stay long, straight, and rough. Spend between $30 and $150 on the basics of personal hygiene.
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: When you get your puppy, the breeder must have finished treating it for worms, fleas, and ticks. These often lead to extra charges. But if your puppy has never been treated before, this will add to your first bill. Prices for these range from $50 to $200.
Initial Vet Visits: In general, puppies are more likely to get sick and need to see the vet more often than dogs of any age. Even if your dog got its first round of shots from the breeder, you should still take it to the vet right away. The first visit to the vet costs between $100 and $300.
Initial Vaccine Shots: Shelties get a series of vaccines until they are 18 weeks old to keep their health in good shape. Before giving you a puppy, breeders and shelters would have given it its first round of shots, but you would have had to pay for any more rounds. The first shots will cost between $75 and $200 each.
Neutering or Spaying: There are more Shetland sheepdog puppies that haven’t been spayed or neutered. If you choose an adult Sheltie, on the other hand, it is more likely that they have already had the surgery. Listed below are some reasons why you should breed your dog even if you don’t want to. Costs range from $50 to $500 for a neuter or spay.
Dog License: Getting a license for your new pet is an important part of being a good owner. The law says that you have to get a license for your dog so that if it runs away, it will be easy to find. This also makes it easy for you to get information about your vet and helps you prove that your dog is who it says it is. For a small fee of $10 to $20, you can get a license for your Sheltie.
Microchip: Along with getting a license for your Shetland Sheepdog, you must also get it microchipped. A microchip is a small device that you put in your dog. It has your contact information and other information about you and your dog on it. Getting your Sheltie microchipped can cost between $40 and $60.
Miscellaneous Supplies: The products listed above only cover most of the initial costs. Feces bags, a poop scooper, potty pads, vitamins, joint supplements, and other instruments may also be necessary.Most pet stores charge between $15 and $30 for these items.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs you’ll face when you first buy a Shetland Sheepdog:
| Type of Expense | Cost |
| Food and Treats | $50 – $80 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10 – $25 |
| Bed | $30 – $150 |
| Crate | $30 – $200 |
| Leashes and Collars | $15 – $50 |
| Toys | $20 – $30 |
| Grooming Essentials | $30 – $150 |
| Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $50 – $200 |
| Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $300 |
| Initial Vaccine Shots | $75 – $200 |
| Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
| Dog License | $10 – $20 |
| Microchip | $40 – $60 |
| Miscellaneous Supplies | $15 – $30 |
| Total Initial Cost | $525 – $1,995 |
How Much Does a Shetland Sheepdog Cost Per Month?
- $50-$200+ per month
Having a Sheltie doesn’t cost anything each month. The total amount will depend on a lot of things, but the most important ones are the quality of the food you give them and how often they need medical care.
Shetland Sheepdog Health Care Costs
- $0-$500+ per month
Shetland Most sheepdogs are healthy, especially if they are cared for well. They, like any other dog, could develop chronic (read: expensive) health issues.
If they are healthy, you might not need to spend any money on their health care beyond the occasional checkup.
On the other hand, a dog with a long-term illness may need to see the vet often and take medicine every day, which can quickly add up.
Eye problems, bladder cancer, and skin allergies are some of the most common health problems this breed has. Skin allergies probably won’t cost you much, but the other two could end up costing you a lot.
Dog Food Costs
- $20-$100+ per month
Feeding your Sheltie a good meal is a great way to keep them happy and healthy, and it can save you a lot of money on medical bills in the long run.
Find a protein-rich food that will give them energy and help their muscles grow without making them fat. Avoid kibbles with a lot of cheap fillers like animal byproducts, corn, wheat, soy, etc.
Also, don’t give your Sheltie too much food. This can lead to obesity, which is very bad for the breed. The fast metabolisms of these active dogs are a good thing, but that doesn’t mean they should be fed too much.
Some dog owners may choose to feed their dogs raw food, which will make the cost of dog food go up by a lot.
There are some good things about these diets, but they may not provide enough nutrients, so talk to your vet before making the switch.
Dog Grooming Costs
- $0-$25+ per month
With just one look, you can tell that these fluffy dogs need a lot of grooming. Their double coat is pretty long and often falls off.
Like all dogs, they need to have their nails trimmed and their teeth brushed, which you should be able to do on your own.
Medications and Vet Visits
- $0-$100+ per month
This, like all other health care costs, will depend on how healthy your dog is as a whole. You may not have to pay anything monthly for drugs.
Even if your dog is healthy, you should still give it flea and tick medicine regularly, which can be expensive. You could also give them supplements like glucosamine and fish oil, which are good for their eyes and their knees, respectively.
Pet Insurance Costs
- $20-$80+ per month
Pet insurance isn’t something you have to buy, but if your dog has had health problems in the past, it could save you a lot of money. You could spend a lot of money on pet insurance and never get your money’s worth, and there’s no way to know which will happen in advance.
In the end, it comes down to your financial situation and how willing you are to take risks. Many people would rather pay a small fee every month than a big fee every few years. If this sounds like you, insurance is probably a good idea.
Because shelties are a healthy breed, their premiums are usually not too high.
Environment Maintenance
- $0-$5+ per month
Of course, you might not pick up your Sheltie’s poop at all if you let it run around a farm all day.
| Waste Disposal Bags | $5/month |
| Pooper Scooper | $20+ (one-time cost) |
Shetland Sheepdog Entertainment Costs
- $0-$50+ per month
Shelties are very smart and very active, so they need things to do to keep them busy. If your kids don’t have sheep to herd, you might have to buy them some toys.
How much you end up spending will depend on how many and what kind of toys you buy. You might be able to save money without neglecting your dog if you sign up for a toy box service.
These companies will send you a new box of toys every month for a set fee. Some are better than others, so do your research before choosing.
Toys alone won’t be enough to keep kids active and entertained. You’ll also have to spend time training them, but if you do it yourself, training is free.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Shetland Sheepdog
- $50-$200+ per month
From one end to the other, the costs of having a Sheltie can be very different. As long as you take care of them, though, this breed isn’t too expensive to own.
But because these dogs are so busy, you’ll be trading a lot of your time and energy for a lot of their care.
Additional Costs to Factor In
You might also need to pay someone to take care of your dog sometimes, so put money aside for a dog walker or pet sitter.
Shelties are smart and usually good dogs, but because of their intelligence, they can also act very badly if they want to. In that case, you might need to hire a professional to get them to act nice.
They are not destructive dogs, but if you don’t give them something to do, they will get their energy out on something else, which could be your expensive shoes or furniture.
Adopting a Shetland Sheepdog
Most shelters and rescue groups charge between $150 and $600 for a Shetland sheepdog. Adopting a Shetland Sheepdog is one of the smartest things you can do. Depending on how old the Sheltie puppy is, the cost of getting it from a shelter or rescue group can vary.
Adult Shelties are cheaper than puppies because shelters and rescues usually pay for vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and other costs that may come up while the animal is in their care.
Keep in mind, though, that you are more likely to get an older or adult pet. Also, some animal shelters and rescues hide information about the animals’ health. Because of this, you might not know about some underlying health problems.
If you’re thinking about getting a Sheltie puppy, you’ll want to know how much they usually cost.
This information is very important if you want to get a fair price for your dog and make sure nothing seems strange or too good to be true. Learn as much as you can about the breed and what it means to own one.
If you get a Sheltie, you’ll know right away what a joy it is to have one. They are smart, kind, and friendly, which makes them great friends.
Places to Find Shetland Sheepdog Puppies for Sale and Adoption
It can be hard to find places where you can look for your Sheltie puppy. Since you’re going to spend a lot of money on a Sheltie, you should look very carefully.
One thing to remember is to stay away from puppy mills and backyard breeders because they treat pets badly.
Here are a few trustworthy breeders where you can buy Shetland Sheepdog puppies:
- Maplecove Shelties is a member of the American Shetland Sheepdog Association and has a history of making Shetland Sheepdogs that have won special awards. They take pride in breeding healthy, high-quality Shelties. They carefully plan each litter and check the parents’ health before breeding. Since 1999, Maplecove has been taking part in dog shows.
- Kennels Massek: Massek Kennels is a small, privately owned kennel 20 miles south of downtown Dallas that has been raising Shelties for 17 years. Their Shelties grew up in the country with their other dogs and their three sons.
- Royal Hill Shelties: Since 1993, Royal Hill Shelties has been a member of the American Shetland Sheepdog Association and a winner of the AKC Breeder of Merit award. They keep their puppies and grown Shelties at home, and on average, they have one to two litters a year.
If you would rather adopt a Sheltie than buy one, here is a list:
- Minnesota Sheltie Rescue: Since 2003, Minnesota Sheltie Rescue has helped Shelties find a permanent home. The shelties in their care are socialized well because they live with foster families.
- South Carolina Sheltie Rescue is a non-profit group that relies on volunteers to find homes for the shelties in their care. One of their goals is to stop people from having bad breeding habits.
- Since it opened in 1998, the Houston Sheltie Sanctuary has found new homes for more than 1,400 shelties. To adopt a Sheltie from this rescue centre, go to their website, fill out an adoption form, and wait for them to get back to you.
Check out our complete adoption guide if you’re thinking about adopting a child. It will help you learn and understand the process.
Money-Saving Tips for Shetland Sheepdog Owners
If you own a Shetland Sheepdog or any other dog, you should treat them well. This, though, means that their owners are spending too much money on them.
Here are some money-saving suggestions to help you budget:
- Buy high-quality things you need. Buying high-quality items for your dog is expensive, but it will save you money in the long run. Quality things last longer, maybe even as long as your Sheltie, so it’s always smart to spend money on them.
- Make your dog’s food yourself. Meals and sweets from the store can be pricey, especially if you have a picky eater. You can show your creativity by making your own meals and treats. There are many healthier and cheaper recipes for things you can make yourself that you can find online.
- Go to the veterinarian often. Shetland Sheepdogs have a lot of health problems, such as hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and an abnormality in the Collie eye. Taking care of your sheltie’s health will save you money on emergency costs, which can be very high. Taking your dog to the vet for regular checkups keeps him or her in good health and helps find any diseases or health problems early.
- At home, groom your dog. Regularly grooming your Shetland Sheepdog is fine, but Shelties need to be groomed often. The good news is that you can do it at home with the help of online tutorials.
- Get your Sheltie spayed or neutered. When you spay or neuter your puppy, you not only fix any possible behaviour problems, but you also make it less likely that they will get sick. It also saves you money for any other costs in the future. Consult a licensed veterinarian if you want to have your Sheltie spayed or neutered.
Cutting corners is not the same thing as saving money. It just means giving your Shetland sheepdog the care it needs while keeping costs down.
Conclusion: Shetland Sheepdog Price
Shetland sheepdogs are very interesting animals because they can do anything from work on a farm to sit on your couch. They are less expensive than many other breeds because they are small and healthy, but they can still cost a lot of money over time.
If you take good care of your dog when it’s young and healthy, you may be able to avoid having to spend a lot of money on it later. There are no guarantees, but the chances are in your favour.
I have been working in animal shelter for the past six years and I have been raising the puppies of different breeds. I have had experience in training the puppies in obedience, agility, and other dog sports.
My main objective is to train the puppies to become good family pets. They should be well-behaved and trained to be loving, loyal, and obedient.
Contact me:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (912) 634-3631
Address: 102 Village Way Crk Saint Simons Island, Georgia(GA), 31522
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