Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Basenji | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $32,147 | $35,349 |
| First year | $5,905 | $6,605 |
| Monthly average | $221 | $250 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,000 | $1,800 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,281 | $2,581 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $2,986 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 16 |
| Median lifespan | 12.1 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 22 to 24 lb | 13 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 1.7 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $160 | $480 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Heart murmur and mitral valve disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Eye disease | 23% | $449–$1,209 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 4% | $169–$455 |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Fanconi syndrome | 3% | $710–$1,911 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Progressive retinal atrophy | 1% | $316–$850 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Heart murmur and mitral valve disease | 31% | $534–$1,438 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 23% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 16% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Digestive disease | 11% | $354–$954 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 10% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | 10% | $246–$663 |
| Mitral valve disease (MVD) | 7% | $534–$1,438 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Umbilical hernia | 6% | $621–$1,671 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 4% | $224–$604 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Patellar luxation | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 2% | $534–$1,438 |
| Syringomyelia | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Expected total | $2,986 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Basenji and $2,986 for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Basenji or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel more expensive?
The Basenji is cheaper by about $3,201 over a lifetime. Basenji: $32,147. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: $35,349. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Basenji or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
The Basenji has the longer typical lifespan. Basenji: 12.1 years. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Basenji or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Basenji's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel it is heart murmur and mitral valve disease, at 31%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.