Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Beagle | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $32,782 | $27,727 |
| First year | $5,095 | $4,815 |
| Monthly average | $219 | $196 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,321 | $2,041 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 8 |
| Median lifespan | 12.5 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 20 to 30 lb | 3 to 6 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $180 |
| Risk profile | Low | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Skin 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Lipoma | 7% | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7% | $169–$455 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 4% | not priced |
| Seizure/Fitting | 3% | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Steroid Responsive Meningitis/Arteritis | 2% | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 2% | $662–$1,782 |
| Skin cancer/tumour | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip dysplasia | 2% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Patellar luxation | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Ear disease | n/a | $100–$270 |
| Obesity | n/a | $168–$452 |
| Epilepsy | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 6% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Beagle or a Chihuahua more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $5,055 over a lifetime. Beagle: $32,782. Chihuahua: $27,727. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Beagle or a Chihuahua?
The Beagle has the longer typical lifespan. Beagle: 12.5 years. Chihuahua: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Beagle or a Chihuahua?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Beagle's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Chihuahua it is skin disease, at 36%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.