Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Beagle | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $32,782 | $40,121 |
| First year | $5,095 | $6,525 |
| Monthly average | $219 | $296 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,321 | $3,151 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 12.5 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 20 to 30 lb | 65 to 90 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $300 |
| Risk profile | Low | High, mid life |
| 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 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 19% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 3% | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Gastric dilatation volvulus | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | n/a | not priced |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Beagle or a German Shepherd more expensive?
The Beagle is cheaper by about $7,339 over a lifetime. Beagle: $32,782. German Shepherd: $40,121. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Beagle or a German Shepherd?
The Beagle has the longer typical lifespan. Beagle: 12.5 years. German Shepherd: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Beagle or a German Shepherd?
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 German Shepherd 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.