Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bernese Mountain Dog | Cane Corso |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,173 | $31,747 |
| First year | $7,935 | $7,465 |
| Monthly average | $348 | $327 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $4,000 | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,661 | $3,341 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 10 |
| Median lifespan | 10.1 yrs | 8.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 70 to 115 lb | 88 to 120 lb |
| Daily food | 4.9 cups | 5.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $540 | $220 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | 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 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 27% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 16% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 11% | not priced |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 0% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | n/a | $2,291–$6,169 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 21% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7% | $169–$455 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Eyelid abnormalities | n/a | $662–$1,782 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Bernese Mountain Dog and $0 for the Cane Corso. 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 Bernese Mountain Dog or a Cane Corso more expensive?
The Cane Corso is cheaper by about $10,426 over a lifetime. Bernese Mountain Dog: $42,173. Cane Corso: $31,747. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Cane Corso?
The Bernese Mountain Dog has the longer typical lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years. Cane Corso: 8.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Cane Corso?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Bernese Mountain Dog's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Cane Corso 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.