Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bernese Mountain Dog | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,173 | $40,121 |
| First year | $7,935 | $6,525 |
| Monthly average | $348 | $296 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $4,000 | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,661 | $3,151 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 10.1 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 70 to 115 lb | 65 to 90 lb |
| Daily food | 4.9 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $540 | $300 |
| 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 | 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 Bernese Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd more expensive?
The German Shepherd is cheaper by about $2,053 over a lifetime. Bernese Mountain Dog: $42,173. German Shepherd: $40,121. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd?
The German Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years. German Shepherd: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd?
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 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.