Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bernese Mountain Dog | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,173 | $39,348 |
| First year | $7,935 | $7,125 |
| Monthly average | $348 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $4,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,661 | $3,251 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 10.1 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 70 to 115 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 4.9 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $540 | $250 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Digestive 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 12% | $281–$756 |
| Skin disease | 11% | $252–$679 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Cancer | 8% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Cruciate disease | 5% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Bone cancer/tumour | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Rottweiler more expensive?
The Rottweiler is cheaper by about $2,825 over a lifetime. Bernese Mountain Dog: $42,173. Rottweiler: $39,348. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Rottweiler?
The Rottweiler has the longer typical lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Rottweiler?
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 Rottweiler it is digestive disease, at 30%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.