Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bulldog | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,783 | $27,727 |
| First year | $7,915 | $4,815 |
| Monthly average | $262 | $196 |
| Puppy price | $2,500 to $5,500 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,541 | $2,041 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 8 |
| Median lifespan | 9.8 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 50 lb | 3 to 6 lb |
| Daily food | 2.8 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $180 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Elbow dysplasia | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow dysplasia | 40% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 14% | $662–$1,782 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 6% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Distichiasis | 5% | $662–$1,782 |
| Entropion | 4% | $449–$1,209 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 4% | $629–$1,694 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4% | not priced |
| Dermatitis | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Alopecia/Baldness | 3% | not priced |
| Pyoderma | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1% | not priced |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Skin fold dermatitis | n/a | $252–$679 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
| 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 Bulldog or a Chihuahua more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $3,056 over a lifetime. Bulldog: $30,783. Chihuahua: $27,727. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Bulldog or a Chihuahua?
The Chihuahua has the longer typical lifespan. Bulldog: 9.8 years. Chihuahua: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Bulldog or a Chihuahua?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Bulldog's biggest single risk is elbow dysplasia, seen in 40% 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.