Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bulldog | English Springer Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,783 | $42,789 |
| First year | $7,915 | $5,975 |
| Monthly average | $262 | $264 |
| Puppy price | $2,500 to $5,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,541 | $2,851 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 16 |
| Median lifespan | 9.8 yrs | 13.5 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 50 lb | 40 to 50 lb |
| Daily food | 2.8 cups | 2.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $480 |
| 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 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 16% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Lipoma | 6% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 3% | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Cruciate disease | 2% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Skin lump | 2% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 1% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 1% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Ear disease | n/a | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Bulldog or a English Springer Spaniel more expensive?
The Bulldog is cheaper by about $12,006 over a lifetime. Bulldog: $30,783. English Springer Spaniel: $42,789. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Bulldog or a English Springer Spaniel?
The English Springer Spaniel has the longer typical lifespan. Bulldog: 9.8 years. English Springer Spaniel: 13.5 years.
Which is healthier, a Bulldog or a English Springer Spaniel?
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 English Springer Spaniel 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.

