Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bulldog | Great Dane |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,783 | $44,330 |
| First year | $7,915 | $7,595 |
| Monthly average | $262 | $349 |
| Puppy price | $2,500 to $5,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,541 | $3,721 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 12 |
| Median lifespan | 9.8 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 50 lb | 110 to 175 lb |
| Daily food | 2.8 cups | 6.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $220 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | High, mid life |
| 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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 5% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Wobbler syndrome | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Bulldog and $0 for the Great Dane. 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 Bulldog or a Great Dane more expensive?
The Bulldog is cheaper by about $13,548 over a lifetime. Bulldog: $30,783. Great Dane: $44,330. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Bulldog or a Great Dane?
The Great Dane has the longer typical lifespan. Bulldog: 9.8 years. Great Dane: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Bulldog or a Great Dane?
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 Great Dane 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.