Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bulldog | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,783 | $30,766 |
| First year | $7,915 | $5,755 |
| Monthly average | $262 | $221 |
| Puppy price | $2,500 to $5,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,541 | $2,281 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $392 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 9.8 yrs | 11.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 50 lb | 14 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 2.8 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $200 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Elbow dysplasia | Obesity |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 13% | $168–$452 |
| Hip dysplasia | 73% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 36% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 12% | not priced |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Corneal Ulcer | 6% | $469–$1,264 |
| Patellar luxation | 6% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Umbilical hernia | 5% | $621–$1,671 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 4% | $629–$1,694 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 4% | $224–$604 |
| Seizure/Fitting | 3% | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Entropion | 2% | $449–$1,209 |
| Epilepsy | 2% | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Expected total | $392 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Bulldog and $392 for the Pug. 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 Pug more expensive?
The Pug is cheaper by about $16 over a lifetime. Bulldog: $30,783. Pug: $30,766. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Bulldog or a Pug?
The Pug has the longer typical lifespan. Bulldog: 9.8 years. Pug: 11.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Bulldog or a Pug?
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 Pug it is obesity, at 13%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.