Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Cane Corso | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $31,747 | $27,727 |
| First year | $7,465 | $4,815 |
| Monthly average | $327 | $196 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,000 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,341 | $2,041 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 10 | 8 |
| Median lifespan | 8.1 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 88 to 120 lb | 3 to 6 lb |
| Daily food | 5.3 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $180 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Skin 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 | 21% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7% | $169–$455 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Eyelid abnormalities | n/a | $662–$1,782 |
| 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 | |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Cane Corso and $0 for the Chihuahua. 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 Cane Corso or a Chihuahua more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $4,021 over a lifetime. Cane Corso: $31,747. Chihuahua: $27,727. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Cane Corso or a Chihuahua?
The Chihuahua has the longer typical lifespan. Cane Corso: 8.1 years. Chihuahua: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Cane Corso or a Chihuahua?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Cane Corso's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% 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.