Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Cane Corso | Poodle |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $31,747 | $52,837 |
| First year | $7,465 | $7,255 |
| Monthly average | $327 | $315 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,341 | $3,381 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 10 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 8.1 yrs | 14 yrs |
| Adult weight | 88 to 120 lb | 45 to 70 lb |
| Daily food | 5.3 cups | 3.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $900 |
| 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 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 3% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Addison's disease (primary hypoadrenocorticism) | 2% | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Conjunctivitis | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Unspecified tumour/cancer | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Ear mite infestation | 2% | not priced |
| Entropion | 2% | $449–$1,209 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Addison's disease | n/a | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Expected vet costs are $0 for the Cane Corso and $0 for the Poodle. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
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Common questions
Is a Cane Corso or a Poodle more expensive?
The Cane Corso is cheaper by about $21,090 over a lifetime. Cane Corso: $31,747. Poodle: $52,837. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Cane Corso or a Poodle?
The Poodle has the longer typical lifespan. Cane Corso: 8.1 years. Poodle: 14 years.
Which is healthier, a Cane Corso or a Poodle?
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 Poodle 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.

