Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $35,349 | $39,131 |
| First year | $6,605 | $5,855 |
| Monthly average | $250 | $255 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,581 | $2,731 |
| Expected health cost | $2,986 | $590 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 15 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 12.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 13 to 18 lb | 9 to 16 lb |
| Daily food | 1.3 cups | 1.1 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $480 | $720 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Heart murmur and mitral valve disease | Periodontal disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Heart murmur and mitral valve disease | 31% | $534–$1,438 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 23% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 16% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Digestive disease | 11% | $354–$954 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 10% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | 10% | $246–$663 |
| Mitral valve disease (MVD) | 7% | $534–$1,438 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Umbilical hernia | 6% | $621–$1,671 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 4% | $224–$604 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Patellar luxation | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 2% | $534–$1,438 |
| Syringomyelia | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Expected total | $2,986 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 10% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 22% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Umbilical hernia | 12% | $621–$1,671 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 11% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Unspecified Eye | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 2% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $590 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $2,986 for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and $590 for the Shih Tzu. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a Shih Tzu more expensive?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is cheaper by about $3,782 over a lifetime. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: $35,349. Shih Tzu: $39,131. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu has the longer typical lifespan. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: 11.8 years. Shih Tzu: 12.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a Shih Tzu?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's biggest single risk is heart murmur and mitral valve disease, seen in 31% of the breed. For the Shih Tzu it is periodontal disease, at 10%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.