Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chihuahua | Dachshund |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $27,727 | $36,365 |
| First year | $4,815 | $5,965 |
| Monthly average | $196 | $216 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $1,200 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,041 | $2,241 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 8 | 16 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 14 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 6 lb | 16 to 32 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 1.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $220 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, mid life |
| 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 |
| 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 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 10% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 5% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Patellar luxation | 4% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Pancreatitis | 2% | $254–$682 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Intervertebral disc disease | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Obesity | n/a | $168–$452 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Chihuahua or a Dachshund more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $8,638 over a lifetime. Chihuahua: $27,727. Dachshund: $36,365. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Chihuahua or a Dachshund?
The Dachshund has the longer typical lifespan. Chihuahua: 11.8 years. Dachshund: 14 years.
Which is healthier, a Chihuahua or a Dachshund?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Chihuahua's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Dachshund 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.