Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chihuahua | English Springer Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $27,727 | $42,789 |
| First year | $4,815 | $5,975 |
| Monthly average | $196 | $264 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,041 | $2,851 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 8 | 16 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 13.5 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 6 lb | 40 to 50 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 2.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $480 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | 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 |
| 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 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 16% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Lipoma | 6% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 3% | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Cruciate disease | 2% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Skin lump | 2% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 1% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 1% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Ear disease | n/a | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Expected vet costs are $0 for the Chihuahua and $0 for the English Springer Spaniel. 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 Chihuahua or a English Springer Spaniel more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $15,062 over a lifetime. Chihuahua: $27,727. English Springer Spaniel: $42,789. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Chihuahua or a English Springer Spaniel?
The English Springer Spaniel has the longer typical lifespan. Chihuahua: 11.8 years. English Springer Spaniel: 13.5 years.
Which is healthier, a Chihuahua or a English Springer Spaniel?
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 English Springer Spaniel 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.