Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chihuahua | French Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $27,727 | $28,769 |
| First year | $4,815 | $7,485 |
| Monthly average | $196 | $245 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $2,500 to $5,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,041 | $2,361 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 8 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 6 lb | 20 to 28 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 1.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $180 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Hip dysplasia |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | 33% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin disease | 18% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 17% | $354–$954 |
| Ear disease | 16% | $100–$270 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Upper respiratory disease, including BOAS | 13% | $422–$1,136 |
| Eye disease | 11% | $449–$1,209 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 8% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 7% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS) | 5% | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5% | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis media | 4% | $100–$270 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 4% | not priced |
| Persistent vomiting | 3% | not priced |
| Food Allergy | 3% | $378–$1,017 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 3% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 0% | $169–$455 |
| Spinal disease including IVDD | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Chihuahua and $0 for the French Bulldog. 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 French Bulldog more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $1,042 over a lifetime. Chihuahua: $27,727. French Bulldog: $28,769. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Chihuahua or a French Bulldog?
The Chihuahua has the longer typical lifespan. Chihuahua: 11.8 years. French Bulldog: 9.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Chihuahua or a French Bulldog?
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 French Bulldog it is hip dysplasia, at 33%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.