Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chihuahua | Great Dane |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $27,727 | $44,330 |
| First year | $4,815 | $7,595 |
| Monthly average | $196 | $349 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,041 | $3,721 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 8 | 12 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 6 lb | 110 to 175 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 6.7 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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 5% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Wobbler syndrome | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Chihuahua or a Great Dane more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $16,604 over a lifetime. Chihuahua: $27,727. Great Dane: $44,330. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Chihuahua or a Great Dane?
The Chihuahua has the longer typical lifespan. Chihuahua: 11.8 years. Great Dane: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Chihuahua or a Great Dane?
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 Great Dane 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.