Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chihuahua | Miniature Schnauzer |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $27,727 | $39,756 |
| First year | $4,815 | $5,885 |
| Monthly average | $196 | $249 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,041 | $2,661 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 8 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 6 lb | 11 to 20 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $660 |
| 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Lipoma | 5% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2% | $621–$1,671 |
| Dermatitis | 2% | $252–$679 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 2% | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 1% | $629–$1,694 |
| Chronic Itching | 1% | $629–$1,694 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Pancreatitis | n/a | $254–$682 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hyperlipidaemia | n/a | not priced |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Chihuahua and $0 for the Miniature Schnauzer. 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 Miniature Schnauzer more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $12,029 over a lifetime. Chihuahua: $27,727. Miniature Schnauzer: $39,756. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Chihuahua or a Miniature Schnauzer?
The Miniature Schnauzer has the longer typical lifespan. Chihuahua: 11.8 years. Miniature Schnauzer: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Chihuahua or a Miniature Schnauzer?
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 Miniature Schnauzer 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.