Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chow Chow | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,741 | $39,348 |
| First year | $6,613 | $7,125 |
| Monthly average | $294 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,139 | $3,251 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 12.1 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $570 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Elbow dysplasia | Digestive disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow dysplasia | 51% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 22% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 6% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 6% | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 12% | $281–$756 |
| Skin disease | 11% | $252–$679 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Cancer | 8% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Cruciate disease | 5% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Bone cancer/tumour | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Chow Chow or a Rottweiler more expensive?
The Rottweiler is cheaper by about $3,393 over a lifetime. Chow Chow: $42,741. Rottweiler: $39,348. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Chow Chow or a Rottweiler?
The Chow Chow has the longer typical lifespan. Chow Chow: 12.1 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Chow Chow or a Rottweiler?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Chow Chow's biggest single risk is elbow dysplasia, seen in 51% of the breed. For the Rottweiler it is digestive disease, at 30%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.