Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Dachshund | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $36,365 | $40,121 |
| First year | $5,965 | $6,525 |
| Monthly average | $216 | $296 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,241 | $3,151 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 16 to 32 lb | 65 to 90 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $300 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | 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 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 10% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 5% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Patellar luxation | 4% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Pancreatitis | 2% | $254–$682 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Intervertebral disc disease | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Obesity | n/a | $168–$452 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 19% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 3% | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Gastric dilatation volvulus | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | n/a | not priced |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Dachshund or a German Shepherd more expensive?
The Dachshund is cheaper by about $3,756 over a lifetime. Dachshund: $36,365. German Shepherd: $40,121. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Dachshund or a German Shepherd?
The Dachshund has the longer typical lifespan. Dachshund: 14 years. German Shepherd: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Dachshund or a German Shepherd?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Dachshund's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the German Shepherd 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.