Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | English Springer Spaniel | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,789 | $40,121 |
| First year | $5,975 | $6,525 |
| Monthly average | $264 | $296 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,851 | $3,151 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 13.5 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 50 lb | 65 to 90 lb |
| Daily food | 2.8 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $480 | $300 |
| 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 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 16% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Lipoma | 6% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 3% | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Cruciate disease | 2% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Skin lump | 2% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 1% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 1% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Ear disease | n/a | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
| 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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Expected vet costs are $0 for the English Springer Spaniel and $0 for the German Shepherd. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
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Common questions
Is a English Springer Spaniel or a German Shepherd more expensive?
The German Shepherd is cheaper by about $2,668 over a lifetime. English Springer Spaniel: $42,789. German Shepherd: $40,121. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a English Springer Spaniel or a German Shepherd?
The English Springer Spaniel has the longer typical lifespan. English Springer Spaniel: 13.5 years. German Shepherd: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a English Springer Spaniel or a German Shepherd?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The English Springer Spaniel'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.