Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | French Bulldog | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $28,769 | $40,121 |
| First year | $7,485 | $6,525 |
| Monthly average | $245 | $296 |
| Puppy price | $2,500 to $5,000 | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,361 | $3,151 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 9.8 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 20 to 28 lb | 65 to 90 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $300 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Hip dysplasia | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | 33% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin disease | 18% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 17% | $354–$954 |
| Ear disease | 16% | $100–$270 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Upper respiratory disease, including BOAS | 13% | $422–$1,136 |
| Eye disease | 11% | $449–$1,209 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 8% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 7% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS) | 5% | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5% | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis media | 4% | $100–$270 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 4% | not priced |
| Persistent vomiting | 3% | not priced |
| Food Allergy | 3% | $378–$1,017 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 3% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 0% | $169–$455 |
| Spinal disease including IVDD | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog or a German Shepherd more expensive?
The French Bulldog is cheaper by about $11,352 over a lifetime. French Bulldog: $28,769. German Shepherd: $40,121. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a French Bulldog or a German Shepherd?
The German Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. French Bulldog: 9.8 years. German Shepherd: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a French Bulldog or a German Shepherd?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The French Bulldog's biggest single risk is hip dysplasia, seen in 33% 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.