Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | German Shepherd | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $40,121 | $30,766 |
| First year | $6,525 | $5,755 |
| Monthly average | $296 | $221 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,151 | $2,281 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $392 |
| Documented conditions | 14 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 11.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 65 to 90 lb | 14 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 4.3 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $200 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Obesity |
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 | 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 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 13% | $168–$452 |
| Hip dysplasia | 73% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 36% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 12% | not priced |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Corneal Ulcer | 6% | $469–$1,264 |
| Patellar luxation | 6% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Umbilical hernia | 5% | $621–$1,671 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 4% | $629–$1,694 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 4% | $224–$604 |
| Seizure/Fitting | 3% | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Entropion | 2% | $449–$1,209 |
| Epilepsy | 2% | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Expected total | $392 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the German Shepherd and $392 for the Pug. 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 German Shepherd or a Pug more expensive?
The Pug is cheaper by about $9,354 over a lifetime. German Shepherd: $40,121. Pug: $30,766. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a German Shepherd or a Pug?
The Pug has the longer typical lifespan. German Shepherd: 11.3 years. Pug: 11.6 years.
Which is healthier, a German Shepherd or a Pug?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The German Shepherd's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Pug it is obesity, at 13%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.