Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | German Shepherd | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $40,121 | $39,348 |
| First year | $6,525 | $7,125 |
| Monthly average | $296 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,151 | $3,251 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 14 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 65 to 90 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 4.3 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $250 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Digestive 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 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 German Shepherd or a Rottweiler more expensive?
The Rottweiler is cheaper by about $772 over a lifetime. German Shepherd: $40,121. Rottweiler: $39,348. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler?
The German Shepherd has the longer typical lifespan. German Shepherd: 11.3 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler?
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 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.