Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | German Shepherd | Siberian Husky |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $40,121 | $37,124 |
| First year | $6,525 | $5,815 |
| Monthly average | $296 | $260 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $3,000 | $800 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,151 | $2,791 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 14 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 11.9 yrs |
| Adult weight | 65 to 90 lb | 35 to 60 lb |
| Daily food | 4.3 cups | 2.9 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $300 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Low |
| 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 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Pyometra | 3% | $792–$2,132 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Hypothyroidism/Under-active thyroid | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Persistent diarrhoea | 2% | $354–$954 |
| Colitis | 2% | $354–$954 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 1% | $281–$756 |
| Cruciate disease | 1% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 0% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Eye disease | n/a | $449–$1,209 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a German Shepherd or a Siberian Husky more expensive?
The Siberian Husky is cheaper by about $2,997 over a lifetime. German Shepherd: $40,121. Siberian Husky: $37,124. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a German Shepherd or a Siberian Husky?
The Siberian Husky has the longer typical lifespan. German Shepherd: 11.3 years. Siberian Husky: 11.9 years.
Which is healthier, a German Shepherd or a Siberian Husky?
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 Siberian Husky 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.