Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Great Dane | Pomeranian |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $44,330 | $34,683 |
| First year | $7,595 | $5,955 |
| Monthly average | $349 | $237 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,721 | $2,481 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 9 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 12.2 yrs |
| Adult weight | 110 to 175 lb | 3 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 6.7 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $600 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 5% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Wobbler syndrome | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 19% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Great Dane or a Pomeranian more expensive?
The Pomeranian is cheaper by about $9,647 over a lifetime. Great Dane: $44,330. Pomeranian: $34,683. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Great Dane or a Pomeranian?
The Pomeranian has the longer typical lifespan. Great Dane: 10.6 years. Pomeranian: 12.2 years.
Which is healthier, a Great Dane or a Pomeranian?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Great Dane's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Pomeranian 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.