Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Great Dane | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $44,330 | $30,766 |
| First year | $7,595 | $5,755 |
| Monthly average | $349 | $221 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,721 | $2,281 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $392 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 11.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 110 to 175 lb | 14 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 6.7 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Great Dane and $392 for the Pug. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Great Dane or a Pug more expensive?
The Pug is cheaper by about $13,564 over a lifetime. Great Dane: $44,330. Pug: $30,766. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Great Dane or a Pug?
The Pug has the longer typical lifespan. Great Dane: 10.6 years. Pug: 11.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Great Dane or a Pug?
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 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.