Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Lhasa Apso | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,165 | $39,348 |
| First year | $5,465 | $7,125 |
| Monthly average | $221 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,341 | $3,251 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 14 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 18 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 1.2 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $325 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | 8% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Umbilical hernia | 6% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 5% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 4% | $662–$1,782 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 2% | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 1% | $224–$604 |
| Otitis externa | 1% | $100–$270 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 1% | $252–$679 |
| 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 Lhasa Apso or a Rottweiler more expensive?
The Lhasa Apso is cheaper by about $2,183 over a lifetime. Lhasa Apso: $37,165. Rottweiler: $39,348. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Lhasa Apso or a Rottweiler?
The Lhasa Apso has the longer typical lifespan. Lhasa Apso: 14 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Lhasa Apso or a Rottweiler?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Lhasa Apso'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.