Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Maltese | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $32,913 | $30,766 |
| First year | $5,637 | $5,755 |
| Monthly average | $209 | $221 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,163 | $2,281 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $392 |
| Documented conditions | 8 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 11.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 4 to 7 lb | 14 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 0.6 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $270 | $200 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | 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% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 5% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| 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 Maltese 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 Maltese or a Pug more expensive?
The Pug is cheaper by about $2,147 over a lifetime. Maltese: $32,913. Pug: $30,766. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Maltese or a Pug?
The Maltese has the longer typical lifespan. Maltese: 13.1 years. Pug: 11.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Maltese or a Pug?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Maltese'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.