Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Old English Sheepdog | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $47,997 | $39,348 |
| First year | $7,185 | $7,125 |
| Monthly average | $331 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,561 | $3,251 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 12.1 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 60 to 100 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 4.4 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $700 | $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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 19% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7% | $169–$455 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| 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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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Old English Sheepdog and $0 for the Rottweiler. 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 Old English Sheepdog or a Rottweiler more expensive?
The Rottweiler is cheaper by about $8,649 over a lifetime. Old English Sheepdog: $47,997. Rottweiler: $39,348. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Old English Sheepdog or a Rottweiler?
The Old English Sheepdog has the longer typical lifespan. Old English Sheepdog: 12.1 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Old English Sheepdog or a Rottweiler?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Old English Sheepdog'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.