Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Pomeranian | Poodle |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $34,683 | $52,837 |
| First year | $5,955 | $7,255 |
| Monthly average | $237 | $315 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,481 | $3,381 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 9 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 12.2 yrs | 14 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 7 lb | 45 to 70 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 3.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $600 | $900 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | 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 |
| 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 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 3% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Addison's disease (primary hypoadrenocorticism) | 2% | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Conjunctivitis | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Unspecified tumour/cancer | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Ear mite infestation | 2% | not priced |
| Entropion | 2% | $449–$1,209 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Addison's disease | n/a | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Pomeranian or a Poodle more expensive?
The Pomeranian is cheaper by about $18,154 over a lifetime. Pomeranian: $34,683. Poodle: $52,837. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Pomeranian or a Poodle?
The Poodle has the longer typical lifespan. Pomeranian: 12.2 years. Poodle: 14 years.
Which is healthier, a Pomeranian or a Poodle?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Pomeranian's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Poodle 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.