Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Portuguese Water Dog | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,586 | $39,348 |
| First year | $7,076 | $7,125 |
| Monthly average | $279 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $2,000 to $3,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,952 | $3,251 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 9 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 13 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 35 to 60 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 2.9 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $513 | $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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 12% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| 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 Portuguese Water Dog and $0 for the Rottweiler. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
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Common questions
Is a Portuguese Water Dog or a Rottweiler more expensive?
The Rottweiler is cheaper by about $4,238 over a lifetime. Portuguese Water Dog: $43,586. Rottweiler: $39,348. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Portuguese Water Dog or a Rottweiler?
The Portuguese Water Dog has the longer typical lifespan. Portuguese Water Dog: 13 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Portuguese Water Dog or a Rottweiler?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Portuguese Water Dog'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.