Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Pug | Rhodesian Ridgeback |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,766 | $43,687 |
| First year | $5,755 | $6,857 |
| Monthly average | $221 | $303 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,281 | $3,233 |
| Expected health cost | $392 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 17 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 11.6 yrs | 12 yrs |
| Adult weight | 14 to 18 lb | 70 to 85 lb |
| Daily food | 1.3 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $200 | $404 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Obesity | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 9% | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 9% | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 7% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 6% | $629–$1,694 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 5% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 4% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4% | not priced |
| Skin lump | 4% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 3% | $100–$270 |
| Dermatitis | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Arthritis | 2% | $281–$756 |
| Hypothyroidism/Under-active thyroid | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $392 for the Pug and $0 for the Rhodesian Ridgeback. 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 Pug or a Rhodesian Ridgeback more expensive?
The Pug is cheaper by about $12,921 over a lifetime. Pug: $30,766. Rhodesian Ridgeback: $43,687. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Pug or a Rhodesian Ridgeback?
The Rhodesian Ridgeback has the longer typical lifespan. Pug: 11.6 years. Rhodesian Ridgeback: 12 years.
Which is healthier, a Pug or a Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Pug's biggest single risk is obesity, seen in 13% of the breed. For the Rhodesian Ridgeback 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.