Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Pug | Saint Bernard |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,766 | $45,518 |
| First year | $5,755 | $8,045 |
| Monthly average | $221 | $408 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,281 | $4,421 |
| Expected health cost | $392 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 17 | 6 |
| Median lifespan | 11.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 14 to 18 lb | 120 to 180 lb |
| Daily food | 1.3 cups | 7.0 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $200 | $650 |
| 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 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| 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 Saint Bernard. 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 Pug or a Saint Bernard more expensive?
The Pug is cheaper by about $14,751 over a lifetime. Pug: $30,766. Saint Bernard: $45,518. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Pug or a Saint Bernard?
The Pug has the longer typical lifespan. Pug: 11.6 years. Saint Bernard: 9.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Pug or a Saint Bernard?
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 Saint Bernard 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.