Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Pug | Samoyed |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,766 | $44,752 |
| First year | $5,755 | $7,372 |
| Monthly average | $221 | $285 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,281 | $2,998 |
| Expected health cost | $392 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 17 | 11 |
| Median lifespan | 11.6 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 14 to 18 lb | 35 to 65 lb |
| Daily food | 1.3 cups | 3.1 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $200 | $527 |
| 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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 11% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| 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 Samoyed. 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 Samoyed more expensive?
The Pug is cheaper by about $13,986 over a lifetime. Pug: $30,766. Samoyed: $44,752. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Pug or a Samoyed?
The Samoyed has the longer typical lifespan. Pug: 11.6 years. Samoyed: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Pug or a Samoyed?
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 Samoyed 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.