Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Pug | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,766 | $36,661 |
| First year | $5,755 | $5,309 |
| Monthly average | $221 | $228 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,281 | $2,435 |
| Expected health cost | $392 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 17 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 11.6 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 14 to 18 lb | 15 to 25 lb |
| Daily food | 1.3 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $200 | $354 |
| 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 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 12% | $169–$455 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Cryptorchidism | 3% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Colitis | 2% | $354–$954 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 2% | $534–$1,438 |
| Distichiasis | 2% | $662–$1,782 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1% | not priced |
| 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog more expensive?
The Pug is cheaper by about $5,895 over a lifetime. Pug: $30,766. Shetland Sheepdog: $36,661. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Pug or a Shetland Sheepdog?
The Shetland Sheepdog has the longer typical lifespan. Pug: 11.6 years. Shetland Sheepdog: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Pug or a Shetland Sheepdog?
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 Shetland Sheepdog 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.