Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Pug | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,766 | $39,131 |
| First year | $5,755 | $5,855 |
| Monthly average | $221 | $255 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,281 | $2,731 |
| Expected health cost | $392 | $590 |
| Documented conditions | 17 | 15 |
| Median lifespan | 11.6 yrs | 12.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 14 to 18 lb | 9 to 16 lb |
| Daily food | 1.3 cups | 1.1 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $200 | $720 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Obesity | Periodontal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 10% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 22% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Umbilical hernia | 12% | $621–$1,671 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 11% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Unspecified Eye | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 2% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $590 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $392 for the Pug and $590 for the Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu more expensive?
The Pug is cheaper by about $8,364 over a lifetime. Pug: $30,766. Shih Tzu: $39,131. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Pug or a Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu has the longer typical lifespan. Pug: 11.6 years. Shih Tzu: 12.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Pug or a Shih Tzu?
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 Shih Tzu it is periodontal disease, at 10%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.