Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Rottweiler | Saint Bernard |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,348 | $45,518 |
| First year | $7,125 | $8,045 |
| Monthly average | $309 | $408 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,251 | $4,421 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 6 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 80 to 135 lb | 120 to 180 lb |
| Daily food | 5.4 cups | 7.0 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $650 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Digestive disease | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 12% | $281–$756 |
| Skin disease | 11% | $252–$679 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Cancer | 8% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Cruciate disease | 5% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Bone cancer/tumour | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| 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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Expected vet costs are $0 for the Rottweiler and $0 for the Saint Bernard. 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 Rottweiler or a Saint Bernard more expensive?
The Rottweiler is cheaper by about $6,169 over a lifetime. Rottweiler: $39,348. Saint Bernard: $45,518. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Rottweiler or a Saint Bernard?
The Rottweiler has the longer typical lifespan. Rottweiler: 10.6 years. Saint Bernard: 9.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Rottweiler or a Saint Bernard?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Rottweiler's biggest single risk is digestive disease, seen in 30% 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.