Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Rottweiler | Scottish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,348 | $35,180 |
| First year | $7,125 | $5,659 |
| Monthly average | $309 | $231 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,251 | $2,435 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 8 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 12.7 yrs |
| Adult weight | 80 to 135 lb | 18 to 22 lb |
| Daily food | 5.4 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $354 |
| 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 |
| Patellar luxation | 5% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Rottweiler or a Scottish Terrier more expensive?
The Scottish Terrier is cheaper by about $4,168 over a lifetime. Rottweiler: $39,348. Scottish Terrier: $35,180. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Rottweiler or a Scottish Terrier?
The Scottish Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Rottweiler: 10.6 years. Scottish Terrier: 12.7 years.
Which is healthier, a Rottweiler or a Scottish Terrier?
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 Scottish Terrier 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.