Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Rottweiler | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,348 | $36,661 |
| First year | $7,125 | $5,309 |
| Monthly average | $309 | $228 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,251 | $2,435 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 80 to 135 lb | 15 to 25 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 |
| 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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Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Rottweiler or a Shetland Sheepdog more expensive?
The Shetland Sheepdog is cheaper by about $2,687 over a lifetime. Rottweiler: $39,348. Shetland Sheepdog: $36,661. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Rottweiler or a Shetland Sheepdog?
The Shetland Sheepdog has the longer typical lifespan. Rottweiler: 10.6 years. Shetland Sheepdog: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Rottweiler or a Shetland Sheepdog?
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 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.