Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Rottweiler | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,348 | $36,382 |
| First year | $7,125 | $5,612 |
| Monthly average | $309 | $226 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,251 | $2,388 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 80 to 135 lb | 15 to 20 lb |
| Daily food | 5.4 cups | 1.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $339 |
| 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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 9% | $629–$1,694 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 4% | $252–$679 |
| Chronic Itching | 4% | $629–$1,694 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 4% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 4% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Otitis externa | 3% | $100–$270 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Otitis media | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 2% | $252–$679 |
| Pyoderma | 2% | $252–$679 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Rottweiler and $0 for the West Highland White Terrier. 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 Rottweiler or a West Highland White Terrier more expensive?
The West Highland White Terrier is cheaper by about $2,967 over a lifetime. Rottweiler: $39,348. West Highland White Terrier: $36,382. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Rottweiler or a West Highland White Terrier?
The West Highland White Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Rottweiler: 10.6 years. West Highland White Terrier: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Rottweiler or a West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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.