Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Rottweiler | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,348 | $37,689 |
| First year | $7,125 | $5,617 |
| Monthly average | $309 | $234 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,251 | $2,493 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 80 to 135 lb | 25 to 40 lb |
| Daily food | 5.4 cups | 2.2 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $250 |
| 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 |
| Congenital heart disease | 3% | $534–$1,438 |
| Hip dysplasia | 2% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Cryptorchidism | 2% | not priced |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Colitis | 1% | $354–$954 |
| Pancreatitis | 1% | $254–$682 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 1% | not priced |
| Steroid Responsive Meningitis/Arteritis | 1% | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Arthritis | 1% | $281–$756 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Rottweiler or a Whippet more expensive?
The Whippet is cheaper by about $1,660 over a lifetime. Rottweiler: $39,348. Whippet: $37,689. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Rottweiler or a Whippet?
The Whippet has the longer typical lifespan. Rottweiler: 10.6 years. Whippet: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Rottweiler or a Whippet?
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 Whippet 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.