Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Beagle | Bernese Mountain Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $33,320 | $37,669 |
| First year | $5,138 | $7,489 |
| Monthly average | $222 | $311 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $1,800 to $4,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,364 | $3,215 |
| Documented conditions | 26 | 12 |
| Median lifespan | 12.5 yrs | 10.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 20 to 30 lb | 70 to 115 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 4.9 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $214 | $470 |
| Risk profile | Low | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 25%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 20%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Dog bite (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear Infection (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seizures (including epilepsy) (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cataracts (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chocolate (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Lipoma | 7%owner survey | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 4%screened dogs | not priced |
| Seizure/Fitting | 3%owner survey | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Steroid Responsive Meningitis/Arteritis | 2%owner survey | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 2%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Skin cancer/tumor | 2%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip dysplasia | 2%owner survey | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Patellar luxation | 2%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Ear disease | n/a | $100–$270 |
| Obesity | n/a | $168–$452 |
| Epilepsy | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 27%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 16%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 11%screened dogs | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 0%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | n/a | $2,291–$6,169 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Beagle and $0 for the Bernese Mountain Dog. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Beagle or a Bernese Mountain Dog more expensive?
The Beagle is cheaper by about $4,349 over a lifetime. Beagle: $33,320. Bernese Mountain Dog: $37,669. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Beagle or a Bernese Mountain Dog?
The Beagle has the longer typical lifespan. Beagle: 12.5 years. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Beagle or a Bernese Mountain Dog?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Beagle's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Bernese Mountain Dog 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.