Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bernese Mountain Dog | Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,669 | $30,410 |
| First year | $7,489 | $6,979 |
| Monthly average | $311 | $259 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $4,000 | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,215 | $2,605 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 21 |
| Median lifespan | 10.1 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 70 to 115 lb | 40 to 50 lb |
| Daily food | 4.9 cups | 2.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $214 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Overweight/obesity |
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 |
| 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 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Overweight/obesity | 9%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Otitis externa | 13%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 40%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Cutaneous disorder | 29%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ophthalmological disorder | 18%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 14%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Aural disorder | 13%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Upper respiratory tract disorder | 11%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 6%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Distichiasis | 5%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Entropion | 4%owner survey | $449–$1,209 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 4%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Dermatitis | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Alopecia/Baldness | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Pyoderma | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1%screened dogs | not priced |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Skin fold dermatitis | n/a | $252–$679 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
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Common questions
Is a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Bulldog more expensive?
The Bulldog is cheaper by about $7,259 over a lifetime. Bernese Mountain Dog: $37,669. Bulldog: $30,410. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Bulldog?
The Bernese Mountain Dog has the longer typical lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years. Bulldog: 9.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Bulldog?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Bernese Mountain Dog's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Bulldog it is overweight/obesity, at 9%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.