Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bernese Mountain Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,669 | $36,847 |
| First year | $7,489 | $6,732 |
| Monthly average | $311 | $260 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $4,000 | $1,800 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,215 | $2,708 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 26 |
| Median lifespan | 10.1 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 70 to 115 lb | 13 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 4.9 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $668 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Heart murmur and mitral valve 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart murmur and mitral valve disease | 31%1-yr clinical | $534–$1,438 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Murmur (US) | 36%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 35%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 26%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 23%screened dogs | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 16%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Digestive disease | 11%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Deafness (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 10%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | 10%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Ear Infection (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Mitral valve disease (MVD) | 7%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Hearing loss (incompletely deaf) (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chocolate (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Umbilical hernia | 6%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 4%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3%owner survey | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3%owner survey | $84–$226 |
| Arthritis | 3%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Patellar luxation | 2%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 2%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Syringomyelia | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Bernese Mountain Dog and $2,986 for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel more expensive?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is cheaper by about $822 over a lifetime. Bernese Mountain Dog: $37,669. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: $36,847. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has the longer typical lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel it is heart murmur and mitral valve disease, at 31%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.