Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bernese Mountain Dog | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,669 | $42,711 |
| First year | $7,489 | $6,226 |
| Monthly average | $311 | $245 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $4,000 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,215 | $2,602 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 10.1 yrs | 14.5 yrs |
| Adult weight | 70 to 115 lb | 7 to 13 lb |
| Daily food | 4.9 cups | 0.9 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $668 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Low |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 27%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 23%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Murmur (US) | 13%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 9%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Gingivitis (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Giardia (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Pancreatitis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 7%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear Infection (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
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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 $0 for the Havanese. 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 Havanese more expensive?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is cheaper by about $5,042 over a lifetime. Bernese Mountain Dog: $37,669. Havanese: $42,711. 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 Havanese?
The Havanese has the longer typical lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years. Havanese: 14.5 years.
Which is healthier, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Havanese?
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 Havanese 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.