Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bernese Mountain Dog | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,669 | $37,904 |
| First year | $7,489 | $5,977 |
| Monthly average | $311 | $237 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $4,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,215 | $2,503 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 10.1 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 70 to 115 lb | 4 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 4.9 cups | 0.6 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $668 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Periodontal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 21%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 4%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Overgrown nails | 6%1-yr clinical | $36–$98 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 40%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 29%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 17%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Cataracts (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Retained deciduous teeth (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | 7%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Dog bite (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Pancreatitis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Tracheal collapse (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
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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 $1,203 for the Yorkshire Terrier. 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 Yorkshire Terrier more expensive?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is cheaper by about $235 over a lifetime. Bernese Mountain Dog: $37,669. Yorkshire Terrier: $37,904. 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 Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years. Yorkshire Terrier: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Yorkshire Terrier?
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 Yorkshire Terrier it is periodontal disease, at 21%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.