Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bulldog | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,410 | $37,904 |
| First year | $6,979 | $5,977 |
| Monthly average | $259 | $237 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,605 | $2,503 |
| Documented conditions | 21 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 9.8 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 50 lb | 4 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 2.8 cups | 0.6 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $214 | $668 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Overweight/obesity | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 $394 for the Bulldog 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 Bulldog or a Yorkshire Terrier more expensive?
The Bulldog is cheaper by about $7,494 over a lifetime. Bulldog: $30,410. 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 Bulldog or a Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Bulldog: 9.8 years. Yorkshire Terrier: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Bulldog or a Yorkshire Terrier?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Bulldog's biggest single risk is overweight/obesity, seen in 9% 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.