Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Cane Corso | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $29,657 | $27,184 |
| First year | $7,207 | $4,769 |
| Monthly average | $305 | $192 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,000 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,083 | $1,995 |
| Documented conditions | 10 | 22 |
| Median lifespan | 8.1 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 88 to 120 lb | 3 to 6 lb |
| Daily food | 5.3 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $184 |
| 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 | 21%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Eyelid abnormalities | n/a | $662–$1,782 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 14%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Obesity | 6%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Retained deciduous dentition | 6%1-yr clinical | $150–$800 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 48%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 34%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Murmur (US) | 19%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation (US) | 17%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Gingivitis (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cataracts (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Dog bite (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Retained deciduous teeth (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 6%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Tracheal collapse (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Aggression | 4%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | 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 |
| 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 Cane Corso and $808 for the Chihuahua. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Cane Corso or a Chihuahua more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $2,473 over a lifetime. Cane Corso: $29,657. Chihuahua: $27,184. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Cane Corso or a Chihuahua?
The Chihuahua has the longer typical lifespan. Cane Corso: 8.1 years. Chihuahua: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Cane Corso or a Chihuahua?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Cane Corso's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Chihuahua it is periodontal disease, at 14%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.