Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chihuahua | French Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $27,184 | $29,367 |
| First year | $4,769 | $7,995 |
| Monthly average | $192 | $250 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $2,000 to $6,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $1,995 | $2,371 |
| Documented conditions | 22 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 6 lb | 20 to 28 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 1.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $184 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Periodontal disease | Hip dysplasia |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| 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 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | 33%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin disease | 18%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 17%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Ear disease | 16%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Upper respiratory disease, including BOAS | 13%1-yr clinical | $422–$1,136 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Eye disease | 11%1-yr clinical | $449–$1,209 |
| Intervertebral disc disease (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 8%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 7%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS) | 5%owner survey | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis media | 4%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 4%screened dogs | not priced |
| Persistent vomiting | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Food Allergy | 3%owner survey | $378–$1,017 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 3%owner survey | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3%owner survey | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 0%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Spinal disease including IVDD | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $808 for the Chihuahua and $0 for the French Bulldog. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Chihuahua or a French Bulldog more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $2,183 over a lifetime. Chihuahua: $27,184. French Bulldog: $29,367. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Chihuahua or a French Bulldog?
The Chihuahua has the longer typical lifespan. Chihuahua: 11.8 years. French Bulldog: 9.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Chihuahua or a French Bulldog?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Chihuahua's biggest single risk is periodontal disease, seen in 14% of the breed. For the French Bulldog it is hip dysplasia, at 33%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.