Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chihuahua | German Shorthaired Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $27,184 | $40,905 |
| First year | $4,769 | $5,830 |
| Monthly average | $192 | $254 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $1,995 | $2,706 |
| Documented conditions | 22 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 6 lb | 45 to 70 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 3.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Low |
| Biggest single risk | Periodontal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Lipoma | 11%owner survey | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 6%owner survey | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Skin lump | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Epilepsy | 1%owner survey | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Spondylosis | 1%owner survey | not priced |
| Cruciate disease | 1%owner survey | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 1%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $808 for the Chihuahua and $0 for the German Shorthaired Pointer. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Chihuahua or a German Shorthaired Pointer more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $13,721 over a lifetime. Chihuahua: $27,184. German Shorthaired Pointer: $40,905. 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 German Shorthaired Pointer?
The German Shorthaired Pointer has the longer typical lifespan. Chihuahua: 11.8 years. German Shorthaired Pointer: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Chihuahua or a German Shorthaired Pointer?
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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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.