Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chihuahua | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $27,184 | $37,854 |
| First year | $4,769 | $6,984 |
| Monthly average | $192 | $298 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $1,995 | $3,110 |
| Documented conditions | 22 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 6 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Periodontal disease | Digestive 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 12%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Skin disease | 11%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Cancer | 8%1-yr clinical | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Ear disease | 6%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Cruciate disease | 5%owner survey | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Arthritis | 4%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%owner survey | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 3%owner survey | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Otitis externa | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Bone cancer/tumor | 2%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
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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 Rottweiler. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Chihuahua or a Rottweiler more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $10,670 over a lifetime. Chihuahua: $27,184. Rottweiler: $37,854. 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 Rottweiler?
The Chihuahua has the longer typical lifespan. Chihuahua: 11.8 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Chihuahua or a Rottweiler?
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 Rottweiler it is digestive disease, at 30%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.