Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chihuahua | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $27,184 | $37,904 |
| First year | $4,769 | $5,977 |
| Monthly average | $192 | $237 |
| Puppy price | $800 to $2,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $1,995 | $2,503 |
| Documented conditions | 22 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 3 to 6 lb | 4 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 0.5 cups | 0.6 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $668 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Periodontal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 $808 for the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $10,720 over a lifetime. Chihuahua: $27,184. 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 Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Chihuahua: 11.8 years. Yorkshire Terrier: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier?
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 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.