Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chow Chow | French Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $40,164 | $29,367 |
| First year | $6,400 | $7,995 |
| Monthly average | $277 | $250 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $2,000 to $6,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,926 | $2,371 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 12.1 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 20 to 28 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 1.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $184 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Elbow dysplasia | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow dysplasia | 51%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 22%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 6%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 6%screened dogs | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| 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 $0 for the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow or a French Bulldog more expensive?
The French Bulldog is cheaper by about $10,797 over a lifetime. Chow Chow: $40,164. 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 Chow Chow or a French Bulldog?
The Chow Chow has the longer typical lifespan. Chow Chow: 12.1 years. French Bulldog: 9.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Chow Chow or a French Bulldog?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Chow Chow's biggest single risk is elbow dysplasia, seen in 51% 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.