Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Dachshund | Doberman Pinscher |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $38,185 | $37,420 |
| First year | $6,095 | $6,769 |
| Monthly average | $227 | $278 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,371 | $2,895 |
| Documented conditions | 26 | 21 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 11.2 yrs |
| Adult weight | 16 to 32 lb | 60 to 100 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 4.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $250 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | High, late onset |
| Biggest single risk | Extracted teeth (US) | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Extracted teeth (US) | 38%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 30%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) (US) | 16%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Intervertebral disc disease | 16%lifetime, owner | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Intervertebral disc disease (US) | 15%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 10%owner survey | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Chocolate (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cataracts (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fractured teeth (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) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Pancreatitis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 5%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Patellar luxation | 4%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3%owner survey | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Lipoma | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Pancreatitis | 2%owner survey | $254–$682 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Obesity | n/a | $168–$452 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Urinary incontinence (US) | 15%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Dog bite (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Laceration (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 7%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Lick granuloma (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hypothyroidism (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 4%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Von Willebrand disease | n/a | $149–$401 |
| Wobbler syndrome | 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 Dachshund and $0 for the Doberman Pinscher. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Dachshund or a Doberman Pinscher more expensive?
The Doberman Pinscher is cheaper by about $765 over a lifetime. Dachshund: $38,185. Doberman Pinscher: $37,420. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Dachshund or a Doberman Pinscher?
The Dachshund has the longer typical lifespan. Dachshund: 14 years. Doberman Pinscher: 11.2 years.
Which is healthier, a Dachshund or a Doberman Pinscher?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Dachshund's biggest single risk is extracted teeth (us), seen in 38% of the breed. For the Doberman Pinscher 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.