Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Dachshund | Rhodesian Ridgeback |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $38,185 | $39,391 |
| First year | $6,095 | $6,499 |
| Monthly average | $227 | $274 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,500 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,371 | $2,875 |
| Documented conditions | 26 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 12 yrs |
| Adult weight | 16 to 32 lb | 70 to 85 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $250 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 9%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 9%owner survey | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 7%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 6%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 5%screened dogs | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 4%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Skin lump | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 3%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Dermatitis | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Arthritis | 2%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Hypothyroidism/Under-active thyroid | 2%owner survey | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
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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 Rhodesian Ridgeback. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Dachshund or a Rhodesian Ridgeback more expensive?
The Dachshund is cheaper by about $1,206 over a lifetime. Dachshund: $38,185. Rhodesian Ridgeback: $39,391. 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback?
The Dachshund has the longer typical lifespan. Dachshund: 14 years. Rhodesian Ridgeback: 12 years.
Which is healthier, a Dachshund or a Rhodesian Ridgeback?
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 Rhodesian Ridgeback 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.