Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Dachshund | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $38,185 | $36,956 |
| First year | $6,095 | $5,331 |
| Monthly average | $227 | $230 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,371 | $2,457 |
| Documented conditions | 26 | 28 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 16 to 32 lb | 15 to 25 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $338 |
| 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 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 29%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 23%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 12%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 10%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 |
| Hearing loss (incompletely deaf) (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chronic kidney disease (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fleas (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Arthritis | 4%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Cryptorchidism | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 3%owner survey | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Colitis | 2%owner survey | $354–$954 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 2%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Distichiasis | 2%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1%screened dogs | not priced |
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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 Shetland Sheepdog. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Dachshund or a Shetland Sheepdog more expensive?
The Shetland Sheepdog is cheaper by about $1,229 over a lifetime. Dachshund: $38,185. Shetland Sheepdog: $36,956. 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 Shetland Sheepdog?
The Dachshund has the longer typical lifespan. Dachshund: 14 years. Shetland Sheepdog: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Dachshund or a Shetland Sheepdog?
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 Shetland Sheepdog 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.