Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Dachshund | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $38,185 | $38,392 |
| First year | $6,095 | $5,762 |
| Monthly average | $227 | $239 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,371 | $2,538 |
| Documented conditions | 26 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 16 to 32 lb | 15 to 20 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 1.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $462 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Extracted teeth (US) | Allergic skin disorder |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allergic skin disorder | 7%1-yr clinical | $629–$1,694 |
| Obesity | 6%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Overgrown nails | 7%1-yr clinical | $36–$98 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Cutaneous disorder | 23%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Dental disorder | 18%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Aural disorder | 12%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 9%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 4%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Chronic Itching | 4%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 4%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 4%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Otitis externa | 3%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 2%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Otitis media | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 2%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Pyoderma | 2%owner survey | $252–$679 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Dachshund and $1,131 for the West Highland White Terrier. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Dachshund or a West Highland White Terrier more expensive?
The Dachshund is cheaper by about $207 over a lifetime. Dachshund: $38,185. West Highland White Terrier: $38,392. 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 West Highland White Terrier?
The Dachshund has the longer typical lifespan. Dachshund: 14 years. West Highland White Terrier: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Dachshund or a West Highland White Terrier?
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 West Highland White Terrier it is allergic skin disorder, at 7%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.