Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Dalmatian | Poodle |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $40,327 | $53,397 |
| First year | $5,830 | $7,295 |
| Monthly average | $255 | $318 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,706 | $3,421 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 26 |
| Median lifespan | 13.2 yrs | 14 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 45 to 70 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 3.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $965 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 11%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Urolithiasis (Urate crystals) | 8%owner survey | $1,515–$4,079 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 4%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Arthritis | 4%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Otitis externa | 3%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Urinary incontinence | 3%owner survey | $118–$318 |
| Epilepsy | 2%owner survey | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Congenital heart disease | 2%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1%screened dogs | not priced |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Ear Infection (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Sebaceous cysts (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cataracts (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Murmur (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chocolate (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Conjunctivitis (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 3%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Lipoma | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Addison's disease (primary hypoadrenocorticism) | 2%owner survey | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Conjunctivitis | 2%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Unspecified tumor/cancer | 2%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Ear mite infestation | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Entropion | 2%owner survey | $449–$1,209 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Addison's disease | n/a | $1,420–$3,822 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Dalmatian and $0 for the Poodle. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Dalmatian or a Poodle more expensive?
The Dalmatian is cheaper by about $13,070 over a lifetime. Dalmatian: $40,327. Poodle: $53,397. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Dalmatian or a Poodle?
The Poodle has the longer typical lifespan. Dalmatian: 13.2 years. Poodle: 14 years.
Which is healthier, a Dalmatian or a Poodle?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Dalmatian's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Poodle 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.