Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | German Shepherd | Irish Setter |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,988 | $43,138 |
| First year | $6,969 | $6,115 |
| Monthly average | $295 | $279 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,095 | $2,991 |
| Documented conditions | 31 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 12.9 yrs |
| Adult weight | 65 to 90 lb | 60 to 70 lb |
| Daily food | 4.3 cups | 3.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $470 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Diarrhea | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 5%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Osteoarthritis | 6%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Overweight/obesity | 5%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 19%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disorder | 15%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Cutaneous disorder | 14%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Aural disorder | 11%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gastroenteropathy | 10%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ear infection (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fractured teeth (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Behavioral disorder | 6%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Pruritis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Sebaceous cysts (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Torn or broken toenail (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Aggression | 5%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis externa | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Gastric dilatation volvulus | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | n/a | not priced |
| 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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 12%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 9%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Urinary incontinence | 6%owner survey | $118–$318 |
| Gastric dilation-volvulus syndrome (GDV) / Bloat | 5%owner survey | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Lipoma | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Entropion | 3%owner survey | $449–$1,209 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Epilepsy | 2%owner survey | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Arthritis | 2%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Cryptorchidism | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 2%screened dogs | not priced |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $735 for the German Shepherd and $0 for the Irish Setter. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a German Shepherd or an Irish Setter more expensive?
The German Shepherd is cheaper by about $3,150 over a lifetime. German Shepherd: $39,988. Irish Setter: $43,138. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a German Shepherd or an Irish Setter?
The Irish Setter has the longer typical lifespan. German Shepherd: 11.3 years. Irish Setter: 12.9 years.
Which is healthier, a German Shepherd or an Irish Setter?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The German Shepherd's biggest single risk is diarrhea, seen in 5% of the breed. For the Irish Setter 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.