Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | German Shepherd | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,988 | $36,956 |
| First year | $6,969 | $5,331 |
| Monthly average | $295 | $230 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,095 | $2,457 |
| Documented conditions | 31 | 28 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 65 to 90 lb | 15 to 25 lb |
| Daily food | 4.3 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $338 |
| 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 |
| 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 $735 for the German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd or a Shetland Sheepdog more expensive?
The Shetland Sheepdog is cheaper by about $3,032 over a lifetime. German Shepherd: $39,988. 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 German Shepherd or a Shetland Sheepdog?
The Shetland Sheepdog has the longer typical lifespan. German Shepherd: 11.3 years. Shetland Sheepdog: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a German Shepherd or a Shetland Sheepdog?
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 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.