Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | German Shorthaired Pointer | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $40,905 | $42,711 |
| First year | $5,830 | $6,226 |
| Monthly average | $254 | $245 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,706 | $2,602 |
| Documented conditions | 17 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 13.4 yrs | 14.5 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 7 to 13 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 0.9 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $668 |
| Risk profile | Low | Low |
| 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 |
| Lipoma | 11%owner survey | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 6%owner survey | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Skin lump | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Epilepsy | 1%owner survey | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Spondylosis | 1%owner survey | not priced |
| Cruciate disease | 1%owner survey | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 1%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 27%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 23%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Murmur (US) | 13%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 9%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Gingivitis (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Giardia (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Pancreatitis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 7%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear Infection (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the German Shorthaired Pointer and $0 for the Havanese. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a German Shorthaired Pointer or a Havanese more expensive?
The German Shorthaired Pointer is cheaper by about $1,806 over a lifetime. German Shorthaired Pointer: $40,905. Havanese: $42,711. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a German Shorthaired Pointer or a Havanese?
The Havanese has the longer typical lifespan. German Shorthaired Pointer: 13.4 years. Havanese: 14.5 years.
Which is healthier, a German Shorthaired Pointer or a Havanese?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The German Shorthaired Pointer's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Havanese 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.