Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Great Dane | Pomeranian |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $41,924 | $30,779 |
| First year | $7,368 | $5,635 |
| Monthly average | $330 | $210 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,494 | $2,161 |
| Documented conditions | 22 | 9 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 12.2 yrs |
| Adult weight | 110 to 175 lb | 3 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 6.7 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $338 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | 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 |
| Dog bite (US) | 15%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Laceration (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Torn or broken toenail (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Food or medicine allergies that affect the skin (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Roundworms (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Entropion (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Food or medicine allergies (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 5%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Wobbler syndrome | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 19%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
| 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 Great Dane and $0 for the Pomeranian. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Great Dane or a Pomeranian more expensive?
The Pomeranian is cheaper by about $11,145 over a lifetime. Great Dane: $41,924. Pomeranian: $30,779. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Great Dane or a Pomeranian?
The Pomeranian has the longer typical lifespan. Great Dane: 10.6 years. Pomeranian: 12.2 years.
Which is healthier, a Great Dane or a Pomeranian?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Great Dane's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Pomeranian 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.