Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Great Dane | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $41,924 | $37,904 |
| First year | $7,368 | $5,977 |
| Monthly average | $330 | $237 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,494 | $2,503 |
| Documented conditions | 22 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 110 to 175 lb | 4 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 6.7 cups | 0.6 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $668 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Periodontal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 21%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 4%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Overgrown nails | 6%1-yr clinical | $36–$98 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 40%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 29%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 17%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Cataracts (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Retained deciduous teeth (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | 7%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Dog bite (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Pancreatitis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Tracheal collapse (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
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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 $1,203 for the Yorkshire Terrier. 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 Yorkshire Terrier more expensive?
The Yorkshire Terrier is cheaper by about $4,020 over a lifetime. Great Dane: $41,924. Yorkshire Terrier: $37,904. 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 Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Great Dane: 10.6 years. Yorkshire Terrier: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Great Dane or a Yorkshire Terrier?
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 Yorkshire Terrier it is periodontal disease, at 21%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.