Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Miniature Schnauzer | Pomeranian |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,641 | $30,779 |
| First year | $5,726 | $5,635 |
| Monthly average | $236 | $210 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $2,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,502 | $2,161 |
| Documented conditions | 29 | 9 |
| Median lifespan | 13.3 yrs | 12.2 yrs |
| Adult weight | 11 to 20 lb | 3 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 1.3 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $462 | $338 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Periodontal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 17%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Obesity/overweight | 8%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Vomiting | 5%1-yr clinical | $254–$682 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 34%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Dental disorder | 19%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 19%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Enteropathy | 14%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Pancreatitis (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Cataracts (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Chocolate (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Sebaceous cysts (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Lipoma | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 3%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Dermatitis | 2%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 2%screened dogs | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 1%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Chronic Itching | 1%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 1%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Pancreatitis | n/a | $254–$682 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hyperlipidaemia | 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 |
| 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 $1,454 for the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer or a Pomeranian more expensive?
The Pomeranian is cheaper by about $6,862 over a lifetime. Miniature Schnauzer: $37,641. 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 Miniature Schnauzer or a Pomeranian?
The Miniature Schnauzer has the longer typical lifespan. Miniature Schnauzer: 13.3 years. Pomeranian: 12.2 years.
Which is healthier, a Miniature Schnauzer or a Pomeranian?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Miniature Schnauzer's biggest single risk is periodontal disease, seen in 17% 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.