Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Miniature Schnauzer | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,641 | $37,854 |
| First year | $5,726 | $6,984 |
| Monthly average | $236 | $298 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,502 | $3,110 |
| Documented conditions | 29 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 13.3 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 11 to 20 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 1.3 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $462 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Periodontal disease | Digestive 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 12%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Skin disease | 11%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Cancer | 8%1-yr clinical | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Ear disease | 6%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Cruciate disease | 5%owner survey | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Arthritis | 4%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%owner survey | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 3%owner survey | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Otitis externa | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Bone cancer/tumor | 2%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
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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 Rottweiler. 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 Rottweiler more expensive?
The Miniature Schnauzer is cheaper by about $213 over a lifetime. Miniature Schnauzer: $37,641. Rottweiler: $37,854. 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 Rottweiler?
The Miniature Schnauzer has the longer typical lifespan. Miniature Schnauzer: 13.3 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Miniature Schnauzer or a Rottweiler?
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 Rottweiler it is digestive disease, at 30%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.