Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Poodle | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $53,397 | $38,392 |
| First year | $7,295 | $5,762 |
| Monthly average | $318 | $239 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,421 | $2,538 |
| Documented conditions | 26 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 15 to 20 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 1.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $965 | $462 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Allergic skin disorder |
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 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Ear Infection (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Sebaceous cysts (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cataracts (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Murmur (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chocolate (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Conjunctivitis (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 3%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Lipoma | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Addison's disease (primary hypoadrenocorticism) | 2%owner survey | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Conjunctivitis | 2%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Unspecified tumor/cancer | 2%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Ear mite infestation | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Entropion | 2%owner survey | $449–$1,209 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Addison's disease | n/a | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Allergic skin disorder | 7%1-yr clinical | $629–$1,694 |
| Obesity | 6%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Overgrown nails | 7%1-yr clinical | $36–$98 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Cutaneous disorder | 23%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Dental disorder | 18%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Aural disorder | 12%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 9%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 4%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Chronic Itching | 4%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 4%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 4%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Otitis externa | 3%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 2%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Otitis media | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 2%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Pyoderma | 2%owner survey | $252–$679 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Poodle and $1,131 for the West Highland White Terrier. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Poodle or a West Highland White Terrier more expensive?
The West Highland White Terrier is cheaper by about $15,005 over a lifetime. Poodle: $53,397. West Highland White Terrier: $38,392. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Poodle or a West Highland White Terrier?
The Poodle has the longer typical lifespan. Poodle: 14 years. West Highland White Terrier: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Poodle or a West Highland White Terrier?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Poodle's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the West Highland White Terrier it is allergic skin disorder, at 7%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.