Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Rottweiler | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,854 | $38,107 |
| First year | $6,984 | $5,775 |
| Monthly average | $298 | $248 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,110 | $2,651 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 28 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 12.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 80 to 135 lb | 9 to 16 lb |
| Daily food | 5.4 cups | 1.1 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $668 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Digestive 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 10%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 27%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 22%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cutaneous disorder | 17%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) (US) | 16%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Cataracts (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental disorder | 13%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ear Infection (US) | 13%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Corneal ulcer (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Umbilical hernia | 12%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Murmur (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ophthalmological disorder | 12%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 11%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Pruritis (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Underbite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear disease | 6%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3%owner survey | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 2%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Unspecified Eye | 2%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 2%owner survey | $3,776–$10,168 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Rottweiler and $590 for the Shih Tzu. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Rottweiler or a Shih Tzu more expensive?
The Rottweiler is cheaper by about $253 over a lifetime. Rottweiler: $37,854. Shih Tzu: $38,107. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Rottweiler or a Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu has the longer typical lifespan. Rottweiler: 10.6 years. Shih Tzu: 12.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Rottweiler or a Shih Tzu?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Rottweiler's biggest single risk is digestive disease, seen in 30% of the breed. For the Shih Tzu it is periodontal disease, at 10%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.