Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Rottweiler | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,854 | $37,904 |
| First year | $6,984 | $5,977 |
| Monthly average | $298 | $237 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,110 | $2,503 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 10.6 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 80 to 135 lb | 4 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 5.4 cups | 0.6 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 | 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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Common questions
Is a Rottweiler or a Yorkshire Terrier more expensive?
The Rottweiler is cheaper by about $50 over a lifetime. Rottweiler: $37,854. 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 Rottweiler or a Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Rottweiler: 10.6 years. Yorkshire Terrier: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Rottweiler or a Yorkshire Terrier?
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 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.