Which breeds cost the most?
Side-by-side lifetime cost comparison of the 20 most popular dog breeds in the US, ranked from most to least expensive. All costs based on California averages.
Top 20 breeds by lifetime cost
Sorted from most expensive to least. Click any breed to see the full breakdown by state.
| # | Breed | Size | First Year | Annual | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cane Corso | giant | $11,550 | $7,250 | $82,000 |
| 2 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | small | $9,200 | $5,150 | $75,000 |
| 3 | Golden Retriever | large | $8,800 | $5,550 | $68,000 |
| 4 | German Shepherd | large | $8,800 | $5,550 | $68,000 |
| 5 | Great Dane | giant | $11,400 | $7,250 | $67,000 |
| 6 | French Bulldog | small | $10,800 | $5,150 | $66,000 |
| 7 | Doberman Pinscher | large | $8,550 | $5,300 | $65,500 |
| 8 | Boxer | large | $8,550 | $5,300 | $65,500 |
| 9 | Bulldog | medium | $11,050 | $6,000 | $63,000 |
| 10 | Poodle | medium | $6,550 | $4,200 | $59,000 |
| 11 | German Shorthaired Pointer | large | $6,950 | $4,050 | $58,000 |
| 12 | Shih Tzu | toy | $6,050 | $4,100 | $58,000 |
| 13 | Labrador Retriever | large | $7,250 | $4,300 | $57,000 |
| 14 | Australian Shepherd | medium | $6,300 | $3,950 | $55,500 |
| 15 | Rottweiler | large | $8,800 | $5,300 | $55,000 |
| 16 | Miniature Schnauzer | small | $5,400 | $3,550 | $50,000 |
| 17 | Dachshund | small | $5,150 | $3,200 | $49,000 |
| 18 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | small | $5,400 | $3,450 | $45,500 |
| 19 | Yorkshire Terrier | toy | $4,800 | $3,150 | $44,500 |
| 20 | Beagle | small | $5,100 | $3,200 | $42,500 |
What drives the cost difference?
The biggest cost factors between breeds are size (larger dogs eat more and need higher drug doses), lifespan (longer-lived breeds accumulate more years of expenses), and breed-specific health risks (some breeds face very expensive conditions like hip dysplasia, heart disease, or cancer).
Location matters too. The same breed can cost 30-40% more in high-cost states like New York or California compared to lower-cost states. Use our state-specific pages for personalized estimates.
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