Vet Costs by Dog Breed: 10 Breeds Ranked
How much you'll spend at the vet depends on the breed. A Beagle runs $380-$850/year. A Bulldog can hit $2,000. Here's what each breed actually costs for vet care, sorted by the high end of annual spending.
| Breed | Annual Vet Cost |
|---|---|
|
Bulldog
medium · 40-50 lbs
|
$700-$2,000 |
|
French Bulldog
small · 16-28 lbs
|
$650-$1,800 |
|
German Shepherd
large · 50-90 lbs
|
$500-$1,300 |
|
Rottweiler
large · 80-135 lbs
|
$500-$1,300 |
|
Golden Retriever
large · 55-75 lbs
|
$500-$1,200 |
|
Labrador Retriever
large · 55-80 lbs
|
$480-$1,100 |
|
Dachshund
small · 11-32 lbs
|
$400-$1,000 |
|
Poodle (Standard)
large · 40-70 lbs
|
$450-$1,000 |
|
German Shorthaired Pointer
large · 45-70 lbs
|
$400-$900 |
|
Beagle
medium · 20-30 lbs
|
$380-$850 |
Quick Takeaways
- Most expensive: Bulldogs ($700-$2,000/yr) and French Bulldogs ($650-$1,800/yr). Brachycephalic breeds can't breathe, can't cool down, and rack up vet bills.
- Cheapest: Beagles ($380-$850/yr) and German Shorthaired Pointers ($400-$900/yr). Fewer genetic health problems means fewer vet visits.
- Biggest surprise cost: Golden Retrievers. Moderate annual costs, but 60%+ get cancer. One cancer diagnosis can cost $3,000-$15,000.
- Insurance matters most for: Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Dachshunds (IVDD risk), and Goldens (cancer risk).
Breed-by-Breed Breakdown
Bulldog
medium · 9 yr lifespan · 4-6 visits/year average$700-$2,000
per year
Top health issues: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (65-80%), Skin fold dermatitis (40-50%)
French Bulldog
small · 11 yr lifespan · 3-5 visits/year average$650-$1,800
per year
Top health issues: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (50-70%), Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) (15-20%)
German Shepherd
large · 10 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$500-$1,300
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (19-20%), Degenerative myelopathy (2-4%)
Rottweiler
large · 10 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$500-$1,300
per year
Top health issues: Cancer (osteosarcoma) (10-15%), Hip dysplasia (15-20%)
Golden Retriever
large · 11 yr lifespan · 2-4 visits/year average$500-$1,200
per year
Top health issues: Cancer (60%+), Hip dysplasia (10-12%)
Labrador Retriever
large · 12 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$480-$1,100
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (12-15%), Elbow dysplasia (10-12%)
Dachshund
small · 14 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$400-$1,000
per year
Top health issues: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) (20-25%), Obesity (20-30%)
Poodle (Standard)
large · 13 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$450-$1,000
per year
Top health issues: Bloat (GDV) (5-7%), Addison's disease (2-4%)
German Shorthaired Pointer
large · 13 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$400-$900
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (5-8%), Bloat (GDV) (3-5%)
Beagle
medium · 13 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$380-$850
per year
Top health issues: Ear infections (25-30%), Obesity (20-30%)