Vet Costs by Dog Breed: 61 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 |
|---|---|
|
Mastiff
giant · 120-230 lbs
|
$800-$2,200 |
|
Bulldog
medium · 40-50 lbs
|
$700-$2,000 |
|
Saint Bernard
giant · 140-180 lbs
|
$750-$2,000 |
|
Cane Corso
giant · 90-130 lbs
|
$700-$1,800 |
|
Bernese Mountain Dog
large · 70-115 lbs
|
$650-$1,800 |
|
French Bulldog
small · 16-28 lbs
|
$650-$1,800 |
|
Bloodhound
large · 80-110 lbs
|
$650-$1,700 |
|
Persian
medium · 7-12 lbs
|
$600-$1,600 |
|
Sphynx
medium · 6-12 lbs
|
$580-$1,600 |
|
Scottish Fold
medium · 6-13 lbs
|
$550-$1,500 |
|
Great Dane
large · 110-175 lbs
|
$600-$1,500 |
|
Bull Terrier
medium · 50-70 lbs
|
$580-$1,500 |
|
Akita
large · 70-130 lbs
|
$620-$1,500 |
|
Boston Terrier
small · 12-25 lbs
|
$550-$1,400 |
|
Boxer
large · 55-75 lbs
|
$550-$1,400 |
|
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
small · 12-18 lbs
|
$550-$1,400 |
|
Doberman Pinscher
large · 60-100 lbs
|
$520-$1,400 |
|
Chow Chow
medium · 45-70 lbs
|
$520-$1,300 |
|
German Shepherd
large · 50-90 lbs
|
$500-$1,300 |
|
Rottweiler
large · 80-135 lbs
|
$500-$1,300 |
|
Great Pyrenees
large · 85-115 lbs
|
$530-$1,300 |
|
Basset Hound
medium · 40-65 lbs
|
$500-$1,300 |
|
Alaskan Malamute
large · 75-100 lbs
|
$550-$1,300 |
|
Golden Retriever
large · 55-75 lbs
|
$500-$1,200 |
|
Maine Coon
large · 10-25 lbs
|
$450-$1,200 |
|
Dalmatian
large · 45-70 lbs
|
$500-$1,200 |
|
Weimaraner
large · 55-90 lbs
|
$490-$1,200 |
|
Ragdoll
large · 10-20 lbs
|
$440-$1,150 |
|
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
small · 22-30 lbs
|
$450-$1,100 |
|
Miniature Schnauzer
small · 11-20 lbs
|
$430-$1,100 |
|
British Shorthair
medium · 7-17 lbs
|
$420-$1,100 |
|
Bengal
medium · 8-15 lbs
|
$430-$1,100 |
|
Samoyed
medium · 35-65 lbs
|
$450-$1,100 |
|
Siamese
medium · 6-14 lbs
|
$400-$1,100 |
|
Irish Setter
large · 60-70 lbs
|
$480-$1,100 |
|
Labrador Retriever
large · 55-80 lbs
|
$480-$1,100 |
|
Maltese
small · 4-7 lbs
|
$420-$1,050 |
|
Abyssinian
medium · 6-10 lbs
|
$400-$1,050 |
|
West Highland White Terrier
small · 15-22 lbs
|
$420-$1,000 |
|
Dachshund
small · 11-32 lbs
|
$400-$1,000 |
|
Cocker Spaniel
medium · 20-30 lbs
|
$420-$1,000 |
|
Pomeranian
small · 3-7 lbs
|
$400-$1,000 |
|
Poodle (Standard)
large · 40-70 lbs
|
$450-$1,000 |
|
Australian Shepherd
large · 40-65 lbs
|
$420-$1,000 |
|
Siberian Husky
large · 35-60 lbs
|
$420-$1,000 |
|
Vizsla
medium · 44-60 lbs
|
$410-$980 |
|
Havanese
small · 7-13 lbs
|
$390-$950 |
|
Border Collie
medium · 30-55 lbs
|
$420-$950 |
|
Shetland Sheepdog
small · 15-25 lbs
|
$400-$950 |
|
Yorkshire Terrier
small · 4-7 lbs
|
$380-$900 |
|
Standard Schnauzer
medium · 30-50 lbs
|
$380-$900 |
|
American Shorthair
medium · 8-15 lbs
|
$350-$900 |
|
Shih Tzu
small · 9-16 lbs
|
$380-$900 |
|
Bichon Frise
small · 12-18 lbs
|
$380-$900 |
|
German Shorthaired Pointer
large · 45-70 lbs
|
$400-$900 |
|
Shiba Inu
small · 17-23 lbs
|
$380-$880 |
|
Beagle
medium · 20-30 lbs
|
$380-$850 |
|
Whippet
medium · 25-40 lbs
|
$360-$850 |
|
Jack Russell Terrier
small · 13-17 lbs
|
$350-$850 |
|
Australian Cattle Dog
medium · 35-50 lbs
|
$350-$800 |
|
Chihuahua
small · 3-6 lbs
|
$300-$700 |
Quick Takeaways
- Most expensive: Bulldogs ($700-$2,000/yr), Bernese Mountain Dogs ($650-$1,800/yr), and French Bulldogs ($650-$1,800/yr). Breathing problems, cancer, and giant-breed size drive the bills.
- Cheapest: Beagles ($380-$850/yr), Yorkshire Terriers ($380-$900/yr), and Shih Tzus ($380-$900/yr). Smaller bodies mean lower medication costs across the board.
- Biggest surprise costs: Golden Retrievers (60%+ get cancer), Dobermans (over half develop heart disease), and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (nearly 100% develop heart murmurs).
- Insurance matters most for: Bulldogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Dobermans (cardiac), Cavaliers (cardiac), Dachshunds (IVDD), and Goldens (cancer).
Breed-by-Breed Breakdown
Mastiff
giant · 9 yr lifespan · 2-4 visits/year$800-$2,200
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (25-30%), Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) (8-12%)
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%)
Saint Bernard
giant · 9 yr lifespan · 2-4 visits/year$750-$2,000
per year
Top health issues: Hip and elbow dysplasia (30-35%), Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (10-15%)
Cane Corso
giant · 10 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year$700-$1,800
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (20-25%), Elbow dysplasia (12-18%)
Bernese Mountain Dog
large · 8 yr lifespan · 3-5 visits/year average$650-$1,800
per year
Top health issues: Cancer (histiocytic sarcoma) (40-50%), Hip and elbow dysplasia (15-20%)
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%)
Bloodhound
large · 11 yr lifespan · 2-4 visits/year$650-$1,700
per year
Top health issues: Bloat (GDV) (6-9%), Hip and elbow dysplasia (20-25%)
Persian
medium · 14 yr lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average$600-$1,600
per year
Top health issues: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) (35-40%), Brachycephalic issues (50-70%)
Sphynx
medium · 13 yr lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average$580-$1,600
per year
Top health issues: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (30-40%), Skin infections and sunburn (common)
Scottish Fold
medium · 13 yr lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average$550-$1,500
per year
Top health issues: Osteochondrodysplasia (100% of fold-fold crosses), Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (15-20%)
Great Dane
large · 8 yr lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average$600-$1,500
per year
Top health issues: Bloat (GDV) (25-40%), Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (15-25%)
Bull Terrier
medium · 12 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year$580-$1,500
per year
Top health issues: Hereditary nephritis (10-15%), Deafness (white Bull Terriers) (20% in whites)
Akita
large · 11 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year$620-$1,500
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (20-25%), Hypothyroidism (15-20%)
Boston Terrier
small · 13 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year$550-$1,400
per year
Top health issues: Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) (40-60%), Corneal ulcers (20-30%)
Boxer
large · 10 yr lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average$550-$1,400
per year
Top health issues: Cancer (mast cell tumors, lymphoma) (25-40%), Heart disease (ARVC, SAS) (10-15%)
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
small · 11 yr lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average$550-$1,400
per year
Top health issues: Mitral valve disease (MVD) (nearly 100%), Syringomyelia (SM) (25-70%)
Doberman Pinscher
large · 11 yr lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average$520-$1,400
per year
Top health issues: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (45-60%), Von Willebrand's disease (15-30%)
Chow Chow
medium · 12 yr lifespan · 2 visits/year$520-$1,300
per year
Top health issues: Entropion (eyelid rolling) (20-30%), Hip dysplasia (18-22%)
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%)
Great Pyrenees
large · 10 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$530-$1,300
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (10-15%), Bloat/GDV (5-8%)
Basset Hound
medium · 12 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year$500-$1,300
per year
Top health issues: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) (10-15%), Ear infections (Very common)
Alaskan Malamute
large · 11 yr lifespan · 2 visits/year$550-$1,300
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (15-20%), Hypothyroidism (10-15%)
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%)
Maine Coon
large · 13 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$450-$1,200
per year
Top health issues: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (25-35%), Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) (3-5%)
Dalmatian
large · 12 yr lifespan · 2 visits/year$500-$1,200
per year
Top health issues: Urolithiasis (urate stones) (40-50% lifetime risk), Deafness (8% bilateral, 22% unilateral)
Weimaraner
large · 11 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$490-$1,200
per year
Top health issues: Bloat/GDV (5-8%), Hip dysplasia (8-12%)
Ragdoll
large · 13 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$440-$1,150
per year
Top health issues: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (20-25%), Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) susceptibility (variable)
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
small · 13 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$450-$1,100
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (8-12%), Intervertebral disc disease (10-15%)
Miniature Schnauzer
small · 14 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$430-$1,100
per year
Top health issues: Hyperlipidemia (high triglycerides) (25-35%), Pancreatitis (15-20%)
British Shorthair
medium · 15 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year average$420-$1,100
per year
Top health issues: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (15-20%), Polycystic kidney disease (PKD1) (5-8%)
Bengal
medium · 14 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$430-$1,100
per year
Top health issues: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-b) (8-12%), Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (10-15%)
Samoyed
medium · 13 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year$450-$1,100
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (10-15%), Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy (Rare but severe)
Siamese
medium · 15 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$400-$1,100
per year
Top health issues: Dental disease (FORL) (40-50%), Amyloidosis (5-8%)
Irish Setter
large · 13 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year$480-$1,100
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (10-15%), Epilepsy (5-8%)
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%)
Maltese
small · 14 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$420-$1,050
per year
Top health issues: Dental disease (90%+), Patellar luxation (15-20%)
Abyssinian
medium · 15 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$400-$1,050
per year
Top health issues: Renal amyloidosis (5-8%), Progressive retinal atrophy (rdAc-PRA) (3-5%)
West Highland White Terrier
small · 14 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year if allergic$420-$1,000
per year
Top health issues: Atopic dermatitis (25-35%), Craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO) (2-5%)
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%)
Cocker Spaniel
medium · 13 yr lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average$420-$1,000
per year
Top health issues: Ear infections (30-40%), Eye conditions (glaucoma, cataracts, cherry eye) (10-15%)
Pomeranian
small · 14 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$400-$1,000
per year
Top health issues: Patellar luxation (20-25%), Dental disease (80%+)
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%)
Australian Shepherd
large · 13 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$420-$1,000
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (8-12%), Epilepsy (5-8%)
Siberian Husky
large · 13 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$420-$1,000
per year
Top health issues: Cataracts (10-18%), Hip dysplasia (5-8%)
Vizsla
medium · 13 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year average$410-$980
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (6-8%), Epilepsy (5-8%)
Havanese
small · 14 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year average$390-$950
per year
Top health issues: Dental disease (80%+), Patellar luxation (15-20%)
Border Collie
medium · 13 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year average$420-$950
per year
Top health issues: Hip dysplasia (5-8%), Collie eye anomaly (5-10%)
Shetland Sheepdog
small · 13 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year$400-$950
per year
Top health issues: Collie eye anomaly (CEA) (10-25%), Hip dysplasia (8-10%)
Yorkshire Terrier
small · 14 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$380-$900
per year
Top health issues: Dental disease (30-40%), Patellar luxation (15-20%)
Standard Schnauzer
medium · 14 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year$380-$900
per year
Top health issues: Hereditary eye diseases (PRA, cataracts) (5-10%), Hip dysplasia (5-10%)
American Shorthair
medium · 15 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year average$350-$900
per year
Top health issues: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (10-12%), Obesity (30-40%)
Shih Tzu
small · 14 yr lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average$380-$900
per year
Top health issues: Eye problems (proptosis, ulcers, dry eye) (15-25%), Dental disease (25-35%)
Bichon Frise
small · 14 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year$380-$900
per year
Top health issues: Allergies (skin + food) (20-30%), Bladder stones (10-15%)
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%)
Shiba Inu
small · 13 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year average$380-$880
per year
Top health issues: Allergies (15-20%), Glaucoma (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%)
Whippet
medium · 14 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year$360-$850
per year
Top health issues: Cardiac arrhythmias (3-5%), Skin lacerations (Common)
Jack Russell Terrier
small · 14 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year$350-$850
per year
Top health issues: Patellar luxation (8-12%), Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (5%)
Australian Cattle Dog
medium · 14 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year$350-$800
per year
Top health issues: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) (5-8%), Deafness (in merle coat dogs) (5-8%)
Chihuahua
small · 15 yr lifespan · 1-2 visits/year$300-$700
per year
Top health issues: Patellar luxation (10-15%), Dental disease (70%+)