Adult weight30–60 lbs
Lifespan12–16 yrs
Monthly run-rate$178
First-year total (acquisition + setup + care)$4,389
−$662 vs. Catahoula Leopard DogAnnual recurring run-rate$2,134 / year≈ $178 / month steady state
Emergency reserve
Lifetime financial exposure, clinical risk tiers, and routine veterinary spend for the Mountain Cur and the Catahoula Leopard Dog, audited line by line against the US national baseline.
Over their full lifetimes the Mountain Cur runs $32,131 ($2,295 / yr amortized) against the Catahoula Leopard Dog's $33,717 ($2,810 / yr). Choosing the Mountain Cur saves roughly $1,586 over the animal's lifetime despite 2 extra years of routine care. The Catahoula Leopard Dog's premium is led by vet & insurance.
One-time onboarding capital and steady-state maintenance, line by line.
| Expense category & rationale | Mountain Cur | Catahoula Leopard Dog | Variance (Mountain Cur delta) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 · Initial Acquisition & Onboarding Capital | |||
Purchase / Adoption Fee Varies by breeder vs rescue | $1,000 | $1,100 | −$100 (−9%) |
Initial Vet Visit & Vaccinations Spay/neuter, microchip, health check | $660 | $700 | −$40 (−6%) |
Starter Supplies Bed, crate, collar, bowls, toys | $475 | $546 | −$71 (−13%) |
Training Classes Basic obedience recommended | $260 | $260 | $0 (Parity) |
| Subtotal · One-time onboarding capital | $2,395 | $2,606 | −$211 (−8%) |
| Phase 2 · Annual Recurring Operations (Year 2+) | |||
Food | $600 | $858 | −$258 (−30%) |
Vet Care | $627 | $700 | −$73 (−10%) |
Grooming | $78 | $78 | $0 (Parity) |
Pet Insurance | $689 | $809 | −$120 (−15%) |
Supplies & Toys | $140 | $161 | −$21 (−13%) |
| Subtotal · Annual recurring | $2,134 | $2,606 | −$472 (−18%) |
| Total annual run-rate (steady state) | $2,134 / yr | $2,606 / yr | −$472 (−18%) / yr |
| Lifetime actuarial total | $32,131 | $33,717 | −$1,586 (−5%) |
Mountain Cur: 14 yrs · Catahoula Leopard Dog: 12 yrs
Why the underwriting tiers diverge, and the liquid buffer each breed warrants before acquisition.
A lean, working-bred medium dog with no defining expensive syndrome, whose main cost drivers are hip problems and ear infections from folded ears.
A loose or malformed hip joint that wears into arthritis and can need surgery in severe cases.
Folded ears trap moisture and debris, so outer ear infections recur and need exams, cleaning and drops.
Breed-average vet spend driven by orthopedic wear from a high-energy working lifestyle rather than any single defining syndrome.
Coat load, energy, and temperament shape boarding, grooming, and handling costs beyond the medical ledger.
Adjust the compounded annual CPI. Veterinary clinical services have trailed near +7.8% YoY; the pet-care basket sits lower.
Tune your metro ZIP, daily-care schedule, nutrition grade, and insurance deductible in the live actuarial engine.
Primary cost driver: Vet & insurance
Primary cost driver: Vet & insurance
A working, large-boned breed that can develop joint laxity leading to arthritis in the hips as it ages.
Merle coat genetics carried by this breed raise the odds of partial or total hearing loss, sometimes needing lifelong management.
An inherited eye condition that gradually reduces vision and can require ongoing ophthalmology visits to monitor.
A high-drive herding and hunting temperament pushes this dog into activity levels that raise the chance of soft-tissue and ligament injuries.