Adult weight20–40 lbs
Lifespan12–14 yrs
Monthly run-rate$188
First-year total (acquisition + setup + care)$4,514
+$18 vs. BrittanyAnnual recurring run-rate$2,259 / year≈ $188 / month steady state
Emergency reserve
Lifetime financial exposure, clinical risk tiers, and routine veterinary spend for the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje and the Brittany, audited line by line against the US national baseline.
Over their full lifetimes the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje runs $31,622 ($2,432 / yr amortized) against the Brittany's $31,388 ($2,414 / yr). Choosing the Brittany saves roughly $234 over the animal's lifetime. The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje's premium is led by vet & insurance.
One-time onboarding capital and steady-state maintenance, line by line.
| Expense category & rationale | Nederlandse Kooikerhondje | Brittany | Variance (Nederlandse Kooikerhondje delta) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 · Initial Acquisition & Onboarding Capital | |||
Purchase / Adoption Fee Varies by breeder vs rescue | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 (Parity) |
Initial Vet Visit & Vaccinations Spay/neuter, microchip, health check | $660 | $660 | $0 (Parity) |
Starter Supplies Bed, crate, collar, bowls, toys | $475 | $475 | $0 (Parity) |
Training Classes Basic obedience recommended | $260 | $260 | $0 (Parity) |
| Subtotal · One-time onboarding capital | $2,395 | $2,395 | $0 (Parity) |
| Phase 2 · Annual Recurring Operations (Year 2+) | |||
Food | $398 | $497 | −$99 (−20%) |
Vet Care | $660 | $660 | $0 (Parity) |
Grooming | $312 | $195 | +$117 (+60%) |
Pet Insurance | $749 | $749 | $0 (Parity) |
Supplies & Toys | $140 | $140 | $0 (Parity) |
| Subtotal · Annual recurring | $2,259 | $2,241 | +$18 (+1%) |
| Total annual run-rate (steady state) | $2,259 / yr | $2,241 / yr | +$18 (+1%) / yr |
| Lifetime actuarial total | $31,622 | $31,388 | +$234 (+1%) |
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje: 13 yrs · Brittany: 13 yrs
Why the underwriting tiers diverge, and the liquid buffer each breed warrants before acquisition.
A small founder population brings inherited risks such as epilepsy and kneecap problems, but the breed is otherwise sturdy and mid-sized.
The kneecap slips out of its groove, causing skipping lameness and sometimes needing surgical correction.
Recurrent seizures with no structural cause, managed for life with daily anticonvulsant medication and monitoring bloodwork.
A rare inherited spinal cord disease of the breed causing progressive hind-limb weakness in young puppies, with a DNA test available.
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 reported epilepsy predisposition and meaningful hip dysplasia rate keep vet costs near breed-average for an otherwise generally hardy, high-energy sporting dog.
A joint malformation seen at a meaningful rate in the breed that can cause lameness and arthritis without early screening.
A reported neurological predisposition in the breed causing recurring seizures that usually need lifelong medication once diagnosed.
The breed's drop ears trap moisture after swimming or fieldwork, leading to periodic bacterial or yeast ear infections.
An underactive thyroid that causes weight gain and lethargy, manageable with daily medication once diagnosed via bloodwork.