Adult weight7–14 lbs
Lifespan12–14 yrs
Monthly run-rate$207
First-year total (acquisition + setup + care)$4,559
+$136 vs. Lhasa ApsoAnnual recurring run-rate$2,484 / year≈ $207 / month steady state
Emergency reserve
Lifetime financial exposure, clinical risk tiers, and routine veterinary spend for the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso, audited line by line against the US national baseline.
Over their full lifetimes the Pekingese runs $34,367 ($2,644 / yr amortized) against the Lhasa Apso's $32,599 ($2,508 / yr). Choosing the Lhasa Apso saves roughly $1,768 over the animal's lifetime. The Pekingese's premium is led by vet & insurance.
One-time onboarding capital and steady-state maintenance, line by line.
| Expense category & rationale | Pekingese | Lhasa Apso | Variance (Pekingese delta) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 · Initial Acquisition & Onboarding Capital | |||
Purchase / Adoption Fee Varies by breeder vs rescue | $900 | $900 | $0 (Parity) |
Initial Vet Visit & Vaccinations Spay/neuter, microchip, health check | $607 | $607 | $0 (Parity) |
Starter Supplies Bed, crate, collar, bowls, toys | $437 | $437 | $0 (Parity) |
Training Classes Basic obedience recommended | $260 | $260 | $0 (Parity) |
| Subtotal · One-time onboarding capital | $2,204 | $2,204 | $0 (Parity) |
| Phase 2 · Annual Recurring Operations (Year 2+) | |||
Food | $151 | $197 | −$46 (−23%) |
Vet Care | $668 | $607 | +$61 (+10%) |
Grooming | $741 | $741 | $0 (Parity) |
Pet Insurance | $795 | $674 | +$121 (+18%) |
Supplies & Toys | $129 | $129 | $0 (Parity) |
| Subtotal · Annual recurring | $2,484 | $2,348 | +$136 (+6%) |
| Total annual run-rate (steady state) | $2,484 / yr | $2,348 / yr | +$136 (+6%) / yr |
| Lifetime actuarial total | $34,367 | $32,599 | +$1,768 (+5%) |
Pekingese: 13 yrs · Lhasa Apso: 13 yrs
Why the underwriting tiers diverge, and the liquid buffer each breed warrants before acquisition.
A flat face brings airway and eye problems, and a long back over short legs adds disc disease that can need costly spinal surgery.
A flat face leaves narrow nostrils and a long soft palate, so breathing is noisy and heat is hard to shed.
Long back and short legs make discs prone to herniating, causing neck or back pain and sometimes paralysis.
Prominent eyes and shallow sockets expose the cornea to scratches that can turn into deep, slow-healing ulcers.
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
Eye problems such as cherry eye and dry eye recur in the breed and add ongoing vet cost, but there is no single defining expensive syndrome.
The tear gland of the third eyelid slips out of place and shows as a red bulge, usually fixed by surgery.
Low tear production dries and inflames the cornea and usually needs lifelong eye drops.
The kneecap slips out of its groove, causing skipping and lameness, and severe grades need orthopaedic surgery.