German Shepherd vs Maltese Cost Comparison 2026
German Shepherd costs $2,400/yr vs $1,720/yr for Maltese. Over a lifetime: $29,350 vs $26,680. Here's where the money goes.
German Shepherd
$29,350
lifetime (11 yrs)
Lifetime Difference
$2,670
Maltese costs less
Maltese
$26,680
lifetime (14 yrs)
Cost Breakdown
| Category | German Shepherd | Maltese | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $800–$2,500 | $800–$2,500 | Maltese |
| Annual Food | $720 | $220 | Maltese |
| Routine Vet Care | $600 | $450 | Maltese |
| Grooming | $100 | $480 | German Shepherd |
| Pet Insurance | $40–$75/mo | $24–$50/mo | Maltese |
| Supplies & Training | $440 | $230 | Maltese |
| Total Annual Cost | $2,400 | $1,720 | Maltese |
| Lifetime Cost | $29,350 | $26,680 | Maltese |
German Shepherd Cost Profile
- Size
- large
- Lifespan
- 11 years
- Purchase Price
- $800–$2,500
- Annual Cost
- $2,400/yr
- Lifetime Total
- $29,350
Maltese Cost Profile
- Size
- small
- Lifespan
- 14 years
- Purchase Price
- $800–$2,500
- Annual Cost
- $1,720/yr
- Lifetime Total
- $26,680
Bottom Line
Maltese costs $680/yr less than German Shepherd ($1,720 vs $2,400). Over a lifetime, that gap compounds to a $2,670 difference.