Irish Wolfhound vs Maltese Cost Comparison 2026
Irish Wolfhound costs $3,130/yr vs $1,720/yr for Maltese. Over a lifetime: $25,910 vs $26,680. Here's where the money goes.
Irish Wolfhound
$25,910
lifetime (7 yrs)
Lifetime Difference
$770
Irish Wolfhound costs less
Maltese
$26,680
lifetime (14 yrs)
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Irish Wolfhound | Maltese | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $1,500–$3,500 | $800–$2,500 | Maltese |
| Annual Food | $1,100 | $220 | Maltese |
| Routine Vet Care | $750 | $450 | Maltese |
| Grooming | $120 | $480 | Irish Wolfhound |
| Pet Insurance | $50–$100/mo | $24–$50/mo | Maltese |
| Supplies & Training | $500 | $230 | Maltese |
| Total Annual Cost | $3,130 | $1,720 | Maltese |
| Lifetime Cost | $25,910 | $26,680 | Irish Wolfhound |
Irish Wolfhound Cost Profile
- Size
- giant
- Lifespan
- 7 years
- Purchase Price
- $1,500–$3,500
- Annual Cost
- $3,130/yr
- Lifetime Total
- $25,910
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 $1,410/yr less than Irish Wolfhound ($1,720 vs $3,130). Over a lifetime, that gap compounds to a $770 difference.