Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Cattle Dog | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $41,439 | $45,825 |
| First year | $5,631 | $6,595 |
| Monthly average | $247 | $292 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,200 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,657 | $3,121 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $303 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 35 to 50 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 2.7 cups | 3.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $284 | $300 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Obesity |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 17% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 12% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1% | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 9% | $168–$452 |
| Dental disease | 76% | $246–$663 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Lipoma | 6% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Hip dysplasia | 2% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 2% | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 2% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Skin cancer/tumour | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | n/a | $2,291–$6,169 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Expected total | $303 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Australian Cattle Dog and $303 for the Labrador Retriever. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Australian Cattle Dog or a Labrador Retriever more expensive?
The Australian Cattle Dog is cheaper by about $4,386 over a lifetime. Australian Cattle Dog: $41,439. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Australian Cattle Dog or a Labrador Retriever?
The Australian Cattle Dog has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Cattle Dog: 14 years. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Australian Cattle Dog or a Labrador Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Australian Cattle Dog's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Labrador Retriever it is obesity, at 9%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.