Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bulldog | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,783 | $45,825 |
| First year | $7,915 | $6,595 |
| Monthly average | $262 | $292 |
| Puppy price | $2,500 to $5,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,541 | $3,121 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $303 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 9.8 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 40 to 50 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 2.8 cups | 3.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $300 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Elbow dysplasia | Obesity |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow dysplasia | 40% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 14% | $662–$1,782 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 6% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Distichiasis | 5% | $662–$1,782 |
| Entropion | 4% | $449–$1,209 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 4% | $629–$1,694 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4% | not priced |
| Dermatitis | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Alopecia/Baldness | 3% | not priced |
| Pyoderma | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1% | not priced |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Skin fold dermatitis | n/a | $252–$679 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
| 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 | |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Bulldog 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 Bulldog or a Labrador Retriever more expensive?
The Bulldog is cheaper by about $15,043 over a lifetime. Bulldog: $30,783. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Bulldog or a Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Bulldog: 9.8 years. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Bulldog or a Labrador Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Bulldog's biggest single risk is elbow dysplasia, seen in 40% 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.