Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chow Chow | Golden Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,741 | $48,931 |
| First year | $6,613 | $7,175 |
| Monthly average | $294 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,139 | $3,301 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 12.1 yrs | 13.2 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 55 to 75 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 3.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $570 | $600 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, late onset |
| Biggest single risk | Elbow dysplasia | Dental disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow dysplasia | 51% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 22% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 6% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 6% | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dental disease | 70% | $246–$663 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 12% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 6% | $169–$455 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 3% | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Skin cancer/tumour | 3% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Cruciate disease | 3% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Acute moist dermatitis | 1% | $252–$679 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Chow Chow or a Golden Retriever more expensive?
The Chow Chow is cheaper by about $6,190 over a lifetime. Chow Chow: $42,741. Golden Retriever: $48,931. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Chow Chow or a Golden Retriever?
The Golden Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Chow Chow: 12.1 years. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years.
Which is healthier, a Chow Chow or a Golden Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Chow Chow's biggest single risk is elbow dysplasia, seen in 51% of the breed. For the Golden Retriever it is dental disease, at 70%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.