Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chow Chow | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,741 | $45,825 |
| First year | $6,613 | $6,595 |
| Monthly average | $294 | $292 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,139 | $3,121 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $303 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 12.1 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 3.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $570 | $300 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | 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 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow or a Labrador Retriever more expensive?
The Chow Chow is cheaper by about $3,084 over a lifetime. Chow Chow: $42,741. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Chow Chow or a Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Chow Chow: 12.1 years. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Chow Chow or a Labrador 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 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.