Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Cocker Spaniel | Golden Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $35,799 | $48,931 |
| First year | $5,495 | $7,175 |
| Monthly average | $224 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,371 | $3,301 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 13.3 yrs | 13.2 yrs |
| Adult weight | 20 to 30 lb | 55 to 75 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 3.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $225 | $600 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | High, late onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Dental disease |
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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7% | $169–$455 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 7% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Patellar luxation | 6% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Lipoma | 5% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Otitis media | 1% | $100–$270 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 1% | $629–$1,694 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 1% | $224–$604 |
| Pancreatitis | 1% | $254–$682 |
| Otitis externa | 1% | $100–$270 |
| Skin lump | 1% | not priced |
| 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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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Cocker Spaniel and $0 for the Golden Retriever. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
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Common questions
Is a Cocker Spaniel or a Golden Retriever more expensive?
The Cocker Spaniel is cheaper by about $13,133 over a lifetime. Cocker Spaniel: $35,799. Golden Retriever: $48,931. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Cocker Spaniel or a Golden Retriever?
The Cocker Spaniel has the longer typical lifespan. Cocker Spaniel: 13.3 years. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years.
Which is healthier, a Cocker Spaniel or a Golden Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Cocker Spaniel's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% 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.