Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Dachshund | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $36,365 | $45,825 |
| First year | $5,965 | $6,595 |
| Monthly average | $216 | $292 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,241 | $3,121 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $303 |
| Documented conditions | 16 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 16 to 32 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 3.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $220 | $300 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 10% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 5% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Patellar luxation | 4% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 3% | $252–$679 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Pancreatitis | 2% | $254–$682 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1% | $169–$455 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Intervertebral disc disease | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Obesity | n/a | $168–$452 |
| 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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Expected vet costs are $0 for the Dachshund and $303 for the Labrador 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 Dachshund or a Labrador Retriever more expensive?
The Dachshund is cheaper by about $9,460 over a lifetime. Dachshund: $36,365. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Dachshund or a Labrador Retriever?
The Dachshund has the longer typical lifespan. Dachshund: 14 years. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Dachshund or a Labrador Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Dachshund'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.