Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Dalmatian | Golden Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,954 | $48,931 |
| First year | $6,029 | $7,175 |
| Monthly average | $271 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,905 | $3,301 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 13.2 yrs | 13.2 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 55 to 75 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 3.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $336 | $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 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 11% | $169–$455 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Urolithiasis (Urate crystals) | 8% | $1,515–$4,079 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5% | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 5% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 4% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Otitis externa | 3% | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Urinary incontinence | 3% | $118–$318 |
| Epilepsy | 2% | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Congenital heart disease | 2% | $534–$1,438 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 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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Common questions
Is a Dalmatian or a Golden Retriever more expensive?
The Dalmatian is cheaper by about $5,977 over a lifetime. Dalmatian: $42,954. Golden Retriever: $48,931. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Dalmatian or a Golden Retriever?
The Dalmatian has the longer typical lifespan. Dalmatian: 13.2 years. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years.
Which is healthier, a Dalmatian or a Golden Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Dalmatian'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.