Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Golden Retriever | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $48,931 | $45,825 |
| First year | $7,175 | $6,595 |
| Monthly average | $309 | $292 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,301 | $3,121 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $303 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 13.2 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 75 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 3.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $600 | $300 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Dental disease | Obesity |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever more expensive?
The Labrador Retriever is cheaper by about $3,106 over a lifetime. Golden Retriever: $48,931. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever?
The Golden Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Golden Retriever's biggest single risk is dental disease, seen in 70% 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.