Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Golden Retriever | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $48,931 | $36,661 |
| First year | $7,175 | $5,309 |
| Monthly average | $309 | $228 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,301 | $2,435 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 13.2 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 75 lb | 15 to 25 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $600 | $354 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Dental disease | Skin disease |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 12% | $169–$455 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Cryptorchidism | 3% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Colitis | 2% | $354–$954 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 2% | $534–$1,438 |
| Distichiasis | 2% | $662–$1,782 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1% | not priced |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Golden Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog more expensive?
The Shetland Sheepdog is cheaper by about $12,270 over a lifetime. Golden Retriever: $48,931. Shetland Sheepdog: $36,661. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Golden Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog?
The Shetland Sheepdog has the longer typical lifespan. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years. Shetland Sheepdog: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Golden Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog?
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 Shetland Sheepdog it is skin disease, at 36%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.