Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Golden Retriever | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $48,931 | $36,382 |
| First year | $7,175 | $5,612 |
| Monthly average | $309 | $226 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,301 | $2,388 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 13.2 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 75 lb | 15 to 20 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 1.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $600 | $339 |
| 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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 9% | $629–$1,694 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 4% | $252–$679 |
| Chronic Itching | 4% | $629–$1,694 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 4% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 4% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Otitis externa | 3% | $100–$270 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Otitis media | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 2% | $252–$679 |
| Pyoderma | 2% | $252–$679 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Golden Retriever or a West Highland White Terrier more expensive?
The West Highland White Terrier is cheaper by about $12,550 over a lifetime. Golden Retriever: $48,931. West Highland White Terrier: $36,382. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Golden Retriever or a West Highland White Terrier?
The West Highland White Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years. West Highland White Terrier: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Golden Retriever or a West Highland White Terrier?
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 West Highland White Terrier 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.