Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Irish Setter | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $43,602 | $45,825 |
| First year | $6,151 | $6,595 |
| Monthly average | $282 | $292 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,027 | $3,121 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $303 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 12.9 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 60 to 70 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 3.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $361 | $300 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | 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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 12% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 9% | $169–$455 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Urinary incontinence | 6% | $118–$318 |
| Gastric dilation-volvulus syndrome (GDV) / Bloat | 5% | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Lipoma | 5% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4% | not priced |
| Entropion | 3% | $449–$1,209 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Epilepsy | 2% | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Arthritis | 2% | $281–$756 |
| Cryptorchidism | 2% | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 2% | not priced |
| 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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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter or a Labrador Retriever more expensive?
The Irish Setter is cheaper by about $2,223 over a lifetime. Irish Setter: $43,602. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Irish Setter or a Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Irish Setter: 12.9 years. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Irish Setter or a Labrador Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Irish Setter'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.