Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Labrador Retriever | Lhasa Apso |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $45,825 | $37,165 |
| First year | $6,595 | $5,465 |
| Monthly average | $292 | $221 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,121 | $2,341 |
| Expected health cost | $303 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 14 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 80 lb | 12 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 3.8 cups | 1.2 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $325 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Obesity | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| 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 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | 8% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Umbilical hernia | 6% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 5% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 4% | $662–$1,782 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 2% | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 1% | $224–$604 |
| Otitis externa | 1% | $100–$270 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 1% | $252–$679 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $303 for the Labrador Retriever and $0 for the Lhasa Apso. 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 Labrador Retriever or a Lhasa Apso more expensive?
The Lhasa Apso is cheaper by about $8,660 over a lifetime. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. Lhasa Apso: $37,165. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Labrador Retriever or a Lhasa Apso?
The Lhasa Apso has the longer typical lifespan. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years. Lhasa Apso: 14 years.
Which is healthier, a Labrador Retriever or a Lhasa Apso?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Labrador Retriever's biggest single risk is obesity, seen in 9% of the breed. For the Lhasa Apso 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.