Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Labrador Retriever | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $45,825 | $32,913 |
| First year | $6,595 | $5,637 |
| Monthly average | $292 | $209 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,121 | $2,163 |
| Expected health cost | $303 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 8 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 80 lb | 4 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 3.8 cups | 0.6 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $270 |
| 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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 5% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $303 for the Labrador Retriever and $0 for the Maltese. 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 Maltese more expensive?
The Maltese is cheaper by about $12,912 over a lifetime. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. Maltese: $32,913. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Labrador Retriever or a Maltese?
The Labrador Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years. Maltese: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Labrador Retriever or a Maltese?
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 Maltese 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.