Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Labrador Retriever | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $45,825 | $43,586 |
| First year | $6,595 | $7,076 |
| Monthly average | $292 | $279 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $2,000 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,121 | $2,952 |
| Expected health cost | $303 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 9 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 13 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 80 lb | 35 to 60 lb |
| Daily food | 3.8 cups | 2.9 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $513 |
| 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 | 12% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2% | $3,000–$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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog more expensive?
The Portuguese Water Dog is cheaper by about $2,239 over a lifetime. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. Portuguese Water Dog: $43,586. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Labrador Retriever or a Portuguese Water Dog?
The Labrador Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years. Portuguese Water Dog: 13 years.
Which is healthier, a Labrador Retriever or a Portuguese Water Dog?
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 Portuguese Water Dog 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.