Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Labrador Retriever | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $45,825 | $36,661 |
| First year | $6,595 | $5,309 |
| Monthly average | $292 | $228 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,121 | $2,435 |
| Expected health cost | $303 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 80 lb | 15 to 25 lb |
| Daily food | 3.8 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $354 |
| 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 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 12% | $169–$455 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Cryptorchidism | 3% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Colitis | 2% | $354–$954 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 2% | $534–$1,438 |
| Distichiasis | 2% | $662–$1,782 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1% | not priced |
| 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog more expensive?
The Shetland Sheepdog is cheaper by about $9,164 over a lifetime. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. Shetland Sheepdog: $36,661. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Labrador Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog?
The Shetland Sheepdog has the longer typical lifespan. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years. Shetland Sheepdog: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Labrador Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog?
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 Shetland Sheepdog 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.