Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Labrador Retriever | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $45,825 | $38,669 |
| First year | $6,595 | $6,163 |
| Monthly average | $292 | $221 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,121 | $2,289 |
| Expected health cost | $303 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 18 | 9 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 14.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 80 lb | 17 to 23 lb |
| Daily food | 3.8 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $208 |
| 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 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 9% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 7% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| 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 Shiba Inu. 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 Shiba Inu more expensive?
The Shiba Inu is cheaper by about $7,156 over a lifetime. Labrador Retriever: $45,825. Shiba Inu: $38,669. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Labrador Retriever or a Shiba Inu?
The Shiba Inu has the longer typical lifespan. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years. Shiba Inu: 14.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Labrador Retriever or a Shiba Inu?
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 Shiba Inu 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.