Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Australian Cattle Dog | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,881 | $41,265 |
| First year | $5,734 | $6,016 |
| Monthly average | $255 | $263 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,200 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,760 | $2,792 |
| Documented conditions | 21 | 28 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 35 to 50 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 2.7 cups | 3.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $398 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Dental calculus (US) | Degenerative joint disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dental calculus (US) | 37%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Dog bite (US) | 32%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Fractured teeth (US) | 24%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 24%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 23%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 17%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chocolate (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Bordetella and/or parainfluenza (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 12%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Torn or broken toenail (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1%screened dogs | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Degenerative joint disease | 6%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Overweight/obesity | 9%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Obesity | 9%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Dental disease | 76%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fractured teeth (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Cruciate ligament rupture (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Lipoma | 6%owner survey | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Bordetella and/or parainfluenza (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Arthritis | 4%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%owner survey | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Hip dysplasia | 2%owner survey | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 2%screened dogs | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Skin cancer/tumor | 2%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | n/a | $2,291–$6,169 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Australian Cattle Dog and $922 for the Labrador Retriever. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is an Australian Cattle Dog or a Labrador Retriever more expensive?
The Labrador Retriever is cheaper by about $1,616 over a lifetime. Australian Cattle Dog: $42,881. Labrador Retriever: $41,265. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, an Australian Cattle Dog or a Labrador Retriever?
The Australian Cattle Dog has the longer typical lifespan. Australian Cattle Dog: 14 years. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, an Australian Cattle Dog or a Labrador Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Australian Cattle Dog's biggest single risk is dental calculus (us), seen in 37% of the breed. For the Labrador Retriever it is degenerative joint disease, at 6%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.