Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Border Terrier | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,516 | $41,265 |
| First year | $5,688 | $6,016 |
| Monthly average | $232 | $263 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $2,500 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,464 | $2,792 |
| Documented conditions | 5 | 28 |
| Median lifespan | 14.2 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 11.5 to 15.5 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 1.1 cups | 3.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $462 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Low | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| 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 Border Terrier 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 a Border Terrier or a Labrador Retriever more expensive?
The Border Terrier is cheaper by about $1,749 over a lifetime. Border Terrier: $39,516. 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, a Border Terrier or a Labrador Retriever?
The Border Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Border Terrier: 14.2 years. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Border Terrier or a Labrador Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Border Terrier's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% 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.