Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Chow Chow | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $40,164 | $41,265 |
| First year | $6,400 | $6,016 |
| Monthly average | $277 | $263 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,926 | $2,792 |
| Documented conditions | 11 | 28 |
| Median lifespan | 12.1 yrs | 13.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 55 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 3.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $250 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Elbow dysplasia | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow dysplasia | 51%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 22%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 6%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 6%screened dogs | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow or a Labrador Retriever more expensive?
The Chow Chow is cheaper by about $1,101 over a lifetime. Chow Chow: $40,164. 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 Chow Chow or a Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Chow Chow: 12.1 years. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Chow Chow or a Labrador Retriever?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Chow Chow's biggest single risk is elbow dysplasia, seen in 51% 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.