Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Flat-Coated Retriever | French Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,831 | $29,367 |
| First year | $6,615 | $7,995 |
| Monthly average | $284 | $250 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,000 | $2,000 to $6,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,991 | $2,371 |
| Documented conditions | 5 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 11.7 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 60 to 70 lb | 20 to 28 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 1.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $184 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Hip dysplasia |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | 33%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin disease | 18%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 17%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Ear disease | 16%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Upper respiratory disease, including BOAS | 13%1-yr clinical | $422–$1,136 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Eye disease | 11%1-yr clinical | $449–$1,209 |
| Intervertebral disc disease (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 8%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 7%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS) | 5%owner survey | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis media | 4%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 4%screened dogs | not priced |
| Persistent vomiting | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Food Allergy | 3%owner survey | $378–$1,017 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 3%owner survey | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3%owner survey | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 0%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Spinal disease including IVDD | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Flat-Coated Retriever and $0 for the French Bulldog. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Flat-Coated Retriever or a French Bulldog more expensive?
The French Bulldog is cheaper by about $10,464 over a lifetime. Flat-Coated Retriever: $39,831. French Bulldog: $29,367. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Flat-Coated Retriever or a French Bulldog?
The Flat-Coated Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Flat-Coated Retriever: 11.7 years. French Bulldog: 9.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Flat-Coated Retriever or a French Bulldog?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Flat-Coated Retriever's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the French Bulldog it is hip dysplasia, at 33%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.