Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Golden Retriever | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $45,339 | $36,956 |
| First year | $7,365 | $5,331 |
| Monthly average | $286 | $230 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,500 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,991 | $2,457 |
| Documented conditions | 27 | 28 |
| Median lifespan | 13.2 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 75 lb | 15 to 25 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $338 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Dental disease | Skin 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 disease | 70%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) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 12%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Giardia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chronic or recurrent hot spots (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 6%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Bordetella and/or parainfluenza (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fractured teeth (US) | 4%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Pruritis (US) | 4%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Skin cancer/tumor | 3%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Cruciate disease | 3%owner survey | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Acute moist dermatitis | 1%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 29%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 23%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 12%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fractured teeth (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Hearing loss (incompletely deaf) (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chronic kidney disease (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fleas (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Arthritis | 4%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Cryptorchidism | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 3%owner survey | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Colitis | 2%owner survey | $354–$954 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 2%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Distichiasis | 2%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1%screened dogs | not priced |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Golden Retriever and $0 for the Shetland Sheepdog. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Golden Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog more expensive?
The Shetland Sheepdog is cheaper by about $8,383 over a lifetime. Golden Retriever: $45,339. Shetland Sheepdog: $36,956. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Golden Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog?
The Shetland Sheepdog has the longer typical lifespan. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years. Shetland Sheepdog: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Golden Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Golden Retriever's biggest single risk is dental disease, seen in 70% of the breed. For the Shetland Sheepdog 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.