Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Golden Retriever | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $45,339 | $38,392 |
| First year | $7,365 | $5,762 |
| Monthly average | $286 | $239 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,500 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,991 | $2,538 |
| Documented conditions | 27 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 13.2 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 75 lb | 15 to 20 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 1.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $462 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Dental disease | Allergic skin disorder |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allergic skin disorder | 7%1-yr clinical | $629–$1,694 |
| Obesity | 6%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Overgrown nails | 7%1-yr clinical | $36–$98 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Cutaneous disorder | 23%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Dental disorder | 18%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Aural disorder | 12%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 9%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Dermatitis | 4%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Chronic Itching | 4%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 4%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 4%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Otitis externa | 3%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 2%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Otitis media | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 2%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Pyoderma | 2%owner survey | $252–$679 |
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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 $1,131 for the West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier more expensive?
The West Highland White Terrier is cheaper by about $6,947 over a lifetime. Golden Retriever: $45,339. West Highland White Terrier: $38,392. 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 West Highland White Terrier?
The West Highland White Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years. West Highland White Terrier: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Golden Retriever or a West Highland White Terrier?
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 West Highland White Terrier it is allergic skin disorder, at 7%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.