Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Labrador Retriever | Lhasa Apso |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $41,265 | $42,163 |
| First year | $6,016 | $5,822 |
| Monthly average | $263 | $251 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $2,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,792 | $2,698 |
| Documented conditions | 28 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 14 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 80 lb | 12 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 3.8 cups | 1.2 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $668 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Degenerative joint 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Hip dysplasia | 8%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Umbilical hernia | 6%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 5%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 4%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 2%owner survey | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 1%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Otitis externa | 1%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Unspecified Skin Ear or Coat | 1%owner survey | $252–$679 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $922 for the Labrador Retriever and $0 for the Lhasa Apso. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Labrador Retriever or a Lhasa Apso more expensive?
The Labrador Retriever is cheaper by about $898 over a lifetime. Labrador Retriever: $41,265. Lhasa Apso: $42,163. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Labrador Retriever or a Lhasa Apso?
The Lhasa Apso has the longer typical lifespan. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years. Lhasa Apso: 14 years.
Which is healthier, a Labrador Retriever or a Lhasa Apso?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Labrador Retriever's biggest single risk is degenerative joint disease, seen in 6% of the breed. For the Lhasa Apso 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.