Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Labrador Retriever | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $41,265 | $47,096 |
| First year | $6,016 | $7,346 |
| Monthly average | $263 | $302 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $2,500 | $2,000 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,792 | $3,222 |
| Documented conditions | 28 | 9 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 13 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 80 lb | 35 to 60 lb |
| Daily food | 3.8 cups | 2.9 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $803 |
| 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 | 12%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
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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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog more expensive?
The Labrador Retriever is cheaper by about $5,831 over a lifetime. Labrador Retriever: $41,265. Portuguese Water Dog: $47,096. 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
The Labrador Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years. Portuguese Water Dog: 13 years.
Which is healthier, a Labrador Retriever or a Portuguese Water Dog?
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 Portuguese Water Dog 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.