Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Labrador Retriever | Rhodesian Ridgeback |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $41,265 | $39,391 |
| First year | $6,016 | $6,499 |
| Monthly average | $263 | $274 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,792 | $2,875 |
| Documented conditions | 28 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 12 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 80 lb | 70 to 85 lb |
| Daily food | 3.8 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $250 |
| 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 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 9%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 9%owner survey | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 7%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 6%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 5%screened dogs | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 4%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Skin lump | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 3%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Dermatitis | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Arthritis | 2%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Hypothyroidism/Under-active thyroid | 2%owner survey | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
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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 Rhodesian Ridgeback. 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback more expensive?
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is cheaper by about $1,874 over a lifetime. Labrador Retriever: $41,265. Rhodesian Ridgeback: $39,391. 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback?
The Labrador Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years. Rhodesian Ridgeback: 12 years.
Which is healthier, a Labrador Retriever or a Rhodesian Ridgeback?
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 Rhodesian Ridgeback 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.