Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Labrador Retriever | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $41,265 | $37,904 |
| First year | $6,016 | $5,977 |
| Monthly average | $263 | $237 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $2,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,792 | $2,503 |
| Documented conditions | 28 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 80 lb | 4 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 3.8 cups | 0.6 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $668 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Degenerative joint disease | Periodontal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 21%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 4%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Overgrown nails | 6%1-yr clinical | $36–$98 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 40%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 29%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 17%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Cataracts (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Retained deciduous teeth (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | 7%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Dog bite (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Pancreatitis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Tracheal collapse (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
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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 $1,203 for the Yorkshire Terrier. 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 Yorkshire Terrier more expensive?
The Yorkshire Terrier is cheaper by about $3,361 over a lifetime. Labrador Retriever: $41,265. Yorkshire Terrier: $37,904. 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 Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Labrador Retriever: 13.1 years. Yorkshire Terrier: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Labrador Retriever or a Yorkshire Terrier?
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 Yorkshire Terrier it is periodontal disease, at 21%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.