Labrador
Golden retrieverSide by side
A tick marks the better of the two on each line.
| Labrador | Golden retriever | |
| First year | £3,765 | £3,741 |
|---|---|---|
| Each year after | £1,912 | £1,888 |
| A month | £159 | £157 |
| Food a month | £59 | £57✓ |
| Insurance, a month | £50 | £50 |
| Adult weight | 25 to 36kg | 25 to 34kg |
| Lifespan | About 12 years | About 12 years |
| Grooming | At home | At home |
| Breed health problems | Some | Some |
| Over its life | £24,797 | £24,509 |
Which should you pick?
Pick the golden retriever if…
- You’ve met one you love. On the numbers they’re very close.
Health problems to know about
Labrador
- Hip and elbow problems
- Weight gain
- Ear infections
Golden retriever
- Hip and elbow problems
- Cancer
- Skin allergies
Whichever you choose, ask the breeder for health test results for both parents, and look for lifetime insurance with at least £7,000 a year for vet fees.
Compare insurance for either breed
Look for lifetime cover. Quotes for the same puppy can vary a lot between insurers.
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Questions
Which is cheaper, a Labrador or a golden retriever?
They cost about the same to run, around £1,900 a year.
Which lives longer, a Labrador or a golden retriever?
Labradors live about 12 years and golden retrievers about 12 years on average.
Which is bigger, a Labrador or a golden retriever?
Labradors usually weigh 25 to 36kg and golden retrievers 25 to 34kg as adults.
More comparisons
Cavapoo vs cockapooCockapoo vs cocker spanielCavapoo vs cavalier King Charles spanielFrench bulldog vs pugLabradoodle vs goldendoodle
These use the same starting figures as our breed pages: a girl puppy at £1,000, mid-range food for the adult weight, a week of kennels a year and no daycare. Put in your own figures.