Alaskan Malamute vs Irish Setter Cost Comparison 2026
Alaskan Malamute costs $2,670/yr vs $2,060/yr for Irish Setter. Over a lifetime: $32,770 vs $27,170. Here's where the money goes.
Alaskan Malamute
$32,770
lifetime (11 yrs)
Lifetime Difference
$5,600
Irish Setter costs less
Irish Setter
$27,170
lifetime (12 yrs)
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Alaskan Malamute | Irish Setter | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $1,000–$3,000 | $800–$1,800 | Irish Setter |
| Annual Food | $840 | $600 | Irish Setter |
| Routine Vet Care | $600 | $480 | Irish Setter |
| Grooming | $180 | $180 | Alaskan Malamute |
| Pet Insurance | $38–$72/mo | $28–$58/mo | Irish Setter |
| Supplies & Training | $510 | $400 | Irish Setter |
| Total Annual Cost | $2,670 | $2,060 | Irish Setter |
| Lifetime Cost | $32,770 | $27,170 | Irish Setter |
Alaskan Malamute Cost Profile
- Size
- giant
- Lifespan
- 11 years
- Purchase Price
- $1,000–$3,000
- Annual Cost
- $2,670/yr
- Lifetime Total
- $32,770
Irish Setter Cost Profile
- Size
- large
- Lifespan
- 12 years
- Purchase Price
- $800–$1,800
- Annual Cost
- $2,060/yr
- Lifetime Total
- $27,170
Bottom Line
Irish Setter costs $610/yr less than Alaskan Malamute ($2,060 vs $2,670). Over a lifetime, that gap compounds to a $5,600 difference.